RHA welcomes prompt payment code

The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the prompt payment code of practice launched today by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.

“Road hauliers suffer more than most firms from slow payment by customers, research for the RHA showed recently; and since the credit crunch took hold, many hauliers are finding that companies, not least large companies, are taking even longer to pay their transport invoices,” says RHA Chief Executive Roger King. “We have been highlighting the issue to government and urging action.

“This initiative by BERR (the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform) challenges large companies to respond and we will be watching to see how they react with keen interest.

“It may be that there is more that can be done but this is a very welcome first step.

“In addition, central government has given a clear lead with its commitment to pay within ten days and we would urge local government and other public bodies to take the same approach to payments,” King concluded.