News

Keep up to date with the latest news and issues from the Office of the Small Business Commissioner.

The New Fair Payment Code
February 21, 2025
Xero: Settle up. Shining a light on the late payment scandal
July 11, 2024
Fresh ideas for 21st century justice
May 3, 2024
Business payment practices and performance: reporting requirements
April 11, 2024
Changes to UK company law
March 4, 2024
Research reveals an increase in average payment days for small and medium businesses
March 1, 2024
Government response to the Amendments to the Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017
November 22, 2023
ICAEW’s UK Business Confidence Monitor: National
October 26, 2023
Xero’s United Kingdom Small Business Index
October 26, 2023
Unlocking untapped potential: LSB launches report on financing for ethnic minority-led businesses
October 26, 2023
Call for reform to protect and promote small businesses in online marketplaces, as new research is revealed
October 16, 2023
Government launches review of regulators to cut red tape and bureaucracy
October 6, 2023
The Late & The Slow Payment Watchlist Autumn 2023 – Good Business Pays
October 5, 2023
Micro Business Alliance Launch
March 24, 2023
Time is Money: Late payments ‘stifle’ small businesses, report shows
March 9, 2023
One in three small businesses will struggle after March, when the energy price cap ends
February 16, 2023
BEIS small and medium enterprises (SME) action plan: 2022 to 2025
January 30, 2023
New Year 2023 Business Resolution
January 9, 2023
Business Secretary launches review to prevent small firms from being ripped off by larger companies
December 5, 2022
Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay joined nine Small and Medium Accounting Practices to discuss a range of issues from skills shortages to late payment
November 16, 2022
“It’s never better late”
October 18, 2022
Businesses have 6 months remaining to register unresolved historical banking complaints with the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS)
August 15, 2022
Further support for small businesses feeling the squeeze as £4.5 billion Recovery Loan Scheme extended
July 21, 2022
Small Business Commissioner visits Wales to meet with business groups and call for action to stop poor payment practices
July 1, 2022
Over a quarter of UK businesses are being hit by more late payments due to the rising cost of living
May 19, 2022
Spring Statement
March 23, 2022
Major companies are permanently removed from the Prompt Payment Code for failing to pay their bills on time
March 3, 2022
TSB launches new BankiFi app to help business customers receive quicker, more convenient payments
February 16, 2022
Government unveils levelling up plan that will transform UK
February 3, 2022
HMRC’s small and medium enterprise action plan for 2021 to 2022
January 31, 2022
Government backs UK entrepreneurs with tech support and software to help them grow
January 20, 2022
Three in five UK businesses are owed money from late payments, fuelling stress and cash flow problems
January 17, 2022
UK Finance warns SMEs of increased risk of targeted scams
January 12, 2022
Managing cashflow is key to business survival and it’s now critical that small suppliers get paid within 30 days, says OSBC
January 5, 2022
New laws to strengthen national security come into effect
January 4, 2022
‘Paying quickly has never been more important’ UK Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay has a seasonal message for large business finance teams
December 21, 2021
Government levels playing field for SMEs on Small Business Saturday
December 6, 2021
Big firms called on to help their small suppliers reach net zero
November 4, 2021
New scheme to give people in problem debt breathing space launched
May 5, 2021
Liz Barclay named as Small Business Commissioner to lead crackdown on late payments to small businesses
March 16, 2021
HSBC UK Launches £15BN SME Fund to support businesses to grow again
March 10, 2021
Government announces £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund
February 11, 2021
Government tackles late payments to small businesses to protect jobs
January 19, 2021
Alok Sharma becomes full-time COP26 president and Kwasi Kwarteng is appointed as Secretary of State for Business
January 8, 2021
£4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs
January 6, 2021
Government to protect small businesses with action on late payments
October 1, 2020
BUPA Insurance Services Ltd take on Commissioner’s recommendations to improve payment practices
September 11, 2020
£20 million to improve small business leadership and problem-solving skills in the wake of coronavirus
August 4, 2020
Holland & Barrett improves payment practices during unprecedented times
July 6, 2020
TJX Europe
June 22, 2020
Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd and Zurich Insurance PLC take action to improve payment practices following Small Business Commissioner’s report
June 15, 2020
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
May 27, 2020
Small businesses boosted by bounce back loans
April 27, 2020
Poor Payment Practice in the Creative Sectors: Actions for Change
April 8, 2020
Small Business Commissioner’s appeal to UK big businesses
April 2, 2020
COVID-19: support for businesses
March 27, 2020
Chancellor gives support to millions of self-employed individuals
March 27, 2020
UK industry leaders back Commissioner’s call for business to pay promptly
March 16, 2020
Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd poor payment practice exposed in Small Business Commissioner report
February 13, 2020
Government appoints new interim Small Business Commissioner
January 27, 2020