Barclays urges late-payers to settle up Barclays has called on large businesses to settle bills to SME suppliers on time, warning that the late payments are damaging cashflow; preventing new hiring and investment opportunities; and potentially putting suppliers at risk of collapse. Analysis by the bank shows that more than nine in ten medium-sized companies are waiting on overdue invoices to be paid, with the rate at three in five across all SMEs. Four in five of the 500 SMEs quizzed said that they would refuse a job with a potential customer if they were known for paying late. Hannah Bernard, head of business banking at Barclays, said: “We want to unite the small business community in tackling this issue and raise the social conscience of larger businesses who don’t pay on time.” She added: “Having a constant cycle of late payments will hamper the future growth of the economy.” Liz Barclay, the Small Business Commissioner, commented: “We need to see potential investors refusing to invest in