Police speeds up pay for suppliers amid coronavirus outbreak

Cumbria Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, have committed to paying supplier invoices quicker than the agreed terms.  This will mean that for the majority of suppliers, invoices for goods and services received will be paid in seven days following receipt of good or services instead of 30 days following the uncertainty around the Coronavirus outbreak.

Any businesses, local and national, that supply the Police with any service will have their invoices fulfilled in a week to help alleviate any worries over payments.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, who approved the decision to shorten the payment period, said: “The outbreak of CO-VID 19 has caused a lot of uncertainty for so many businesses across the UK.

“It’s a worrying time for everyone and we – the Constabulary and I – want to help as best we can with those who supply goods and services to us.

“We are doing the best we can to reduce any fears internally and externally around the virus but we are also taking it seriously – no one knows what will come in the next few weeks so we want to do all we can at this moment in time to help.

“These quicker payments will hopefully help these businesses cash flow and help reduce any stress that they may be feeling.

“Our Officers are still out on the streets stopping criminals and assisting victims and are doing an incredible job at continuing their day-to-day business amid the chaos.

“However; we have office based staff that are working extremely hard to help with the current situation and it is due to their hard work that we are able to pay our partners even quicker. Therefore I want to say thank you to them.”

Stephen Kirkpatrick, Director of Corporate Support at Cumbria Constabulary, said:

“These are challenging times for all organisations and businesses. We hope that reducing the time it takes to pay suppliers will ease the pressure on all concerned.

“It is important that we all work together in response to the Coronavirus outbreak to keep our communities safe.”