Craig Smith lied about his turnover to secure the maximum loan available Dudley Director Jailed for Falsely Claiming £50,000 COVID Bounce Back Loan Craig Smith was charged with fraud after receiving £50,000 he was not entitled to  Smith was jailed earlier this month following Insolvency Service investigations  The boss of a property maintenance company who lied about his turnover to secure a maximum-value Covid Bounce Back Loan has been jailed.  Craig Smith, of Saltwells Road

Bolstered powers for Environment Agency to hold water companies to account Water companies who commit environmental offences could face quicker penalties of up to £500,000, under changes being considered by the government.      A consultation has been launched to expand and strengthen the current range of financial penalties available to the Environment Agency in a bid to clamp down on more offences.   Currently, the Environment Agency struggles to impose financial penalties

Children exposed to the family courts will be protected from harm under plans by the Government to repeal the presumption of parental involvement (22 October) Government Action to Protect Children from Abusive Parents Government announces plan to repeal presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 New evidence shows that always prioritising contact can perpetuate child abuse in the worst cases Part of Plan for Change to protect children, standing up for vict

The builder received more than £30,000 for the project Kent Builder Hid Bankruptcy After Taking Payment for Unfinished Home Improvements Wayne Miller hid his bankrupt status from a customer who he convinced to pay £30,000 for home renovations  The home improvements, which included a new kitchen and two-storey extension, were never completed despite numerous promises by Miller  Miller was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to pay compensation following investigations by t

Travel warnings for methanol poisoning have been extended to eight new countries following a rise in cases of death and serious illness Foreign Office Warnings for Brits Expanded for Methanol Poisoning Methanol poisoning warnings added to eight new countries. Follows an increase in cases of serious illness and death caused by alcoholic drinks tainted with methanol in popular overseas travel destinations. British nationals advised to watch out for signs of methanol poisoning s

The Charity Commission has concluded its case into St Giles Trust after thoroughly reviewing evidence relating to a serious safeguarding breach Regulator Concludes Case into St Giles Trust St Giles Trust offers advice, advocacy and support to those facing severe social disadvantage and multiple barriers in their lives.    Background  In January 2025, the charity reported a serious incident to the Commission explaining that an employee was allowed to work with children in scho

Near miss between a passenger train and a van near to Millbrook, Bedfordshire, 25 September 2025 Near Miss Between a Passenger Train and a Van Near Millbrook At around 23:34 on 25 September 2025, a passenger train travelling at 108 mph (174 km/h) passed close to a van that had been reversed onto the tracks by railway staff at an access point near to Millbrook, Bedfordshire. ADVERTISEMENT: Commission-Free Trading? Robinhood Makes It Possible The railway staff involved planned

Victims and direct witnesses of crime who sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) will no longer be gagged from speaking out under new plans (Monday 20 October) Victims Freed from Silence Under NDA Reform Government clampdown on misuse of NDAs as “gagging orders” to conceal crime.  Change will ensure victims can talk about criminal conduct to anyone, for any purpose, without fear of breaching an NDA. Part of the Government’s Plan for Change to restore confidence in the justice

Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth Growth Placed at the Heart of Regulators’ Remit Alongside New Measures to Boost Scrutiny and Transparency Business Secretary sets out new stronger duty for regulators to ensure they better prioritise helping businesses go for growth  New public dashboard will allow businesses to review how regulators are performing and give direct feedback to governme