Groups representing small businesses and charities have signed-up to the Local Government Association's (LGA) procurement pledge – which aims to ensure councils' annual £62bn spend on goods and services helps support local economies.

The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, and the Federation of Small Businesses offered their support after the LGA amended the pledge to ensure it met the needs of small and local firms, including charities and voluntary bodies. Smith Square first issued the pledge earlier this year as an alternative to a Government version – overseen by the Cabinet Office – which council chiefs dismissed as being centred on the needs of major Whitehall suppliers.