Insolvency
Is the Activroll Case Another Example of HMRC Abusing Their Powers?
It appears that a successful Scotland-based payroll company, which describes itself as one of the country’s fastest growing businesses, has become the latest victim of HMRC’s aggressive collection procedures. Last month, bosses at Activroll, which employs around 100 staff and has offices in the US and Australia, were shocked to discover a public notice in…
Read MoreSmall Businesses Dependent on Public Sector Bank On Xmas Boost for Survival in 2011
An analysis of the government’s recent spending review suggests that George Osborne’s attempts to reduce the UK’s budget deficit of £155 billion will have a devastating impact on smaller suppliers dependent on public sector contracts. According to Andrew Burn of accountancy firm KPMG: ‘For smaller businesses the overall impact is likely to be negative, leading…
Read MoreA Winding UP Petition Doesn’t Have to Signal the End of Your Business
The vast majority of winding up petitions heard in British courts over the past 12 months were presented by HMRC and usually relate to VAT, PAYE arrears or failure of a Time to Pay arrangement. However, receiving a winding up petition from HMRC doesn’t necessarily signal the end of your business. Usually, petitions are preceded…
Read MoreDoomed Businesses Reliant Upon Public Sector Only Have Themselves to Blame
A new study by insolvency trade body R3 has found that almost 10% (148,000) of small businesses fear they could become insolvent if they lose public sector contracts. But any businesses largely dependent on the public sector have only themselves to blame if they become insolvent due to the imminent cuts ahead. Whilst you can…
Read MoreDavid’s Cameron’s Insolvency Law U-Turn Will Please Creditors
It remains to be seen why David Cameron has made a u-turn over plans to radically reform insolvency laws. Before coming to power, the Prime Minister called for the introduction of US-style Chapter 11 rules, which would give struggling businesses ‘breathing space’ to get back on their feet without having to face liquidation. At the…
Read MoreWinding Up Petitions Are the Way Forward for Creditors
In recent years, it has become popular for creditors to issue winding up petitions as a method of debt recovery. It’s something I’d recommend simply because debt recovery laws in the UK are toothless; they don’t bite. If a company owes its creditors money, the creditor will go to county court and get a county…
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