Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to provide the Small Business Commissioner with additional powers to help tackle persistent late payment by large firms.

This Government is committed to tackling late payments and supporting small businesses and the self-employed.

We launched a consultation in July alongside the Plan for Small Business which closes on the 23^rd of October which sets out measures we intend to bring forward in a package of primary legislation. As part the package, the Small Business Commissioner will be given stronger powers to ensure that they are able to tackle the poor payment practices head on. The consultation includes additional measures such as setting maximum payment terms and fining businesses that persistently pay their suppliers late.