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Rockfire and the Collapse of Public Trust in Thurrock Council

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The Thurrock Council Scandal is one of the most shocking stories to hit a local council in years. It’s about big investments that went wrong, public money being wasted, and a businessman accused of taking millions from taxpayers. The scandal has rocked public confidence in local government finances and exposed significant weaknesses in oversight and accountability. This blog breaks down what happened, why it matters to people across the UK, and what could happen next. What went wrong? Between 2016 and 2020, Thurrock Council in Essex gave hundreds of millions of pounds to a man named Liam Kavanagh and his company, Rockfire Capital. The money was to be invested in solar energy projects that would earn money for the council. But according to reports, Kavanagh told the council the solar farms were worth far more than they actually were. Based on that, the council continued to send more money. Ultimately, Kavanagh is alleged to have received around £130 million in public funds and used it t...

Charlotte Dawson’s Dawsylicious Hits Liquidation

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Charlotte Dawson, known for her TV appearances and lively presence on social media, is going through a tough time. Her clothing and footwear business, Dawsylicious, has officially shut down. The company has gone into voluntary liquidation, meaning it can no longer afford to continue operating or pay its debts. This news comes just a few months after Charlotte gave birth to her third child with fiancé Matt Sarsfield. The couple has already faced plenty of challenges recently, including a public relationship scandal. Now, they’re facing financial problems too, with a tax bill of £88,000 and very little left in the business to pay it. What happened to Dawsylicious? Dawsylicious launched in May 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. It sold clothes and shoes, promoted mainly by Charlotte herself on her social media platforms. While it had a promising start and plenty of fans, things started to go wrong financially. According to official records, the business only has around £15,000 worth of ...

UK Business Closures Surge Ahead of Tax and Minimum Wage Hikes

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Running a business in the UK has never been easy, but things have become even harder with rising costs, inflation and new government regulations. One of the most significant issues businesses now face is minimum wage hikes and higher taxes. While these changes are meant to help workers, they make it even more difficult for businesses, especially smaller organisations and start-ups. As a result, more businesses are shutting down across the country. In this blog, we’ll discuss how tax and minimum wage hikes affect businesses, why more are closing, and what business owners can do to survive these challenging times. Day-to-day costs keep climbing The cost of running a business has steadily increased across the board. From energy bills and supplier prices to rent and wages, business owners are feeling the pinch. For many, wages make up a large portion of their expenses, particularly in industries like hospitality, retail and manufacturing where staffing needs are high. How minimum wage hike...

How Insolvency Affects the Housing Market in the UK

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Insolvency, whether personal or corporate, significantly influences various sectors of the economy, but its impact on the housing market in the UK is particularly profound. From restricting credit access to triggering forced property sales, insolvency ripples through both supply and demand dynamics, unsettling prices, investment confidence, and even government housing policy. This article explores the different ways in which insolvency affects the UK housing market , dissecting both direct consequences and broader macroeconomic interactions. Understanding Insolvency in Context Insolvency refers to a state in which an individual or a company is unable to meet their financial obligations. In the UK, insolvency can manifest through bankruptcy (personal) or administration, liquidation, and company voluntary arrangements (corporate). These legal statuses don’t exist in isolation—they tend to increase during times of economic stress such as high inflation, rising interest rates, or broader f...

The State of Household Debt & Insolvencies in 2025

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If you’ve felt like your money just doesn’t go as far as it used to, you’re definitely not alone. From rising bills to higher interest rates, 2025 has been another tough year for household finances across the UK. The cost-of-living crisis may no longer be front-page news every day, but it’s still very much part of people’s everyday reality, and it’s affecting everything from how we shop, save and even plan for the future. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what’s happening with household debt & insolvencies in the UK right now – why it’s happening, who’s being affected and what can be done if you’re struggling. Whether you’re just starting to feel the pressure or already deep in it, you’re not alone, and support is available. While inflation has slowed a little compared to previous years, it hasn’t exactly gone away. Food prices are still high, rent and mortgage payments have jumped, and energy bills, while slightly lower than last year, are still causing stress for many. Th...

Types of Bankruptcies in the United Kingdom

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Bankruptcy and insolvency can be daunting concepts, but understanding the different forms they take in the United Kingdom is essential for anyone facing financial challenges—whether as an individual or a business owner. UK insolvency law is designed to help manage unpayable debts and protect the interests of both debtors and creditors. While the term “bankruptcy” is often used colloquially to refer to any financial collapse, it specifically applies to individuals, while companies face liquidation, administration, or voluntary arrangements. This blog provides a comprehensive look at the main types of bankruptcies and insolvency procedures in the UK, including who they apply to, how they work, and what their consequences are. We’ll also highlight why expert guidance from professionals like Simple Liquidation is invaluable during these critical moments. Personal Bankruptcy Bankruptcy in the UK is a legal process available to individuals who are unable to repay their debts. It is typicall...

What ISG Ltd’s Failure Tells Us About Public Sector Contracts

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When ISG Ltd, one of the UK’s biggest construction companies, went into administration in September 2024, it didn’t just make headlines – it sent shockwaves through the building industry. Over 2,200 workers lost their jobs overnight, and over £1 billion worth of government building projects were suddenly left hanging in the balance. This collapse didn’t come out of nowhere. And now, many people are asking how it happened, and what it means for other businesses working on public contracts.  ISG Ltd wasn’t a small player. It was one of the biggest firms that built schools, prisons, and public buildings for the government. In just one year (2023/24), it earned £237 million from public sector work. Over the past six years, it has brought in more than £1.2 billion from government contracts.  Its biggest client was the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), responsible for prisons and courts. One of ISG’s largest jobs was a £1.2 billion project to build four new prisons. So when ISG Ltd’s failu...