A DETR statement confirmed that there were talks that covered the scheme's finances.
The statement said: "As a partnership, there are always ongoing discussions with Capita, including the financial arrangements." Constructionline chief executive Chris Leggett denied rumours that Capita had asked for more money from the DETR to boost the scheme.
He added that he had also met Office of Government Commerce officials to try to drum up more custom in central and local government.
Leggett said: "There is unhappiness about the take-up in local and central government.
It's probably accepted we should be a bit better off in terms of numbers. We are working with each of the government departments to try to work out their individual needs from the scheme." The decision to hold talks follows figures, revealed in December, showing that only 9000 companies had signed up to the scheme – 36% of the 25 000 target the organisation set itself.
Leggett said there were now 10 000 registered firms, 1000 of which were clients.
