Bid-rigging: FMB slams big companies

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has reacted to the OFT's investigation into bid rigging in construction by slamming big contractors, accusing them of seeming to "employ the same sort of underhand tactics" as cowboy builders.

Despite the OFT's statement of objections only naming 112 firms as being suspected of questionable industry practices, mainly cover pricing, a statement from the FMB expressed its "disgust" at the investigation's findings so far.

"The FMB is particularly appalled in view of the fact that many large construction contractors have been withholding payment to smaller sub-contractors, many of which are FMB members," it said.

In light of the investigation, it demanded that the government now follows through on its aim to open up 30% of local government contracts to smaller building firms.