It’s not working out: MPs call for rethink of fraud squad’s blockbuster funding February 7, 2017 Funding for the fraud squad needs to be overhauled, as the agency now leans too heavily on financing intended solely for its mega cases, MPs have argued today. Stephen Timms, the Labour MP who brought this morning's Westminster Hall debate on the funding of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), remarked the agency had recently shifted "away [...]
The attorney general has revealed how much he was paid for the Article 50 case February 2, 2017 Bankers may be fearing a doughnut this earnings season, but the attorney general revealed today he has recently taken a zero bonus of his own. Jeremy Wright told MPs in the House of Commons today that he and the advocate general for Scotland "received no additional fee for our work on the case". Wright also said [...]
This is the type of fraud you should be worried about the most, but there’s another one on the rise February 2, 2017 Identity fraud has taken the questionable crown of the worst type of fraud in the UK today. The list, published today and compiled by Centre for Counter Fraud Studies at University of Portsmouth and Privilege Home Insurance, ranks fraud affecting individuals based on; the percentage of people subject to an attack, the average value of losses, the [...]
Brexiteers slam Irish Article 50 case lawyer’s claims that people were misled February 1, 2017 Brexiteers have hit back at a top tax lawyer bringing an Article 50 case in Ireland, who recently claimed his action's importance lay in the fact voters had been misled. Jolyon Maugham filed a case in Ireland last week, seeking an answer on whether the UK can revoke its Article 50 process without the approval of the [...]
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Article 127 case (but were too afraid to ask) February 1, 2017 Brexit's legal fine print is due to be debated in the courts again this week, less than a fortnight after the Supreme Court ruled the government must consult parliament before it can trigger Article 50. At time of writing, a case on Article 127 is due to go for a merit hearing on Friday afternoon, [...]
PwC US chairman reassures staff over Trump travel ban January 31, 2017 The US chairman and senior partner of professional services giant PwC has become one of the latest business names to reassure staff over Donald Trump's travel ban over seven Muslim majority countries. In a message posted on Facebook, Tim Ryan wrote: I want to thank all those who have reached out to me in the [...]
Can big business relax? HMRC probes struggle as cash yielded from investigations falls January 30, 2017 The taxman is struggling to squeeze Britain's largest businesses as the cash yielded from its investigations fell by a quarter. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) collected an extra £2.6bn from largest businesses in 2016, down from £3.5bn the year before, according to analysis of HMRC’s Large Business Directorat by law firm Pinsent Masons. Read more: "Middle [...]
Brexit uncertainty fails to hamper progress at Smith & Williamson January 30, 2017 Mid-tier beancounters Smith & Williamson said it had delivered a strong performance despite the economic uncertainty created by the Brexit vote, revealing double-digit revenue growth over the period that straddled the referendum. Operating income grew by 10 per cent to £117.5m, while operating profit was over a fifth higher (22 per cent) at £17.7m over the six [...]
Tom Hayes expected to launch next stage of Libor appeal this week, as convicted Barclays pair due in front of Court of Appeal January 29, 2017 Tom Hayes, the first person in the UK to be found guilty of playing a role in the Libor-rigging scandal, is due to kick off the next stage of his appeal against his conviction in the coming days. City A.M. understands the former UBS and Citigroup trader will likely file his appeal to the Criminal Cases [...]
Government loses Supreme Court Article 50 case January 25, 2017 The Supreme Court has dismissed the government's appeal in its long-awaited judgment in the Article 50 case later this morning. The court voted by a majority of eight to three to dismiss the case, meaning MPs must be given a vote before the Brexit process can begin. However, it also said it had unanimously decided [...]