Active Announced in the King's Speech on 13 May 2026. 55 events
Threads / Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill / Timeline
Lifecycle stage Response Published
52 days in stage

Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill

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.

Log in for AI briefing
Showing all 55 signals
Sort Latest first Oldest first
Family
Signal
Year
Body
Role

2026

16 events
13 May 2026 | Policy paper British Transport Police Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee Department for Transport Network Rail Office of Rail and Road Regulatory Policy Committee Transport Committee Transport Focus Context · primary home: Tackling State Threats Bill linked direct

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 May 2026 | Policy paper Department for Business and Trade linked commitment

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ The King's Speech 2026: background briefing not… (129pp)
26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Business and Trade linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to late payment policy on (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) larger businesses; and whether he plans to differentiate

Why linked: 2026-03-26 written question on assessment of proposed changes to late payment policy - direct parliamentary scrutiny of the Bill's policy impacts

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to late payment policy on (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) larger businesses; and whether he plans …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2026 | Policy paper Department for Business and Trade linked direct

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

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2026 | Other Department for Business and Trade linked direct

Minister Blair McDougall - Letter to businesses on upcoming late payment reforms - 24 March 2026

Why linked: Minister Blair McDougall's 24 March 2026 letter to businesses on upcoming late payment reforms — issued alongside the consultation response and directly on the Bill's notice to the regulated population.

Letter from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation to businesses, giving notification of changes to Government policy on late payments.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Minister Blair McDougall letter to businesses o… (2pp)
24 Mar 2026 | Guidance Cabinet Office linked direct

Small and Medium Business Hub

Why linked: 2026-03-24 Small and Medium Business Hub guidance on government commitment to prompt payment - relevant guidance on payment practices implementation

Centralised guidance for SMEs and departments on government’s commitment to support start-ups and small businesses via government procurement, and commit to paying them on time.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
9 Mar 2026 | Policy paper Small Business Commissioner linked direct

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner annua… (104pp)
+3 more
↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report and… (226pp) ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report and… (104pp) ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner annual report and… (226pp)
4 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Business and Trade linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support small and medium-sized construction businesses facing insolvency as a result of planning delays and late payment practices.

Why linked: 2026-03-04 written question on insolvency support for construction SMEs facing late payment - related cash flow protection for late-payment-affected businesses

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support small and medium-sized construction businesses facing insolvency as a result of planning delays and late payment practices.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Mar 2026 | Research House of Commons Library linked direct

Estimates Day debate: Spending and priorities of the Department for Business and Trade

Why linked: 2026-03-02 Estimates Day debate pack on DBT priorities - context for departmental spending and legislative priorities

Type: Commons Debate Pack (CDP-2026-0045) On Wednesday 4 March 2026, the House of Commons will consider estimates of spending and priorities of the Department for Business and Trade.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ CDP-2026-0045.pdf
11 Feb 2026 | Other linked direct

Business confidence amongst smaller firms is too low. The Government has released a short plan, but it does not address the significant cost pressures faced by SMEs. The Department of Business and Trade must do more to improve small business cash-flows, reduce costs, and thereby improve the return on investment for small businesses. (Conclusion, Paragraph 17) Sales and cash flow

Why linked: 2026-02-11 document on business confidence and SME cost pressures - relevant context on underlying cash flow challenges the Bill addresses

Business confidence amongst smaller firms is too low. The Government has released a short plan, but it does not address the significant cost pressures faced by SMEs. The Department of Business and Trade must do more to improve small business …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Feb 2026 | Other linked direct

Companies House should integrate Fair Payments Code information with the register, to provide small businesses with clearer intelligence about a firm’s payment practices. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40)

Why linked: 2026-02-11 recommendation on Fair Payments Code integration - policy recommendation relevant to enforcement and transparency mechanisms

Companies House should integrate Fair Payments Code information with the register, to provide small businesses with clearer intelligence about a firm’s payment practices. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40) Type: conclusion | Number: 8 | Response status: response_pending

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
9 Jan 2026 | Policy paper Department for Business and Trade linked direct

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Backing your business: our plan for small and m…
+6 more
↓ Backing your business: our plan for small and medium sized … (66pp) ↓ Backing your business: one page summary (1pp) ↓ Backing your business: policy annex (web version) ↓ Backing your business: policy annex (PDF version) (43pp) ↓ Backing your business: evidence annex (web version) ↓ Backing your business: evidence annex (PDF version) (39pp)

2025

10 events
30 Dec 2025 | Guidance Department for Business and Trade linked direct

Business payment practices and performance: directors' reporting requirements

Why linked: December 2025 directors'-reporting guidance — operationalises the directors'-report payment data requirement that the Bill's board-level scrutiny duty layers onto.

Guidance on the statutory requirement for companies to include payment data headline statistics in their directors’ reports.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Guidance to reporting on payment data in direct…
16 Sep 2025 | Announcement Department for Business and Trade linked direct

Backing your Business: Our plan for small and medium sized businesses

Why linked: WMS introducing 'Backing your Business' SME plan — the parliamentary delivery vehicle for the Government strategy that frames the Bill.

UIN: HLWS924 My Hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary (Blair McDougall MP) has today made the following statement.On 31st July, the Government launched our Plan for Small Businesses, changing the status quo in order to support small businesses.Economic growth r...

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
2 Sep 2025 | Guidance Department for Business and Trade linked direct

Business payment practices and performance: reporting requirements

Why linked: September 2025 reporting requirements guidance — operationalises the duty under SBEE Act 2015 s.3 and 2017 Regulations that the Bill leverages for SBC compliance checks and persistent-late-payer identification.

Guidance on the statutory reporting duty for companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Duty to report: guidance to reporting on paymen…
17 Jun 2025 | Announcement Department for Business and Trade Small Business Commissioner linked direct

Government appoints Emma Jones CBE as new Small Business Commissioner to help tackle late payments

Why linked: Government announcement of new Small Business Commissioner appointment explicitly linked to tackling late payments; relevant to implementation and policy context

Government appoints new Small Business Commissioner as part of efforts to boost SMEs and tackle late payments

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
12 Jun 2025 | Policy paper Small Business Commissioner linked direct

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annua… (92pp)
+3 more
↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annual Report and… (180pp) ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annual Report and… (92pp) ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annual Report and… (180pp)
12 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Business and Trade linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to help small businesses respond to the payment of delayed invoices by larger businesses.

Why linked: 2025-03-12 written question on steps to help small businesses with delayed invoice payments - relevant parliamentary scrutiny proximate to Bill timeline

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to help small businesses respond to the payment of delayed invoices by larger businesses.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
12 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Business and Trade linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of delayed invoice payments on (a) self-employed individuals, (b) sole traders and (c) small businesses in the construction industr

Why linked: 2025-03-12 written question on impact of delayed payments on self-employed - relevant scrutiny on key beneficiary group for the Bill

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of delayed invoice payments on (a) self-employed individuals, (b) sole traders and (c) small businesses in the construction industr

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2024

6 events
19 Sep 2024 | Research Department for Business and Trade linked direct

Late payments research: performance and practices across business

Why linked: 2024-09-19 research on late payment performance and practices - evidence base for the legislative proposals

Research looking at what causes late payments between businesses, and how this affects payment performance and practices across businesses of different sectors and sizes.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Late payments research: understanding variation…
+1 more
↓ Late payments research: understanding variations in payment… (46pp)
11 Mar 2024 | Policy paper Small Business Commissioner linked direct

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annua… (92pp)
+2 more
↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annual Report and… (92pp) ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annual Report and… (190pp)
8 Mar 2024 | Other Department for Business and Trade Small Business Commissioner linked direct

Statutory review of the Small Business Commissioner response to views and evidence

Why linked: Statutory review of the Small Business Commissioner; directly feeds into legislative reform scope and enforcement mechanism design

Statutory review of the Small Business Commissioner; directly feeds into legislative reform scope and enforcement mechanism design

In response to: Prompt payment and cash flow review

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Feb 2024 | Written question Department for Business and Trade linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that small business are paid on time by other companies within their supply chains.

Why linked: 2024 PQ to DBT on ensuring small businesses paid on time; recent parliamentary engagement on the policy issue

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that small business are paid on time by other companies within their supply chains.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2023

6 events
15 Feb 2023 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked direct

Small Business Commissioner: statutory review 2023

Why linked: Small Business Commissioner statutory review 2023 consultation; part of the Payment and Cashflow Review informing late payment protections

As part of the recently announced Payment and Cashflow Review , w e are seeking views and evidence to inform the Statutory Review of the Small Business Commissioner, looking at particularly its effectiveness in improving payment practices in commercial transactions …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
15 Feb 2023 | Consultation (open) Department for Business and Trade Small Business Commissioner linked direct

Statutory Review of the Small Business Commissioner

Why linked: Statutory Review of the Small Business Commissioner consultation (open 2023); directly informs the legislative scope and enhanced enforcement mechanisms

Statutory Review of the Small Business Commissioner consultation (open 2023); directly informs the legislative scope and enhanced enforcement mechanisms

In response to: Small Business Commissioner: invitation for views on the statutory review 2023

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
15 Feb 2023 | Consultation (closed) Department for Business and Trade Small Business Commissioner linked direct

Small Business Commissioner: invitation for views on the statutory review 2023

Why linked: Small Business Commissioner statutory review invitation 2023; formal consultation driving policy reform

We're seeking views on the Small Business Commissioner’s effectiveness, as part of a statutory review.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Statutory Review of the Small Business Commissi…
31 Jan 2023 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked direct

Amendments to the Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017

Why linked: 2023-01-31 consultation on amendments to Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 - pre-legislative consultation directly on late payment enforcement

We're seeking views on proposals to amend and improve the Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, and whether they should extend beyond their current expiry date of 6 April 2024. The consultation sets out proposals on: amending the expiry date to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jan 2023 | Policy paper Small Business Commissioner linked direct

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annua… (86pp)
+2 more
↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annual Report and… (83pp) ↓ Office of the Small Business Commissioner Annual Report and… (158pp)

2022

2 events

2021

4 events
17 Nov 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked direct

Statutory Review of The Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017

Why linked: 2021-11-17 statutory review of Reporting on Payment Practices Regulations - formal review of existing enforcement mechanism

The objectives of the reporting on payment practices and performance regulations are firstly to increase transparency and public scrutiny of large businesses’ payment practices and performance, and secondly to give small business suppliers better information so they can make informed …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy linked direct

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Prompt Payment Code on SMEs in the construction sector, given that only a small minority of construction businesses are signatories to the Code.

Why linked: Written question on impact of Prompt Payment Code on SMEs in construction—directly addresses enforcement and practical effectiveness of payment protections mechanisms in specific sector.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Prompt Payment Code on SMEs in the construction sector, given that only a small minority of construction businesses are signatories to the Code.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2020

5 events
1 Oct 2020 | Announcement Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Small Business Commissioner linked direct

Government to protect small businesses with action on late payments

Why linked: 2020 Government announcement on protecting small businesses from late payments; launches consultation on strengthening Small Business Commissioner powers directly relevant to Bill scope

Consultation launched aimed at giving Small Business Commissioner more power to support businesses and resolve late payment issues

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

Increasing the Scope and Powers of the Small Business Commissioner

Why linked: 2020 Consultation on increasing Small Business Commissioner powers; substantive policy consultation on mechanisms and enforcement

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 Business and Trade Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy linked direct

Increasing the scope and powers of the Small Business Commissioner

Why linked: 2020 Consultation on increasing scope and powers of Small Business Commissioner; directly addresses late payment redress mechanisms in scope

This consultation seeks views on strengthening the Commissioner’s ability to provide small businesses with mechanisms for redress, in respect of late payments.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Increasing the scope and powers of the Small Bu… (38pp)
21 Jan 2020 | Debate linked direct

Small Business Commissioner and Late Payments etc Bill [HL]

Why linked: 2020 Small Business Commissioner and Late Payments etc Bill [HL] First Reading; historical precursor Bill on same policy topic showing legislative trajectory

First Reading 15:02:00 A Bill to make provision to amend the statutory limits for payment of invoices; make provision for a statutory time limit for resolving payment disputes; amend interest for late payments and penalties for persistent late payments and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Download transcript (text)

2018

1 event
4 Oct 2018 | Consultation (closed) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero linked direct

Creating a Responsible Payment Culture: A Call for Evidence in Tackling Late Payment

Why linked: 2018 Government consultation 'Creating a Responsible Payment Culture'; foundational policy evidence-gathering on late payment culture and enforcement

The Government is building an environment in which small and medium-sized businesses can continue to prosper, tackling the continuing issue of late payments is vital for this to happen. Businesses with good credit and cash flow management build a positive …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2017

2 events
31 Jan 2017 | Consultation outcome Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy linked direct

Business payment practices and policies: duty to report

Why linked: 2017-01-31 Business payment practices and policies consultation outcome - foundational consultation on payment reporting and practices regulation

We’re asking for views on our proposals to make companies report on their payment performance to help create responsible payment practices.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill:… (30pp)
+6 more
↓ Annex E: duty to report on payment practices and policies -… (64pp) ↓ Annex F: duty to report on payment practices and policies -… (4pp) ↓ Duty to report on payment practices and performance: govern… (29pp) ↓ Duty to report on payment practices and performance: final … (30pp) ↓ Duty to report on payment practices and performance: final … (4pp) ↓ Duty to report on payment practices and performance: summar… (14pp)

2015

3 events
7 Oct 2015 | Consultation outcome Department for Business, Innovation & Skills linked direct

Small Business Commissioner role

Why linked: 2015-10-07 Small Business Commissioner role consultation outcome - foundational policy on enforcing small business payment rights

We’re asking for views on our proposals to establish a Small Business Commissioner to help small business resolve supply chain disputes with other larger businesses.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Small Business Commissioner consultation (35pp)
+2 more
↓ Small Business Commissioner: government response (4pp) ↓ Small Business Commissioner: summary of responses (19pp)
25 Feb 2015 | Policy paper Department for Business, Innovation & Skills linked direct

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act: … (6pp)