Jarvis has come under fire from subcontractors and the SEC Group for bad practice in its payment policies. The SEC Group is lobbying government to examine Jarvis's payment practice after receiving complaints from a number of subcontractors.
Jarvis is involved in the construction of numerous PFI projects building schools, university halls of residence and hospitals. The SEC Group would like to see the Government prevent PFI and other public sector work being awarded to contractors with problematic payment practices.

Rudi Klein, chief executive of the SEC Group, expressed concern at the number of complaints made against Jarvis. He stated that while it should be best practice for the payment policies of all main contractors to be examined, complaints about the time Jarvis has taken to pay subcontractors meant that its record should be the subject of "very, very careful review".

Jarvis claimed that it had not had any complaints brought to its attention and said that it adhered to strict contractual arrangements at all times. "In the year to 31 March 2003," a Jarvis spokesperson said, "the average Jarvis payment period was 42 days; better than the industry average."

  The SEC Group is pursuing the issue with construction minister Nigel Griffiths.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor