Some UK government departments have outstanding invoices dating back nearly two decades, according to new Freedom of Information data obtained by Quadient.
Despite strict payment rules Quadient’s study of the oldest invoices found departments owed £1.7m and are also owed £290K.
The oldest invoice owed by the government dates back to June 2007, by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
The Ministry of Defence hols the highest invoice still to pay – £757,000 from June 2023.
Ofwat was the only department which reported no outstanding invoices.
Laura Elliston, Senior Finance Automation Strategist at Quadient (pictured), said: “While there are many reasons for slow payments, such as disputes, unfinished work, or personnel changes, these delays aren’t simply administrative oversights – they have real, tangible consequences.
“Behind every unpaid invoice lies a business potentially facing cash-flow challenges, a contractor unsure if they’ll be paid, or a critical public service disrupted.”
