More than one in four MPs now back the Aldous Bill, in an unprecedented show of support for reforming retentions – this comes as the second reading of the Bill has been pushed back to 26 October
The new date has been welcomed by key supporters of the Aldous Bill, as it enables the growing list of supporters to continue to grow political and industry support for the initiative.
With the recent additions of significant organisations, such as accounting body the Association of Accounting Technicians and the British Chambers of Commerce, the coalition of support around Aldous Bill proposals has grown to over 575,000 businesses and members of professional bodies.
ECA Deputy Director of Business Policy & Practice, Rob Driscoll, said:
“It is fantastic to have such a groundswell of support for the Aldous Bill from MPs. With the Bill now moved to October, the campaign will continue to grow and move from strength-to-strength. Industry is unanimous and united, on the need for reform of retentions. We are working with Government and industry to deliver the method and solution within the reform to payment practices that the industry so urgently needs in order to meet Government’s industrialisation, growth and prosperity agenda.”
Alexi Ozioro, BESA Public Affairs and Policy Manager added:
“There is a very busy legislative timetable at the moment, especially with Brexit. For the Bill to have been given a later date shows that the Government are not ready to end the conversation around retentions reform. The broad spectrum of MPs supporting the Bill is very encouraging, and is set to continue to grow. Reforming the poor payment landscape is not a matter of ideology or party loyalties, its common sense.”
Conservative MP Peter Aldous introduced a Private Members Bill to put retentions in secure deposit schemes six days before the collapse of Carillion.
BESA and ECA can confirm that there are now over 170 MPs in support.
