Business Secretary chairs taskforce to support small businesses and workers affected by Carillion insolvency
The taskforce will monitor and advise on mitigating the impacts of Carillion鈥檚 liquidation.
A taskforce set up to monitor and advise on mitigating the impacts of Carillion鈥檚 liquidation on construction firms, particularly SMEs and those working in the sector, has met for the first time today (18 January 2018). Building on a series of meetings held by the Business Secretary this week with trade associations, unions and banks.
Chaired by Greg Clark, with support from the Small Business Minister Andrew Griffiths, the taskforce鈥檚 attendees included representatives from leading business bodies, the construction trade sector, unions, banks and government.
The taskforce will act as a means to work together to ensure the impact of the Carillion insolvency on the firm鈥檚 employees in the private, as well as public, sector is minimised and to help them recover.
In a constructive meeting, members of the government鈥檚 taskforce on Carillion spoke about a range of issues, ranging from support by banks, the support on offer from HMRC for businesses, the , and identified how relevant information can be shared to keep people in work and training.
Greg Clark, welcoming the input of all the members, said:
Today鈥檚 meeting is the next step in a series I have held this week. It got key people round the table to drive forward steps that we believe can give confidence to workers and the supply chain; support from banks, the ability to link workers with employment and support for apprentices.
I am determined that collectively we will take the steps necessary to give workers and businesses the information they need at this difficult time.
Issues to be covered in the next meeting will include job matching and contract matching.
Today (18 January 2018), the Business Secretary has praised several banks who following his request have committed to providing support to small businesses affected by Carillion鈥檚 insolvency. This follows a meeting he held with them yesterday, where he asked them to commit to supporting SMEs affected.
HMRC鈥檚 announcement highlighted several ways that the Business Payment Support Service can help those affected, including:
- agree instalment arrangements if you鈥檙e unable to pay your tax on time following the Carillion collapse
- suspend any debt collection proceedings
- review penalties for missing statutory deadlines
- reduce any payments on account
- agree to defer payments due to short-term cash flow difficulties
Today鈥檚 taskforce meeting follows action outlined by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to address concerns set out earlier this week.