Emma Jones is on a mission to transform payment culture in the UK - and she's got an army of over 2,000 businesses backing her up.
Late payments have become the silent killer of UK business. Every day, 38 businesses close their doors because they can't get paid on time. The economic cost? A staggering £11 billion annually. But there's a beacon of hope cutting through this crisis: the Fair Payment Code.
What is the Fair Payment Code?
The Fair Payment Code (FPC) is the UK government's flagship initiative to recognise and reward businesses that treat their suppliers fairly. Launched in December 2024, the Code has 333 awardees with companies of all sizes, from all parts of the UK, and in a range of sectors.
The Code operates on a three-tier system that rewards prompt payment practices:
- Gold Award – for firms paying at least 95% of all invoices within 30 days
- Silver Award – for those paying at least 95% of all invoices within 60 days, including at least 95% of invoices to small businesses within 30 days
- Bronze Award – for those paying at least 95% of all invoices within 60 days
An award lasts for 2 years and you must reapply to continue on the code. This allows the OSBC to check evidence and compliance every 2 years.
Emma Jones: The Champion of Payment Reform
As the new Small Business Commissioner, Emma Jones brings over 20 years of experience backing British business to her mission of transforming payment culture. The founder of Enterprise Nation and co-founder of StartUp Britain, Jones has already made her mark by leveraging technology at an individual firm and economy wide level, working in partnership with industry and government to ensure payment flows through supply chains.
Her vision is clear:
"As a team, we are on a mission to make life easier for small firms by getting money moving faster"
Jones isn't just talking about change - she's driving it with cutting-edge solutions. She wants to leverage Open Finance to realise her vision of connecting every small business owner to an AI-powered personal business agent who can 'serve' the small business with the right support and resource they need, at the right time.
Transforming Payment Culture Through Technology
Under Jones' leadership, the Fair Payment Code is evolving from a "nice to have" to a "business essential." Her approach combines recognition with practical support, helping businesses improve their payment processes rather than simply penalising poor performers.
The Code will also shine a light on those responsible businesses doing the right thing by their suppliers and small firms. This isn't just about compliance - it's about creating a cultural shift where prompt payment becomes the norm, not the exception.
The Business Case for Joining
Competitive Advantage
Securing an award is good for business! It signals to the market that you run an efficient organisation that pays on time and cares about its supplier network. In a competitive marketplace, this signal can be the difference between winning and losing contracts.
Matt Turner MBE, Founder & CEO of The Creative Group and a Fair Payment Code Gold Awardee, explains the global impact:
"I believe fostering a culture of fair payment is not just beneficial for local businesses - it strengthens global economies. Fair and timely payments create a more sustainable and thriving business environment, both at home and abroad"
Tangible Business Benefits
The advantages of joining the Fair Payment Code extend far beyond a badge on your website:
Key Benefits of Fair Payment Code Membership
Enhanced reputation: This signal helps to secure new contracts, attract quality employees (who also want to be paid on time!) and form partnerships with organisations with similar values
Stronger supplier relationships: Reliable payment builds trust and can lead to better terms and priority service
Competitive edge: With over 2,000 businesses already committed, being part of the Code demonstrates industry leadership
Risk mitigation: Good payment practices reduce the risk of supplier failures disrupting your supply chain
A Movement Across Industries
The Fair Payment Code spans virtually every sector of the UK economy. The sector breakdown shows Construction leading with 93 companies, followed by Consultancy (58), Information Technology (33), and Advertising, Marketing & PR (20).
From aerospace to agriculture, from healthcare to hospitality, businesses across the UK are recognising that fair payment isn't just ethical - it's essential for sustainable growth.
The Government Backing
The Fair Payment Code isn't operating in isolation. It's part of a comprehensive government strategy to tackle late payments, including:
- New legislative proposals that include stricter maximum payment terms, stronger powers for the Small Business Commissioner, mandatory payment of interest on late invoices, and fines against large companies who persistently pay their suppliers late
- From October 2025, further steps to improve public sector payment, including spot checks across supply chains and tightening rules to exclude suppliers who fail to pay promptly from large contracts
Why Fair Payment Matters More Than Ever
Late and long payment times disrupt the cash flow cycle and can prevent a business from paying its bills, eventually leading to business failure. The human cost is immeasurable - behind every business failure are real people: employees, families, and communities affected by the ripple effects.
Emma Jones understands this intimately:
"Late payment! This is a big issue that slows down small firms. Founders have to spend non-productive hours chasing debt and we want to address this, so hours can instead be spent on growth tasks"
How to Join the Movement
Getting involved with the Fair Payment Code is straightforward. Companies apply to be on the Code with applications assessed by a top team, and the process focuses on demonstrating genuine commitment to prompt payment practices.
If you are not ready to apply for an award, the OSBC can help you get started. We'll also help award businesses on the code to reach a higher award. The FPC is about continually improving payment performance and culture in the UK and we'll support businesses to achieve that.
The Future of Payment Culture
Under Emma Jones' leadership, the Fair Payment Code represents more than a government initiative - it's a business revolution. The FPC aims to drive better payment practices for the good of supply chains, wider society and the entire economy.
With over 2,000 businesses already committed and growing government support, the Fair Payment Code is creating a new standard for business relationships in the UK. The question isn't whether you can afford to join - it's whether you can afford not to.
As Jones puts it:
"We want the Code to move from being a 'nice to have' to being a 'business essential'"
The businesses leading this charge aren't just improving their own operations - they're building a stronger, more resilient economy for everyone. In a world where trust and reliability are increasingly valuable currencies, the Fair Payment Code offers a clear path to competitive advantage.
Ready to Achieve Gold Standard?
The Fair Payment Code Gold Award - paying 95% of invoices within 30 days - isn't just a badge of honour. It's a competitive advantage that demonstrates your commitment to supplier partnerships and operational excellence.
But achieving Gold standard requires more than good intentions. It requires the right systems, processes, and technology to automate your invoice-to-payment workflow and eliminate the manual chaos that causes delays.
Ready to Join the Fair Payment Code Gold Winners?
Transform payment delays into competitive advantage with PAIDD's e-invoicing platform
Book Your Demo