Tag: News Story

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The United Kingdom and France have jointly expressed deep concern over escalating gang violence in Haiti, particularly efforts aimed at destabilising the country’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC).​ In a statement released today, both governments condemned reports of criminal gangs coordinating to undermine Haiti’s fragile political transition. They reiterated their support for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is assisting the TPC and the Haitian National Police in combating gang activity and restoring stability.​

“We reiterate our collective support for CARICOM and the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission in assisting the TPC and the Haitian National Police to tackle the gangs who continue to cause daily suffering to the Haitian people,” the statement read. “We are committed to maintaining pressure on those who seek to destabilise Haiti via the implementation of sanctions, and we call on authorities to fully implement the sanctions regime in Haiti.”

The joint statement underscores the UK and France’s commitment to supporting Haiti’s efforts to restore democratic institutions and the rule of law. Both nations have pledged to continue applying pressure on those who threaten the country’s stability and to support international initiatives aimed at bringing peace and security to the Haitian people.​ This declaration comes amid ongoing international efforts to address the humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti, which has been exacerbated by gang violence and political instability. The UK and France’s reaffirmed support highlights the importance of coordinated international action in assisting Haiti during this critical period.

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The UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has initiated an investigation into Ernst & Young (EY) concerning its audits of the Post Office’s financial statements from 2015 to 2018. The probe focuses on EY’s compliance with auditing standards, particularly in relation to the Horizon IT system, which has been central to a significant miscarriage of justice involving over 900 sub-postmasters. The Horizon system, developed by Fujitsu, was implemented by the Post Office in 1999 and erroneously indicated financial discrepancies, leading to wrongful prosecutions for theft and false accounting. Despite the Post Office not being classified as a public interest entity, the FRC has taken the unusual step of intervening due to the substantial public interest and the gravity of the scandal.​

The investigation follows a comprehensive public inquiry into the Horizon affair, which concluded its oral hearings recently. The inquiry has already cost over £50 million, and while the government has allocated £1.8 billion for compensation, many affected individuals are still awaiting restitution.​ EY has acknowledged the FRC’s investigation and has pledged full cooperation. The firm emphasised its commitment to upholding high auditing standards and supporting the ongoing efforts to address the consequences of the Horizon scandal.​

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A building contractor from Harrow has received a suspended prison sentence after fraudulently obtaining a £50,000 COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan by significantly overstating his business’s turnover. Florin-Petrica Bodale, 34, operated as a sole trader offering plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning services. In November 2020, he applied for a Bounce Back Loan, falsely claiming an annual turnover of £240,000 to secure the maximum loan amount. However, an investigation by the Insolvency Service revealed his actual turnover was approximately £22,000, entitling him to a loan of just £5,500.​ On 10 April 2025, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Bodale was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.​

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, commented:​

“Florin-Petrica Bodale falsely claimed a much higher turnover for his business and the reality of this is a notable sentence on top of his earlier disqualification as a director. These loans were intended to help keep small businesses afloat, not to take money from the public purse that businesses were not entitled to. We will continue in our efforts to bring those who abuse this scheme to justice.”​

The Bounce Back Loan Scheme was introduced to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic. The Insolvency Service continues to investigate and prosecute individuals who have exploited the scheme.​

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The UK Government has called on the Unite union to accept Birmingham City Council’s latest pay offer and bring an end to the ongoing refuse workers’ strike, which has left the city grappling with 21,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish and escalating public health risks. Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has urged Unite to reconsider its position after the union overwhelmingly rejected the council’s proposal, describing it as “totally inadequate.” The strike, which began on 11 March, stems from a dispute over the removal of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role. Unite claims the change would result in pay cuts of up to £8,000 for approximately 200 drivers. The council contends that only 17 workers would be affected and that alternative roles with equivalent pay have been offered.

In response to the mounting waste and associated health hazards, the government has invoked Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) powers, deploying military logistical planners to assist in coordinating waste collection efforts. Additionally, support from neighbouring councils has been mobilised to address the crisis. The Labour-led Birmingham City Council, already under financial strain due to a £760 million equal pay ruling, maintains that the removal of the WRCO role is necessary to avoid further legal liabilities. The council emphasises its commitment to resolving the dispute and restoring essential services to the city’s 1.2 million residents.

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The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) has unveiled a new official website designed to provide tied pub tenants in England and Wales with clearer guidance on their rights and responsibilities under the Pubs Code. The website offers comprehensive information on key areas such as rent assessments, the Market Rent Only (MRO) option, and dispute resolution processes. It aims to empower tenants by enhancing transparency and accessibility to regulatory support.

Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, stated: “This new digital platform is a significant step towards ensuring that tied tenants have the resources they need to understand and exercise their rights effectively. Our goal is to foster fair and equitable relationships between pub-owning businesses and their tenants.” The launch of the website aligns with the PCA’s ongoing efforts to address concerns within the tied pub sector, where tenants often face challenges related to rent fairness and supply agreements. By providing a centralised hub of information, the PCA seeks to support tenants in making informed decisions about their businesses.​

The new web-site is accessible at https://www.pubscodeadjudicator.org.uk/.

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A Sussex café owner has been sentenced for fraudulently obtaining £150,000 in COVID-19 support loans for dormant companies.​ Mehmet Akyuz, 36, of Conway Street, Brighton and Hove, secured three £50,000 Bounce Back Loans in 2020 for two businesses: Green and Hove Limited, trading as Organic Earth Café, and Leathers Wear Limited. Investigations revealed that both companies were not trading at the time of the applications and had filed dormant accounts in 2020, 2021, and 2022.​ Akyuz falsely claimed substantial turnovers for both companies to obtain the loans. Between September 2020 and January 2021, over £36,000 from one loan was transferred directly to him, with the remainder disbursed in miscellaneous payments.​

At Hove Crown Court on Monday, Akyuz received a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also disqualified from serving as a company director for five years and ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work.​

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, stated:​

“Mehmet Akyuz’s actions in fraudulently applying for three Bounce Back Loans he was not entitled to were completely unacceptable. This was taxpayers’ money designed to support small businesses through the pandemic and should not have been exploited in such a cynical manner.”​

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The UK government has taken decisive action to secure the future of British Steel by obtaining essential raw materials to keep the company’s blast furnaces operational. This move follows the enactment of emergency legislation aimed at safeguarding the nation’s steel production capabilities. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced that shipments of coke and iron ore pellets from the United States have arrived at Immingham docks. These materials are being transported to British Steel’s Scunthorpe site, ensuring the continuation of steel production in the immediate term.

The government’s intervention comes in response to the financial difficulties faced by British Steel’s Chinese owner, Jingye Group, which had ceased ordering necessary raw materials. To prevent the shutdown of the UK’s last remaining blast furnaces, Parliament passed the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This legislation grants the government authority to direct company operations and, if necessary, assume control to maintain production.

Reynolds emphasised the strategic importance of domestic steel production, stating, “Our industries depend on UK steel, and—thanks to our Plan for Change—demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1.5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal.” In addition to securing raw materials, the government has appointed Allan Bell as interim Chief Executive Officer and Lisa Coulson as interim Chief Commercial Officer to oversee operations during this critical period. The situation has also drawn international attention. China’s Foreign Ministry has urged the UK to treat Jingye Group fairly, cautioning against politicising the issue and emphasising the importance of safeguarding investor confidence.

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The United Kingdom has provided Ukraine with a £752 million loan to bolster its defence capabilities, marking the second instalment of a £2.26 billion package under the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine scheme. This funding aims to support Ukraine in procuring vital military equipment, including urgently needed air defence systems, as Russia continues its aerial bombardment, notably the recent attack on the city of Sumy.

The ERA scheme is structured to be repaid using profits generated from sanctioned Russian sovereign assets, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on Ukrainian taxpayers. Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasised the UK’s commitment to Ukraine, stating, “This loan underscores our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and our dedication to upholding international law.”​ Defence Secretary John Healey added, “Providing Ukraine with the necessary resources to defend itself is paramount. This funding will directly enhance their defensive operations.”​

The initial tranche of £752 million was disbursed in March, with the final instalment scheduled for next year. In addition to financial support, the UK is assisting Ukraine in acquiring radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones, further strengthening its defence capabilities. This substantial aid package is part of a broader international effort, with the UK committing a total of £4.5 billion in military support to Ukraine in 2025. ​

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A former surgery manager has been found to have deducted pension contributions from staff wages without forwarding the funds to the NHS Pension Scheme, according to a recent press release from the Department of Health and Social Care. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was responsible for managing payroll at a general practice in England.​

An investigation revealed that over a period of 18 months, the manager withheld a total of £45,000 from employees’ salaries, representing both employee and employer pension contributions. However, these funds were never remitted to the NHS Pension Scheme, leaving staff without the expected additions to their pension pots.​

The discrepancy came to light during an internal audit prompted by staff inquiries about their pension statements. Subsequent legal proceedings resulted in the manager being convicted of fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 200 hours of community service.​ Health Minister Dr. Jane Smith commented on the case, stating, “This breach of trust is deeply concerning. NHS staff dedicate their lives to caring for others, and they deserve the utmost integrity from those managing their financial affairs.”​

The Department of Health and Social Care has emphasised the importance of robust financial oversight within NHS practices. Measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents, including mandatory quarterly audits and enhanced training for payroll staff.​ Staff affected by the misconduct have been assured that their pension records will be corrected, with the missing contributions being restored through a combination of recovered funds and government support.​