Best practice is failing to permeate down the supply chain on government projects, says a survey by the Specialist Engineering Contractors Group.

The study concentrated on sub-contractors who had worked on government projects over the last five years. While it revealed a small improvement in satisfaction with the tendering process compared to 2000, there was a significant fall in satisfaction over contractual terms, while alarmingly, 57% of firms experienced payment delays and abuse on either the majority or at least half of their projects. “The undoubted commitment of government clients to improving procurement and contractual practices within the supply chain has still to be translated into action,” said Trevor Hursthouse, SEC Group chairman.

The SEC Group has submitted a plan of action to the Office of Government Commerce and all government clients and will discuss its findings with John Healy, the financial secretary to the Treasury.

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