HMRC have released figures stating that over 20,000 businesses have delayed paying more than £350 million of tax after contacting its Business Payment Support Service.

The new service, announced at the Pre Budget Report in November, gives businesses the opportunity to pay all their HMRC taxes, including PAYE, National insurance Contributions and VAT through payment timetables which they can afford.

The dedicated Business Support Service is designed to meet the needs of businesses affected by the current economic conditions. In the majority of cases, HMRC will be able to make a decision in around 10 minutes.

The BPSS can be contacted on 0845 302 1435 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 8 am to 4pm at weekends.

Further information is available at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/business-payment.htm