In Reference Appointments & Updates
The resumption of enforcement visits to collect overdue, pre-coronavirus debt to local authorities has been handled success- fully one month on, according to evidence from CIVEA, the principal trade associa- tion representing over 95% of civil enforce- ment agencies in England and Wales. The vast majority of visits in the past month have been to enforce fines, traffic offences and other penalties that have been out- standing since before lockdown measures led to a suspension of activity. A report based on a survey of 21 enforce-
ment firms and their field agents, which was originally devised for the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), has now been published and shows generally consistent and positive experi- ences across the industry regardless of com- pany size or location. The implementation of new post-
COVID-19 guidance and processes was expected to generate challenges for enforce- ment agents (EAs) acting on behalf of coun- cils. But the CIVEA report provides insight into agents’ experiences and indicates that most feel protected and have found the public to be appreciative of the precautions put in place. This is backed up by low com- plaint levels. Russell Hamblin-Boone, CIVEA chief executive officer, said: “Our report reflects
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that so far in 2020 no criminal prosecutions under the current anti-money laundering legislation have been made, despite its stated intention in 2019 to do so. The revelation came from a Freedom of Information
request, which also said it has discontinued half of its 14 investigations into possible breaches of AML rules in the UK. Commenting on the findings, Martin Cheek, managing
Martin Chook
director at AML experts SmartSearch, said: “Due to the Covid-19 crisis we face an increasing threat of financial crime in the UK, and indeed around the world. “So at a time when we should be ensuring every effort is made to crackdown
on that increased threat, it’s a concern that the FCA has halved the number of cases it is investigating, and has yet to bring a single criminal prosecution. “There has of course been some welcome enforcement activity with hefty
fines handed out in recent months. However, now more than ever it would send out the right message if the FCA were to really flex its muscle and bring the full weight of their enforcement power to bear on offenders.”
positive and negative findings as it is an honest, first-hand insight into the challenges enforcement agents face currently. After five months without enforcement visits and additional pressure on their budgets, councils will be pleased to read that our agents are still able to recover outstanding debts safely and responsibly. Their job is not easy, especially under current restrictions, but this report clearly shows precautions
More than four in five small business owners (81%) have made key changes to their business and services in order to prepare for the economic uncertainty in the months ahead, according to new research from Hitachi Capital Business Finance. The poll of 1,447 explored what small businesses were
doing nationally to adapt – with a specific look at how family-run enterprises and start-up firms were adapting. Joanna Morris, Head of Marketing & Insight at Hitachi
Joanna Morris
Capital Business Finance commented: “With businesses working at reduced capacity since the beginning of the outbreak, the majority of bosses have been forced to change many aspects of their business in order to stay afloat. What is striking from our research is the variance of approaches taken by quite different small businesses. They are drawn to the agility of the tech age, but it is noteworthy that the most traditional of enterprises are adapting too – just in a different way. “There is no right way, there is not really a typical or average small business
any more. At Hitachi Capital we are interested in understanding how different small business groups react differently to common challenges, as this gives us the basis to ensure we can help more small business to secure growth in the uncertain months ahead.”
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are working well and that most people appreciate the protective measures we have implemented. Enforcement is not as effective without entering premises, especially where we are recovering court fines, but all agents are acting according to CIVEA guidelines. We are providing regular updates to the government.”
Together has praised its specialist distributer partner First 4 Bridging (F4B) for its expert packaging of a commercial mortgage application – allowing the deal to complete in four hours. A client, who is an NHS worker and
commercial landlord from Birmingham, approached F4B to raise the finance she needed to expand her property portfolio in the region. Sundeep Patel, Together’s head of
intermediary sales, said: “The speed at which we were able to provide the finance highlights the benefits of working with experienced and skilled partners at F4B and in-house, which made the whole process run as smoothly as possible, meaning we could get the best possible outcome for their client.”
Following the stresses and strains of the Covid-19 pandemic, 26% of UK consumers say they are not confident about their financial situation, according to a
October 2020
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