Oh dear. Up to 250,000 people in Britain will be paid five days late following 'processing problems" with Barclay's BACS automated payments system.

In a message to users of the systems, the bank said it had experienced overnight processing problems on Tuesday, March 26. Consequently, any three day collection and payments due to hit bank accounts today, will not be happening now until Tuesday (Friday and Monday are bank holidays in the UK - Easter and all that).

Barclays has sent out messages to all its branches and other banks requesting that they release funds to customers on receipt of a wage slip. Also in certain instances, people will be able to withdraw money from holes-in-the-walls (presumably through uncleared balances). ®