Ministers have been accused of making a “pitiful attempt” to recoup taxpayers’ money wasted on fraudulent Covid contracts, after it emerged that only a fraction of the estimated total had been recovered so far.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Made.com shoppers to lose £12m in deposits, warn administrators
More than 30,000 Made.com shoppers are collectively owed almost £12m they will not get back, according to the latest report by administrators to the collapsed furniture seller.
BBC admits spending £7m on rebranding
A 99th birthday facelift, including a new font named after its founder, cost the BBC £7 million, it has emerged.
Classic car owners are giving smart motorways the cold shoulder
The owners of classic cars are avoiding smart motorways and taking long detours because of the fear of being hit if they break down in a live lane.
UK rail passengers warned of severe disruption into new year
Rail passengers have been told to avoid some services for two weeks and that trains will be “significantly disrupted” across most of the country into the new year.
IWG reports rise in UK workspace visits as hybrid working takes hold
The return to the office after the pandemic lockdowns gathered pace in 2022 as hybrid working took hold at British businesses and employees headed to desks in suburban locations, according to figures from the workspace provider IWG.
UK government TV ad urges households to take 30 seconds to reduce energy bills
Households will be urged to take only 30 seconds out of their day to reduce their energy use as a UK government TV advertising campaign designed to cut bills finally launches.
E-scooters banned from more rail lines
They have been marketed as the ideal Christmas present to beat the transport strikes and high fuel prices but from today riders of electric scooters will be banned from carrying them on two of the country’s big train operators.
Middle-class families face Jeremy Hunt’s £40,000 stealth tax on incomes
Middle-class families will be up to £40,000 worse off over the next decade as a result of Jeremy Hunt’s stealth taxes to reduce government borrowing.
Price of medium sized eggs rising fastest
Shoppers are being advised to buy big if they want to avoid price hikes on eggs this winter – with the cost of very large eggs rising at a slower rate than medium ones.
Government ‘will not hesitate’ to ensure retailers give drivers fair fuel prices
Fuel retailers have been threatened with state intervention over prices by the business secretary, who urged companies “to take any steps necessary” to ensure affordable prices for drivers.
UK signs 10-year deal with Moderna to produce 250m vaccines in event of another pandemic
The UK government has signed a 10-year deal with Moderna to produce upwards of 250m vaccines a year in the event of a pandemic.
Flexible office occupancy rates recover to pre-pandemic levels
Flexible office spaces in central London have seen their occupancy rates recover to pre-pandemic levels, new data shows.
Union set to challenge Tesco fire and rehire policy at supreme court
The shopworkers union Usdaw has been given the green light by the supreme court to challenge Tesco’s controversial tactic of firing staff then rehiring them on less favourable contracts.
Royal Mail urges people to use or swap non-barcoded stamps
Do you have a book of stamps in your wallet, purse or drawer at home? Maybe you have stockpiled them to avoid future price rises.
