Small Business Commissioner: invitation for views on the statutory review 2023
Consultation description
As part of the recently announced Payment and Cashflow Review, we are seeking views and evidence to inform the Statutory Review of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC), looking at particularly its effectiveness in improving payment practices in commercial transactions and the impact of the commissioner’s actions on awareness of small businesses of, or the use by small businesses of, alternative dispute resolution procedures.
The review, required by the Enterprise Act 2016, invites views and evidence on the performance of the Small Business Commissioner. It will in particular examine:
- the Commissioner’s effectiveness in carrying out the functions of the office
- the impact of its work on improving payment practices in commercial transactions
- awareness and use of alternative dispute resolution procedures among small businesses
As part of this review, we will also consider the governance relationship between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the SBC, and whether there is scope for a more efficient, effective arrangement. We are therefore also seeking views and evidence on where the balance should lie between maintaining the Commissioner’s independence and ensuring a proportionate, flexible, and effective governance relationship between the SBC and DBT. We are also interested in feedback on whether the SBCs function is sufficiently clear.
Revision to the Small Business Commissioner’s powers, following on from the consultation in 2020, will be considered following the conclusion of the wider payment and cash flow review.
As part of the broader Payment and Cashflow Review, we are also currently consulting on amendments to the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations.