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Small Business Commissioner Review

The Small Business Commissioner Review examines the role and effectiveness of the Small Business Commissioner in protecting small and micro-businesses from unfair contract terms, late payments, and disputes with larger suppliers and energy companies. Led by the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the review is active and includes consultation on collective actions regimes, Energy Ombudsman coverage expansion, and improved dispute resolution mechanisms. Recent recommendations propose extending Energy Ombudsman coverage to all small businesses and increasing maximum award limits to £50,000.

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2026

7 events
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that small businesses have access to affordable legal recourse in disputes with energy suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that small businesses have access to affordable legal recourse in disputes with energy suppliers.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
25 Mar 2026 | Announcement Department for Business and Trade linked

Corporate Civil Enforcement Regime Consultation

UIN: HCWS1448 The enforcement activities of the Insolvency Service - tackling economic crime, disqualifying directors for corporate misconduct and the winding-up of companies in public interest - serve to protect market integrity. This, in turn, fosters economic growth...

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25 Mar 2026 | Announcement Department for Business and Trade linked

Corporate Civil Enforcement Regime Consultation

UIN: HLWS1455 My hon Friend the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation (Blair McDougall MP) has today made the following statement.The enforcement activities of the Insolvency Service - tackling economic crime, disqualifying directors for corporate mis...

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

2025

5 events

2024

3 events

2023

5 events

2022

5 events
7 Jan 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

SBC late payments survey — consultation closed

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner has a remit across late payments and changing the culture of late payments in the UK. Small firms complain about late payments as one of their top concerns and cite them as the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2021

5 events
20 Oct 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

SBC late payments survey — consultation opened

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner has a remit across late payments and changing the culture of late payments in the UK. Small firms complain about late payments as one of their top concerns and cite them as the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Mar 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

SBC User Survey — consultation closed

We, at the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, would really like to find out how you feel about the functionality, presentation and accessibility of our website ( https://www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk/ ). The results from this short survey will help us make …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

SBC User Survey — consultation opened

We, at the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, would really like to find out how you feel about the functionality, presentation and accessibility of our website ( https://www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk/ ). The results from this short survey will help us make …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2020

7 events
24 Dec 2020 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

Increasing the Scope and Powers of the Small Business Commissioner — consultation closed

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 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Oct 2020 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked

Increasing the Scope and Powers of the Small Business Commissioner — consultation opened

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 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
10 Jun 2020 | Announcement Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy linked

Business Update

UIN: HLWS276 My Honourable friend the Minister for London and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets) (Paul Scully) has today made the following statement:I am today announcing the scope of the Independent Rev...

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2018

4 events
22 Jan 2018 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (Consequential Amendments, Savings and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2017

Motion to Approve 19:25:00 Moved by Lord Bates: That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 6 December 2017 be approved. The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Lord Bates) (Con): My Lords, the statutory instrument that I …

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2017

1 event

2016

8 events
2 Dec 2016 | Consultation outcome Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy linked

Business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appeals Champion — outcome published

We're seeking views on the scope of the business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appeals Champion and on the related guidance.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Business impact target, growth duty and Small B… (42pp)
+15 more
↓ Growth duty: draft guidance (17pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: draft guidance (16pp) ↓ Growth duty: draft statutory instrument (15pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: draft statutory instrument (14pp) ↓ Business impact target (BIT): impact assessment (15pp) ↓ Growth duty: impact assessment (27pp) ↓ Growth duty: impact assessment - RPC opinion (3pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: impact assessment (24pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: impact assessment - RPC op… (3pp) ↓ Business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appe… (32pp) ↓ Business impact target: final impact assessment ↓ Business impact target: final impact assessment - RPC opini… (4pp) ↓ Growth duty: draft statutory guidance (19pp) ↓ Growth duty: final impact assessment ↓ Growth duty: final impact assessment - RPC opinion (3pp)
17 Mar 2016 | Consultation outcome Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy linked

Business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appeals Champion — consultation closed

We're seeking views on the scope of the business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appeals Champion and on the related guidance.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Business impact target, growth duty and Small B… (42pp)
+15 more
↓ Growth duty: draft guidance (17pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: draft guidance (16pp) ↓ Growth duty: draft statutory instrument (15pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: draft statutory instrument (14pp) ↓ Business impact target (BIT): impact assessment (15pp) ↓ Growth duty: impact assessment (27pp) ↓ Growth duty: impact assessment - RPC opinion (3pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: impact assessment (24pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: impact assessment - RPC op… (3pp) ↓ Business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appe… (32pp) ↓ Business impact target: final impact assessment ↓ Business impact target: final impact assessment - RPC opini… (4pp) ↓ Growth duty: draft statutory guidance (19pp) ↓ Growth duty: final impact assessment ↓ Growth duty: final impact assessment - RPC opinion (3pp)
11 Feb 2016 | Consultation outcome Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy linked

Business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appeals Champion — consultation opened

We're seeking views on the scope of the business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appeals Champion and on the related guidance.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Business impact target, growth duty and Small B… (42pp)
+15 more
↓ Growth duty: draft guidance (17pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: draft guidance (16pp) ↓ Growth duty: draft statutory instrument (15pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: draft statutory instrument (14pp) ↓ Business impact target (BIT): impact assessment (15pp) ↓ Growth duty: impact assessment (27pp) ↓ Growth duty: impact assessment - RPC opinion (3pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: impact assessment (24pp) ↓ Small Business Appeals Champion: impact assessment - RPC op… (3pp) ↓ Business impact target, growth duty and Small Business Appe… (32pp) ↓ Business impact target: final impact assessment ↓ Business impact target: final impact assessment - RPC opini… (4pp) ↓ Growth duty: draft statutory guidance (19pp) ↓ Growth duty: final impact assessment ↓ Growth duty: final impact assessment - RPC opinion (3pp)

2015

65 events
24 Mar 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Consideration of Lords amendments Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): I must draw the House’s attention to the fact that financial privilege is involved in Lords amendments 85, 123 and 133. If the House agrees to any of these amendments, …

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17 Mar 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Third Reading 15:08:00 Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con): My Lords, I have it in command from Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to acquaint the House that they, having been informed of the purport …

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11 Mar 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Report (3rd Day) 15:38:00 Relevant documents: 11th, 13th and 19th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee . Clause 122: Abolition of requirements to hold meetings: company insolvency Amendment 57B Moved by 57B: Clause 122, page 98, line 31, leave out …

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9 Mar 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Report (2nd Day) 15:13:00 Relevant documents: 11th, 13th and 19th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee . Schedule 1: The Pubs Code Adjudicator Amendment 33A Moved by 33A: Schedule 1, page 150, line 6, leave out from “arrangements” to end …

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3 Mar 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Report (1st Day) 15:37:00 Clause 3: Companies: duty to publish report on payment practices Amendment 1 Moved by 1: Clause 3, page 4, line 1, after “policies” insert “and performance” Lord Mendelsohn (Lab): My Lords, I shall speak also to …

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3 Mar 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Report (1st Day) (Continued) 20:39:00 Clause 33: Definitions of small and micro businesses Amendment 25 Moved by 25: Clause 33, page 29, line 28, at end insert— “( ) Those who represent businesses with 10 to 49 employees and are …

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26 Feb 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Order of Consideration Motion 11:41:00 Tabled by Baroness Neville-Rolfe: That the amendments for the Report stage be marshalled and considered in the following order: Clauses 1 to 41, Schedule 1, Clauses 42 to 77, Schedule 2, Clauses 78 to 81, …

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28 Jan 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Committee (7th Day) Relevant documents: 11th and 13th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall) (Lab): My Lords, I remind the Committee that, in the event of a Division in the Chamber, …

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26 Jan 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Committee (6th Day) Relevant documents: 11th and 13th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee Clause 144: Protected disclosures: reporting requirements Amendment 62 Moved by 62: Clause 144, page 124, line 5, at end insert— “( ) In section 43B (disclosures …

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21 Jan 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Committee (5th Day) 15:49:00 Relevant documents: 11th and 13th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Brougham and Vaux) (Con): My Lords, I do not think that there will be a Division but if there …

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19 Jan 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Committee (4th Day) 15:30:00 Relevant documents: 11th and 13th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall) (Lab): My Lords, I remind the Committee that, if there is a Division in the Chamber, …

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14 Jan 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Committee (3rd Day) 15:45:00 Relevant documents: 11th and 13th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Brougham and Vaux) (Con): My Lords, if there is a Division in the Chamber, the Committee will adjourn as …

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12 Jan 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Committee (2nd Day) 15:30:00 Relevant documents: 11th and 13th Reports from the Delegated Powers Committee The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Colwyn) (Con): My Lords, should there be a Division in the Chamber while we are sitting, the Committee will …

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7 Jan 2015 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Committee (1st Day) 15:45:00 Relevant document: 11th Report from the Delegated Powers Committee The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Colwyn) (Con): My Lords, if there is a Division in the Chamber, the Committee will adjourn for 10 minutes. Amendment 1 …

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2014

102 events
15 Dec 2014 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Order of Consideration Motion 15:14:00 Moved by Baroness Neville-Rolfe: That the Bill be committed to a Grand Committee, and that it be an instruction to the Committee that they consider the Bill in the following order: Clauses 1 to 39, …

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2 Dec 2014 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Second Reading 15:20:00 Moved by Baroness Neville-Rolfe: That the Bill be read a second time. Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab): Before we begin the main business of the day, anyone wishing to participate in my QSD on Thursday about the …

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19 Nov 2014 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

[2nd Allocated Day] Further consideration of Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee Clause 144 Amount of financial penalty for underpayment of national minimum wage 12:45:00 Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): I beg to move amendment 8, page 134, …

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18 Nov 2014 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

[1st Allocated Day] Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee New Clause 6 Power to grant exemptions from Pubs Code ‘(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that the Pubs Code does not, or specified …

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16 Jul 2014 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Second Reading 15:06:00 The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable): I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill has two fundamental purposes, one of …

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16 Jul 2014 | Bill stage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills linked

sMALL bUSINESS, eNTERPRISE AND eMPLOYMENT bILL (mONEY)

Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of: …

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2013

1 event

2012

2 events