The industry is one of the worst offenders when it comes to late payments, and urgent action is needed

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As one of the team that gave evidence, I would like to congratulate Debbie Abrahams for instigating the all-party inquiry into late payments (, www.building.co.uk, 15 July).

Those of us that work on behalf of the small and medium-size firms know only too well that this industry is one of the 鈥渨orst offenders鈥 when it comes to paying late and that small companies are regularly 鈥渂ullied鈥 (and put out of business) by larger ones. The inquiry found that 鈥渦rgent action鈥 was needed.

But is anyone listening?

One thing the industry (and the government) could do immediately, at little or no cost, is to adopt recommendation four, the implementation of a Fair Treatment Charter.

The StreetwiseSubbie Fair Treatment Charter is already available to download at and I would urge 好色先生TV to support this Charter and to promote its adoption and use by everyone in the industry.

Barry Ashmore, via www.building.co.uk

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