“Time to Pay Up for West Lothian Businesses,”says MP Gregor Poynton

MP for the Livingston constituency, Gregor Poynton MP has launched a campaign to stop small businesses being choked by late payments.

Small businesses across West Lothian are being urged to speak up on the scourge of late payments by their MP.

Gregor Poynton MP, who represents the Livingston constituency, has launched a campaign for new laws to ensure that small businesses are paid in time and wants to hear the experience of local entrepreneurs who have suffered at the hands of late payers.

Commenting, Gregor Poynton MP said:

“The Livingston constituency and West Lothian is full of brilliant local businesses and hardworking entrepreneurs, but too often they are spending their time chasing payments instead of growing their business.

“Every year thousands of businesses go under because customers, often far larger businesses, do not pay for good or services promptly. It’s a disgrace, it’s choking local businesses, and it’s got to stop.

“I want to see tough new laws to ensure fast payment of invoices and penalties for persistent late payers. I need the help of local businesses from across West Lothian to prove that this is problem that needs this bold action. I’m running a consultation until 23^rd October and urge any local businessperson who has suffered from late payments, please make your voice heard.”

Late Payments are one of the biggest complaints by small businesses: where often far larger businesses drag their heels in paying smaller suppliers. This causes huge hardship to small companies, with thousands closing as a result of late payments, and costs the UK economy billions of pounds.

The UK Labour Government is currently running a consultation seeking views on a package of proposed legislative measures to address late payments.

Gregor Poynton MP wants this to be the strongest protections on late payments of any big economy.

You can contribute to Gregor Poynton MP’s local consultation by clicking here.

Gregor Poynton MP will share the findings, and the experiences of local entrepreneurs directly with the UK Government’s Small Business Minister.

The Livingston constituency MP says the plan has the potential to help boost local main streets and small firms:

“Everyone will benefit from these measures. When businesses are paid on time for the goods and services they deliver, money flows more quickly through supply chains and into the West Lothian economy. Businesses can invest in their business rather than spending time and money chasing unpaid invoices. That means more jobs.”