Government launches consultation on small business commissioner

As part of the Payment and Cashflow Review, the Government has launched a consultation on the role and effectiveness of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner.

The OSBC wants to hear from as many micro, small or large businesses and trade organisations, to hear how it could be more effective in future.

Share your views by completing the online form. Deadline for submissions is 28 April 2023.

The OSBC is also carrying out research into the impact that late and slow payments have on small businesses. The Commissioner needs valuable insight to share with Government to help inform thinking, and shape policy so poor payment practices can be tackled.

If late and slow payments have affected your business, we want to hear from you.

The OSBC website has recently been re-launched and is evolving based on user needs.

A short survey has been created which will take 5 to10 mins to complete, and feedback will be essential to ensure that the content and design of the website, is what small businesses need and want.

Liz Barclay (pictured), small business commissioner, said: “Our remit is to help you to get paid quicker for the goods and services you supply to your customers.

“We need to help policy makers understand what the barriers are, why payments become overdue and why contractual payment terms get extended sometimes to 90 or even 120 days.

“We 'd like to be able to prove to Government that small and micro businesses would grow faster if they had money in their bank accounts quicker so they could invest in training, skills, innovation and jobs rather than just struggling to survive.

“We also want to know that we 're doing our bit by providing you with the information you expect on our website. Help us to support you ”.