§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what performance targets have been set to ensure that small businesses automatically receive interest from local authorities on late payments made after 30 days of being invoiced in line with the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998; [134114]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on compensation for payment by public bodies after 30 days of invoices from small firms. [134115]
§ Ms Beverley HughesUnder the provisions of the Local Government Act 1999, local authorities are required to report annually their performance against specified best value performance indicators. One such indicator is the percentage of undisputed invoices which were paid in 30 days. The Government have specified, in statutory guidance, the following targets for local authorities in respect of that best value indicator:
Financial year Percentage of invoices paid within 30 days 2000–01 95.0 2001–02 97.5 2002–03 100.0 I also refer my hon. Friend to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce on 23 October 2000,Official Report, columns 9–10W, and my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 October 2000, Official Report, column 109W.