UK late payment pressure index
Late payment is a leading cause of small business cash flow distress and a frequent precursor to insolvency.Large UK companies must report their payment practices twice a year. This page explains how to read that mandatory data, which records how long suppliers are kept waiting and which sectors pay worst. Payment Practices Reporting (gov.uk)
Source: Payment Practices Reporting (gov.uk) · Updated twice a year, in line with mandatory reporting cycles. · Last reviewed June 2026.
| Signal | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Average days to pay | Longer payment times squeeze supplier cash flow |
| Percentage paid late | A high late-payment rate signals downstream distress |
| Worst-paying sectors | Concentrated late payment spreads risk through a supply chain |
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Methodology and source
Large UK companies must report their payment practices twice a year. This page explains how to read that mandatory data, which records how long suppliers are kept waiting and which sectors pay worst. Use the official Payment Practices Reporting service (linked above) for current figures. Late payment is an upstream cause of the cash flow problems that lead to insolvency, especially in construction and other long-supply-chain sectors.
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