Author Archives: HM Government

One of the benefits of securing work with government is its record of paying suppliers on time. Over 80% of undisputed invoices to SMEs are paid within 5 days, with the remainder paid within 30 days. These terms make for loyal and happy suppliers, and small businesses would like to see more of the same.

This is why it’s good news that Crown Commercial Service has been hard at work in passing down prompt payment terms to tier one suppliers. They have focused on 32 strategic suppliers to central government ie large companies that secure the greatest amount of contracts. This week marks a milestone in that all 32 strategic suppliers have now signed up to the Prompt Payment Code which is an acceptance that they will follow government’s lead in paying their small business suppliers within 30 days. This is welcome news to thousands of small business owners.

Government is not stopping at the largest of companies; it’s encouraging companies of all sizes to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code, including small ones. Doing so is a way of saying you’ll treat suppliers as you’d like to be treated yourself ie getting paid on time!

Recognising that prompt payment continues to be a big issue for small business, the government has also announced the appointment of a Small Business Commissioner also recently(https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/appointment/small-business-commissioner/), whose sole focus will be dealing with issues and complaints around late payment. The chosen candidate will have a 4 year tenure which will hopefully be sufficient time to bed-in a culture of prompt payment across the UK corporate scene.

As small business owners, we’ve all been there when it comes to having to chase clients for overdue bills. It puts a strain on client relations and, more critically, puts the business at risk.

These moves to encourage large government suppliers to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code and the appointment of a Commissioner are steps in the right direction of ensuring the survival rate of the smallest firms in Britain.

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If you work at Sellafield or live in the local area then over the last year you may have noticed more of our Civil Nuclear Police (CNC) officers out and about speaking to people.

Chances are you have seen one of our Project Servator deployments.

Launched on 4 July 2016, the aim of Project Servator is to deter any hostile threat by detecting suspicious activity in the local area.

Unpredictable and highly visible deployments made up of armed officers, dogs or behavioural detection officers can pop up anywhere and anytime on site or within the surrounding area making it difficult for any hostile threat.

Project Servator, originally started by our colleagues in the City of London Police, was launched by the CNC at Sellafield one year ago.

In that time, there have been more than 1,500 deployments across the area. These have varied from speaking to Sellafield site workers to visiting over 55 local shop keepers, all to promote the “trust your instinct” message. Officers have also given presentations about Servator and what it means to apprentices at Gen2, local schools and colleges and local community groups.

In the last few months there have been 135 deployments where officers have been out in the community, engaging with local residents to encourage them to report anything suspicious. No matter where they go our officers have received a warm welcome with lots of interest in the project and their role in general.

Supt Graham Shaw, who is the Operational Unit Commander for Sellafield, said: “The idea of Servator is to deter any hostile threat, but also to reassure people and let them know we’re there.

“Other benefits include deterring crime in the area. The unpredictable nature of our deployments, both day and night, mean any criminal can be detected.

“The support and involvement from workers on site or residents in the local community, who have either engaged with our officers during a deployment or reported suspicious behaviour, means that together we send a strong message to any criminal – you will be detected.”

Project Servator will continue to develop within the CNC. The number of officers who are involved with Project Servator is set to increase with our roll out across the other sites we police. Our deployments are also taking on a new element with the involvement of plain clothed officers engaging with members of the public during our visible patrols. These officers are highly trained in behavior detection. Their expertise is in noticing the subtle, sometimes unconscious ways in which people behave differently when they are stressed or anxious.

Supt Shaw added “We look forward to developing Project Servator within the CNC and using different unpredictable tactics will continue to help us deter any criminal behavior.”

If you are interested in Project Servator and are part of a community group who would benefit from a presentation, please email servator@cnc.pnn.police.uk for more information.

Remember, trust your instinct and report any suspicious activity directly to the CNC by calling 019467 73999.

Keep up-to-date with Servator deployments, recruitment information or anything CNC by following us on Twitter: @nuclearpolice

Notes to Editors: There is an opportunity to interview Supt Graham Shaw during a Servator deployment in Seascale. He will be available between 10am- 11am on Thursday 6 July 2017.

If you require an interview, please contact Jane Younger on 019467 80710.

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