On 8 March, the BBRS Chief Executive Mark Grimshaw met with parliamentarians to discuss how the BBRS can assist SMEs in their constituencies. Mark explained how the BBRS provided free of charge and independent dispute resolution to help resolve banking complaints for eligible SMEs.

Throughout the day Mark urged policymakers to encourage constituents with business banking complaints, from 2001 to the present day, to register these with the BBRS. He met with a number of MPs including Antony Higginbotham, MP for Burnley. According to data from the Office of National Statistics, between 2003 and 2020, Burnley and the wider North West region had 57,260 registered SMEs with a turnover of £1-6.5 million, some of which may have banking complaints that the BBRS could help resolve.

Following these sessions, Mark said: “It was a privilege to meet policymakers in Parliament to discuss how we can further support small and medium sized businesses.

“We want as many businesses as possible to have the opportunity to use the BBRS’ service. This includes businesses, trusts, charities, friendly societies, and co-operative societies. This also includes directors of businesses no longer operating.

“We are urging businesses to see if they qualify for our help and, if so, to register. Businesses with disputes which took place between 2001 and 2019 should get in touch as soon as possible before our historical scheme closes to new complaints on 14 February 2023.”

On our website, SMEs can register a complaint directly, check to see if we can help by using our online tool, or contact us to find our more.