Event Moderator for Causeway Technologies | Corporate Event in the UK

The UK construction sector is approaching one of the most significant regulatory shifts in decades. From 1 April 2029, every VAT‑registered business will be required to send and receive structured electronic invoices — a change designed to improve efficiency, reduce fraud, and accelerate payment cycles. As highlighted in the webinar introduction, “April 1st 2029 is the UK government deadline for every VAT registered business to be digitally ready to both send and receive electronic invoices.” 

In this Causeway Technologies webinar, moderated by Juliette Foster, industry leaders from Amey Group, the Purchase to Pay Network, and Causeway explored what the mandate means for contractors, suppliers, and the wider construction ecosystem — and how early adoption can create meaningful competitive advantage. 

Why E‑Invoicing Matters: Visibility, Accuracy, Speed & Data Quality 

The panel began by stripping away the jargon to focus on the real value of e‑invoicing. Beyond compliance, the shift promises: 

• Faster, more accurate invoice processing 
• Better visibility across multi‑tier supply chains 
• Stronger fraud prevention 
• Higher‑quality, structured data 
• Improved alignment with the Fair Payment Code 

The discussion emphasised that many organisations believe they have an “invoicing problem” when, in reality, they have a data quality problem. As the script notes, “most businesses think they’re solving an invoicing problem, when what they’re actually solving is a data quality problem.” 

Structured, real‑time data was identified as the foundation for automation, AI, and faster, more reliable payment cycles — especially in a sector where late payments cost the UK economy £11 billion a year. 

The Reality: Deadlines, Supply Chain Pressure & SME Concerns 

The second section addressed the practical challenges of meeting the 2029 deadline. Construction’s long payment cycles, multi‑tier subcontractor chains, and reliance on PDFs or paper invoices make the transition complex. 

Key concerns explored: 

• Whether 2029 is realistic for a fragmented sector 
• Rising insolvencies and the need for supply‑chain stability 
• Supplier onboarding and integration challenges for Tier 1 contractors 
• The cost and training burden facing SMEs 
• The risk of running old and new systems side‑by‑side 
• Cybersecurity implications of fully digital workflows 
• Fears that poor implementation could slow payments rather than accelerate them 

The panel agreed that smaller suppliers must be supported deliberately — not left behind — and that early planning is essential to avoid friction across Tier 2, 3 and 4 subcontractors. 

The Future: Global Alignment, Competitive Advantage & What Comes Next 

The final section looked ahead to how e‑invoicing will reshape the sector over the next decade. 

Key themes included: 

• Lessons from countries already operating mandatory e‑invoicing (Brazil, Denmark, Italy) 
• The importance of ensuring the UK mandate accounts for construction’s unique complexity 
• The potential for real‑time invoice data to automate VAT reporting 
• How early adoption can create competitive advantage 
• The role of e‑invoicing data in demonstrating Fair Payment Code compliance 
• The emergence of AI‑driven decision‑making once structured data is in place 
• The need for seamless interoperability with international contractors 
• The risks if the sector fails to move fast enough 

The panel stressed that 2029 should not be viewed as a compliance task, but as a strategic opportunity to modernise financial workflows, strengthen supply‑chain resilience, and improve commercial performance. 

The Strategic Arc: What This Webinar Reveals About the Future of Construction Finance 

Across the discussion, several themes stood out: 

• E‑invoicing is not simply a regulatory requirement — it is a catalyst for industry‑wide transformation. 
• Structured data is the foundation for automation, AI, fraud prevention, and faster payments. 
• The Fair Payment Code and the 2029 mandate together create a powerful incentive for better payment behaviour. 
• Early adopters will gain operational efficiency, reputational advantage, and stronger supply‑chain relationships. 
• The biggest risk is not the mandate itself — but failing to prepare early enough. 

The construction sector is entering a new era of digital accountability, transparency, and connected financial workflows. Those who act now will be better positioned to meet compliance requirements, support suppliers, and compete in an increasingly data‑driven market.