HMRC Cuts Off 43,690 Customers, Faces Criticism Over Poor Phone Service and Rising Uncollectable Debt
HMRC's phone system cut off 43,690 customers after 70-minute waits in 2023-24 due to high call volume, prompting criticism from MPs over poor service and a £5 billion increase in uncollectable debt; HMRC denies claims of deliberately poor service.
HMRC Cuts Off 43,690 Customers, Faces Criticism Over Poor Phone Service and Rising Uncollectable Debt
HMRC's phone system cut off 43,690 customers after 70-minute waits in 2023-24 due to high call volume, prompting criticism from MPs over poor service and a £5 billion increase in uncollectable debt; HMRC denies claims of deliberately poor service.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Home Equity Loans in 2025: A Balanced Risk-Reward Assessment
In 2025's rising inflation environment, homeowners with an average $320,000 home equity consider home equity loans (8.40% interest) or HELOCs, but must weigh this against high personal loan (13%) and credit card (23%) rates, and carefully assess their repayment ability to avoid foreclosure.
Home Equity Loans in 2025: A Balanced Risk-Reward Assessment
In 2025's rising inflation environment, homeowners with an average $320,000 home equity consider home equity loans (8.40% interest) or HELOCs, but must weigh this against high personal loan (13%) and credit card (23%) rates, and carefully assess their repayment ability to avoid foreclosure.
Progress
40% Bias Score
UK Replaces Competition Regulator Chair Amid Growth Concerns
The UK government replaced the Competition and Markets Authority's chair, Marcus Bokkerink, with former Amazon executive Doug Gurr, due to concerns about the CMA's impact on economic growth, following criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a meeting with the Finance Minister to discuss stimu...
UK Replaces Competition Regulator Chair Amid Growth Concerns
The UK government replaced the Competition and Markets Authority's chair, Marcus Bokkerink, with former Amazon executive Doug Gurr, due to concerns about the CMA's impact on economic growth, following criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a meeting with the Finance Minister to discuss stimu...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Home Equity Loans: A Strategic Move to Tackle High-Interest Credit Card Debt in 2025
In 2025, using home equity loans or HELOCs to pay off high-interest credit card debt offers significant financial advantages due to lower (around 8% versus 23%) and fixed interest rates, but carries the risk of home loss if payments are missed.
Home Equity Loans: A Strategic Move to Tackle High-Interest Credit Card Debt in 2025
In 2025, using home equity loans or HELOCs to pay off high-interest credit card debt offers significant financial advantages due to lower (around 8% versus 23%) and fixed interest rates, but carries the risk of home loss if payments are missed.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Dip CD Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve's three 2024 rate cuts lowered CD interest rates from approximately 5% to the 4-4.5% range, impacting short-term CDs most significantly, as banks adjusted deposit account rates and savers shifted to long-term options or high-yield accounts.
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Dip CD Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve's three 2024 rate cuts lowered CD interest rates from approximately 5% to the 4-4.5% range, impacting short-term CDs most significantly, as banks adjusted deposit account rates and savers shifted to long-term options or high-yield accounts.
Progress
36% Bias Score
European Firms Reiterate Commitment to Chinese Market
On January 21, China's Ministry of Commerce hosted a roundtable for over 70 European companies operating in China, including major firms like BNP Paribas and Ikea, where attendees voiced support for continued cooperation and long-term investment in the Chinese market.
European Firms Reiterate Commitment to Chinese Market
On January 21, China's Ministry of Commerce hosted a roundtable for over 70 European companies operating in China, including major firms like BNP Paribas and Ikea, where attendees voiced support for continued cooperation and long-term investment in the Chinese market.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Liberia's Medtech Faces FIA Probe for Alleged Financial Misconduct
Medtech Scientific Liberia Limited, holding an 80% revenue share from imported goods, faces an FIA investigation for alleged financial misconduct, including overcharging customers and obstructing justice, potentially leading to administrative and criminal sanctions.
Liberia's Medtech Faces FIA Probe for Alleged Financial Misconduct
Medtech Scientific Liberia Limited, holding an 80% revenue share from imported goods, faces an FIA investigation for alleged financial misconduct, including overcharging customers and obstructing justice, potentially leading to administrative and criminal sanctions.
Progress
52% Bias Score
HMRC Criticized for Degraded Services and Rising Uncollectable Debt
The UK's Public Accounts Committee criticized HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for worsening its phone service to push digital channels, leading to only 66.4% of calls answered, average wait times exceeding 23 minutes, and £5bn in uncollectable debt written off in 2023-24.
HMRC Criticized for Degraded Services and Rising Uncollectable Debt
The UK's Public Accounts Committee criticized HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for worsening its phone service to push digital channels, leading to only 66.4% of calls answered, average wait times exceeding 23 minutes, and £5bn in uncollectable debt written off in 2023-24.
Progress
48% Bias Score
SSE Issues New ESG Reporting Guidelines, Building on Record Year for Sustainability Disclosures
The Shanghai Stock Exchange released two documents on January 17th to guide listed companies in improving their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, providing sample disclosures and focusing on key climate change issues. This voluntary initiative builds upon a 2024 record of 1,193 ...
SSE Issues New ESG Reporting Guidelines, Building on Record Year for Sustainability Disclosures
The Shanghai Stock Exchange released two documents on January 17th to guide listed companies in improving their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, providing sample disclosures and focusing on key climate change issues. This voluntary initiative builds upon a 2024 record of 1,193 ...
Progress
40% Bias Score
BrewDog Founder Launches £2 Million Reality Show Amid UK Business Climate Concerns
James Watt, BrewDog founder, blames the UK's challenging business environment on the autumn Budget, launching a reality show, "House of Unicorns," with a £2 million prize to support entrepreneurs and counter this trend.
BrewDog Founder Launches £2 Million Reality Show Amid UK Business Climate Concerns
James Watt, BrewDog founder, blames the UK's challenging business environment on the autumn Budget, launching a reality show, "House of Unicorns," with a £2 million prize to support entrepreneurs and counter this trend.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Li Qiang Seeks Diverse Input on China's Government Work Report
Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a symposium on January 21st in Beijing to gather feedback on the government's work report draft from non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and independent individuals, focusing on strengthening macroeconomic regulation, innovation, an...
Li Qiang Seeks Diverse Input on China's Government Work Report
Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a symposium on January 21st in Beijing to gather feedback on the government's work report draft from non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and independent individuals, focusing on strengthening macroeconomic regulation, innovation, an...
Progress
56% Bias Score
EU adopts pragmatic approach to Trump's second term
Following President Trump's inauguration, the European Union adopted a pragmatic approach, prioritizing dialogue while preparing to defend its interests, particularly concerning trade and regulatory issues, amidst differing viewpoints among EU members on the best response strategy.
EU adopts pragmatic approach to Trump's second term
Following President Trump's inauguration, the European Union adopted a pragmatic approach, prioritizing dialogue while preparing to defend its interests, particularly concerning trade and regulatory issues, amidst differing viewpoints among EU members on the best response strategy.
Progress
40% Bias Score