2 h. ago ‘He left us with nothing’: the British investors swindled by a German property firm

Investors in the Dolphin/GPG ponzi scheme run by Charles Smethurst are angry that more is not being done to recover the €1bn owed to them “He took everything, left us with absolutely nothing,” says David Middleton, one of thousands of British and Irish investors who racked up huge losses from the collapse of a German property ponzi scheme.The 72-year-old pensioner from Northern Ireland is referring to Charles Smethurst, the German-British businessman who set up Dolphin Capital in 2008, later renamed Dolphin Trust, then German Property Group (GPG), with 200 affiliated companies. In July 2020, the business filed for insolvency, owing more than €1bn to up to 25,000 investors around the world. Continue reading...

Economics

26 h. ago Best of British business owners urged to put themselves forward

The Small Business Saturday campaign are on the hunt for the best Britain has to offer

Events

45 h. ago Firm part owned by one of UK's richest families wants taxpayer cash to save factory

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hit out at conglomerate Associated British Foods as it launches closure plans while talks continue

Economics

51 h. ago Reynolds: Port Talbot plant does not meet US rules to get steel tariff exemption

Negotiations are ongoing to secure the outstanding tariff agreements.

Economics

51 h. ago British billpayers saved £300m through energy flexibility in 2024, figures show

Many customers reduced their bills by changing the time or day that they used electricity.

Economics

53 h. ago Starmer admits employer national insurance tax hikes piled pressure on British business

Keir Starmer said the government recognised it has ‘asked a lot’ of British firms since the general election

Economics

56 h. ago UK’s largest bioethanol plant to shut in September ‘unless Government acts’

Vivergo Fuels’ Hull site will stop production in September unless the Government can provide ‘a longer-term solution’, following the US trade deal.

Politics

59 h. ago Vet issues urgent warning to dog owners over public drinking bowls

It might be tempting to let your thirsty pet take a sip from communal water bowls - but a vet nurse cautions that these bowls could be exposing them to serious harm

Events

66 h. ago Labour vows to 'protect' British businesses from unfair foreign competition

The Government is sending out the message that it will stand out for UK companies in the face of unfair tactics by rivals, including possible quotas on cheap Chinese steel

Politics

2 d. ago British Business Bank back in the spotlight with £10bn UK growth mandate

Louis Taylor, CEO of state-owned lender, targets investment in eight key UK sectors as he prepares defence at Covid inquiryLouis Taylor is caught between two eras. The chief executive of the British Business Bank (BBB) has spent much of his tenure attempting to revive the state-owned lender’s image after a battering from the fraud-hit pandemic loan scheme under the last government, and will soon have to defend its actions at the Covid inquiry.But until then, he can focus on the BBB’s gleefully landed fresh £10bn mandate linked to the centrepiece industrial strategy Labour hopes will boost a flagging economy as it nears the end of its first year in power. Continue reading...

Economics

2 d. ago Big British Bank back in the spotlight with £10bn UK growth mandate

Louis Taylor, CEO of state-owned lender, targets investment in eight key UK sectors as he prepares defence at Covid inquiryLouis Taylor is caught between two eras. The chief executive of the British Business Bank (BBB) has spent much of his tenure attempting to revive the state-owned lender’s image after a battering from the fraud-hit pandemic loan scheme under the last government, and will soon have to defend its actions at the Covid inquiry.But until then, he can focus on the BBB’s gleefully landed fresh £10bn mandate linked to the centrepiece industrial strategy Labour hopes will boost a flagging economy as it nears the end of its first year in power. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Urgent warning to pet owners as 'highly toxic' chemical found in fake flea treatment

Officials have issued a stark warning as a fake flea treatment was found to contain a dangerous insecticide

Events

4 d. ago Fake millionaire who branded himself the 'Kardashian of Cheshire' and starred on TV show admits defrauding friends and businesses out of £200K with Hermes handbag scam

Jack Watkin, formerly of Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge, funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by scamming friends and family out of more than £200,000.

Economics

4 d. ago Fake millionaire who bragged family were like the British Kardashians admits defrauding his friends and businesses out of £200K with Hermes handbag scam

Jack Watkin, formerly of Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge, funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by scamming friends and family out of more than £200,000.

Economics

4 d. ago Grocery prices rise again to 4.7% more expensive than a year ago

The figure is up from 4.1% last month, which was a rise from 3.8% in April, according to data from analysts Kantar.

Economics

4 d. ago Households urged to move bird feeders immediately to one secure place

Garden-owners have been urged to move bird feeders as temperatures continue to soar across the UK - otherwise birds risk overheating in search of their next meal

Politics

5 d. ago Flight evacuating British nationals from Israel has departed, says Foreign Office – UK politics live

Foreign secretary David Lammy says further flights will follow in the coming daysBy the way, if you actually wanted to read the Modern Industrial Strategy document published by the government today, you can find it here.The government has just pushed out a joint statement from business leaders welcoming it, which says:The Industrial Strategy launched today marks a significant step forward and a valuable opportunity for the business community to rally behind a new vision for the UK – boosting confidence, sentiment, and enthusiasm for investment.From start-ups and small businesses to large corporates, businesses need a more attractive, stable environment that enables faster, easier, and more certain investment decisions.For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.As part of our modern industrial strategy we’re unlocking the potential of British industry by slashing industrial electrici...

Politics

5 d. ago British state ‘overbearing’ ministers say as they lay out industrial overhaul

In the Industrial Strategy published on Monday, the Government has backed UK industries it thinks have the potential to grow.

Politics

5 d. ago Revealed: British minimum wage soars to the second highest in Europe as businesses sound alarm over impact on the UK job market

The National Living Wage - which is the minimum for anyone aged 21 and over - increased by 6.7 per cent to £12.21 an hour this April.

Economics

5 d. ago ‘High energy costs have held back businesses’, says Miliband as government announces industrial strategy – UK politics live

Prime minister says 10-year industrial strategy marks ‘turning point for economy’ as energy secretary says government will cut electricity costs for businessesBy the way, if you actually wanted to read the Modern Industrial Strategy document published by the government today, you can find it here.The government has just pushed out a joint statement from business leaders welcoming it, which says:The Industrial Strategy launched today marks a significant step forward and a valuable opportunity for the business community to rally behind a new vision for the UK – boosting confidence, sentiment, and enthusiasm for investment.From start-ups and small businesses to large corporates, businesses need a more attractive, stable environment that enables faster, easier, and more certain investment decisions.For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.As part of our modern industrial strategy we’r...

Politics