News

Late payments still high on business agenda
04 June 2014

Late payment remains a concern for many small businesses, according to the latest research from the national small business group, the Forum of Private Business.

In the organisation's latest banking and finance survey, published on 13 May, 23 per cent of members reported an increase in late payment over the past year compared with only three per cent who reported a decrease.

A total of 29 per cent had also seen an increase in the average number of days beyond the deadline that a payment is made late while eight per cent reported a decrease, and 19 per cent saw an increase in both elements of late payment.

Respondents were keen to see more measures to tackle the issue, with 39 per cent saying they would like to see prompt payment better promoted and 37 per cent that they would prefer to pay VAT on money that has entered their account rather than when an invoice is submitted. A total of 36 per cent wanted to see persistent late payers barred from government contacts.

Phil Orford, chief executive of the forum, said: "Improving cash flow is the likely cause for late payment issues remaining static, despite lengthening payment terms.

“However, upwards of £30 billion remains tied up in late payments, costing a typical small business 130 hours a year to chase and meaning that a third are forced to seek external finance to cover the gaps in cash.

“Government is mulling over responses to a recent late payment discussion paper, which revealed ample ideas for tackling the issue in a more robust manner, including the reintroduction of compulsory reporting of company payment terms and practices, and annual checks for Prompt Payment Code signatories.

"It is essential that government uses the recommendations to introduce effective measures and accepts that it not only has a responsibility to play in this area but also that its increased action can also act as an important catalyst for better payment practices."

Link: The government late payment discussion paper