Cookies on the Attwoods website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Attwoods website.

Explore insightful perspectives and expert advice on finance

Home |Latest news |Data finds late payments costing small businesses £684 million per year

Latest news

Browse by category
Business News

Data finds late payments costing small businesses £684 million per year

September 20 2022

Data published by Xero has revealed that late payments are costing UK small businesses £684 million each year.

On average, UK small firms are paid 5.8 days late, Xero found. It revealed that seasons affect cash flow: 43% of UK businesses experience negative cash flow in the winter months compared to 39% in the summer months.

The data also showed that nine in ten small businesses experience at least one month of negative cash flow each year. The average small business experienced 4.5 months of negative cash flow in 2021.

Commenting on the data, Alex von Schirmeister, Managing Director at Xero UK, said: 'Small businesses continue to show huge resilience in the face of soaring costs but our data consistently points to the damage caused by late payments.

'This isn't 'late payment', it's 'unapproved debt'. It's time to call it that and tackle it head on. This includes enforcing stricter penalties for the worst offenders, to provide a lifeline to an overlooked majority.'

Here to help

Please complete the form below and our expert team will be in touch.
  • Contact details

    • *
    • *
  • What services are you interested in?

    • *
  • Message

    • *
  • Which location would you like to contact?

  • Communication

    • *Indicates a required fields.At least one form of contact is required.

      By submitting this form, you agree that Attwoods can process your information in order to respond to your enquiry. For more information visit our Privacy Policy.

  • Xero Logo
  • Gold Partner Logo
  • Sage
  • QuickBooks Platinum

The practices of Attwoods are carried on by Attwoods Accountants Limited, Attwoods Business Services Limited, Attwoods (Bromsgrove) Limited. Regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.