Direct Debits move through the banking system on working days only. If your due date falls on a weekend or a UK bank holiday, the collection is taken on the next available working day rather than on the non-working day itself.
What this means in practice
- You do not need to do anything — the timing is handled automatically.
- The funds should be in your business account from the working day before the original due date, to be safe.
- Your Direct Debit notice and online account show the date the collection is actually expected.
Watch your account balance, not just the date
The thing that catches companies out is not the shifted date but assuming a transfer made over a weekend has cleared. Faster Payments are usually quick, but do not rely on a top-up made on a non-working day landing instantly. Leave a comfortable margin so the collection succeeds first time.
Paying by transfer instead
If you pay manually rather than by Direct Debit, send the payment so it arrives by the due date. If the due date is a non-working day, aim to have it land on the last working day before, so it is not late. If you are ever unsure when a collection will actually be taken, check your online account or contact our support team.
See also: How long does a payment take to clear?, What happens if I miss a payment? and How do I set up, change or cancel my Direct Debit?.