UK Creative Sector Payments: Above Average, But With Stark Divides

The UK creative sector is, on average, paying its bills better than the national average, but a closer look reveals considerable disparities.

The Numbers

• Companies analysed: 42
• Average PaymentCheck Score: 71.6/100
• UK average: 50.0/100 (Creative is 21.6 points above)
• Companies above average: 27
• Companies below average: 15
• Companies at average: 0

What Stands Out

While the creative sector's average PaymentCheck score handily beats the UK average, a significant portion of analysed companies are still underperforming at 35.7% (15/42). A wide gulf separates the best and worst payers, suggesting the sector's payment practices are far from uniform.

Best Payers

1. THAT LOT CREATIVES LIMITED - 99.5/100
2. BLACKHAWK NETWORK EMEA LIMITED - 94/100
3. HOUSE OF FRASER LIMITED - 92.87/100
4. PRIMARK STORES LIMITED - 92.7/100
5. UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE - 92.5/100

Worst Payers

1. VOW EUROPE LIMITED - 32/100
2. W & J LINNEY LIMITED - 37.37/100
3. LITTLE, BROWN BOOK GROUP LIMITED - 40.65/100
4. PMS INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC - 46.5/100
5. NOTCUTTS LIMITED - 49.5/100

Regional Patterns

Scottish creative firms, although represented by only one company, boast the highest regional average at 82.5. London, despite housing half of the sampled companies (21), shows an average of 72.8, which is only slightly above the overall sector average. This suggests that size or concentration doesn't guarantee better payment practices, and London is underperforming comparative to Scotland, East Midlands and South West. The East of England lags behind the other regions with just 66.3/100.

Creative freelancers can use a late payment calculator to recoup interest on overdue invoices.

The takeaway? With a 67.5 point spread between the best and worst-performing creative companies (99.5 - 32), freelancers shouldn't assume a rising tide lifts all boats when it comes to getting paid on time.