Published reports

SCOTRAIL TRAINS LIMITED

Company number: SC328826

This information is as reported by the business, and responses are in their own words.

Reporting period:

1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025

Report filed on:

30 October 2025

Approved by:

Derek Marchant


Contracts and payments

Do any of this business's construction contracts with its suppliers include retention clauses? Yes

Payment statistics

Average time taken to pay invoices: 12 days

Total value paid:

  • within 30 days: £469,848,030  (95%)
  • in 31 to 60 days: £12,705,058  (3%)
  • in 61 days or more: £12,828,192  (3%)

Invoices paid:

  • within 30 days: 96%
  • in 31 to 60 days: 2%
  • in 61 days or more: 2%

Late and disputed:

  • total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £279,888,818
  • payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 10%
  • not made in the reporting period due to a dispute: 2%

Payment terms

Shortest standard payment periods

0 days

Longest standard payment period

30 days

Standard payment terms

Standard payment terms are 30 days.

Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?

No

Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?

N/A

Maximum contractual payment period agreed

30 days

ScotRail Trains aims to settle all valid invoices within as soon as possible and within 30 days.

Any other information about payment terms

The 'shortest standard payment terms' has been noted as 0 days, which equates to those suppliers with 'Immediate' payment terms.

Retention clauses

How does this business use retention clauses?

Retention clauses are used in specific circumstances:

Retention clauses are used in construction contracts to secure completion of works and correction of defects. They are typically applied where staged payments are made and are released on practical completion and after the defects liability period.

Does this business only use retention clauses in construction contracts above a specific contract sum?

No

Does this business use a standard percentage rate in retention clauses?

Yes: 3%

Does this business apply retention clause practices that are no more onerous than those applied to it on the same project?

No

Releasing money under a retention clause

Process for releasing money this business has deducted or retained under a retention clause

Money is released when the contractual obligations have been fulfilled

Is the money released in stages?

No

Amount retained from suppliers in the reporting period

Amount retained stated as a percentage of the money retained from this business by its clients

0%

Amount retained stated as a percentage of the total construction payments made by this business

3%

Dispute resolution process

The process for dispute resolution and complaints for qualifying contracts is set out in the terms and conditions for the good or services. A resolution is sought between the ordering manager (supported by the Procurement and Contracts team when required) and the supplier.

ScotRail Trains operates a No PO, No Pay policy meaning all invoices submitted for payment will quote a valid Purchase Order where the goods/services being purchased has been previously approved. As a result there are limited disputes arising from purchases.

ScotRail Trains works closely with suppliers when issues are identified to ensure invoices received are correct to allow prompt payment.

Other payment information

Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?

For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.

Yes, this business has signed up to: Yes, the business follows the guidance set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?

This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.

No

Does this business offer supply chain finance?

This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.

No

Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?

No

During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?

No