Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill

The King's Speech 2026 – Background Briefing Notes (PDF)

Why linked: King's Speech 2026 Background Briefing Notes explicitly names 'Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill' as a policy item; this is the primary source document for the legislative programme

The full PDF of the King's Speech 2026 background briefing notes from the Prime Minister's Office, containing dedicated section on the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill (p.75) setting out the rationale for establishing Great British Railways.

King's Speech announces Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill

Why linked: The King's Speech 2026 and official briefing notes announce the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill as part of the government's legislative programme.

The King's Speech 2026 bill to tackle late payments to small businesses and the self-employed, including stronger legal protections and enforcement against poor payment practices.

Department for Business and Trade’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) action plan: 2025 to 2028

Why linked: DBT's SME action plan 2025–28 — operational context for the late payments reform programme published on the same day (24 March 2026) as the consultation response.

DBT's SME action plan 2025–28 — operational context for the late payments reform programme published on the same day (24 March 2026) as the consultation response.

In response to: DBT small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) action plan: 2025 to 2028

Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025

Why linked: Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report 2024-25; directly relevant as the OSBC is the named responsible entity for late payment enforcement and a key body in the scope

Report on the activities of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Backing your business: our plan for small and medium-sized businesses

Why linked: 'Backing your business' SME strategy paper that sets late payments reform front-and-centre and is the policy umbrella the Bill sits under.

Strategy setting out a long-term plan for government support for small and medium-sized businesses.

Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024

Why linked: Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report 2023-24; documents the regulatory body's activities on late payments and enforcement

Report on the activities of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report and accounts 2022 to 2023

Why linked: Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report 2022-23; documents prior period activities relevant to policy development trajectory

Report on the activities of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022

Why linked: Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report 2021-22; provides institutional context for enforcement powers debate

Report on the activities of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Small Business Commissioner: Enterprise Bill factsheet

Why linked: 2015-09-17 Small Business Commissioner Enterprise Bill factsheet - explanation of Small Business Commissioner mechanism for enforcement

Outlines the measures that will be included in the Enterprise Bill.

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill: appropriate review provision - draft statutory guidance

Why linked: 2015-02-25 draft statutory guidance on SBEE Bill review provisions - relevant to understanding statutory framework for this legislation

Draft guidance on a new duty in the SBEE Bill, for ministers to include review provisions in secondary legislation that regulates business.