UK CONSTRUCTION SME ALLIANCE
DEMAND YOUR SEAT AT THE
GOVERNANCE TABLE.
The 99% will no longer be ignored. We are the backbone of the UK construction industry, and it's time our voices shaped the policies that govern us.
- Syncing secure ledger...
Open Letter: SME Representation in Construction Governance
This open letter represents the collective voice of SME construction businesses across the United Kingdom.
Open Letter Summary — UK Construction SME Alliance
The Problem
SMEs make up 99% of UK construction firms and the majority of the workforce, yet have no meaningful representation on the governance bodies that control training, funding, and advise ministers.
The CITB Industry Funding Committee currently has:
- Five seats held by large contractors
- Not a single practising SME business owner
The Core Demand
At least 50% of seats on the following bodies must be held by practising SME construction business owners:
- CITB Industry Funding Committee
- Construction Leadership Council (CLC)
- Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB)
Recent Failures by CITB (2025–2026)
- Sudden closure of the Skills and Training Fund
- Cuts to short course funding
- Defunding of regional Construction Training Groups
- Employer Networks funding reduced and exhausted mid-year without informing businesses
Why Now
The government is currently consulting on a potential merger of CITB and ECITB (closing 14 June 2026).
If governance reform is not addressed as part of this process, the merged body will simply inherit the same structural flaws.
What Is Being Asked For
- A formal written response within 28 days
- Inclusion of SME board representation in the merger consultation
- A meeting between Ministers, CITB’s Chair, and SME representatives
The Disconnect
BUILDING THE NATION.
IGNORED BY GOVERNANCE.
SMEs deliver the vast majority of the UK's construction output. We build the homes, pave the roads, and lay the physical foundations of our economy. Yet, when decisions are made at the highest levels of policy, our voices are entirely shut out. This systemic silence is stalling industry progress and punishing the very businesses driving national growth.
NO VOICE IN POLICY
Critical legislation and industry policies are drafted by massive conglomerates, deliberately ignoring the daily operational realities of SME contractors on the ground.
UNFAIR PROCUREMENT
Public sector contracts remain locked behind restrictive bureaucratic walls, heavily favoring tier-one giants while actively squeezing out exceptional local talent.
DISPROPORTIONATE REGULATION
We face the exact same crushing compliance burdens as multi-national corporations, but without the dedicated legal teams required to navigate them.
OUR STANCE
THE SME CONSTRUCTION
ALLIANCE DEMANDS
The current system is broken. Decisions affecting the foundation of our industry are made behind closed doors by those who do not bear the risk. The Alliance is drawing a line. These are our non-negotiable terms for the future of UK construction.
01
PROPORTIONAL BOARD REPRESENTATION
We demand guaranteed seats for SME contractors on all major public sector construction procurement boards.
02
FAIR PAYMENT TIMELINES
Mandatory 14-day payment terms for all public sector sub-contractors, with severe and immediate penalties for main contractor delays.
03
STREAMLINED PRE-QUALIFICATION
A unified, simplified PQQ process that does not unfairly penalize smaller firms or demand irrelevant bureaucratic overhead.
04
TRANSPARENT TENDER FEEDBACK
Legally binding requirements for detailed, actionable feedback on all unsuccessful public sector bids submitted by SMEs.
TAKE ACTION
STAND WITH THE
ALLIANCE TODAY
The representation gap ends here. Add your name to the official Open Letter and demand your seat at the governance table.
No credit card required. Your signature strengthens our collective weight.
OUR COMMITMENT
We protect our own. Your information is used strictly to validate your status as an SME industry professional and to tally our collective weight.
- Strict Privacy Standards
- Zero Solicitations
- Verified Signatures Only
- Direct Policy Impact
Every signature strengthens our negotiating position. The governance table will not invite us—we must demand our seat.
THE UNDENIABLE WEIGHT OF THE
ALLIANCE
99%
OF ALL FIRMS
£15B+
ECONOMIC OUTPUT
2.1M
WORKERS EMPLOYED
0
BOARD SEATS
UK CONSTRUCTION SME ALLIANCE
By signing the open letter, you consent to your name and company appearing on the public ledger. Your contact details are securely held and will never be sold or shared with third parties.
NAVIGATION
TAKE ACTION
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