Police forces 'failing SMEs'

27/08/2010

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which conduct business with the police in some parts of the UK can be left waiting more than two months to receive payments from them, according to new research from the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Despite repeated government directives to urge public bodies to pay promptly for services, only some police forces are managing to pay for invoices within days of receipt.

Some police forces paid over 75 per cent of their invoices within ten days and almost 100 per cent within 30 days.

However, others paid less than one per cent of their bills within ten days, and more than 30 days to pay half of them, according to data from the Freedom of Information Act obtained by the FPB.

"We found that some police forces appear to be excellent at paying businesses promptly," said Chris Gorman, spokesperson for the FPB.

"However, many others appear to be making little or no effort to pay their suppliers and contractors quickly. This means that the companies they deal with may well find their finances under serious pressure while they are waiting to be paid."

The FPB is a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting and protecting SMEs throughout their business lifecycle.

Posted by Sam Williams