Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
The incomes of self-employed people are ‘falling like a stone’ amidst economic disruption caused by Covid-19, according to charity the Money Advice Trust, which runs the Business Debtline advice service. The warning comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak told MPs that constructing a scheme to protect the self-employed who are losing work because of the Coronavirus…
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Accounts payable teams have the power to halt the rise in fraud during the current crisis according to FISCAL Technologies. The company says tackling financial fraud is more important now than ever – the key is the ability to maintain order and efficiency The ongoing impact of the coronavirus outbreak has seen an increase in…
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The estimated total bill to taxpayers for responding to the collapse of Thomas Cook is at least £156 million, with some costs not yet known, a new National Audit Office (NAO) report has found. Thomas Cook collapsed on 23rd September 2019 and all flight and holiday bookings were cancelled, leaving an estimated 150,000 customers potentially…
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Laura Ashley has filed for administration after failing to secure £15 million of emergency cash to stay afloat. The move puts around 2,700 jobs at risk.The company said that owner MUI Asia was not willing to provide the extra cash, and could not secure a loan from elsewhere. In a statement the company said “The…
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Coronavirus poses an existential bankruptcy threat to the hospitality industry according to trade body UK Hospitality. The trade body has warned that thousands of businesses in the UK’s hospitality sector could face bankruptcy following Government advice that people should avoid visiting pubs, restaurants and bars. UK Hospitality. says that during the first in a series…
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The ban on football fixtures, due to Covid-19, could cause an insolvency crisis which will hit Football League clubs hard, warn experts at Begbies Traynor. Paul Stanley, regional managing partner for Begbies Traynor in Manchester, said “Cashflow through the turnstiles is what keeps football clubs afloat. It’s the pies, pints and programmes sold at the…
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Dun & Bradstreet has announced that it has completed the purchase of Coaction.com an end to end receivables management platform The acquisition expands Dun & Bradstreet’s portfolio of finance solutions, helping clients automate credit-to-cash processes. The company says the move means Dun & Bradstreet, clients will now benefit from a growing portfolio of data and…
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The Budget has confirmed plans to grant HMRC ‘preferential status’ in insolvencies from December 2020, says insolvency and restructuring says trade body R3. Business groups, including R3, have described this policy as a threat to business lending and business rescue. From December, debts owed to HMRC by insolvent businesses will be repaid in advance of…
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UK business groups and insolvency experts are again sounding the alarm about Government plans to prioritise repayments to HMRC over repayments to other creditors in insolvencies from 6th April 2020. In a joint statement ahead of the Budget, the groups are warning the new Chancellor that the Government’s proposals will damage access to finance for…
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The Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) has confirmed it has transferred the hosting and administration of the Prompt Payment Code to the Small Business Commissioner’s (SBC) office in line with the Government’s stated ambition to bring all late payment initiatives under a single umbrella. Since its launch in 2008, the Code has played an…
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Aon has agreed to acquire Willis Towers Watson for almost £22.9 billion in an all-stock deal to create one of the world’s largest insurance brokers – a combined value of around $80bn. The company will be called Aon and will retain its operating headquarters in London. Upon completion, existing Aon shareholders will own approximately 63%…
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International debt collection specialist Atradius Collections has appointed a new Country Director for the UK and Ireland. Yvette Gray has taken the helm at Atradius Collections – a business she helped bring to the UK 13 years ago. With industry experience built up over nearly three decades, Gray has been trade credit insurer Atradius since…
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Professional services group Knights, which has offices across the Midlands, has exchanged contracts to acquire two law firms. The firm has agreed to acquire Leeds-based independent Shulmans for a total consideration of £20.1 million and Crawley and Maidstone-based commercial law firm ASB Law (which also encompasses ASB Aspire) for up to £8.5 million. Knights Group…
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