Government tackles late payments to small firms to protect jobs

Reforms to the Prompt Payment Code encourages companies to stand by smaller suppliers.

– Government to strengthen Prompt Payment Code, ensuring larger companies pay their suppliers on time

– required payment period to small businesses slashed in half to 30 days, with commitments to be made personally by CEOs or Finance Directors

– tougher rules come as government looks to increase powers of the Small Business Commissioner to protect jobs and growth as we build back better from the pandemic

An overhaul of the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) to crack down on delayed invoices owed to small businesses has been announced by the government today (19 January).

Under new reforms, companies that have signed up to the Prompt Payment Code will be obliged to pay small businesses within 30 days – half the time outlined in the current Code.

Despite almost 3,000 companies signing the Code, poor payment practices are still rife, with many payments delayed well beyond the current 60-day target required for 95% of invoices. Currently, £23.4 billion worth of late invoices are owed to firms across Britain, impacting on businesses’ cash flow and ultimate survival.

To help tackle the problem, businesses owners, Finance Directors or CEOs will be required to take personal responsibility by signing the Code, acknowledging that suppliers can charge interest on late invoices under the Code and that breaches will be investigated. Those signed up to the Code will redouble their efforts to ensure payments are made on time and breaches will continue to be publicised by the government in order to encourage compliance.

The move comes as the government seeks to strengthen the powers of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) to ensure larger companies pay their smaller partners on time. New powers proposed in a recently closed consultation include legally binding payment orders, launching investigations and levying fines.

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