Too many good businesses fail because of cash-flow problems. More than 70 per cent of small businesses have experienced late payment in the last 12 months; two thirds had to write off their invoices with 20 per cent saying they lost £5,000 or more. 

FSB Factors provides factoring services including bad debt protection together with discounted tariffs and support to business delivered by UK-based relationship managers. 

Government should require all public sector agencies to pay invoices within 10 days and make all their sub-contractors pay within specified periods, or face exclusion from future contracts. 

Local authorities need to do the same and recognise that the flow of money through their community creates sustainable local wealth and jobs.