Nearly 14,000 businesses in the UK are said to be seeking extra time to pay their bills, as economists warn Britain is edging towards its biggest slowdown since 1947, it was revealed yesterday. In his pre-Budget report last month, chancellor Alistair Darling failed to predict the rate the economy would contract next year, with economists saying it is now twice the rate he predicted, The Times reports. Of the nearly 13,900 businesses worst hit, many are expected to be small and medium-sized businesses. Already suffering from higher costs and lack of credit, they are seeking a tax delay on the £440m owed. Revenue & Customs has been on the receiving end of 23,000 companies seeking help since Darling announced in the PBR that the government would give businesses extra leeway in paying VAT, corporation tax, excise duty and income tax. Around 10,000 businesses, partnerships and sole traders have been given more time to pay nearly £170m worth of tax, while nearly 4,000 organisations, owing a total of £271m, have been referred for further consideration. No business has yet been refused, the Revenue said. Dave Hartnett, permanent secretary, tax, said: 'We will offer this service for as long as it is needed ... because of this economic downturn.' Those businesses that have asked for more time to pay tax do not have to pay any bills until a decision has been made. A 4.5% interest rate on the outstanding sum will be imposed on those that are granted permission to pay late, but all surcharges for late payments will be dropped.