United Kingdom: Credit Control and Cashflow

The UK government has introduced the Commercial Payments Bill to combat the £11 billion annual cost of late payments that forces 38 businesses to close daily. The legislation establishes a 60-day maximum payment term, mandates 8% interest on overdue invoices, and empowers the Small Business Commissioner with enforcement capabilities including financial penalties.

The UK Commercial Payments Bill proposes sweeping reforms to address late payment practices, including mandatory 60-day payment caps, non-excludable statutory interest rates, and new enforcement powers for the Small Business Commissioner. With Royal Assent anticipated in early 2027, businesses must prepare for significant changes to payment terms, procurement processes...

The UK market continues to experience a mixed economic environment that is driving both restructuring activity and opportunistic dealmaking. Persistent cost pressures, higher borrowing costs than those seen during the previous decade, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty have placed strain on businesses with leveraged balance sheets or tight cash flow positions. As a result, I have noted that many of my clients are seeking to refinance existing debt, renegotiate contractual arrangements, reduce operating costs, or undertake more formal restructuring processes.

On 17 March 2020 the Chancellor announced further measures (following those revealed earlier on in his March 2020 budget) including unlimited loans and guarantees to support firms...

Poor cash flow is often cited as the primary reason for businesses failing. You can protect your business by having systems in place that make collecting unpaid invoices as hassle free as possible.

The latest report from our Centre for Regulatory Strategy, EMEA outlines the new requirements around the exchange and holding of collateral, and sets out the best practices and advanced techniques to respond effectively to the resulting collateral management challenge.

The current economic environment is increasing pressure across industries and involving all players in the value chain from primary producers to retailers and the many potential intermediaries.

The current economic downturn is having two major and contradictory impacts on the consumer packaged goods supply chain.

As large corporations and government departments experience increasing pressure to control their costs, IT expenditure is under ever closer scrutiny.