The National Specialist Contractors Council is to extend its fair payment campaign to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The trade body will launch its campaign in the regions by holding seminars for contractors in Scotland on 4 March and in Northern Ireland on 17 April.

The NSCC launched its campaign in England and Wales last year, and The Office of Government Commerce Fair Payment Charter came into force on 1 January 2008.

The charter sets out rules such as 30-day payment periods and no unfair withholding of retentions.

Suzannah Nichol, chief executive of the National Specialist Contractors Council, said: “It’s not a legal framework, but it sets out very clear guidance for 40% of the industry being compliant.”