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

To ask Her Majesty's Government how companies which are too small to have boards will be held accountable for supply chain payment practices under the proposed new powers for the Small Business Commissioner, announced on 19 June.

Under current legislation the Commissioner can consider complaints about payment issues, including payment issues within the supply chain, between small businesses (with fewer than 50 staff) and their larger private sector customers (with more than 50 staff), and make non-binding recommendations.

We must first consult on the provision of any new powers, given the Commissioner’s powers are underpinned by Primary Legislation. Following the consultation, we will consider representations made to Government carefully – any new powers will require further work post-consultation on the best way to implement.