NSCC launches online tool to help subbies in payment fight

The National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) has launched an online toolkit to help subbies struggling to prise cash from main contractors.

The NSCC’s ‘Online Payment Pack’ - which was launched this week to coincide with the first anniversary of its Fair Payment Campaign - offers specialists a range of standard letters in their fight for payment.

Subbies can choose from a range of different problems that may be affecting them, and find step-by-step advice on what to do, as well as the standard form letters.

The scenarios covered on the site include:

• Late or non payment;
• Reduced or under payment;
• Proposed price reductions;
• Variation payment procedures;
• Outstanding retention;
• Non-compliance with OGC Fair Payment Charter.

NSCC chief executive Suzannah Nichol told CJ: "It’s a really user-friendly tool for specialist contractors. It’s all online, and it has template letters and solutions to solve the situation you are in."

The launch comes 12 months after the Fair Payment Campaign was launched. The campaign calls for certainty of payment, insists on payment within 30 days, and demands the striking out of cash retentions in favour of modern and practical alternatives.

Nichol said: "It’s been a very exciting year for us and we’ve had ministerial support. I think we are still at an early stage. We’re working against 100 years of custom and practice within this industry.

"The response from specialist contractors and those within the supply chain has been absolutely fantastic. They can’t just sit and complain about unfair payment now because we have given them practical things to do."

The online payment pack can be viewed here. 

NSCC campaign in numbers

• 115% increase in the number of queries resolved by NSCC helpline;
• 1,838 credit reports provided for specialist contractors;
• 1,500 companies spoken to;
• 10,000 copies of NSCC Specialist Contractor’s Toolkit published.