Final Call: Respond Today to the UK Government’s E-Invoicing Consultation

Today marks the final opportunity for businesses, industry bodies, and technology providers to respond to the UK Government’s consultation on the future of electronic invoicing (e-invoicing). The consultation, launched by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), closes at 11:59 PM tonight, 7 May 2025.

Why This Matters

The government is exploring how to accelerate the adoption of e-invoicing across the UK economy. This move is part of a broader strategy to:

• Streamline business processes and reduce administrative burdens,
• Improve tax compliance and reduce errors,
• Enhance productivity through digital transformation,
• Align with international best practices in digital trade and finance.

E-invoicing enables the automated exchange of invoice data between suppliers and buyers, eliminating manual entry and paper-based systems. Countries across Europe and beyond have already adopted similar frameworks, and the UK is now seeking to catch up.

What’s Being Consulted On

The consultation seeks views on:

• The benefits and challenges of e-invoicing,
• Barriers to adoption, especially for SMEs,
• The role of government in setting standards or mandating usage,
• Technical and legal frameworks needed to support implementation.

Time Is Running Out

If your business has a stake in how invoicing is handled—whether you’re a supplier, buyer, software provider, or advisor—this is your last chance to influence the direction of UK policy.

Our View: we strongly support the move toward e-invoicing. It offers clear benefits in terms of:

• Reducing VAT errors and improving compliance,
• Speeding up payments and improving cash flow,
• Lowering costs through automation.

However, we also caution that:

• SMEs must be supported with funding and guidance,
• Interoperability standards must be clear and consistent,
• Cybersecurity and data protection must be prioritised.

We urge all our clients and contacts to consider submitting a response today. Even a short submission can make a difference.

How to Respond?

Responses can be submitted by using the link here. If you’d like more information this can be found on the Gov website, or if you’d like assistance in submitting your views or understanding how e-invoicing could affect your business, please contact our advisory team immediately. We’re here to help you make your voice heard before the deadline.