Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the implications of the practice of companies requiring a supplier company to make a payment in order to join or to remain on that company's list of suppliers on competition in the UK economy.

The Department is aware that the practice of suppliers having to pay to join or remain on a supplier list is an issue in some sectors. The Government has already taken action to prohibit this practice in certain sectors.

We are currently consulting to understand the prevalence and impact of this practice economy wide. This will ensure that any action is appropriately targeted and achieves real change on the ground.