Only nine firms were listed as signing-up to the charter last month during a low-key launch by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

But the Enquirer understands that Kier was wrongly listed as one of the signatories by officials.

That leaves just eight firms backing the scheme with Laing O’Rourke and Skanska the only big main contracting names on the list.

The charter commits firms to paying suppliers within 30 days from January 2018.

It has already come under fire from specialist contractors who fear it will become another toothless initiative.

The document has been drawn-up by the Construction Leadership Council and sets out 11 “Fair Payment Commitments”.

These include reducing payment terms to 30 days from January 2018 with interim stages of 45 days from June 2015 and 60 days with immediate effect.

Other commitments include not withholding cash retentions, not delaying or withholding payment, and making payments electronically.

But only eight of the firms on the 30-strong Construction Leadership Council have been able to commit to the voluntary charter.