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Government plans clampdown on late payment
by Susie Hughes at 12:48 04/10/18 (News on Business)
The Government is taking steps to clampdown on late payments, 'the scourge of the self-employed'.
The Government has put forward proposals to 'end the problem of late payments to small businesses’. They have called for evidence on a number of proposals to clampdown on late payment. These include making big businesses appoint a non-executive director to ensure prompt payment, empowering trade bodies to highlight best and worst practice and promoting innovative technologies such as the latest accounting software.

The move has been welcomed by freelancer group, IPSE, whos research shows that freelancers spend an average of 20 days a year chasing invoices for late payment. It saus that almost half of freelancers have also done work they were never paid for, and this rises to 58 per cent among 18-34 year olds.

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Andy Chamberlain, from IPSE said: “For too long now, late payment has been a major problem for small businesses. It is the scourge of the self-employed, the UK’s smallest businesses. The Government’s proposals to clamp down on it are very welcome to us, our members and all self-employed people across the UK.

“As IPSE research shows, the average freelancer spends 20 days a year chasing late payments. They also lose an average of £5,400 a year through unpaid work. These statistics are simply unacceptable for one of our most dynamic and productive economic sectors.

“IPSE led the charge by calling for a Small Business Commissioner, and we were delighted when the government took heed and introduced the position. The announcement that the Small Business Commissioner, Paul Uppal, will be joining the Prompt Payment Code’s Compliance Board was also very welcome.

“It is good to see the Government understands this is not yet enough, however, and is still looking for solutions. At IPSE, we believe the only way to truly turn poor payment culture around is to fine persistent offenders. In our evidence, we will be arguing the Small Business Commissioner should be given this power, and we will be working more closely with the Government to end the scourge of late payment once and for all.”


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Susie Hughes © Shout99 2018


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