Carillion was the first major contractor to set-up a similar scheme last year where suppliers pay a fee to have their invoices settled early.

Payments come direct from the bank rather than the main contractor.

And now Nucleus is offering a similar service to contractors with a turnover of £20m plus.

Nucleus managing director Chirag Shah said: “These early payment schemes have proved popular but are only being offered by the really big contractors at the moment.

“Medium sized contractors often feel under-served by their banks which is where we come in – Nucleus can set-up and run these schemes for them.”

Carillion already has more than 200 subcontractors and suppliers signed up to its scheme.

Shah said: “Suppliers like the scheme because it gives them a guaranteed cash flow and certainty of payment.

“Main contractors also benefit from a more predictable cash flow while they can build better relationships with trade contractors by offering them favourable terms.”

For more details of the scheme click here