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

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openDepartment for Business and Tradeby Savannah GalloOpened 20 April 2026

Background

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.

Additional details

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.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 764778.