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Hidden basement bar in Liverpool named 'best vegan restaurant' in Britain

12 Sep 2023

A family-run Liverpool restaurant hidden inside a basement is officially Britain's best vegan venue.
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Shoplifters working in organised groups targeting shops with co-ordinated raids

11 Sep 2023

A warning has been issued that shoplifters in the UK are becoming increasingly “emboldened” and appear to be often orchestrated by organised criminal groups, which steal to order,... Read more…

Shops urged to prepare for single-use plastics ban coming into force on 1 October

11 Sep 2023

It has been suggested that some shop owners may be unaware or unprepared for the upcoming change to regulations on single-use plastics on plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon... Read more…

National Lottery retailers urged to transfer retail agreement to new operator.

30 Aug 2023

Allwyn, incoming operator of The National Lottery, has urged independent National Lottery retailers to log on to its new online retailer portal via Read more…

Retailers sceptical about Home Secretary’s call for ‘every theft’ to be investigated.

30 Aug 2023

Shop owners have expressed scepticism that the Home Secretary's recent call for every theft to be investigated by the police will come to fruition, suggesting that police resources are already... Read more…

Consumer confidence shows ‘renewed optimism’ against falling core inflation

29 Aug 2023

Consumer confidence is showing “renewed optimism” against a backdrop of falling core inflation, new figures suggest.
 
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Coventry shop owners launch street market to bring more people into the area

29 Aug 2023

Shop owners in a part of Coventry have rallied together to launch a street market, with hopes of boosting the number of people that visit the area.
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Indies drinks retailers short-changed in government duty consultation

16 Aug 2023

Independent quality drinks retailers were woefully underrepresented among those consulted by government over the duty changes now hitting businesses, it has been claimed, after industry magazine... Read more…

Online bookshop hits £3 million for independent sellers

16 Aug 2023

Online bookshop Bookshop.org has reached its target of raising £3 million in profit for independent booksellers in its fight for them to “thrive in the world of ecommerce”.
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Indie craft baker takes home five Great Taste Awards after only 16 months in business

15 Aug 2023

A start-up craft baker from south-east London who sells his produce at local food markets has taken home five Great Taste Awards after only 16 months in business.
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Urgent demand from MPs to regulate Buy Now Pay Later firms

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News

TOnline shoppinghe call to regulate BNPL firms like Klarna, Laybuy and Clearpay is now supported by 70 MPs, with many arguing that the FCA review is too lengthy and could leave consumers drowning in debt.

The growing distrust for popular Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers has frequently been making the headlines for well over a year now. The issues that these popular provides cause has been bought to attention of debt charities, financial campaigners and even MPs.

The BNPL industry has seen huge growth in recent years, with the likes of Klarna and Affirm becoming multi-billion dollar giants. However, multiple investigations have revealed a developing pattern reflecting that as these trendy lenders continue to grow in popularity, as does the amount of debt racked up by poorly informed consumers.

According to research by Credit Karma, a quarter of Brits used BNPL services to fund Christmas shopping, setting up a £2.3 billion bill. A recent study by Capco reveals that more than half of 18-34 year olds using it have missed a payment and nearly two thirds say it is making them spend more, potentially increasing their chances of getting into debt.

This mounting problem was bought to the attention of Labour MP Stella Creasy, who wrote to both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to raise the issue of BNPL. Stella Creasy previously campaigned against pay day loaners Wonga in 2014, which led to the FCA, the financial services industry watchdog, investigating Wonga and forcing it to write off 330,000 loans worth £220m and compensate 45,000 other customers.

 

"next Wonga waiting to happen"

Creasy is not alone in her concerns, the issue was discussed in the House of Commons last week, where a bill to regulate BNPL firms like Klarna, Laybuy and Clearpay was supported by 70 MPs. During the discussion Creasy referred to the entry of a host of BNPL firms as the "next Wonga waiting to happen".

The FCA is conducting a review into BNPL firms, but some MPs worry that the lengthy process could push regulation out by another 18 months, leaving consumers drowning in debt during an economic downturn.

 

"1 in 10 are left struggling to pay rent"

Creasy recently posted on twitter headlined "Why we need to stop the Klarnage", which went on to encourage people to discuss the growing issue with their MP, "A quarter of their customers have had to ask family or friends to pay back money, 1 in 10 are left struggling to pay rent. Ask your MP if they missed this chance to stop the next wonga and voted yes or no to NC7."

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