Small Businesses: Late Payments

Baroness Wall of New Barnet Excerpts

Wednesday 28th October 2015 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Baroness Wall of New Barnet (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister explain why even in the NHS there are ethical views about how you pay small businesses for services carried out? If we can do that in the NHS, why can business not do that?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

I agree with the noble Baroness that late payment has to be got rid of in the public sector and in the private sector. We have taken a great many steps in the public sector, including in the health service. We are now seeking to do more in the private sector. We are discussing that in the Enterprise Bill, which makes really important changes.