MEP hails rules on late payments

LOTHIANS-BASED Labour MEP David Martin has welcomed new European rules which give businesses the right to challenge late payers.

Regulations agreed by the European Parliament mean firms will be legally entitled to insist on a 30-day deadline for the payment of bills - and impose penalties where companies don't pay in time.

Mr Martin said: "These new rights mean that Scottish businesses can no longer be fobbed off with claims that 'the cheque's in the post'.

"Late payment is a major issue for many small businesses, which rely on bills being paid promptly to cover their costs, including staff wages.

"Many businessmen and women in Scotland have spoken to me about the cash-flow problems they face because their clients pay late. They report that the worst offenders are big companies which can often sit on bills for months without paying them."