Database glitch delays salary payments

Up to 400,000 workers have not received their salaries as usual today following a problem with the UK's payment processing system.

The problem occurred when Voca's Bacs database suffered a glitch on Wednesday which caused it to slow down.

Although the problem has now been fixed, the subsequent backlog resulted in a delay to the payments due to go through today.

UK payments association Apacs has guaranteed those affected - up to 400,000 people, or 1.6 per cent of today's Bacs payments - will receive their normal salary payments on Monday.

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Apacs said it and all of the banks are working to resolve the issue with the companies that haven't been able to pay staff.

Affected customers have been assured by Apacs they will not be left out of pocket. If people exceed overdraft limits due to the delay, they will not be charged while missed mortgage repayments will be covered by the banks.

But some customers may face problems with withdrawing money over the weekend, depending on their circumstances.

Customers are advised to contact their bank as soon as possible with any concerns.

An Apacs spokeswoman said the problem affected both workers paid weekly and those paid monthly.