Curso de Inglés comercial Pre Intermedio

According to a survey by Stythe Geoffrey, the speed of payment differs greatly from nation to nation. The Finns normally settle their invoices in 24 days, the Danes in 35, the Swedes in 37 and the Germans in 38. In the UK creditors must wait almost a fortnight longer - the average payment period is 50 days. Still worse, a NatWest survey of small businesses found that one in 10 of these companies had 30% of their invoices unpaid after three months.

The Bill sounds like a good idea, but the small business Community have their doubts. "We are sceptical," says a spokesman from the Federation of Small and Medium size Businesses. Most people will not impose interest, and on the European Continent, legislation hasn't made much of a difference. In fact, some European late payment legislation has failed. For example, in Italy the average payment wait is 84 days. The Federation aims to use the Bill to increase awareness about the effects it has on small and medium size businesses because of late payment.

It will publish its first league table of worst payers, compiled by Howard & Flemming, in the spring and believes this naming and shaming exercise will have more impact than the legislation.

The "Late Payment of Commercial Debts Bill" will soon become law in Britain. When it does come into effect, small businesses which employ less than 50 people will have the right to charge a hefty rate of interest in comparison to the 1% of larger businesses that pay late. Unless an existing contract states otherwise, invoices will have to be settled in 30 days, or the creditor will be able to charge interest at 8% over the Bank of England base rate. For habitually late payers, the penalties should act as a deterrent.

According to a survey by Stythe Geoffrey, the speed of payment differs greatly from nation to nation. The Finns normally settle their invoices in 24 days, the Danes in 35, the Swedes in 37 and the Germans in 38. In the UK creditors must wait almost a fortnight longer - the average payment period is 50 days. Still worse, a NatWest survey of small businesses found that one in 10 of these companies had 30% of their invoices unpaid after three months.

The Bill sounds like a good idea, but the small business Community have their doubts. "We are sceptical," says a spokesman from the Federation of Small and Medium size Businesses. Most people will not impose interest, and on the European Continent, legislation hasn't made much of a difference. In fact, some European late payment legislation has failed. For example, in Italy the average payment wait is 84 days. The Federation aims to use the Bill to increase awareness about the effects it has on small and medium size businesses because of late payment.

It will publish its first league table of worst payers, compiled by Howard & Flemming, in the spring and believes this naming and shaming exercise will have more impact than the legislation.