Late payments are costing the UK economy an estimated £11 billion each year and forcing 38 businesses to shut down every single day. In response, the Government is introducing robust new measures aimed at protecting small businesses, promoting growth, and putting an end to unfair payment practices.
This intervention is particularly crucial for the haulage sector, where many operators already face significant financial pressures. A large number of haulage firms rely on hire purchase agreements to fund vehicles and equipment – making timely cash flow essential to meet debt servicing obligations. When payments are delayed, the impact can ripple throughout their operations, potentially causing them to miss their own financial commitments and threatening the stability of their business.
For many small firms, late payments are more than an inconvenience – they’re a major barrier to growth. Cash flow problems stop ambitious companies from scaling up, investing in new opportunities, or even keeping the lights on. Too often, hardworking business owners face the devastating reality of shutting down simply because invoices aren’t paid on time.
Under the new laws, the Small Business Commissioner will be given stronger powers than ever before. This includes the ability to issue fines worth millions of pounds against big firms that repeatedly fail to pay suppliers on time. The Commissioner will also be able to carry out spot checks and enforce a strict 30-day invoice verification period, helping disputes get resolved faster. In addition to this, maximum payment terms of 60 days will be reduced to 45 days, to give smaller firms the certainty they deserve.
Auditors will also take on a more prominent role, as payment practices come under greater scrutiny at board level. This shift aims to ensure large companies are held accountable for how they treat their suppliers. The introduction of mandatory interest charges for late payments will add further pressure on firms to act fairly.
For small businesses, these changes could be transformative. Instead of wasting hours chasing overdue invoices, owners will finally be able to focus on what really matters – growing their business.
Billed as the most comprehensive support package for small businesses in a generation, this shake-up aims not only to help firms thrive but also to reduce disputes and restore trust across supply chains. These changes play a key role in the Government’s new ‘Small Business Plan’ and were officially introduced on 31 July 2025.
Need advice on how these changes affect your business?
Whether you’re dealing with late payments, supplier disputes, or cash flow pressures, our team can provide the expert support you need. Get in touch to discuss how these new rules could impact your business and what steps you can take to protect your operations
We’re excited to announce BACK Academy’s new Discrimination Training course.
Q&A: Everything you need to know
Q – What is discrimination?
A – Discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly or less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic.
Q – What are examples of ‘protected characteristics?’
A – Protected characteristics include:
Q – How does this apply to coach and bus operators?
A – Examples in the bus and coach sector:
Q – Why does this matter?
A – Everyone has the right to travel safely and with dignity. Discrimination on buses and coaches does not only cause distress but can also lead to complaints and legal claims.
Operators and staff also have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for passengers.
Q – What are the damages for discrimination claims?
A – Damages for discrimination may include:
In the bus and coach sector, many claims focus on injury to feelings as well as aggravated or exemplary damages.
Q – Should operators attend BACK Academy’s Discrimination Training?
Yes. The Team is rolling out specialist training for bus and coach operators.
The training will focus on the PSV Conduct of Passenger and Driver Regulations, the powers of the driver under those regulations and how to avoid passenger claims under the Equality Act 2010.
Using real-world scenarios, the training will highlight legal responsibilities of operators and staff and provide practical guidance on handling and resolving discrimination-related complaints
The training will cover PSVAR and PSVAIR Regulations, with a focus on the complex issue of discrimination. Using real-world scenarios, the training will highlight legal responsibilities of operators and staff and provide practical guidance on handling and resolving discrimination-related complaints.
The aim is to equip your driving team with the knowledge, confidence and empathy to manage challenging situations effectively, ensuring services remain compliant.
Whether you are a Transport Manager, HR lead, or responsible for driver training, this training will support you in creating a fair, professional, inclusive, and legally compliant service.
The training is a virtual live course on 7th October 2025 from 2pm- 4pm at a cost of £95.00 plus VAT per delegate.
For members of the Backhouse Jones BACKup scheme, you can obtain a 20% discount code by contacting info@backacademy.com.
We do offer bespoke discrimination training packages and are happy to provide a quote on request.
On 16 September 2025, Backhouse Jones, in partnership with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) hosted the Route Forward Conference at the Clayton Hotel in Leeds.
The sector is entering a new era, shaped by re-regulation, evolving operating models, and changing policy frameworks. Route Forward was a free, half-day conference hosted by Backhouse Jones and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), designed to provide practical insight and strategic guidance for operators, local authorities, and transport professionals.
Attendees heard from a distinguished mix of speakers and industry leaders, covering:
Speakers at the event included, Libby Pritchard, Head of Commercial Litigation at Backhouse Jones, who outlined the current position of bus franchising in the UK.
Franchising: Current Position
Franchising Implemented
Franchising in Progress
Pilots/Trials
Areas Considering/Consulting – Active Enhanced Partnerships (Eps):
The truck cartel claim is continuing to progress. All operators that have opted into the claim should have now submitted their operator licence information which is being analysed by the RHA’s data analytics provider. The next stage of the litigation will be for a case management hearing to be held which we expect will be towards the end of this year. The RHA will continue to provide updates to operators that have opted in.
This month, our spotlight is on Joanna Falk, who qualified as a solicitor in the Commercial Litigation Team in March 2025. Joanna joined Backhouse Jones in 2019 as a Secretary in the Regulation Department, before progressing to a Paralegal in September 2020.
Whilst working in the Regulatory Department, Joanna assisted our leading transport regulatory solicitors on Public Inquiries, Operator Compliance Reviews and complex Operator Licence queries.
In March 2023, Joanna commenced her Training Contract, completing seats in Commercial Litigation, Insurance Litigation and Corporate & Commercial, before deciding to qualify into the Commercial Litigation Team.
Joanna has rapidly expanded her commercial litigation knowledge and skills, and together with her Regulatory experience, is able to provide tailored, sector specific advice to her clients. Her recent work includes successfully challenging and reducing clandestine entrant civil penalties and acting on high-value, complex commercial disputes.
To learn more about Jo, visit her profile here.
Transaid Cup 2025
Three members of the Commercial Litigation Team were part of the ‘Bent it Like Backhouse’ football team at the annual Transaid Cup.
On 14 July 2025, Microlise and Libra Europe hosted the 2025 Transaid Cup, sponsored by the Road Haulage Association (RHA). The event, once again, raised an incredible amount for programmes in sub-Saharan Africa.
While Bend it Like Backhouse may not have taken home the silverware (or the wooden spoon), the team are looking forward to being back on the pitch in 2026.
Whether you’re dealing with contractual complexities, enforcement issues, or looking for strategic legal support, our Commercial Litigation team is here to help.