Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the tour operator has “ceased trading with immediate effect” after winding up orders were made against Thomas Cook Group plc and associated companies. The court appointed the Official Receiver as the Liquidator. The court has appointed Special Managers to assist the Official Receiver with the liquidation. Insolvency Practitioners…
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Irish SMEs drew down €1.4 billion in loans from Irish banks over Q2 2019, an increase of €147 million on the same period of 2018. SMEs in the property sector accounted for the largest share of new drawdowns at 36 per cent, followed by SMEs in the wholesale/retail trade and agricultural sectors; accounting for 12…
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Leading business groups and insolvency experts have written to the Chancellor to warn that plans to prioritise repayments to HMRC over repayments to other creditors in insolvencies will have serious consequences for the UK economy. Under legislation included in the draft Finance Bill, the Government is planning that, from 6 April 2020, certain tax debts…
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The number of restaurant businesses going insolvent has jumped 25% in the last year to 1,410 in 2018/19, up from 1,130 in 2017/18, according to new figures from UHY Hacker Young. The report says that the rapid growth of the causal-dining sector since the last recession had resulted in an over-saturated mid-market which is still…
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The winners of the third annual 2019 Credit & Collections Technology Awards have been revealed. There were eighteen winners from the twenty Awards categories which are covered by four main headings of Applied Technology, Credit and Collections, Lender and Creditors and Innovation Leaders. The awards ceremony was held at the Credit Services Association’s (CSA) annual…
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Heightened restructuring activity has seen the half-year net reduction in stores on Britain’s high streets hit record levels according to research by the Local Data Company (LDC) and PwC. The first half of 2019 saw almost twice as many store closures (16 per day) as openings (9 per day). In total, 1,634 stores opened and…
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New identity checks for company directors should be introduced to help reduce business fraud, says Tim Cooper, chair of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 in Scotland. A Government consultation into enhancing the role played by Companies House in the UK’s anti-fraud framework, which recently closed, provides a real opportunity to significantly strengthen the UK’s…
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Almost a third of SMEs (31%) have experienced late payments costing their business at least £10,000 in the last 12 months, according to research by Hitachi Capital. The report says the impact of late payments on the long-term health of the UK economy is estimated to have cost UK SMEs at least £51.5 billion in…
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The Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management Philip King has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s call for evidence in tackling late payment but warned against actions that may ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater.’ King says that while the possibility of increased powers for the Small Business Commissioner (SBC)…
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In August, the following administration notices have been issued and advertised in the London Gazette for the following companies: 60 FAITHS APARTMENTS LLP 8 OUTDOOR MEDIA LTD A1 HIRE (PERTH) LTD ABELIA CARE SERVICES LTD ACCORDIANT LTD ADAM MICHAEL SCAFFOLDING SERVICES LTD ANDY THORNTON CONTRACTS LTD ASBESTOS CLEARANCE AND DISPOSAL SERVICES LTD ASPRAY TRANSPORT LTD…
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Overall business confidence fell in August, for the first time in three months, by 12 points to 1%, according to the latest findings from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Business Barometer. Overall business confidence is calculated by averaging the views of 1,200 companies on their business prospects and optimism about the UK economy. This month’s business…
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New research from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has revealed that a third of UK businesses who were paid late in the last year did not chase outstanding payments. Fear of damaging valuable customer relationships was the biggest rationale by some margin, cited by two thirds, 62 per cent, of businesses. This was followed by capacity…
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Corporate insolvencies are on the rise globally due to the more challenging economic environment and high policy uncertainty according to a new report by Atradius. The report says business failures in developed markets are forecast to increase 2.8% in 2019 – the first annual increase in a decade – followed by another 1.2% increase in 2020.…
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