Increasing the Scope and Powers of the Small Business Commissioner

This consultation seeks views on the merits of strengthening the Small Business Commissioner’s ("the Commissioner") ability to assist small businesses by providing them with effective mechanisms for redress, in respect of late payments. The Commissioner would potentially gain powers to activate enforcement mechanisms against: Businesses who do not comply with information requests. We are seeking views as to whether the Commissioner should have the power to enforce non-compliance with their information requests, such as through court orders and / or financial penalties; Businesses who are found to have poor or unfair payment practices towards small businesses. This consultation explores whether sanctions should be imposed by the Commissioner under certain specific circumstances. These sanctions could include undertaking of binding payment plans and financial penalties where payment fails to take place. We are also seeking views on extendin