StatutoryInterest.co.uk

UK late commercial payments

Calculate statutory interest at Bank Rate + 8% =

Free, fast calculator with automatic rate‑change splits and fixed compensation. Enter your invoice details here. Your interest breakdown will appear below. Late payment of invoices cripples UK businesses. Don't tolerate it.

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What is statutory interest?

Under UK law on late payment of commercial debts, a supplier can charge statutory interest on overdue invoices. This is simple interest at the Bank of England base rate + 8%, applied from the day after the invoice becomes late. Unless you agreed a different credit period, invoices are treated as due within 30 days of the invoice date (or receipt of goods/services, if later).

  • Simple daily interest at per annum.
  • Fixed compensation of £40–£100 depending on invoice amount.

Examples

  • £850 invoice, 45 days late → interest (calc) + £40 compensation = (calc)
  • £6,500 invoice, 120 days late → interest (calc) + £70 compensation = (calc)
  • £18,000 invoice, 200 days late → interest (calc) + £100 compensation = (calc)
  • £75,000 invoice, 180 days late → interest (calc) + £100 compensation = (calc)

Who is entitled to it?

You qualify if…

  • You supplied goods or services to another business (sole traders and partnerships count as businesses).
  • Your customer missed the agreed payment date. If no date was agreed, the law treats it as due 30 days after the invoice date or delivery (whichever is later).
  • The buyer is a business or public sector body.

You don’t qualify if…

  • It was a consumer (B2C) sale.
  • Your contract replaces statutory interest with a fair alternative remedy or a different enforceable rate.
  • A court judgment already exists for the debt (judgment interest rules apply instead).
  • The payment isn’t late yet under the agreed terms or the statutory 30‑day default.

How to recover late payment interest

  1. 1Use this calculator to work out interest and fixed compensation. Export the breakdown if needed.
  2. 2 Send a late payment interest invoice or a Letter Before Action attaching your calculation.
  3. 3If unpaid, consider issuing a claim via the County Court Money Claims service.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What rate does the calculator use?

It applies the Bank of England base rate in force during each period, plus 8%. Where the base rate changes, the calculation splits the timeline automatically.

When does interest start?

From the day after the invoice becomes late. If no payment date was agreed, that is 30 days after the invoice date (or receipt of goods/services, if later).

Is the interest compounded?

No. Statutory interest is simple daily interest. The daily rate is (base+8%) × invoice ÷ 365.

Can I add recovery costs?

Yes. In addition to fixed compensation, you may recover reasonable costs of chasing the debt if they exceed the fixed sum.

What counts as a late payment?

If you did not agree a payment date, a payment is late 30 days after the invoice date or delivery of goods/services (whichever is later). Public authorities usually have 30 days. Businesses can agree up to 60 days or longer if it is fair to both parties.

What statutory interest rate applies?

The statutory rate is 8% plus the Bank of England base rate for business-to-business debts. You cannot claim statutory interest if your contract sets a different rate, and you cannot use a lower rate with public authorities.

How do I calculate daily interest?

Annual statutory interest = (base rate + 8%) × invoice amount. Daily interest = annual ÷ 365. Example: £1,000 at 8.5% = £85/year ≈ £0.23/day.

Do consumers qualify for statutory interest?

No. Statutory interest applies to late commercial payments between businesses (including sole traders) and to public sector buyers, not consumer purchases.

Do I need to issue a separate invoice for interest?

Yes. If you decide to add statutory interest to the amount owed, send a new invoice for the interest and compensation.

What if the base rate changes?

Statutory interest uses the Bank of England base rate in force during each period. If the base rate changes, apply the old rate up to the change date and the new rate from that date onward. This calculator splits the timeline automatically when rates change.