Business: Advice Services

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Lord Cotter

Tuesday 8th December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

I was not aware of that report but it sounds a very valuable one. Having operated internationally, I am a huge fan of languages, both in the curriculum and being really useful when you are trying to export; getting my own children to speak foreign languages has been a problem.

[Lord Cotter (LD)]

My Lords, the Minister has raised the issue of late payment. There is a tremendous problem within the construction industry, as she may know, and a lot of people are getting together to put the facts forward. Will she address this issue in the new year? Retention of payments, payments after 120 days when they should be within 30 days—these are very live issues, which I and others will be addressing in the new year, and I hope she will start to address them now.

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

Indeed, retentions are an issue in the construction industry. That is why we have set up a review, partly as a result of discussion on the Enterprise Bill, to bring the question of late payment in construction into the piece, which is already tackling business generally and insurance.

Small Businesses: Late Payments

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Lord Cotter

Wednesday 28th October 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Cotter (LD)]

As has already been mentioned, there are special problems when it comes to the construction industry. In particular, SMEs in the construction industry have lost £30 million through cash retention so far in 2015. Will the Minister make a strong commitment to look at this issue, which is vital for the survival and growth of small businesses?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I am happy to look at this issue. We will be discussing it in Committee this afternoon. The Government acknowledge that there are issues here. We have taken steps to improve the situation, but it is not yet right.