According to a new study by ViFi UK Finance Team, the area in Cheshire topped the list for unmanageable debt, recording the highest rates of insolvency, debt relief orders, and breathing space registrations.

Halton scored 8.57 out of 10 on the study’s debt index—more than three times the national average of 2.78.

Ben Steele, founder of ViFi UK Finance Team, said: “The data shows a concerning picture of debt inequality across different regions of the UK, with certain areas facing significantly higher levels of financial distress than others.

“The high rates of insolvencies and debt relief orders in places like Halton and Blackpool highlight how the aftermath of the cost-of-living crisis is still being felt acutely in…

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In a recent ruling, the Bombay High Court held that the moratorium imposed under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) does not bar criminal proceedings against natural persons, such as directors, for offences committed under the NI Act, even if the insolvency proceedings were initiated prior to the cheque’s dishonour.

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Liquidators have put Ardgour Valley Fruit near Tarras on the market with a deadline sale of October 20.

Ross and Sharon Kirk collaborated with farmers Bruce and Linda Jolly in 2020 as joint founders of the orchard, planting a mixture of apricots and cherries on the 48.03ha site.

The Kirk’s Hortinvest Holdings company managed the orchard on behalf of 16 shareholders, and planted some of the country’s first varieties of NZ Summer apricots.

In 2022 Ardgour Valley Fruit built a new packhouse at Tarras, and in summer 2025 about 150 tonnes of the new apricot varieties were exported under its Temptation Valley brand.

The trees, which were coming into their fourth season, were expected to reach full production in 2026-2027 when the company…

The other companies, owned by the same shareholders and directors, are also in liquidation, taking the full tally to $20.5m.

Directors and shareholders Xu Xin and Wei Liu appointed Khov Jones on October 3.

Some of New Zealand’s largest businesses want money from KBS Construction, which built Amaia, a te reo Māori name that means lunar rainbow.

Bunnings, Fletcher Building’s Fletcher Distribution, Graeme Hart’s Carters Building Supplies and Heartland Bank appear on the list, although how much each is owed is unstated.

“The reason for the failure of the company, which led to the appointment of the liquidators, is due to the company having insufficient assets to satisfy its…

Building lasting wealth starts with smart asset allocation and diversification across multiple asset classes. The right mix depends on your risk profile and goals. Still, are some combinations better than others? Welcome to TrendMap, your guide to how different investment segments stack up. In this edition, we compare seven asset combinations. Portfolios with gold have delivered a notable returns boost in recent years, while those with zero gold exposure have persistently lagged.

Equity dominates long-term, gold anchors stability

Equities have delivered the strongest long-term growth, with the equity-heavy portfolio (70% equity) leading the decade at a compounded return of 12.1%. However, its high exposure to market…