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Over £1B seized by HMRC Fraud Squad

In excess of £1 billion has been recovered from the proceeds of crime and tax offenders since the launch of a dedicated HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) fraud squad some five years ago.

Launched in the April of 2016, the department’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) has recovered a staggering sum of money. Assets equal to funding some 20,000 NHS nurses for a full year.

FIS has been actively and diligently following the suspected proceeds of criminal enterprises by employing combined civil and criminal enforcement powers, to block the movement of cash and assets. 

Since 2016, in excess 1,200 seizures of cash and assets were made, including seizing gold bars worth £750,000 from a passenger at Manchester Airport.

They also report the discovery of £48,000 in a freezer drawer, hidden amidst chicken nuggets and other frozen foods at a home in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Simon York, who is the HMRC’s Director of Fraud Investigation Service, said: "To reach this £1 billion milestone in five years speaks volumes about the dedication, hard work and skills of the FIS and our staff to recover the proceeds of crime from those who are attempting to cheat the system.

"Be they cash seizures, confiscation orders or orders to freeze bank accounts, recovering these assets will stop criminals funding their lavish lifestyles and also funding further crimes that harm our communities, like drugs, guns and human trafficking. 

"Vitally, this money is returned to the public purse, helping fund our important services like schools and hospitals."

Simon went on to explain: "HMRC employs the latest cutting-edge technologies and techniques to investigate sudden, unexplained wealth and uncover hidden assets. 

"Just in 2021 we recouped over £218 million from the proceeds of crime.

"HMEC is dedicated to recovering criminal assets and today the message is surely clear. Crime doesn’t pay.

Amongst the wide and varied confiscations and seizures made are: 

£750,000 of gold bars hidden in a lunchbox at Manchester Airport. These gold bars were sent to public auction and the money realised sent back into the public purse

A payroll fraudster had a £1.7 million confiscation order imposed on him. He had to cough this money up or face having his nine-and-a-half year sentence increased to twelve-and-a-half years.

A Safety deposit box in the city of Birmingham was opened and the £180,000 cash found in it was seized. HMRC explained that this money was a par of a £194,280 tax fraud.

And over £840,000 in cash was seized at a garage of a home in Sydenham, south-east London, after the FIS helped dismantle a gang responsible for a £9.5 million tobacco fraud.

They also reveal that the £48,000 found in a home freezer drawer in Blackpool, was also as part of a £16 million tobacco fraud, this one being worth an estimated £16 million. 

A nan with convictions for fraudulent activity won £99,030 in poker games was ordered in 20018 and 2019 to pay this money to the government to satisfy an outstanding confiscation order that was made against him.

The 2016 creation of the FIS in 2016 combined two specialist teams, the HMRC’s criminal and civil investigators. It's believed that this was a world first for tax enforcement. 

A spokesman explained: "This partnership allows HMRC’s investigators to unlock even the most complex financial crimes.

"Criminal cash is seized by HMRC officers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. If the courts are satisfied that cash is the proceeds of a crime, or was going to be used to fund a crime, they can order a forfeiture. In cases that aren't contested cases, the HMRC can administratively order forfeiture of the cash."

Arrow Business Communications Limited announces acquisition of Pescado Ltd.

Richard Burke, CEO, Arrow

Pescado is a specialist in providing Collaboration solutions, such as Cloud Telephony and Mobility and also offers a wide range of Cloud and Infrastructure solutions to its considerable customer base. Established back in 2006, it’s grown into a highly successful and trustworthy technology partner with in excess of 2,500 customers, with offices established in both Ewloe in North Wales and Belfast, in Northern Ireland.

Both Pescado and Arrow have a great deal in common, because both offer their clients and customers a similar range of solutions from similar suppliers to customers throughout all sectors of industry. 

Indeed, Pescado has demonstrated that it has considerable strengths in sales and commercial operations over a number of years. It’s felt that this will enhance Arrow’s ability to cross and upsell into its client base, which now exceeds 7,000 customers.

It is emphasised all staff and directors of Pescado will continue in employment and will become members of the Arrow group, which will ensure a smooth transition for all its highly valued clients.

Says Fraser Watson, who is Pescado’s Group MD: “From our initial meetings with the Arrow team I felt our views on the industry appeared to be perfectly aligned. I really believe that by working with Arrow, we can continue to take our customers on an exciting technologically driven journey, but at the same time offering our staff even greater opportunities as members of a larger group. I am, of course, looking forward to helping take the business forward with the backing and support of Arrow. 

“Bringing the deal to a happy conclusion faced problems brought about by the COVID situation,  but I'm extremely happy with the successful outcome and completion. This will ensure a bright future for everyone who is involved.”

Richard Burke, CEO of Arrow adds: “I’m really looking forward to greeting the vastly experienced Pescado team and welcome the chance to work alongside them to drive forward the organic growth of key areas, groupwide. 

“Pescado's sales focused competency when combined and linked with Arrow’s broad product offering and expertise will greatly enhance our ability to be winners in the marketplace.”

Manufacturing skills shortages set to reach tipping point with the Great Resignation

With the latest reports from CBI showing UK manufacturing output is still struggling to keep pace with demand, global recruitment software provider, JobAdder, has issued a warning that the manufacturing sector is balancing on a skills tipping point, with the Great Resignation set to push resourcing challenges into a critical situation.

The September CBI Industrial Trends Survey reported total order books in September improved to their highest since records started in 1977.

But output growth slowed for the second month in a row. A spokesperson for the CBI highlighted that skill and labour shortages are one of the issues impacting output levels.

According to JobAdder, this issue will only be exacerbated by the Great Resignation that the sector is facing as both the ageing workforce and a desire to switch roles as the economy begins to recover starting to have a detrimental impact on resources.

Rob Brodie, Head of Corporate Sales at JobAdder, said: “Skills shortages are one of the major concerns for everyone all over the UK at the moment. The combination of Covid and Brexit has had a detrimental impact on resources across the country. 

“For the manufacturing sector, though, the Great Resignation is only adding to limited resources – and there’s a concerning number of employers that are unprepared to tackle this.

“While the skills shortage across manufacturing is no easy problem to solve, there are numerous small steps that can make a huge difference, but which are, in many cases, being overlooked. 

“Speed is of the essence in this environment, but many employers are still operating their hiring from a static excel spreadsheet. Fishing from the same pool for resources is another challenge, with hiring managers often turning to their trusted networks which may have been useful in the past, but are arguably hugely limited now.

“Although there is a need to upskill the UK’s manufacturing resources on a longer-term basis, in order to address the more immediate challenges, a more dynamic approach to hiring is required. Now more than ever, recruitment practices need to evolve from the out-dated Excel spreadsheet to something that is proactive, responsive, and enables a significant improvement in talent acquisitions in time to hire."

Nearly half of UK staff would hide health issues from their employer: Report

A shocking report reveals that nearly half of all UK employees wouldn't talk to their employer if they were experiencing a health issue. This would, it is claimed, result in detrimental impacts on business performance and business culture.

This is as a result from the latest  research from not-for-profit healthcare provider, Benenden Health.

41% of employees revealed they would not feel confident enough to discuss any health issue with their employer. Many claim they would worry about what it would mean for their career and relationships within the workplace.

28% acknowledged they'd be concerned about offering support to colleagues in need, with 19% revealing they had previously hired someone with pre-existing health conditions but wouldn’t again, thus perpetuating the cycle of hidden health issues within the workplace, whilst open conservations and effective support aren't forthcoming.

With 51% revealing they have a health issue, long-term condition or disability, Benenden Health is warning fears and stigmas around health in the workplace means millions of workers may not be getting the required, or, indeed, any, support from their employers. This could result in absences, reduced productivity. In some instances it could result in sick employees resigning from their jobs.

Benenden Health has published a new report that focuses on key health issues and conditions that impact on the nation’s workforce and offering advice to businesses on how they can offer support to all employees,  regardless of their background or health issues, and ensure healthcare provision caters equally and inclusively all employees.

The survey covered 2,000 employees and 500 business owners. It showed that the most common ailments workers didn't reveal to their company are mental health issues, high blood pressure and arthritis. These are all conditions which could be worsened in the workplace.

36% of staff revealed they had lied to an employer about taking time off for an appointment, with 44% of 16-24 year olds doing this. Which, Benenden Health asserts,  could make it harder for businesses to ensure workers receive adequate support for any health issues they might have.

Why are so many employees reluctant to discuss their wellbeing at work? This is because 29% are concerned people would presume they couldn’t do their job. And a slightly lower number, 27%, worry that they could lose their job. Others were worried they'd be the subject of workplace gossip or might find it hard to maintain friendships in the workplace.

For a number of people who participated they were able to point to their own experiences. 15% thought they had previously overlooked for a job in the past due to a health issue, long-term health condition or a disability.

As a result of the finding that 26% of employers fail to provide any healthcare support besides statutory allowances and 60% of those that do, don't bother to consult employees when doing so, Benenden Health has issued a call to is calling on business owners to communicate and consult with staff and consider the health needs of their workforce to support positive wellbeing, thus increase retention and reduce unexpected absences.

Naomi Thompson, Head of OD at Benenden Health, said: “It is disappointing so many people still feel they can’t speak to their employers about their wellbeing and that a sizeable number of decision makers reinforce this with dated approaches to hiring people with long-term health issues.

“This stigma is especially prevalent in the workplace, with businesses too often unable to identify wellbeing issues, employees concerned about the implications of discussing them and a continuing lack of tangible support, all of which contribute to lost time and productivity for businesses as well as unaddressed poor employee wellbeing.

“Healthcare support should be available to all employees – not just senior staff - and despite some misconceptions, this can be implemented at an affordable cost. Tailored wellbeing programmes, developed with employee consultation and recognising the different needs of a multigenerational workforce, can increase productivity, support recruitment and promote a happier and healthier workforce.”

Benenden Health enables businesses to offer affordable, high quality, private healthcare to every employee. This includes round the clock care such as mental health helplines, 24/7 GP plus access to services such as mental health counselling support and medical diagnostics so employees can have peace of mind that they can ask for help whenever they need it.

For more information about Benenden Health and to download its guide, visit the Benenden website https://www.benenden.co.uk. 

"Businesses must take responsibility for bathroom hygiene" warn experts

With pubs and other similar places like cafes and restaurants reopening, sustainable hygiene experts at SMARTi Environmental are calling on the Government to Go Greener AND Cleaner in a bid to tackle poor bathroom hygiene habits

The campaign is designed to tackle businesses who fail to meet adequate hygiene rules regulations, in place to prevent any potential future health pandemics

A study commissioned by the team shows waterless urinals could be an answer, as they are shown to reduce aerosol bacterial transmission by up to 98%

And each converted urinal saves about 100,000 litres of water every year, thus binging about significant financial savings in the longer term.

Latest research shows flushing urinals can potentially release clouds of virus-containing aerosols that people in the vicinity area could breathe in. A study also found traces of ‘SARS-CoV-2’, the virus particle, in a sample of a COVID-19 patient’s urine.

As the world begins to return to normal, busy pubs begin to welcome people outside and with bars and clubs looking to open up in June, sustainable hygiene experts www.Smartilimited.com are calling on business owners to examine how safe men’s washrooms really are.

The team at SMARTi Environmental have launched a campaign aimed at the Government to Go Greener AND Cleaner, off of the back of the last year and a half. Their aim; to make business owners re-think the safety regulations currently in place in men’s rest rooms and to look at sustainable alternatives they can make to prevent the spread of infections.

The study commissioned by the team revealed water-free urinals offer a lower overall incidence of bacteria than for flush urinals and offer a 98% reduction in urinal aerosol bacterial transmission. No water also means the risk of waterborne pathogens, E. coli and Legionella, is done away with, and no flushing means no possibility of airborne droplets of bacteria or virus particles being spread around the washroom.  

Further to the safety aspect of waterless urinals, the non-flushing technology also has proven environmental and financial benefits. With as many as 3.5 million urinals flushed every day in the UK (pre-lockdown climate), over 217 billion litres of water are wasted every year in the UK alone. 

Every waterless urinal saves circa 100,000 litres of water per year and subsequently reduces energy usage and carbon footprint. This also has a direct impact on cost savings, with it estimated by SMARTi Environmental that this reduces costs by at least 50% of the current costs associated with each urinal (after conversion, service, and consumables).

(EDITOR: I have noticed that McDonalds have been using waterless urinals for a number of years. Time other food outlets followed the example of McDonalds?)

(Image courtesy of Pixabay)  

Should you ditch WhatsApp?

Facebook has declared its intentions for WhatsApp – and it’s not good news for business users (or anyone else for that matter). 

David Holman, Director and Co-Founder of Armour Comms explains.

Data is moving West!

We are seeing a worrying trend where tech behemoths are moving data away from the EU and back to the US, possibly, to avoid stringent GDPR data regulations. WhatsApp has recently introduced a new policy for users outside of the EU where users are forced to agree to share their personal information with other Facebook companies. Details here: The Register.com

The original deadline for providing this permission was 8 February, after which time dissenting users will no longer be able to use the app. Due to public outcry and a mass exodus to other messaging platforms, the deadline has now been postponed to later in the year, BUT, we can see the direction of travel. Users who already have privacy settings blocking sharing of their information will retain that protection, but for anyone else they could be giving up personal info such as names, profile pictures, status updates, phone numbers, contacts lists, IP addresses, mobile device model, operating system, network carrier, etc. and – if you engage with businesses via the app – sensitive details such as shipping addresses and the amount of money spent on orders.

Facebook looking for ROI?

When Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014 they stated that they would not look to monetise the WhatsApp user base for 5 years. Those 5 years are now passed, and it is to be expected that Facebook will look to recoup its investment (some $22bn). They initiated this with their drive to get businesses taking orders and providing support to customers over WhatsApp, and all that information could end up stored on Facebook’s servers if businesses opt to store it there. While WhatsApp currently states that contact details will not be shared with Facebook for advertising purposes, they could be in future.

Data fallout from Brexit

Just before Christmas we saw a story that Facebook is moving the responsibility and legal obligations for UK users from its operations in Dublin to the US, due to Brexit and the UK’s changing relationship with the EU, albeit they also regard the UK as still being part of their “EU region”. Reuters.com Google made a similar announcement earlier in the year.

GDPR still applies, WhatsApp is NOT suitable for Business Use

At the moment, the UK’s data protection laws mirror those of GDPR. For this reason alone, WhatsApp, and some other consumer-grade, social media messaging platforms, are not suitable for business use – and never have been. Some industry bodies, such as the Finance Conduct Authority are warning against its use: FTAdvisor.com

This latest change to its Terms and Conditions indicates Facebook’s ongoing intention to monetise its users, potentially opening up its options for dealing with UK users’ data, particularly in the advent of a UK and US trade deal, that includes handling data.

Armour’s White Paper: Why WhatsApp is Not Suitable for the Workplace. 

https://www.armourcomms.com/whatsapp-white-paper-request/