Late Payment Reform Toughest in over 25 Years, Government Says

Key Takeaways

• 60‑day payment cap for large firms paying small suppliers.
• Mandatory 8% interest above BoE base rate on late invoices.
• Small Business Commissioner can levy multi‑million‑pound (≈$2.5 M) fines.
• Retention payments banned in construction contracts to protect cash flow.
• CIOB welcomes reforms but seeks clear implementation guidelines.

Pulse Analysis

Late payments have long plagued UK supply chains, with small firms often waiting months for invoices to be settled. The 1998 Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act set a baseline, but enforcement was weak, leaving many SMEs cash‑strapped. By positioning the new rules as the strictest among G7 economies, the government signals a shift toward more aggressive creditor protection, echoing broader global trends that prioritize financial resilience in the post‑pandemic era.

The core of the reform is a 60‑day cap on payment terms for large companies when dealing with smaller suppliers, coupled with a mandatory interest surcharge of 8 % above the Bank of England base rate for overdue amounts. Empowering the Small Business Commissioner to issue multi‑million‑pound (approximately $2.5 million) fines adds a tangible deterrent. Additionally, banning retention withholding in construction contracts removes a common cash‑flow choke point, ensuring that subcontractors receive promised funds rather than seeing them tied up in disputed retentions.

Industry reaction has been cautiously optimistic. The Chartered Institute of Building applauds the intent but stresses the need for a clear transition roadmap to avoid contractual chaos. For businesses, the changes mean revisiting payment policies, renegotiating terms, and strengthening internal compliance processes. Financial officers should also assess the impact on working‑capital forecasts, as faster payments could improve liquidity ratios, while the higher interest penalty may incentivize tighter invoice management across the supply chain.