The rush to join other signed-up major contractors came after construction minister Michael Fallon warned last November he would name and shame leading companies not signed up to the voluntary payment code.

After the warning letter Kier, Interserve and Miller Construction signed up joining Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall and Willmott Dixon on the list.

Major contracting names still to join include Costain, Galliford Try, BAM, Vinci, Wates and ISG.

Berkeley Group is the only stock market quoted volume house builder to sign up to PPC.

Barratt Developments, Bellway, Bovis Homes, Galliford Try, Redrow and Taylor Wimpey are all named and shamed in official lists.

Fallon said: “Signing up demonstrates a serious pledge to pay promptly. Reports of any companies found to be falsely committed to the value of fairness in the Code will be taken very seriously.

“But the work will not stop here. I will keep up pressure on firms to sign up and continue to ensure government leads by example in paying its suppliers on time.

“Central government has a good record. Now, I will be challenging other parts of the public sector to show their commitment to the principles of the Code.”

Chief Executive of the Forum of Private Business, Phil Orford said: “The Prompt Payment Code is a kitemark for treating suppliers fairly. Companies that have chosen to sign up must understand that it is not just a token gesture, but a sizeable responsibility against which their payment practices can and will be judged.”

Firms signed up to Government prompt payment code