Network Rail has restated their commitment to supporting small businesses ahead of Small Business Saturday on the 2nd December.

Back in November 2019, Network Rail made a small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) action plan, which increased the number of tendering positions on the network.

Over the last financial year, they have contracted 4,388 suppliers, 72.5% of which were SMEs , which is a major increase from the previous year.

The Government has given Network Rail a target to spend 33% of its third party expenditure with SMEs by the end of 2022.

In the last financial year the total spend was 35.8%, with £1.213bn directly spent with SMEs.

Clive Berrington, Network Rail’s Group Commercial & Procurement director, said: “UK’s rail network is the lifeblood of the country and vital to moving freight and people around. Therefore it has never been more important to support small businesses.

“Ensuring that we are more accessible to small and medium businesses, increases competition and drives down costs, while also increasing efficiency, creativity, and innovation. Small businesses continue to make a big contribution to the world’s oldest rail network, and we are pleased that we can offer opportunities to invest in the railway.”