Skip to main content

Written question asked by Lord Mendelsohn (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 October 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 October 2017. It was answered by Lord Prior of Brampton (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 October 2017 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.


Small Business Commissioner

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the commitment set out in the document Small Business Commissioner: Policy for Secondary Legislation, published in February, that the Small Business Commissioner's complaints scheme will formally begin on 1 October, whether small businesses may now submit complaints; and through what process they can do so.

Original answer

On 2 October my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State announced the appointment of Paul Uppal as the UK’s first Small Business Commissioner (SBC). Mr Uppal and his team will provide general advice and information to small businesses on matters such as resolving payment disputes, including signposting small businesses through the SBC’s website to existing support and dispute resolution services.

The SBC complaints scheme is dependent on secondary legislation, which is currently being considered by Parliament. Small businesses will be able to submit complaints once the service fully launches, including complaints relating to issues from 1 April 2017. The office of the SBC will be operational by the end of 2017, subject to the will of Parliament.

The answer was corrected by Lord Prior of Brampton (Conservative)

on Monday, 13 November 2017 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Corrected answer

On 2 October my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State announced the appointment of Paul Uppal as the UK’s first Small Business Commissioner (SBC). Mr Uppal and his team will provide general advice and information to small businesses on matters such as resolving payment disputes, including signposting small businesses through the SBC’s website to existing support and dispute resolution services.

The SBC complaints scheme is dependent on secondary legislation, which is currently being considered by Parliament. Small businesses will be able to submit complaints once the service fully launches, including complaints relating to issues from 1 6 April 2017. The office of the SBC will be operational by the end of 2017, subject to the will of Parliament.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1856
Session
2017-19
Related items
Small Business Commissioner
Friday, 10 November 2017
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Complaints Small businesses Small Business Commissioner
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk