Slow payment of suppliers under attack from MPs However, the private sector was identified as the "worst offender" during the debate. The Government said it has taken "an important step forward" by writing to the chief executives of all FTSE 350 companies threatening to "name and shame" those who do not sign up to the Prompt Payment Code. Labour MP Debbie Abrahams has already conducted a similar campaign aimed at the members of the FTSE 100 who have not signed the PPC, a voluntary agreement to promote good payment practices. Of the 75 FTSE 100 members who received her letter, 60 did not respond, four said they would not sign the code and one sent a "holding letter" that was not followed up. Sainsbury's, one of the firms that refused, subsequently extended its payment terms to 75 days. Stephen Metcalfe MP said signing the PPC should be a pre-requisite for any Government work. This should form part of all contracts and become accepted practice, and it should be part of any pre-qualification questionnaire. There are billions of pounds being withheld from our economy by some of the organisations who have the deepest and largest pockets. Why are they withholding these payments? I don't know - whether it is malice, poor practice or efficiency - [but] whatever the reason is, this must change.