'End the scourge of late payments which is hurting business in Lancashire'

A major campaign has been launched to end the scourge of payments which is jeopardising the livelihood of many small businesses.
Mike Cherry of the FSBMike Cherry of the FSB
Mike Cherry of the FSB

The Lancashire-headquartered Federation of Small Businesses has launched its Fair Pay, Fair Play campaign calling on the Government to take action.

And it has gained the full backing of the British Chambers of Commerce.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The FSB is urging politicians and big business to end late payments and stop supply chain bullying.

Ahead of the Spring Statement next month, the FSB campaign calls on Government to enlist the help of non-executive directors, strengthen payment enforcement and adopt Project Bank Accounts in public procurement, as three key reforms that will help end the poor payment crisis in the UK.

FSB national chairman Mike Cherry, said: “For far too long some big businesses have been allowed to get away with poor behaviour that has seen them use their dominant position to bully and squeeze our small firms.

“This behaviour has forced many small businesses to take drastic steps like turning to personal credit cards and overdrafts, just to survive the wait for a payment.

“Sadly, some don’t survive this wait.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “Poor payment practices are not limited to the private sector and they stunt job growth and damage economic growth.

At the heart of this scandal, however, lies a more important question about fairness and what is morally right.”

Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, voiced his support.

He tweeted: “Kudos to our colleagues @fsb_policy @MikeCherryFSB for their tireless campaign against the scourge of poor payment practices over many years.

“Whether big, small, or in between, this issue affects all of us in business.

“Together we must put it right.”