Monthly Archives: January 2024

The VOA has a new set of standards that apply to all agents. Please see link for more details https://www.gov.uk/government/news/voa-launches-new-standards-for-agents

The Prime Minister launches this year’s Business Council today (31st January) and will meet with members throughout the year to discuss economic growth. Please see link for more details https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2024-business-council-launched

HSBC has been fined £57.4m by the Bank of England for "serious failings" over its measures to protect customer deposits. Please see link for more details: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68138476

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has "advised the UK against further tax cuts", as it launched its latest assessment of the world economy. Please see link for more details: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68140634

Looks like Companies House is morphing from passive registrar into a monitoring agency for the government. Changes that are likely to impact the business community from as early as March 2024 are listed below, extracted from a Companies House blog post, dated 22 January 2024.   “The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act became law…

The CMA has today appointed its new General Counsel and Executive Director for Digital Markets. Please see link for more details: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-announces-2-new-senior-executive-appointments

The owner of a Cumbria pizzeria and takeaway has been banned as a company director for six years after hiring two illegal workers. Please see link for more details: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/six-year-ban-for-pizzeria-boss-who-employed-illegal-workers

With an upcoming election, the Bank of England is facing pressure from all directions to signal a turning point. Please see link for more details: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68106731

Negotiations between the UK and Canada on a post-Brexit trade deal have broken down after nearly two years, following a row over beef and cheese. Please see link for more details: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68098177

The 93-year-old billionaire businessman was spared jail after failing to declare more than £400m held in a trust in Singapore to the government. Please see link for more details: https://news.sky.com/story/bernie-ecclestones-650m-fraud-payout-made-him-second-biggest-taxpayer-in-uk-13056554