Supplier Incentive Programme

Cashflow boost for businesses with new Supplier Incentive Programme

Northumberland County Council has announced it is working with Oxygen Finance to introduce a new early payment initiative to improve cash flow for its suppliers. The scheme is in line with the recommendations of the national prompt payment code and is designed to support businesses in the current challenging business climate.  
 
The council spends some £430 million annually on goods and services for the people of Northumberland and has in excess of 10,000 suppliers. The Supplier Incentive Programme (SIP) will enable thousands of invoices to be processed early, injecting millions of pounds of liquidity into the local economy, whilst also generating savings that will help the council to protect essential front-line services. 
 
Ben Jackson, Chief Executive at Oxygen Finance commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Northumberland County Council on its early payment initiative. The advantage of early payment cannot be underestimated. For many businesses it provides vital liquidity outside of the normal month-end billing process. In these uncertain times, as businesses across all sectors look to reopen, consolidate, or expand, having financial liquidity can make a huge difference.” 
 
With smarter processes and increased digitisation, the SIP will ensure the council’s large-scale payment function is more efficient and effective for suppliers. It will also offer them the choice to be paid early, typically three weeks earlier than standard payment terms. 
 
Commenting on the initiativeJan Willis, Executive Director of Finance at Northumberland County Council said: “We are committed to investing in strategic initiatives that help us to protect future regional growth and development. The council is an important driver of business across the county, so it is essential that we set the standard for good financial governance. The implementation of a sector leading early payments initiative reinforces our commitment to the many thousands of suppliers we work with.”  
 
A dedicated team from Oxygen Finance is working with the council to put the new scheme in place and it is expected be launched early 2022.  
View all news