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The Korean car maker says many of the arrested workers now want to get back home

Staff in Solihull, Halewood and Wolverhampton have been told not to come into work until Wednesday.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her economic plans in her second Budget on 26 November.

The pace of price rises ticked up as focus turns to the next move by the US Federal Reserve.

BBC Breakfast Business Presenter Emma Vardy has these tips for how to get complaints heard - and dealt with - when you're dealing with customer services.

Speech by Steve Smart, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, at the 1LoD Financial Crime Summit. Financial crime is still too often seen as a lesser offence. A small-scale scam here, a phishing email there. Non-violent, technical, almost victimless.After more than 30 years in national security and law enforcement, I can tell you that’s a dangerous misunderstanding.I’ve seen up close how it directly fuels some of the most serious crime: human trafficking, terrorism, hostile state activity.And financial crime doesn’t just steal money – it also steals confidence. Research by Lloyds Banking Group found that nearly 40% of fraud victims had lost confidence in online platforms.When people lose money to fraud, they understandably become more cautious. They lose trust in the system.And that has consequences, because trust is the foundation of growth.Without it, fewer people invest. Innovation slows and markets suffer. Capital doesn’t flow where it’s needed.So if we want a confident, competitive economy, tackling financial crime isn’t optional – it’s a prerequisite for growth.It’s how we keep the game clean and attract new players.

Charles Hunter, Kayan Kalipha and Luke Desmaris appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, each individually charged with an offence relating to their social media posts. The individuals – often referred to as ‘finfluencers’ – are alleged to have encouraged social media followers to invest in foreign exchange (forex or FX) trading through high-risk products known as contracts for difference, without having the authorisation to promote these investments.The charges follow the FCA’s announcement in June 2025 of a coordinated global enforcement action targeting illegal financial promotions by finfluencers across multiple jurisdictions. As part of that operation, the FCA authorised criminal proceedings against these three individuals.All three defendants pleaded not guilty and will appear at Southwark Crown Court for a hearing on 8 October 2025.Anyone who believes they have suffered loss in relation to this matter is encouraged to contact the FCA consumer contact centre on 0800 111 6768 (freephone).Notes to editorsThe defendants’ backgrounds are as follows:a. Charles Hunter (DOB 10/09/1996), from Exeter.b. Kayan Kalipha (DOB 30/01/1990), from London.c. Luke Desmaris (DOB 01/11/1994), from Harlow.The individuals are each charged with one count of communicating an invitation to engage in investment activity, contrary to section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.A person who contravenes Section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 can be punished on indictment by a fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.These charges form part of the FCA’s wider crackdown on unlawful financial promotions by finfluencers. In June 2025, the FCA led a coordinated international enforcement effort involving nine regulators across six countries. The operation resulted in arrests, interviews, cease and desist letters, and over 650 takedown requests across social media platforms and websites.Finfluencers are social media personalities who use their platform to promote financial products and share insights and advice with their followers. Many are acting legitimately and not breaking any laws. Others are individuals who tout products or services illegally and without authorisation through online videos and posts, where they use the pretence of a lavish lifestyle, often falsely, to promote success.Contracts For Difference (CFDs) are high-risk derivatives. The FCA has previously said that 80% of customers lose money when investing in CFDs because of the risks. They are often highly leveraged, which means they use debt to try and amplify returns, which can result in investors losing more than they invested. In the UK, the FCA has imposed restrictions on how CFDs and CFD-like options can be sold and marketed to retail customers. The FCA has been carrying out work to address consumer harm in the UK in this sector.Consumers should use the FCA’s Firm Checker to find out if a firm is authorised and permission for the service it’s offering. The FCA’s InvestSmart page contains useful information to help people make better investment decisions.

We’re proposing to make further cuts to data reporting, that will benefit 11,000 retail intermediary firms. Regular submission of the Retail Mediation Activities Return (RMAR) helps support firms, understand consumer outcomes, and flags any issues that may come up with retail intermediary activities.Our analysis has enabled us to reduce the reporting frequency of selected RMAR sections.Jessica Rusu, chief data, information and intelligence officer of the FCA said:'We welcome the positive feedback from firms on our earlier data reporting consultations. This latest proposal cuts unnecessary reporting, focuses only on essential information, and reflects our role as a smarter regulator, maintaining strong oversight while easing the burden on firms.'We propose to amend the reporting frequency from quarterly and bi-annually, to annual for the following returns:Section E of RMAR (known as RMA-E) – Professional indemnity insuranceSection G of RMAR (known as RMA-G) – Training and competenceSection M of RMAR (known as RMA-M) – Pension transfer specialist adviceThe consultation closes on 15 October 2025 and forms part of our Transforming Data Collection programme, which is a joint venture between the FCA and Bank of England. The programme has already reduced data reporting burden for over 36,000 firms.

Consumers could benefit from the convenience of contactless payment when making larger payments, under proposals being consulted on by the FCA. The FCA wants to give card providers the flexibility to decide the right limit for them and their customers.Many card providers already offer customers the ability to adjust their personal contactless limits or turn off contactless functionality on their card altogether. The FCA is encouraging firms to continue to offer their customers this choice.David Geale, executive director of payments and digital finance at the FCA, said:'We‘re seeing smarter payment technology and more well-established fraud controls, so it’s the right time to let firms tailor contactless payments to fit their customers’ needs and drive innovation. While we wouldn’t expect to see immediate changes to limits by firms, they would have the flexibility to make payments more convenient for customers.'People are still protected; even with contactless, firms will refund your money if your card is used fraudulently.'Contactless card payments come with the same protection as any other card payment, meaning banks and payment firms must reimburse unauthorised fraud cases, such as when somebody’s card has been lost or stolen. UK Finance’s Annual Fraud Report 2025 estimates that contactless fraud rates are currently low at circa 1.3p per £100 spent on contactless transactions, compared to 6p per £100 for all unauthorised fraud.This work is one of around 50 measures that the FCA outlined in a letter to the Prime Minster in January to support economic growth and prioritise digital solutions.The proposals are out for consultation until 15 October 2025.Notes to editorsRead the contactless payments consultation in our Quarterly Consultation Paper (PDF)We received nearly 1,300 responses to the contactless paymentsEngagement Paper.Based on industry feedback, the FCA anticipates most firms will continue to implement the £100 limit in the time being.Contactless payment fraud is where a contactless card is lost or stolen and then used by someone other than the cardholder to pay for goods and services at a contactless terminal.With the Consumer Duty in place and in support of the UK government’s growth mission, the FCA is reviewing these rules as part of the nearly 50 fast-tracked measures to support innovation and growth and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers.

On 2 September 2025, Scott & Mears Credit Services Limited (SMCS), a debt collection firm, went into administration. Louise Longley and Julian Pitts of Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators. SMCS is authorised and regulated by the FCA to provide debt-collecting services. It has stopped trading.In their published frequently asked questions document (PDF) the Joint Administrators are encouraging customers to cancel any standing order or other payment arrangements with SMCS. They are also advising customers to contact their creditor (the company they owe money to) to arrange future payments.If you have any questions, please contact the Joint Administrators via email on scottandmears@btguk.com or by telephone on 0113 209 1040.We are in regular contact with the Joint Administrators to ensure customers are treated fairly.Customers who are struggling financially can get free and impartial guidance from MoneyHelper.