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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to give the small business commissioner the power to issue fines to large companies who make late payments to small businesses.

The Small Business Commissioner launched in December 2017 to support small businesses resolve payment disputes and avoid future issues by encouraging a culture change in contract negotiations and payment practices. My rt. hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a call for evidence in the Spring Statement on eliminating unfair payment practices, which will seek views on how the Government can go further to deliver a fair payment culture.