Government 'hob-nobbing with big-wigs'

The government must stop wining and dining the major contractors and recognise the contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the National Federation of Builder's (NFB) has claimed.

The NFB's chief executive Tony Maynard said the government needs to get out of the habit of only getting the opinions of major contractors and instead listen to what regional SMEs have to say.

"It's time for the government to cancel all the evening bashes with the big players and listen to what smaller companies have to offer," Maynard said at the NFB's AGM last week.

"Too many SMEs are being stung because bigger companies are pushing out the small fry in their drive to improve and expand their supply chain. The government must step in to stop this."

Meanwhile, construction minister Brian Wilson has "been given an impossible mission", according to shadow trade and industry minister Robert Key.

Speaking at the AGM, Key said: "I know Brian is a hard worker but he will never be able to carry out all his duties and serve construction to the fullest."