The Government encourage local authorities to explore innovative ways of securing efficiency savings and supporting their local economy through their procurement expenditure. The Government, in partnership with sector bodies, recently launched a competition—best councils to do business with—to recognise those local authorities that are doing the most to open up their procurement practices to small and medium-sized enterprises. One of the assessment criteria was whether the local authority has a prompt payment policy in place for small businesses.

Amended late payment legislation also came into force on 16 March 2013. Under the new rules debtors will be forced to pay interest and reimburse the reasonable recovery costs of the creditor, if they do not pay for goods and services on time. For local authorities, this period is 30 days.

The Government encourage local authorities to explore innovative ways of securing efficiency savings and supporting their local economy through their procurement expenditure. The Government, in partnership with sector bodies, recently launched a competition—best councils to do business with—to recognise those local authorities that are doing the most to open up their procurement practices to small and medium-sized enterprises. One of the assessment criteria was whether the local authority has a prompt payment policy in place for small businesses.

Amended late payment legislation also came into force on 16 March 2013. Under the new rules debtors will be forced to pay interest and reimburse the reasonable recovery costs of the creditor, if they do not pay for goods and services on time. For local authorities, this period is 30 days.

The Government encourage local authorities to explore innovative ways of securing efficiency savings and supporting their local economy through their procurement expenditure. The Government, in partnership with sector bodies, recently launched a competition—best councils to do business with—to recognise those local authorities that are doing the most to open up their procurement practices to small and medium-sized enterprises. One of the assessment criteria was whether the local authority has a prompt payment policy in place for small businesses.

Amended late payment legislation also came into force on 16 March 2013. Under the new rules debtors will be forced to pay interest and reimburse the reasonable recovery costs of the creditor, if they do not pay for goods and services on time. For local authorities, this period is 30 days.

The Government have had no discussions with the Czech Government about the transfer of ownership of BBC Radiocom Praha. The transfer is a matter for the BBC World Service, which continues to broadcast daily on the same frequencies for a minimum of eight hours per day.

Cash flow difficulties arising from late payment affect the viability of many small and medium-sized businesses and as such any improvement would have an impact on GDP, although data are not available to quantify this.

Recent research by Experian indicates that the average amount of time businesses are taking to settle invoices is falling, from 25.7 days after agreed terms in 2011 to 24.7 days in 2012. This is positive for the economy, but there is still scope for considerable improvement, which the Government have sought to push for by encouraging companies to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code.

The Government take late payment very seriously. They are working to reduce the volume of unpaid invoices in the UK economy by promoting best practice through the prompt payment code, through central government setting an example and paying at least 80% of undisputed invoices within five days, by ensuring that government prime contractors pay their

suppliers within 30 days, and by encouraging the take-up of tools like e-invoicing which can make payment more automated.

The Government currently have no plans to amend the maximum term for loans borrowed against small self-administered schemes (SSAS) or to introduce a system of graduated or delayed payment for such loans. As with all areas of the tax system, the Government keep this policy under review.

The first mandate to the NHS Commissioning Board, known as NHS England from 1 April, setting out the ambitions for the health service for the next two years, was published on 13 November 2012. It was drawn up following consultation with the public, health professionals and key organisations across the health and care system.

The improvement areas referred to correspond to the five domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework and NHS England will need to demonstrate progress against the five domains and all of the outcome indicators in the framework. Under domain 2, NHS England is being asked to make measurable progress towards making the National Health Service among the best in Europe at supporting people with ongoing health problems to live healthily and independently, with much better control over the care they receive. This objective includes people with diabetes.

The mandate is intended to provide the NHS with much greater stability to plan ahead. Other than in exceptional circumstances, including a general election, it cannot be changed in the course of the year without the agreement of NHS England. There are currently no plans to amend the current mandate, which will come into effect from 1 April 2013.

The mandate will be refreshed annually to ensure it remains relevant and up to date following consultation in line with the requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The case for adding new objectives will be considered as part of the process for developing future mandates.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) consultation on potential new indicators for consideration for the 2014-15 Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set (CCGOIS), which ran between 1 February and 1 March 2013, did not include prevention and referral indicators for diabetes patients with podiatric conditions.

A set of recommended indicators will be published on the NICE website in August 2013. It will then be for NHS England to decide on the final CCGOIS indicators for 2014-15.

There are currently no plans to run a national campaign to raise awareness of foot care for those with diabetes. Local commissioners are responsible for the provision of services for local populations and may undertake awareness initiatives, if appropriate.

The future programme of work on delivering improvements for people with respiratory disease, including those with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), will be a matter for the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB) and clinical commissioning groups from 1 April 2013. The NHSCB is currently developing its work priorities and plans, which will be based on delivering quality care that is effective and safe and that ensures a positive patient experience. Clinical commissioning groups are well placed at a local level to understand and respond to the needs of their local populations, including people with OSA.

The guidance is currently undergoing a review and it has not yet been determined when it will be available for distribution.

The first mandate to the NHS Commissioning Board, known as NHS England from 1 April, setting out the ambitions for the health service for the next two years, was published on 13 November 2012. It was drawn up following consultation with the public, health professionals and key organisations across the health and care system.

The improvement areas referred to correspond to the five domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework and NHS England will need to demonstrate progress against the five domains and all of the outcome indicators in the framework. Under domain 2, NHS England is being asked to make measurable progress towards making the National Health Service among the best in Europe at supporting people with ongoing health problems to live healthily and independently, with much better control over the care they receive. This objective includes people with diabetes.

The mandate is intended to provide the NHS with much greater stability to plan ahead. Other than in exceptional circumstances, including a general election, it cannot be changed in the course of the year without the agreement of NHS England. There are currently no plans to amend the current mandate, which will come into effect from 1 April 2013.

The mandate will be refreshed annually to ensure it remains relevant and up to date following consultation in line with the requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The case for adding new objectives will be considered as part of the process for developing future mandates.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) consultation on potential new indicators for consideration for the 2014-15 Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set (CCGOIS), which ran between 1 February and 1 March 2013, did not include prevention and referral indicators for diabetes patients with podiatric conditions.

A set of recommended indicators will be published on the NICE website in August 2013. It will then be for NHS England to decide on the final CCGOIS indicators for 2014-15.

There are currently no plans to run a national campaign to raise awareness of foot care for those with diabetes. Local commissioners are responsible for the provision of services for local populations and may undertake awareness initiatives, if appropriate.

The first mandate to the NHS Commissioning Board, known as NHS England from 1 April, setting out the ambitions for the health service for the next two years, was published on 13 November 2012. It was drawn up following consultation with the public, health professionals and key organisations across the health and care system.

The improvement areas referred to correspond to the five domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework and NHS England will need to demonstrate progress against the five domains and all of the outcome indicators in the framework. Under domain 2, NHS England is being asked to make measurable progress towards making the National Health Service among the best in Europe at supporting people with ongoing health problems to live healthily and independently, with much better control over the care they receive. This objective includes people with diabetes.

The mandate is intended to provide the NHS with much greater stability to plan ahead. Other than in exceptional circumstances, including a general election, it cannot be changed in the course of the year without the agreement of NHS England. There are currently no plans to amend the current mandate, which will come into effect from 1 April 2013.

The mandate will be refreshed annually to ensure it remains relevant and up to date following consultation in line with the requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The case for adding new objectives will be considered as part of the process for developing future mandates.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) consultation on potential new indicators for consideration for the 2014-15 Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set (CCGOIS), which ran between 1 February and 1 March 2013, did not include prevention and referral indicators for diabetes patients with podiatric conditions.

A set of recommended indicators will be published on the NICE website in August 2013. It will then be for NHS England to decide on the final CCGOIS indicators for 2014-15.

There are currently no plans to run a national campaign to raise awareness of foot care for those with diabetes. Local commissioners are responsible for the provision of services for local populations and may undertake awareness initiatives, if appropriate.

The Government’s view is that all businesses should agree fair payment terms at the outset of a contract, and should pay their suppliers on time according to the agreed terms.

The Government are supportive of early payment schemes which offer suppliers the opportunity to take payment early in return for a discount or fee, as long as they are offered in conjunction with fair payment terms rather than as a substitute.

Cash flow difficulties arising from late payment affect the viability of many small and medium-sized businesses and as such would have a negative impact on GDP, although data are not available to quantify this.

Recent research by Experian indicates that the average amount of time businesses are taking to settle invoices is falling, from 25.7 days after agreed terms in 2011 to 24.7 days in 2012. This is positive for the economy, but there is still scope for considerable improvement.

National Health Service trusts, NHS foundation trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities are required to comply with the Better Payment Practice Code target of paying 95% of undisputed invoices within contract terms, or 30 days where no terms have been agreed.