Our own business, Forbidden Ambrosia Ltd, which provides essential staffing solutions to the hospitality and events sector, was directly affected when a client became insolvent a few days before a set payment date, resulting in a loss of £30,000. As the owner, Richard Ferenc Bako, along with my business partner, Csaba Farkas, I was left in a non-preferential creditor position during the creditors' meeting, which meant our hopes of recovering the money owed were dashed. Despite this significant financial setback, we upheld our ethical responsibility to pay our freelance staff members. Our story, unfortunately, is one all too common among subcontractors, particularly within sectors like hospitality and events where project-based work is prevalent and financial instability in client businesses can have a swift and severe impact.

Recent statistics from The Insolvency Service indicate that in 2024, there were 23,872 registered company insolvencies in the UK (Source: The Insolvency Service, latest available data). A significant portion of these failures leaves subcontractors – often small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of our economy – in precarious positions, owed significant sums with little hope of recovery. It is fundamentally unfair that these essential contributors are relegated to the bottom of the list of creditors, while larger financial institutions are prioritised.

The financial instability faced by subcontractors has a ripple effect, impacting not only their immediate employees but also their suppliers and the wider local economy. Prioritising their payments can help sustain this vital economic chain. We, along with a growing coalition of affected subcontractors, are calling for urgent legislative change in the UK to ensure that subcontractors are given the priority they deserve during insolvency proceedings.

This petition aims to protect subcontractors, including Forbidden Ambrosia Ltd, from future financial devastation by urging lawmakers in Westminster to guarantee our rights for timely payment and fair treatment when a company we've diligently worked for enters insolvency. By signing this petition, you will be directly urging your local Member of Parliament to support legislative reform prioritising subcontractor payments in insolvency cases. We aim to present this petition to key members of Parliament and relevant government departments.

We urge you to stand with us, sign this petition, and help us bring about this essential legislative change to protect the backbone of our contracting workforce and the broader economy. Your support can help prevent other small businesses like ours from facing similar devastating losses. After signing, please consider sharing this petition with your network – colleagues, friends, and family – to help us reach as many voices as possible.