HMRC News & Analysis
2 articles
Market Mood

New £30m High Street Crime Unit Launches to Combat Gangs
The UK government announced a £30 million High Street organized crime unit to target illegal activities linked to shops, following a BBC investigation. The National Crime Agency (NCA) will receive £20 million of the funding and allocate 75 new police officers to key regions including Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Essex, and Kent. The government estimates that £1 billion of criminal cash is laundered annually through High Street stores. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood highlighted plans for extensive law enforcement actions, including shop raids and extended closure orders for criminal businesses.
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Lloyds Banking Group customers face challenges with £900 cheque deposits
A woman struggled to deposit a £900 cheque from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), as Lloyds Banking Group has stopped allowing customers to use Post Offices for cheque deposits since January. Industry data indicates cheques accounted for only 0.1% of all UK payments in 2024. Lloyds stated alternatives include depositing checks via their app, visiting branches, or using a freepost service. This situation highlights banking access issues for rural communities, which could affect customer retention and service reputation.
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