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Will EC late payment plans inspire increased use of facilities management cost reduction?

September 17th 12:12 Cost Management 

European Commission (EC) plans to introduce a standard timeframe for public sector bodies to pay suppliers could be a "step backwards", the Forum of Private Businesses (FPB) has claimed.

This could encourage a number of businesses around the UK to consider adopting facilities management cost reduction processes.

The EC has proposed implementing a 30-day target for public sector bodies across the continent to settle their bills.

However, while welcoming the recognition that something needs to be done, the FPB has voiced concerns that the plans could see UK bodies abandon the current ten-day target that is in operation.

Phil Orford, the FPB's chief executive, said: "If approved by the European Parliament, as expected, these new rules under the Late Payments Directive should make significant inroads in tackling the £24 billion hole in the UK's economy caused by late payment to small businesses.

"However, although it is still not a widespread success across the public sector, abandoning the UK's domestic ten-day payment target would be a significant step backwards in tackling the culture of poor payment."
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