10m in late payments recovered for small firms by Small Business Commissioner

"The scale of the problem remains significant. Government research shows late payments cost the UK economy around £11 billion a year, contributing to the closure of roughly 4,000 businesses annually - the equivalent of 38 firms every day. Earlier this year, ministers launched a consultation on strengthening the powers of the Small Business Commissioner as part of a wider crackdown on late payment culture."

""We're incredibly grateful to the Small Business Commissioner for helping us recover a long-overdue payment after many unsuccessful attempts through email, phone calls and website forms," a spokesperson said. "Being a microbusiness of just four people, we simply weren't high on their radar. Thanks to the SBC's support, we were able to make payroll this month.""

Small businesses across the UK have recovered £10 million in late and overdue payments with help from the Office of the Small Business Commissioner. Almost £1 million has been recovered in the current financial year, including more than £500,000 secured in December 2025, indicating faster enforcement and case resolution. The commissioner's office, established in 2017 under the Enterprise Act 2016, reviews enquiries, investigates formal complaints and engages with larger companies to resolve disputes and release funds. Government research estimates late payments cost the UK economy about £11 billion annually and force roughly 4,000 business closures each year. Ministers have launched a consultation to strengthen the commissioner's powers.

Read at Business Matters