Two thirds of authorities in the UK, including North Somerset Council, are ‘failing’ small businesses, according to a leading trade union.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said the authorities are blocking smaller businesses and start-ups from gaining public sector contracts.

The FMB, the largest trade association in the building industry, says small building contractors struggle to win contracts for jobs such as for public road and pavement work.

Chief executive of the FMB Brian Berry said: “It’s no wonder that construction SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) struggle to win public contracts, when even at the first hurdle, local authorities are failing them.”

Mr Berry also said 40 per cent of smaller construction companies fail to win nine out of 10 public sector contracts.

A council spokesman said the local authority made sure it offered equal opportunities for smaller construction companies.

They said: “We have always aimed to be an early adopter of government advice and try to make it easier for suppliers to access council services where government rules allow.”