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FSB calls on new Small Business Minister to tackle late payments

FSB calls on new Small Business Minister to tackle late payments

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the appointment of Margot James MP as the new Minister for Small Business, Consumer Protection and Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Conservative member for Stourbridge replaces Anna Soubry MP and will be working alongside Business Secretary Greg Clark in the newly-formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which was created as part of Prime Minister Theresa May’s major cabinet reshuffle.

Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the FSB, said: ‘We greatly value Ms James’ support for small businesses as she herself was a successful entrepreneur before moving into politics and is able to relate to the challenges our members face.

‘The first priority in her Ministerial in-tray must be to establish a Small Business Commissioner to tackle late payments, and to work with the Treasury on how to boost economic growth.’

Ms James will be responsible for the Insolvency Service, corporate governance, deregulation and regulatory reform, including overseeing the accountancy profession.

However, unlike the previous Small Business Minister, she is not expected to attend cabinet discussions.