VOICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ANNUAL SURVEY AND PROMPT PAYMENT

That this House welcomes the recently published annual survey undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses in conjunction with ICM Research, one of the most comprehensive business surveys since the recession began; notes with concern that over 30 per cent. of small businesses report late payment for goods and services supplied to central government departments; and calls on the Government to pay invoices to small businesses on time and in keeping with the prompt payment code that it introduced in December 2008.