Tag: Treasury

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 January 2023.

Suffolk director exaggerated the turnover of his Hertfordshire-based business by 5 times the true amount to falsely claim a £50,000 loan.

Vasile Matcas, 30, from Haverhill in Suffolk, has been disqualified as a company director for 10 years after claiming government-backed Covid support money to which his business was not entitled.

Matcas was the sole director of Matcas Ltd, which was incorporated in October 2016 and initially traded as a construction and cleaning company until the Covid-19 pandemic affected trade, when Matcas pivoted the firm to operate as a carwash.

In June 2020 Matcas applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan to support the transition of the business, based on Matcas Ltd’s 2019 turnover, which he stated as £280,000.

Bounce Back Loans were a government scheme to help support businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic. Under the rules of the scheme, companies could apply for loans of between £2,000 and £50,000, up to a maximum of 25% of their turnover for 2019.

The company received the maximum loan amount, and began trading as The Pavilions Car Wash, in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. But the carwash folded and Matcas Ltd went into liquidation in July 2021, owing more than £50,400, including the full amount of the loan, and triggering an investigation by the Insolvency Service.

Investigators discovered that Matcas Ltd’s actual turnover in 2019 had been around £49,200, and that Matcas had exaggerated the figure by more than 5 times to receive the maximum amount from the Bounce Back Loan scheme. The company should have been entitled to a loan of around £12,300 based on its true turnover.

The Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Vasile Matcas after he did not dispute that he had caused Matcas Ltd to obtain a Bounce Back Loan in excess of the amount allowed by the loan scheme.

Matcas was banned for 10 years, beginning on 14 November 2022. His disqualification prevents him from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

Nina Cassar, Deputy Head of Investigations at the Insolvency Service, said:

The Bounce Back Loan Scheme was set up to support businesses in genuine need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vasile Matcas used the loan to start up a new business and gained an unfair advantage by applying for a loan in excess of what was entitled.

Matcas’ lengthy ban should serve as a warning to others that the Insolvency Service will act to tackle financial wrongdoing.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 6 January 2023.

Muhammad Arif, 57, from Uxbridge, has been made subject to 10 years of bankruptcy restrictions for claiming a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan to which he was not entitled.

Arif had run a wholesale clothing business in west London, trading as Ayesha Boutique, from April 2012 until his bankruptcy in December 2021.

In June 2020, he had applied for a Bounce Back Loan, stating that his turnover for the previous year had been £219,000.

Bounce Back Loans were a government scheme to help businesses stay afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses could apply for loans of between £2,000 and a maximum of £50,000, up to 25% of their 2019 turnover.

However, Arif later filed a petition for bankruptcy, and was made bankrupt in December 2021 owing around £56,200, and triggering an investigation by the Insolvency Service. The investigation found that Arif’s actual turnover in 2019 was £21,604 – around 10 times less than he had claimed in the application.

Arif told investigators that around £34,200 of the £50,000 loan money was used to pay a supplier, including £19,000 for gold purchases, and around £8,900 in cash withdrawals. More than £15,500 had also gone to family members, which he said had been to repay loans.

The Official Receiver is continuing her enquiries into the payments to Arif’s family, but was unable to verify the explanation he gave to account for the remaining payments.

Under the rules of the Bounce Back Loan scheme, the money was to be used for the economic benefit of the business, but the Official Receiver was unable to determine whether any of the £50,000 loan was used to support Ayesha Boutique.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted a Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking from Muhammad Arif, which runs from 11 November 2022 and lasts for 10 years.

Mitzi Mace, Official Receiver at the Insolvency Service, said:

This scheme was specifically set up to support existing viable businesses through a challenging economic period and not for individuals’ personal benefit.

Muhammad Arif’s actions have led to losses to taxpayers while he has enjoyed the benefit of £50,000 to which he was not fully entitled.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 26 January 2005.

Chancellor Gordon Brown today instructed the Bank of England, as agent for Her Majesty’s Treasury, to direct financial institutions that any funds which they hold for or on behalf of Sulayman DARWISH must be frozen immediately.

The action has been taken because HM Treasury has reasonable grounds for suspecting that Sulayman DARWISH meets the test under the Al Qa’ida and the Taliban (United Nations Measures) Order 2002 and the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 5 January 2005.

In visits to the Gabalfa Primary School in Cardiff and the Pinehurst & Penhill Sure Start Centre in Swindon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown today met parents, children and childcare providers as part of the Government’s consultation on its 10-year strategy for childcare.

Visiting the Gabalfa Primary School with Wales First Minister Rhodri Morgan, the Chancellor also discussed the launch of the Child Trust Fund with parents. This month will see the first Child Trust Fund vouchers sent to parents and a consultation on extra payments at age seven into every child’s account.

Speaking at the Pinehurst & Penhill Sure Start Centre Gordon Brown said:

“Nowhere is the scale of our ambition for a Britain of aspiration and achievement – and for a Government on people’s side – more evident than in the demand for real choices for parents in childcare and children’s services and in moving from the old era of centralisation to parents locally making the decisions.

“Fifty years ago Government help for the youngest consisted of little more than maternity services, child vaccination and then school attendance at five, failing to acknowledge what we all now know: that a young child’s life chances are shaped more by the care, support and early education they receive in the years before five than at any other time.

“Nobody better understands the problems faced by working parents than parents themselves. So we are the first government to launch a nationwide consultation to engage parents in planning the next stage of childcare and children’s services – providing parents not just with choice in provision but a voice in the design of that provision.

“The new frontier for children’s services is about insisting that no child is left out and there is no cap on their potential or limit to their ambitions.  I want the Child Trust Fund to ensure that at 18 every child will have some wealth from which to plan their adult future, demonstrating our determination that in tomorrow’s Britain every young person, free from poverty, has the best chance to make the most of their talents.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 17 January 2005.

Enterprise and high skilled jobs are now the key to long-term prosperity in Britain, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury – John Healey MP – has outlined today in a visit to the Yorkshire and Humber region. He has pointed to the Government’s commitment to take tough decisions to achieve American levels of business creation and ensure that, at every level, Britain has the best-educated and most flexible workforce in the world.

In discussions with the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, and the Yorkshire and Humber Learning and Skills Council he also promoted the importance of modern manufacturing industry for both regional growth and the UK economy as a whole.

While there are 300,000 more businesses in the UK than in 1997, if the UK had a business start up rate equivalent to the US 1.8 million more businesses would be in place. And if Yorkshire and Humber had a start up rate equivalent to the most enterprising areas in the UK, it would have extra 15,550 businesses.

John Healey visited staff and pupils taking part in the ‘Enterprise in Action’ project at the Archbishop of York Church of England School in York this morning.  This afternoon he visited Sidhall and Hilton Products Ltd in Brighouse which currently has 10 staff undertaking a level 2 qualification in Performing Manufacturing Operations as a part of the Government’s Employer Training Pilot.

The Minister also held discussions with both Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, and the Yorkshire and Humber Learning and Skills Councils where he discussed the importance of small business start up, building an enterprise culture, and securing workforce development. He pointed to the recent Pre-Budget Report, which included:

• the publication of Philip Hampton’s interim report on rationalising inspection and enforcement regimes;
• new rules guiding the implementation of European Union regulations;
• significant reductions in compliance burdens for small businesses through the integration of HM Customs & Excise and the Inland Revenue;
• measures to improve support for small businesses by challenging the Regional Development Agencies to use their new devolved powers to go beyond the one-size-fits-all business advice of the past and provide focused, tailored mentoring and support for small firms;
• accepting in full the Graham Review recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme, deregulating Business Angel investors in small firms, and making tax changes to facilitate university spin-outs;
• roll out by 2007-08 of the National Employer Training Programme, which was piloted in both South and West Yorkshire; and
• the establishment of the Leitch Review looking at long-term skills requirements.

The visit – one in a series to regions around the country – is a chance for those involved with skills and enterprise in the Yorkshire and Humber region to contribute their views to preparations for this year’s Budget.

John Healey said:

“In any successful modern economy the presence of leading-edge, high-growth businesses is vital. To promote growth and economic sustainability we must invest in long-term drivers; to raise skills levels, encourage innovation and invest in technology. That is why the Government is determined to rise to the challenge of securing an enterprise culture and skilled workforce to ensure American levels of business start up.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 January 2005.

Enterprise and high skilled jobs are the key to long-term prosperity in Britain, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury – John Healey MP – has outlined today in a visit to Northamptonshire. He has pointed to the Government’s commitment to take tough decisions to achieve American levels of business creation and ensure that, at every level, Britain has the best-educated and most flexible workforce in the world.

There are 300,000 more businesses in the UK than in 1997 but if the UK had a business start up rate equivalent to the US, 1.8 million more businesses would be in place. And if the East Midlands had a start up rate equivalent to the most enterprising areas in the UK, it would have extra 15,500 businesses.

To encourage and listen to regional views on Government policy plans in advance of this year’s Budget, Mr. Healey today visited Catalyst Corby, an urban regeneration company, local businesses at Northants Chamber of Commerce, and agencies including the Regional Development Agency and Learning and Skills Council. He also pointed to the recent Pre-Budget Report, which included:

• The publication of Philip Hampton’s interim report on rationalising inspection and enforcement regimes;
• New rules guiding the implementation of European Union regulations;
• Significant reductions in compliance burdens for small businesses through the integration of HM Customs & Excise and the Inland Revenue;
• Measures to improve support for small businesses by challenging the Regional Development Agencies to use their new devolved powers to go beyond the one-size-fits-all business advice of the past and provide focused, tailored mentoring and support for small firms;
• Accepting in full the Graham Review recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme, deregulating Business Angel investors in small firms, and making tax changes to facilitate university spin-outs;
• Roll out by 2007-08 of the National Employer Training Programme following successful pilots in the East Midlands area; and
• the establishment of the Leitch Review looking at long-term skills requirements.

The visit – one in a series to regions around the country – is a chance for those involved with skills and enterprise in Northamptonshire to contribute their views to preparations for this year’s Budget.

John Healey said:

“In any successful modern economy the presence of start up firms and high-growth businesses is vital. If we are to maintain the hard won growth and stability in the UK economy, we must raise skills levels, encourage innovation and invest more in technology. This is why the Government is determined to rise to the challenge of securing an enterprise culture and skilled workforce that can provide US levels of business start up.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 January 2005.

The Government is providing a strengthened approach to tackling disadvantage and increasing employment opportunity for all, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury – the Rt Hon. Paul Boateng – outlined today in a visit to the North West of England.

At the official opening of a Bay Housing Association project – Clare Street – in Blackpool, he witnessed a Government funded Supporting People programme in action.  Clare Street provides intensively supported accommodation to young offenders and has already established a track record of eradicating re-offending for its residents.

The Supporting People programme provides housing related support to over 1.2 million vulnerable people – providing them with a better quality of life and helping them to live independently in their homes.

Paul Boateng said:

“The Clare Street Project is an excellent example of housing related support for young and sometimes vulnerable people.  Many such projects are funded through the Supporting People programme backed by £1.7 bn each year now and for the next two years.

Continued investment will ensure that high quality, good value housing related services are provided for people enabling them to live independently and maximise their personal potential.”

In Bolton, visiting a Jobcentre Plus ethnic minority outreach employment programme, Mr Boateng pointed to the Government’s new targeted measures to build on Britain’s record levels of employment and increase employment opportunities in areas with high ethnic minority populations. These include:

• the introduction of specialist advisors in Jobcentre Plus areas with high ethnic minority populations;
• The announcement of a National Employment Panel review of measures to encourage employment, self-employment and the growth of small business for ethnic minorities and faith groups; and

a fund worth £8 million over the next two years available to Jobcentre Plus managers to provide local solutions to help more people in the area find work.

In Manchester, the Chief Secretary also took the opportunity to visit a Social Enterprise Development Initiative to see the support it provides for the Islamic Community.

Paul Boateng said:

“The ethnic minority outreach programmes I have seen today are truly inspirational.  Building on the New Deal programmes, these initiatives are helping to tackle the gap in employment rates between ethnic minority communities and the overall national average.

Since 2002 over 17,000 individuals have been helped. This momentum is being continued through new initiatives announced in last month’s Pre-Budget Report, including a review of employment and enterprise support for ethnic minorities and faith communities.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £60m for the East Midlands alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the East Midlands, 113,020 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 355,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 189,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

“Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

“Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation”.

And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £80m for the East of England alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the East of England, 107,750 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 398,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 213,000  pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

“Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

“Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

“And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £150m for London alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In London, 274,000 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 392,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 278,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

“Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

“Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

“And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”