Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Page 4, line 1, after “policies” insert “and performance”

Page 4, line 33, at end insert—

“( )     “Performance” has such meaning as may be prescribed, and the
information which may be prescribed shall in particular include
information on late payment of invoices by the company, to be included in
a quarterly report which shall include—

(a)   lists of all payments to suppliers which were made over 30 days
after the date indicated by the suppliers’ agreed payment terms,
without a formal query having been registered with the suppliers
within a period as may be prescribed;

(b)   confirmation, for each instance listed under paragraph (a), that
interest, equalling the Bank of England base rate plus 8% APR, was
paid to compensate the supplier for overdue payment;

(c)   assurance, for each instance listed under paragraph (a) where
confirmation of compensation under paragraph (b) cannot be
provided, of a payment plan in place to compensate suppliers on
the basis set out in that paragraph; and

(d)   assurance from the relevant auditor that the company is
maintaining accurate and honest financial records and statements
as outlined in subsections (1) and (2) of section 498 of the
Companies Act 2006 (duties of auditor).”

Page 27, line 23, at end insert—

“( )     The Secretary of State shall conduct a review of the current regulatory
machinery used to consider regulatory and deregulatory proposals.

( )     The review should include, but not be limited to, the work of the
Regulatory Policy Committee.

( )     Following the findings of the review the Secretary of State shall bring
forward regulations to enhance the role of the Regulatory Policy
Committee and its recommendations.”

Page 29, line 28, at end insert—

“( )     Those who represent businesses with 10 to 49 employees and are
purchasing goods or services for use within their commercial activities
shall be considered consumers with all the rights of consumers under the
Consumer Rights Act 2015.

( )     Those who represent businesses with fewer than 10 employees and are
purchasing goods or services for use within their commercial activities
shall be considered consumers with all the rights of consumers under the
Consumer Rights Act 2015.”

Page 36, line 6, at end insert—

“( )     The Minister for the Cabinet Office or the Secretary of State may by
regulations ensure that the provisions of this section will not undermine
the impact of the Localism Act 2011 and the Public Services (Social Value)
Act 2012 and have due regard to—

(a)   local authorities’ duty to promote economic growth in their
relevant area;

(b)   local authorities’ duty to promote skills development in their
relevant area;

(c)   the advertising and procurement tender period appropriate to the
size of the business to ensure a secure procurement process; and

(d)   the potential harm caused to local companies and businesses by the
relevant contracting authority’s choice of supplier through the
procurement process.”

Page 36, line 42, at end insert—

“( )   duties to require an appropriate number of apprenticeships.”

Page 36, line 42, at end insert—

“( )   duties on local employment partnerships to work with the relevant
small and medium enterprise organisations to deliver an
apprenticeship strategy with appropriate objectives and a
consequent annual review;

( )   duties on schools, colleges, university technical colleges,
universities and other relevant education institutions to have
established links with local businesses to encourage apprenticeship
development through the procurement process.”