Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations he has received from smaller businesses on the timeliness of the payment of invoices in the private sector.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations on this issue through a variety of channels, including in response to public consultations. The Secretary of State is committed to action in this area, including through the recently introduced statutory duty for large businesses to report on their payment practices and performance, the voluntary Prompt Payment Code, and the incoming Small Business Commissioner.