Require businesses pay a 50% deposit to contracted sole traders/small businesses

Open for signatures 373 signatures

What the petition asks

Change the law to require businesses to pay a 50% deposit for services when working with freelancers, sole-traders and small businesses who cannot exist in credit or have 'accounts' like bigger companies. The remaining 50% should then be paid within 30 business days.

Many freelancers, sole traders and small businesses live in a constant state of anxiety, lose money or have their businesses go under because of late payments, or companies that don't pay at all. Many have to give up their business because larger corporates or agencies aren't paying on time due a lack of management of their own cashflows, meaning freelancers get behind on bills, rent, mortgage payments - everything.

Timeline

20 Apr 2026

Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 373

Status Open for signatures

Department Department for Business and Trade

Opened 20 Apr 2026

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