Invoice Finance: The Solution to the UK’s Late Payment Crisis

For many UK business owners, late payments have become more than just an inconvenience — they are a constant source of cash flow pressure that threatens growth and stability. Whether you’re managing payroll, paying suppliers, or investing in new opportunities, waiting weeks or even months for invoices to be settled can leave your business running on empty.

This is exactly where invoice finance steps in, offering a practical and immediate solution to unlock the cash tied up in unpaid invoices.

The State of Late Payments in the UK

Late payment is not a small problem — it’s a crisis affecting businesses up and down the country:

• 62% of UK small businesses struggle with overdue invoices on a regular basis.
  
  

• Around 30% of invoices are not paid within agreed terms, with some stretching out 60, 90 or even 120 days.
  
  

• Late payments contribute directly to 1 in 5 business insolvencies every year.
  
  

• The Federation of Small Businesses has estimated that late payments cost the UK economy over £11 billion annually.
  
  

• On average, more than £20 billion is owed to UK businesses at any one time in unpaid invoices.
  
  

This creates a vicious cycle: businesses are forced to spend more time chasing debt than growing, and too often, good companies fail because of cash flow shortages rather than poor performance.

How Invoice Finance Helps

Invoice finance allows you to release a large percentage of your outstanding invoices almost immediately, rather than waiting for customers to pay. This provides:

• Improved cash flow – freeing up funds to cover wages, bills, and supplier costs.
  
  

• Peace of mind – no more sleepless nights waiting for payments to clear.
  
  

• Freedom to grow – invest in expansion, new contracts, or staff without worrying about delayed payments.
  
  

• Time saved – instead of chasing customers, you can focus on running your business.
  
  

In short, invoice finance transforms unpaid invoices into working capital when you need it most.

Why Work with a Specialist Broker?

Not all invoice finance facilities are the same. With over 100 providers in the market, the difference between a good deal and the right deal can be significant. That’s why using a specialist broker is crucial.

A broker like Secure Business Finance not only knows the market inside-out but also understands that every business is unique. More importantly, they connect you directly with the very best individuals who can tailor a facility to your exact needs — whether that’s flexibility, cost, or speed of access.

Final Thought

If you’re one of the thousands of UK businesses facing the daily strain of late payments, invoice finance isn’t just an option — it could be the key to protecting your cash flow and keeping your business moving forward. By partnering with a trusted specialist like Secure Business Finance, you can be confident that you’re not only getting the best deal on the market, but also the right partner to help your business thrive.