This information has been compiled using data published under Procurement Policy Note 05/15: Prompt Payment Policy and Reporting of Performance, which requires all central Government departments to report their payment performance on a quarterly basis.
| Central Government Department | Percentage of invoices paid within 30 days | Percentage of invoices paid within 5 days | Date report submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) | 98 | 83 | 30/06/2026 |
| Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) | 99 | 96 | 31/03/2026 |
| Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) | 97 | 77 | 30/09/2025 |
| Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) | 99 | 83 | 31/12/2024 |
| Ministry of Defence (MoD) | 99 | 94 | 30/09/2025 |
| Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) | 99 | 93 | 31/03/2026 |
| Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) | 98 | 95 | 31/03/2026 |
| Department for Transport (DfT) | 100 | 94 | 31/03/2026 |
| Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) | 99 | 97 | 31/03/2025 |
| HM Treasury (HMT) | 98 | 95 | 30/06/2025 |
| Ministry of Justice (MoJ) | 98 | 89 | 31/03/2026 |
| Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) | 96 | 88 | 31/03/2025 |
| Home Office | 98 | 83 | 30/06/2026 |
| Department for Education (DfE)* | 96 | 86 | 31/03/2025 |
| Cabinet Office | 96 | 84 | 30/06/2025 |
About this Information
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 require all public sector organisations to pay undisputed invoices in 30 days and ensure this payment term is passed down the supply chain. Central Government departments aim to pay 80% of all undisputed invoices within five days with the remainder paid within 30 days. In accordance with the Statutory Guidance for Contracting Authorities and Suppliers, the period starts on the date the contracting authority deems the invoice to be valid and undisputed.
The figures within the table above have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
Further information about a department’s payment performance can be found in its full report on GOV.UK which is accessible by clicking on the department’s name in the table above.
Any queries regarding the information contained within any report should be directed to the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), which is responsible for prompt payment policy for Government and the public sector. Any queries regarding late payment on a specific central Government project should be directed to the Public Procurement Review Service.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Build UK hereby expressly disclaims (on behalf of itself and of its directors, officers, employees, agents and contractors) any and all liability under any system of law for any loss or damage of any description incurred by any person (natural or corporate) at any time as a direct or indirect result of (a) any information (whether erroneous, inaccurate or otherwise) contained in or omitted from the table and/or this webpage, and/or (b) any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance in whole or in part on any said information.
* Includes the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) and the Standards and Testing Agency (STA).