IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, has today welcomed a Government consultation on putting an end to late payment, saying it builds on previous commitments the Conservative Party have made to introduce a small business conciliation service.
The Government held a summit at Downing Street this week and is asking business organisations for input on how to stop late payment. IPSE has already been in close contact with the Government, outlining a series of ways to tackle the issue. IPSE’s proposal to introduce a conciliation service has been taken up by the Conservative Party and the organisation is now calling on the other major parties to adopt this policy.
IPSE believes it is encouraging that the Government is taking the endemic problem of late payment seriously and is consulting with businesses on how to tackle the issue. However, the whole culture of payment must be completely reformed to stop big businesses bullying their suppliers and the only way to achieve this is by bold action from Government.
Simon McVicker, Director of Policy and External Affairs at IPSE, said:
“We hope that all the major parties support our tough, but realistic proposals from our recent manifesto, including strengthening the Prompt Payment Code and naming and shaming the worst offenders. The Conservatives in particular have already committed to our proposal for a small business conciliation service to resolve disputes without the need for lengthy and costly court action, and it is time for the other major parties to back this proposal too.”