In this article, we are going to explore Small Business Commissioner in detail, a topic that has become increasingly important in recent years. Small Business Commissioner is a topic that arouses interest and debate in different areas of society, from politics to popular culture. Throughout the article, we will examine the many facets of Small Business Commissioner, analyzing its impact on people's daily lives and its relevance in the global picture. In addition, we will delve into its history, evolution and possible future developments, in order to offer a complete and updated vision of Small Business Commissioner. From its origins to its future implications, this article aims to shed light on a topic that continues to capture the attention of individuals with different profiles and interests.
The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) was established by the UK government in Part 1 of the Enterprise Act, 2016. Secretary of State for Business Greg Clark announced the appointment of Paul Uppal to the newly established post of Small Business Commissioner on 2 October 2017. On 20 December 2017, working with digital agency "dxw digital", an advice and complaints service was launched to help small businesses get paid on time and ensure fair payment practices.
The role of the OSBC is to provide general information and advice to small businesses about payment issues with larger businesses, and direct them to services to help them resolve their payment issues. The Commissioner also offers a complaint service. Supporting the Britain's 5.5 million small businesses is a priority outlined in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy. The Office works across the whole of the UK.
The Small Business Commissioner was established as a non-departmental public body by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It was announced in a discussion paper issued in July 2015 and was formally proposed for creation within the Enterprise Bill introduced into the UK Parliament in September 2015.
Anna Soubry MP, the Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, anticipated that the Small Business Commissioner would 'build the confidence and capabilities of small businesses to help them assert themselves in contractual disputes and negotiate more effectively'.
Under the legislation, the Commissioner:
A proposal to give the commissioner a role in direct mediation between businesses was not pursued as the government did not believe there was sufficient evidence of market failure in relation to mediation services.
Prior to its launch, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) described the proposal as 'a step in the right direction'. The Office works with the FSB, Confederation of British Industry and British Chambers of Commerce to promote timely payment of commercial debts.
On 1 Juny 2021 Liz Barclay, a broadcaster and former consumer advisor replaced interim Commissioner Philip King as the Commissioner.