Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish the results of his May 2018 consultation on whether Government suppliers with a poor payment record should be excluded from Government procurement contracts in future.

On November 29, I announced a new prompt payment initiative to ensure all Government suppliers and subcontractors benefit from being paid on time. For the first time, failure of companies to demonstrate prompt payment to their suppliers could result in them being prevented from winning government contracts.

Coming into force on 1 September 2019, this will ensure the government only does business with companies who pay their suppliers on time, many of which are small businesses. The move will promote a healthy and diverse marketplace of companies providing public services.