Backed by the government, the Prompt Payment Code (PPC), launched by the ICM in December 2008, has been designed to encourage and promote best practice between organisations and their suppliers. The Code is hosted by the ICM at www.promptpaymentcode.org.uk

Bacs, a not-for-profit organisation, has invested in researching the issue of late payments and raising awareness of its impact on all businesses, particularly SMEs since 2004.

The latest wave of research carried out in December 2009 revealed that British SMEs are having to wait an average of 41 days longer than their original agreed payment terms, before invoices are paid. This was an increase of 9.5 days on the time SMEs were waiting, beyond agreed deadlines, in June 2009.

As an extension of this activity, Bacs will be working with ICM on a number of initiatives to further raise awareness of the issue, with the aim of positively impacting on entrenched business practices.

Mike Hutchinson, head of marketing at Bacs, said: "Our extensive research over many years has highlighted the extent of the late payments issue in the business community. Through our strategic partnership with ICM we hope to add momentum to the Prompt Payment Code, help inform businesses both large and small, and promote best practice, such as direct payment into bank accounts using methods such as Bacs Direct Credit."

Philip King, chief executive of the ICM, said: "Cashflow keeps businesses in business, and there is a very clear need to change the payment culture within the UK. To this end, it is important for organisations such as the ICM and Bacs to combine wherever possible where there are shared objectives and a common desire to improve the payment performance of UK businesses."