Nottingham, UK, 21 May 2015 – UK businesses paid their overdue bills a day faster on average in the last tax year, according to data from Experian, the global information services company.
The national average of days beyond terms (DBT) it took companies to settle invoices dropped by 0.99 days to 24.29 between April 2014 and March 2015, helping businesses to manage cash flow.
The UK’s smallest businesses were the quickest to tackle overdue invoices, as companies with one or two employees settled bills 20.58 DBT. Businesses with three to five employees showed the greatest improvement, paying bills 1.3 days faster at 21.34 DBT. Although the largest businesses, those with a workforce of 501 or more, took the longest to settle bills at 34.18 DBT in the last tax year, they improved payment performance in line with the national average at 0.99 days.
Max Firth, Managing Director for Experian Business Information Services, UK&I, said: “The improved payment performance shown by businesses of all sizes in the last tax year is an encouraging sign for the economy. Cash flow is especially important to SMEs - late payments can hinder their profitability and growth prospects, while also having a knock-on impact on suppliers.
“Although invoices are broadly being settled faster, businesses should not be complacent and need to monitor customers to identify any potential problems at an early stage. They can then discuss payment terms where appropriate and have more control over their cash flow.”
Business size (employees) |
DBT (on average) 2014/15 |
DBT (on average) 2013/14 |
Change in days (+/-) |
1-2 |
20.58 |
21.16 |
-0.58 |
3-5 |
21.34 |
22.64 |
-1.30 |
6-10 |
21.19 |
22.15 |
-0.96 |
11-25 |
21.60 |
22.24 |
-0.64 |
26-50 |
22.91 |
23.32 |
-0.41 |
51-100 |
23.81 |
23.88 |
-0.07 |
101-500 |
24.11 |
24.77 |
-0.66 |
501+ |
34.18 |
35.25 |
-0.99 |
National Average |
24.29 |
25.28 |
-0.99 |
Regional focus
Companies in the North West of England showed the greatest improvement in payment performance, settling overdue bills 3.78 days faster at 30.44 DBT. However, it was still the region which took the longest time to pay its bills, compared to Northern Ireland, where businesses only went 15.93 days beyond terms on average before settling invoices. Scotland also saw the number of days it takes to pay bills decrease by 1.64 days, taking its DBT on average to 22.04. Only the North East witnessed an increase in the time it took to pay bills, by 0.43 days.
Region |
DBT (on average) 2014/15 |
DBT (on average) 2013/14 |
Change in days (+/-) |
Scotland |
22.04 |
23.68 |
-1.64 |
North East |
25.07 |
24.63 |
+0.43 |
North West |
30.44 |
34.22 |
-3.78 |
Yorkshire |
23.75 |
24.61 |
-0.85 |
Wales |
23.42 |
23.86 |
-0.44 |
West Midlands |
22.61 |
23.53 |
-0.92 |
East Midlands |
23.39 |
24.33 |
-0.94 |
Eastern |
26.24 |
26.82 |
-0.58 |
South West |
17.93 |
17.97 |
-0.03 |
London |
28.28 |
29.26 |
-0.98 |
South East |
20.82 |
20.95 |
-0.13 |
Northern Ireland |
15.93 |
16.99 |
-1.06 |
Industry performance
The food retailing industry improved its performance the most in the last tax year by reducing the time it takes to settle bills by 3.15 days, falling from an average of 30.59 DBT in 2013/14 to 27.44 DBT in the last tax year.
In the last tax year, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry was the best at paying bills, only going 9.98 DBT on average, whereas the postal and telecommunications industry was the poorest performing, taking 44.44 DBT.
Region |
DBT (on average) 2014/15 |
DBT (on average) 2013/14 |
Change in days (+/-) |
|
Extractive Industries |
27.13 |
23.63 |
3.51 |
|
Oil |
17.94 |
17.37 |
0.57 |
|
Building and Construction |
21.18 |
21.67 |
-0.49 |
|
Building Materials |
19.11 |
19.69 |
-0.57 |
|
Chemicals Industry |
19.91 |
20.97 |
-1.06 |
|
Diversified Industrials |
22.08 |
22.26 |
-0.18 |
|
Electricals |
21.04 |
20.10 |
0.94 |
|
Engineering |
20.23 |
18.30 |
1.93 |
|
Printing, Paper and Packaging |
17.67 |
18.57 |
-0.90 |
|
Textiles and Clothing |
24.24 |
26.55 |
-2.30 |
|
Breweries |
19.93 |
16.54 |
3.39 |
|
Spirits, Wine and Tobacco |
10.23 |
8.95 |
1.27 |
|
Food Manufacturing |
20.89 |
22.78 |
-1.89 |
|
Pharmaceuticals |
20.09 |
20.08 |
0.01 |
|
Wholesaling |
20.23 |
22.70 |
-0.37 |
|
|
28.86 |
34.28 |
-2.22 |
|
Media |
24.04 |
25.44 |
-1.40 |
|
Food Retailing |
27.44 |
30.59 |
-3.15 |
|
Non-Food Retailing |
24.46 |
26.39 |
-1.86 |
|
Servicing/Repair |
18.12 |
17.77 |
0.35 |
|
Transport |
23.62 |
27.27 |
-1.17 |
|
Utilities |
27.38 |
26.84 |
0.54 |
|
Postal and Telecommunications |
44.44 |
44.77 |
-0.33 |
|
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing |
9.98 |
10.44 |
-0.46 |
|
Banking and Financial Services |
26.18 |
26.61 |
-0.43 |
|
Health and Household |
23.57 |
23.09 |
0.48 |
|
Business Services |
22.65 |
22.95 |
-0.30 |
|
Hiring and Leasing |
23.94 |
24.75 |
-0.87 |
|
Property |
27.66 |
29.33 |
-1.74 |
|
Other Services |
20.00 |
21.05 |
-1.05 |
|
Plastics & Rubber |
22.48 |
23.01 |
-0.53 |
|
Insurance |
20.93 |
21.91 |
1.49 |
|
IT |
25.33 |
24.28 |
1.05 |
|
Motor Traders |
19.70 |
21.71 |
-2.00 |
How businesses can reduce the risk of late payments:
BusinessIQ
The latest analysis has been compiled using some of the most comprehensive business data on the market. This data powers BusinessIQ, an easy-to-use, integrated online platform that enables credit professionals to accurately and efficiently manage their business customers and all the risks and opportunities associated with them - from acquisition stage and throughout the life cycle of the relationship. This includes giving firms an early warning system on customers that might be getting into financial difficulty.
ENDS
Notes to the editor:
Data provided in this press release is from 01/04/2013 to 31/03/2015 to reflect the tax years 2013/14 and 2014/15.
Follow us on Twitter @ExperianMIQ for our latest news, views and insight.
Contact:
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PR Manager
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