Small Businesses: Finance

Debate between Baroness Sharples and Lord Newby

Wednesday 25th February 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Newby]

My Lords, I agree absolutely with my noble friend. We are looking at this in the context of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill and tightening up the speed with which the Government pay their bills. We will keep bearing down on businesses to make sure that they improve their performance in this area.

[Baroness Sharples (Con)]

Can my noble friend say whether government ministries are paying their bills on time as that would surely help small businesses?

[Lord Newby]

My Lords, I think that the track record of government departments on paying bills is significantly better than that of the private sector, but we are always keen to improve performance.