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BMF responds to Government on late payments
The BMF has submitted its response to the Department for Business & Trade’s consultation aimed at addressing poor payment practices. Ministers proposed a series of legislative reforms designed to combat late payment, unfair payment terms, frivolous invoice disputes and cash retentions. We surveyed all our members to gather views on the proposals. The responses indicated strong support for the measures - particularly those aimed at improving transparency, enforcing accountability and protecting SMEs from unfair practices.
The BMF commented upon:
• requiring audit committees to make recommendations on payment performance to company directors before results are published; • capping payment terms at 60 days and removing exemptions for longer agreements; • introducing a 30-day deadline for disputing invoices; • imposing financial penalties on large businesses that consistently pay late; • making statutory interest for late payments mandatory at 8% above the Bank of England base rate. On retentions, ministers proposed either prohibiting
retentions, or mandating the protection of retention sums from insolvency or non-payment. Respondents supported retention protection over an outright ban. Our members advocated a simple, low-cost scheme (such as a separate bank account) that safeguards suppliers while ensuring that mechanisms for quality assurance remain in place. However, respondents raised specific concerns about the unintended consequences of the proposals. This included the risk of normalising 60-day terms or the ineffectiveness of a statutory interest measure if a supplier is
Merchants urged to lead on flood resilience Last month saw the publication
of Professor Peter Bonfield’s Independent Review of Property Flood Resilience in London during Flood Action Week. This review was commissioned by the Environment Agency nine months ago to recommend what more can be done to make residential and commercial properties more resilient.
Professor Bonfield concluded that strong leadership from government, housebuilders, insurers and flood action groups
required to raise the alarm at risk to their commercial relationship. Fair and prompt payment is vital for our supply chain to function properly. The BMF urged the Department to ensure that reforms are practical, enforceable and that they remain sensitive to legitimate commercial practices.
Right: Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business
engineers, flood risk managers, insurers, mortgage lenders and others - including BMF members - who all have an important role in improving property flood resilience.
Above: Travis Perkins and Bradfords join the BMF at Prof. Bonfield (second left) Review launch.
is vital to ensure homes are better protected from flooding. This Review brought together civil
During Flood Action Week, more than 20 in-branch promotions and outreach events were held by merchants and manufacturers, including Fernco, Bradfords, Travis Perkins, Huws Gray and EH Smith.
Brett Amphlett, BMF Policy Manager, one of the Leadership Group for the Bonfield Review,
arranged several MP constituency visits to support Flood Action Week - including the Minister for Flooding, Emma Hardy MP, who visited MKM in Hull.
The BMF is promoting the Bonfield Action Plan to builders’ merchants and civils & drainage specialists. The aim is to grow the market for PFR materials & products and water management systems.
• The Review Report is here:
www.gov.uk/government/ publications/floodproof-an- action-plan-to-build-resilience.
Stay informed and connected: BMF webinars you won’t want to miss • 4 November 2025 –
As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping members informed, connected, and equipped for success, the BMF is hosting a number of insightful webinars this autumn and winter. These sessions are designed to support every part of the building materials supply chain with practical knowledge, new opportunities, and sector updates.
Here’s what’s coming up:
BMCareers Members Webinar: Suppliers
An exclusive BMCareers (Sector Awareness) Members Briefing Webinar for BMF Supplier and Service members. • 14 November 2025 – BMF Business Services Webinar: Alphagraphics Learn how Alphagraphics can streamline your print and marketing processes.
November 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
• 18 November 2025 – BMF Energy Webinar: Full Power Utilities
This session will demonstrate how members have collectively saved over £200,000, and how your business could do the same. • 2 December 2025 – BMCareers Members Briefing Webinar
An in-depth look at the next phase of the BMCareers (Sector Awareness) campaign.
All BMF webinars are free for members to attend and provide a valuable opportunity to stay informed, exchange ideas, and engage with industry experts.
• To register for any of these upcoming sessions, visit the events section of the BMF website at
www.bmf.org.uk.
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