Coface has published the first edition of its survey on the payment behaviour of UK companies, highlighting that UK businesses are facing an extortionately high level of late payments compared to other countries. 90% of UK companies experienced late payments in the past year, with 44% stating that delays are more frequent than before. In comparison, France, Germany, and Poland report late payment rates of 85%, 81%, and 60%, respectively, while, outside of Europe, rates are around 49% in Asia and 51% in Latin America. The average payment delay in the UK is 32 days, with micro and small firms being the most exposed to cash flow risks. Recent reforms, such as the 2024 Payment Practices Regulations and the Fair Payment Code, are shifting attitudes towards late payments; however, only 68.5% of micro and small businesses expect better cash flow, compared with larger firms. The longest average delays were reported in construction (38.2 days) and business services (38.1 days). To read Coface’s news release, go to https://www.coface.com/news-economy-and-insights/2025-uk-payment-survey-companies-face-rising-payment-delays-amid-buyer-cash-flow-concerns.