This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33667024

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Small business commissioner to target late payments Small business commissioner to target late payments
(about 4 hours later)
A small business commissioner will help firms tackle the issue of the billions of pounds in late payments for goods and services, under government plans.A small business commissioner will help firms tackle the issue of the billions of pounds in late payments for goods and services, under government plans.
It estimates small firms are owed £26bn in late payments - and chasing debts costs them millions of pounds more.It estimates small firms are owed £26bn in late payments - and chasing debts costs them millions of pounds more.
Business minister Anna Soubry said the role would tackle the power "imbalance" between small and large UK businesses.Business minister Anna Soubry said the role would tackle the power "imbalance" between small and large UK businesses.
The Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the move but said it must be properly funded and be high profile.The Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the move but said it must be properly funded and be high profile.
Plans for a new small business conciliation service to help settle disputes - specifically over late payment - were announced in the Queen's Speech.Plans for a new small business conciliation service to help settle disputes - specifically over late payment - were announced in the Queen's Speech.
The service aims to handle problems without the need for court action.The service aims to handle problems without the need for court action.
'Culture change''Culture change'
As part of the new Enterprise Bill, the government also wants to create a commissioner role to deal with outstanding payments and supply-chain bullying, where suppliers are forced to cut their prices in order to retain the custom of much bigger firms.As part of the new Enterprise Bill, the government also wants to create a commissioner role to deal with outstanding payments and supply-chain bullying, where suppliers are forced to cut their prices in order to retain the custom of much bigger firms.
It said the commissioner would:It said the commissioner would:
In a consultation published online, Ms Soubry said small firms were responsible for 48% of UK private sector employment and were vital to economic growth.In a consultation published online, Ms Soubry said small firms were responsible for 48% of UK private sector employment and were vital to economic growth.
She said she wanted the commissioner to bring about a "long-lasting culture change", helping to settle disputes quickly and cheaply.She said she wanted the commissioner to bring about a "long-lasting culture change", helping to settle disputes quickly and cheaply.
A similar role in Australia was having a real impact, she said, adding she hoped for the same "effective and fair solution here".A similar role in Australia was having a real impact, she said, adding she hoped for the same "effective and fair solution here".
The consultation cited data suggesting more than half of cases handled by Victoria's small business commissioner were successfully resolved, at 30% or less of the cost of taking legal action.The consultation cited data suggesting more than half of cases handled by Victoria's small business commissioner were successfully resolved, at 30% or less of the cost of taking legal action.
More than half of complaints were resolved within one week, and 80% within 12 weeks.More than half of complaints were resolved within one week, and 80% within 12 weeks.
'Limits growth''Limits growth'
Ms Soubry said the culture of late payments to small firms was "simply unacceptable".Ms Soubry said the culture of late payments to small firms was "simply unacceptable".
"It limits their growth and productivity, and can put an otherwise successful business at risk," she said."It limits their growth and productivity, and can put an otherwise successful business at risk," she said.
"The small business commissioner will tackle the imbalance of bargaining power between small suppliers and large customers, and encourage them to get round the table.""The small business commissioner will tackle the imbalance of bargaining power between small suppliers and large customers, and encourage them to get round the table."
Ministers also called on businesses of all sizes to share their experiences with late payments and asked for their views on its proposals.Ministers also called on businesses of all sizes to share their experiences with late payments and asked for their views on its proposals.
The Federation of Small Businesses, which represents small and medium-sized businesses and has more than 200,000 members, carried out a survey of members last year that suggested 51% had experienced late payment in the previous 12 months.The Federation of Small Businesses, which represents small and medium-sized businesses and has more than 200,000 members, carried out a survey of members last year that suggested 51% had experienced late payment in the previous 12 months.
The federation said the move was encouraging but a culture of late payments had developed at board level in big companies.The federation said the move was encouraging but a culture of late payments had developed at board level in big companies.
It also said the new commissioner should have the power to refer large debtors to the Competition and Markets Authority.It also said the new commissioner should have the power to refer large debtors to the Competition and Markets Authority.
Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.