31 March 2020
Alok Sharma shakes up insolvency laws
Last week and, again, on Saturday 25 March 2020, the government announced plans to introduce changes to current insolvency laws to ease pressures on UK businesses being caused by the global pandemic, COVID19. See latest announcement here.
30 March 2020
FCA, FRC and PRA introduce welcome package of measures to help businesses and audit firms weather the COVID-19 storm
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) announced on Thursday in a joint statement that it is taking a series of actions, along with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), to ensure investor knowledge and the continued operation of the UK’s capital markets.
30 March 2020
Navigating relationships through the coronavirus crisis
We have now had our first week of living under the government’s rules on staying at home and away from others. Weather-wise it has been a glorious start to Spring with beautiful clear blue skies but otherwise it has been the start of an unprecedented new and uncertain way of life for those living in the UK and elsewhere during the COVID-19 crisis. Marriages and relationships can be difficult at the best of times but we are now in completely unchartered territory. In this blog, Shirlee Kay, a therapist and couples’ counsellor, and Rachel Freeman reflects on how these challenging times can affect relationships and provide some suggestions as to how couples can best navigate relationships through this pandemic.
30 March 2020
COVID-19 and the FCA - Scams, short selling and more
The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a significant impact on all aspects of the financial services industry, including on firms, customers, regulators, capital markets and their participants. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to engage closely with the sector as it seeks to respond effectively to the current crisis. This has included releasing a number of statements relating to various matters including scams, short selling, operational and financial resilience, and financial reporting.
27 March 2020
Policing Domestic Abuse in the age of Austerity and “Lockdown”
Sadly, the uncertain period of "lockdown" is likely to place a considerable strain on many relationships. The inability of family members to leave the house, the fear of unemployment and consequent financial pressures which arise from “lockdown”, have the potential to cause difficult times for many relationships. Prior to the Covid-19 epidemic, the police and the CPS pursued a proactive approach towards domestic abuse, which often resulted in the partner who was the recipient of the complaint being arrested and/or prosecuted.