Late Payments (SMEs)
Debate between Andrew Smith and Debbie Abrahams(13 years, 3 months ago)
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Debbie Abrahams
Yes, that is certainly one of the actions that I hope for from the Government.
Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab)
I join the congratulations on how my hon. Friend is putting forward this important case. Does she not agree that the previous Labour Government brought in the target of five-day payment, as well as the ability to charge interest, which was mentioned by the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson) in his intervention? The problem is that in the public sector not enough Departments, agencies and local councils are complying with that target, so stronger measures are needed.
Debbie Abrahams
I thank my right hon. Friend for making that vital point. Yes, the previous Labour Government did a lot about that, but monitoring and reporting of the five-day target is needed. That is one of my action requests for the Government.