Banks shut eight branches a week since 2016 July 10, 2025 British banks have accelerated their retreat from the high street, shutting an average of eight branches a week since 2016 in a dash to bulk up digital offerings. Nearly 3,700 sites closed between 2016 and 2024, creating 41 ‘banking deserts,’ which refer to local authorities where at least one branch shut for every 10,000 residents. [...]
Without professional standards in tech, an AI Post Office scandal is inevitable July 9, 2025 The Post Office Horizon scandal must be a national reckoning with what happens when tech is deployed without proper oversight or accountability, says Dan Howl “It is almost impossible to ascertain, with any degree of accuracy, the number of persons who have suffered as a result of the misplaced reliance upon data produced by Horizon.” [...]
Post Office and Fujitsu chiefs ‘maintained fiction’ on faulty Horizon system July 8, 2025 Post Office and Fujitsu managers were aware the Horizon IT system was flawed and “maintained a fiction” that the accounting data it produced was accurate. In his report on the first part of an inquiry into the Post Office scandal, chair Sir Wyn Williams said dozens of postmaster victims of “wholly unacceptable behaviour” by business [...]
Post Office extends banks’ cash deal as MPs call for mandated acceptance May 1, 2025 The Post Office has reached a five-year banking deal with lenders and building societies to keep cash services running amid a continued retreat of banks from the high street. This renewed deal follows research commissioned by the company, which found nine in ten people believe it is important to maintain access to cash. The partnership [...]
UK’s biggest class action lawsuit could expose the perils of litigation funding March 14, 2025 This week lawyers are delivering their closing arguments in the UK’s biggest ever class action lawsuit relating to a dam disaster in Brazil. The victims deserve justice, but the predatory business model of their funders does not inspire confidence, says Mark Hollingsworth Litigation is risky, expensive and stressful. Just ask the 555 beleaguered subpostmasters whose [...]
Law Commission proposes criminal appeal reforms as CCRC faces fire February 27, 2025 Law Commission laid out reforms for criminal appeals weeks after chair of the CCRC Helen Pitcher claimed to be a 'scapegoat' when she resigned.
Tesco considers franchise of axed Post Office branches February 6, 2025 Tesco has shown an interest in acquiring a number of axed Post Office branches as part of a franchise model, according to reports. Post Office chairman Nigel Railton told a group of MPs earlier this week that the UK’s biggest grocer had expressed interest in the 108-site Crown Post Office network, according to Sky News. [...]
Post Office scandal: Lawyers paid millions as MPs call for transparency on legal costs January 2, 2025 Lawyers from City firms were making millions whilst the majority of the money set aside for redress scheme has not to be paid out to the Post Office victims
Vince Cable warns against bid by the ‘Czech Sphinx’ for Royal Mail December 15, 2024 Former business secretary Vince Cable has warned the Government not to wave through the sale of the Royal Mail to Czech tycoon Daniel Kretinsky, citing his links to Russia and the high amount of debt involved. Cable was the architect of the privatisation of the postal service in 2013, overseeing a £3.3bn deal which led [...]
Post Office predicts record-high £1bn in cash withdrawals ahead of Christmas December 10, 2024 The Post Office is predicting a record-high number of personal cash withdrawals this month, reaching upwards of £1bn. The prediction exceeds last year’s record-breaking numbers during the festive shopping season, with December 2023 seeing a total of £930m in cash withdrawals. A total of £916m in personal cash was withdrawn in November, the latest figures [...]