Under proposals from the Department for Business & Trade, the Small Business Commissioner will be able to impose fines on ‘persistent’ late payers, carry out spot checks and accelerate dispute resolution.

The proposed legislation also includes an option to “reform or ban cash retentions in construction contracts.”

Government figures suggest that late payments cost the economy £11 billion a year and cause 38 firms to close every day.

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Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS), a trade body for plastering and dry walling specialists has launched a campaign against the spread of bloated, overly complicated contracts.

Matt Hallam, a FIS spokesperson, said that contracts had increased in content and in terms, “which continue to confuse, conflict and compromise those required to sign them”.

FIS has published a simplified subcontract template and made it freely available to members to combat the spread of overly complex contracts.

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Two plumbers in California saved the life of a grandmother after she was attacked by a swarm of bees at her home.

Diosdado San Roque and his partner from Happy Plumbing were leaving a job last Thursday when they saw two people desperately waving them down.

The plumbers drew the bees into their van and drove off with them, allowing the grandmother to escape.

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