Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Cunningham and Jenny Willott

Thursday 6th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Jenny Willott)]

The Government have previously considered the case for small businesses to have rights when buying goods and services that are more aligned with consumers, and consulted on this question in 2008 and 2012. We have continued to engage with representatives of small business on this matter. The Federation of Small Businesses will shortly present a report in this area and I have committed to responding and will read it with interest.

[Alex Cunningham]

I had a visit from the North East Federation of Small Businesses on Friday and was told that it has seen longer and longer delays in getting larger organisations to pay for goods and services, with one—Procter & Gamble—now having payment terms of 180 days. It says the prompt payment code has no teeth and companies just extend their terms to comply. Is it not time for the Government to intervene to put an end to these disgraceful delays and give small organisations a better chance of survival?

[Jenny Willott]

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point, and the Government take concerns from business about unfair payment terms very seriously. For example, as he says, receiving payments promptly can be critical to the survival of a small business. That is why the Department launched a discussion paper called “Building a responsible payment culture” at the beginning of December. It sought views on what unfair payment terms look like and whether legislative or non-legislative measures should be used to tackle them. The consultation closed at the end of January and we are currently analysing the responses. We will announce shortly what we want to do to tackle the issue.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Cunningham and Jenny Willott

Thursday 30th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

5. What steps she is taking to increase child care provision to help women in their careers.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities (Jenny Willott)]

The Government want parents to be able to access affordable child care so that they can afford to work while knowing their child is in a safe and stimulating environment. The Department for Culture Media and Sport provides grants to those wishing to set up a new child care business and the Department for Education is increasing child care provision by: simplifying the rules so nurseries can expand more easily; enabling good and outstanding childminders to access Government funding for early years places to make care cheaper for parents; and legislating to create childminder agencies to give parents and childminders more choice.

[Alex Cunningham]

With local authorities reporting that the number of breakfast and after-school clubs is deteriorating fast, will the Minister back Labour’s proposals to guarantee them specific funding in the future?

[Jenny Willott]

As I understand it, there are 500 more after-school clubs than there were at the time of the last election, which is a 5% increase over the past couple of years. The Department for Education is working extremely closely with schools to encourage the increase of breakfast clubs, wraparound care and after-school clubs as they make it far easier for a large number of parents to work while their children are in a safe and protected environment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Cunningham and Jenny Willott

Thursday 23rd January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Jenny Willott]

I am sure that the hon. Lady will join me in rejoicing at the fact that the FTSE 100 now has only two companies with all-male boards. A couple of years ago, the figure was 24 boards, so there has been significant progress. To increase the number of women going on to boards, we are doing everything we can to improve the pipeline, which means that more women below board level can get the support, mentoring and advice that they need to make themselves ready for and to get into board positions. We are doing what we can to increase the number of women on boards and to increase the flow of women, so that we can bring new blood on to the boards of Britain’s businesses.

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

7. Whether net lending to businesses by banks has risen in any of the last 24 months.