North East Businesses Outpace the UK on Payments, but Wide Disparities Remain

The Numbers

• Companies Analysed: 136
• North East Average PaymentCheck Score: 60.2/100
• UK Average PaymentCheck Score: 50.0/100
• North East Average Advantage: 10.2 points above the UK average

What Stands Out

The North East is demonstrably ahead of the UK average in payment performance, which is promising. However, the considerable spread between the best and worst payers indicates significant inconsistencies in payment practices across the region.

Best Payers

The top payers in the North East are setting a high bar. Topping the list is TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN SUNDERLAND LIMITED with a score of 98.7/100, followed closely by SUNDERLAND CARE AND SUPPORT LIMITED at 97.87/100. Nigel Frank International Limited (97.24/100), Student Loans Company Limited (92/100), and Endeavour Academies Trust (91.13/100) round out the top five, showcasing strong payment ethics within diverse sectors from children's services to recruitment.

Worst Payers

At the other end of the spectrum, some companies are struggling with timely payments. Arriva Rail North Limited sits at the bottom with a concerning score of just 11.9/100. INEOS Compounds Aycliffe Limited (26.6/100), GAP Group Limited (26.7/100), Quantum Pharmaceutical Limited (29/100) and London and North Western Railway Company Limited (29.5/100) complete the bottom five, suggesting potential cash flow issues or a disregard for prompt payment schedules. Use a late payment calculator to understand your options.

Sector Breakdown

While the sample sizes are small, some sectors are clearly outperforming others. The Human Resources sector, represented by a single company, boasts an average score of 97.2, while Care Services (87.0 avg, 4 companies), Financial Services (82.8 avg, 5 companies), and Travel and Transportation (81.2 avg, 4 companies) also demonstrate relatively strong payment performance. Education lags slightly behind with an average of 70.3 (5 companies), indicating room for improvement within the sector.

The 86.8 point difference between the top and bottom payers underscores the urgent need for consistent and fair payment practices across all businesses in the North East.