The quantity and proportion of invoices paid within 10 days of receipt to commercial suppliers are shown in the following table.
Month Quantity of invoices paid within 10 days to commercial suppliers Proportion of invoices paid within 10 days to commercial suppliers October 2008 15,403 98.11 November 2008 13,384 98.14 December 2008 14,202 95.69 January 2009 15,830 97.02 February 2009 12,777 78.19 March 2009 16,949 95.56 April 2009 16,250 96.44 May 2009 15,851 95.77 June 2009 18,692 96.39 July 2009 18,174 97.36 August 2009 15,902 97.14 September 2009 18,281 97.98 October 2009 17,142 96.66 November 2009 17,504 94.11 Note: Payment performance was lower in February 2009 due to the short term impact on Welfare Foods and Healthy Start payments caused by the introduction of a new web based claims system. This system was introduced to bring significant benefits to some of the smaller suppliers who will receive their payments more promptly and more regularly. This new system also provides higher security and validation checks.