The data revealed no Build UK main contractors pay their suppliers within 30 days.

Build UK chief executive Suzannah Nichol hailed the publication as a “bold first step” in showing that industry leaders are “serious about changing the way they do business”.

That prompted an angry response from smaller contractors who are demanding real action over late payment.

Neil Walters, national chair of the NFB, said: “Seeing Build UK portray tier one contractors like industry pioneers is the ultimate insult.

“Build UK members, who make up less than 1% of the construction industry, are failing the 99%.

“Fair practice is essential to changing the industry culture around payment, not transparency.

“Transparency is a legal requirement, not a bold step.

“Procurement regulations already require 30-day payment terms down the supply chain, but the first thing tier one contractors do is change the contract terms to suit their interests and all but force SMEs to sign the amended terms to get paid.”