Does the Minister have an analysis of the various levels and sizes of the entities that responded to the consultation, married to the length of time that they sought? If he does not have it at his fingertips, he could write. In effect, does the research show an interesting picture about which size of entities …

Continue reading “Amendment 2 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who took part in this debate. In answer to the noble Lord, Lord Fox, not just on the specifics of Amendment 78, I am always 100% in agreement with the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd. That is a good place to be. Despite the noble …

Continue reading “Amendment 73 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, it is a pleasure to open this group of amendments. It is time to talk technology. Before going into the specifics of the amendments, I will set out the overarching reasons for this group. As we have heard, the SBC does extremely good work, but the resources that she currently has available are …

Continue reading “Amendment 73 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my noble friend Lord Leigh of Hurley. My amendments in this group largely fit into support and assistance for the small businesses that need to be put in a position to avail themselves of these new provisions from the SBC. We will come to it in the …

Continue reading “Amendment 58 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my friend, the noble Lord, Lord Fox, and to start with his Amendment 93, which I was delighted to co-sign. As he stated in finishing, it goes to the heart of this issue. A lot is being asked of an organisation that is currently small and obviously …

Continue reading “Amendment 55 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Sharpe and the Minister for their comments in this short debate. In spite of the Minister’s comments—I particularly appreciate his comments on the five-day period—there is a principle at the heart of this, which is worth exploring between Committee and Report. For now, I beg leave to …

Continue reading “Amendment 24 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, I look forward to the debate on this group. Amendment 24 is incredibly straightforward. It requires that the purchaser calculates the interest and makes the payment in all circumstances because they have the means and the resources and are in the position to do such. In doing that, it does not just lead …

Continue reading “Amendment 24 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my friend, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas, and the excellent and eloquent way in which he introduced his amendment, which I was delighted to sign. As he rightly pointed out, this could be seen as the absolute premier DBIST amendment. It goes to the heart …

Continue reading “Amendment 19 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”

My Lords, I support my noble friend Lord Sharpe, having signed all the amendments in his name. There are two key principles at stake here, as he eloquently set out: first, not to introduce yet another definition and, secondly, to take the opportunity to bring some clarity, consistency and coherence of definition. This would not …

Continue reading “Amendment 18 | Commercial Payments Bill [HL] – Committee | Lords debates”