21 Dec 2017
The government has launched its new complaint handling service, which will be managed by the new Small Business Commissioner, Paul Uppal.
The service will seek to resolve complaints from small businesses in regard to unfair payment practices and late payments.
Firms can also visit the Small Business Commissioner’s new website, which will provide guidance to businesses on payment issues, including advice on which course of action to take if a payment is overdue.
It will also supply guidance on how to check if the correct information has been provided to the correct person in order for an invoice to be paid, and chase when a payment is overdue. The Small Business Commissioner’s website can be accessed here.
Commenting on the launch of the new service, the Small Business Commissioner, Paul Uppal, stated: ‘My mission is to help all small businesses nurture positive and lasting relationships with their customers that work in the best interests of both.’
Meanwhile, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) welcomed the launch. Mike Cherry, its National Chairman, said: ‘The Small Business Commissioner is crucial to turning the tide on [the] late payments culture. FSB will be encouraging small businesses affected to use the service, and we hope then to see clear actions taken to tackle the worst examples of supply chain bullying.
‘Success will be a UK economic culture where a business that does a job promptly is paid promptly.’