Collection

Late payments

This collection brings together information and documents related to late payments.

• From: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 23 July 2026

Late payments can affect cash flow, increase costs and make it harder for businesses to invest and grow. 

The government is taking action to address late payment and improve payment practices. This includes: 

• legislation to outlaw poor payment practices 

• stronger powers for the Small Business Commissioner  

• ongoing reporting and transparency requirements 

These actions are underpinned by published consultations, research and statistics, and guidance. 

This collection brings together relevant information with resources for businesses, policymakers, researchers and anyone with an interest in late payments.

Consultations and policy documents

• Late payments: tackling poor payment practices
  • 24 March 2026
  • Consultation outcome

Research and statistics

• Late payments research
  • 30 July 2025
  • Collection
• Large businesses' payment practices and performance statistics
  • 14 July 2026
  • Collection
• Department for Business and Trade (DBT) prompt payment data
  • 21 May 2026
  • Collection

Small Business Commisioner

• About us
  • 23 June 2025
  • About

Reporting regulations

• Business payment practices and performance: reporting requirements
  • 2 September 2025
  • Guidance

Published 23 July 2026