The Bank of England raised its key interest rate for the 12th consecutive time and signaled more increases are possible as it released less gloomy forecasts for the U.K. economy, the Wall Street Journal reported. The central bank raised the rate to 4.5% from 4.25% on Thursday, having begun to tighten its monetary policy in December 2021 when borrowing costs stood at 0.1%. The key rate is now at its highest level since October 2008, while the cumulative move over 12 steps is the largest since the late 1980s.

Inflation expectations in Britain eased in April, bank Citi said on Monday, offering some relief to the Bank of England which is expected to announce a 12th straight interest rate hike next week with investors betting on further increases after that, Reuters reported. Citi said its monthly survey conducted by market research company YouGov showed public expectations for inflation in 12 months' time eased to 5.2% in April from 5.4% in March and expectations for five to 10 years ahead fell to 3.6% from 3.7%.

The number of companies declared insolvent in England and Wales in the first three months of 2023 was up 18% on a year earlier and remained close to the 13-year high recorded in the final quarter of 2022, government data showed on Friday, Reuters reported. Some 5,747 companies in England and Wales were declared insolvent in the first quarter of this year compared with 5,969 in the final quarter of 2022, which was the highest number since mid 2009, the seasonally adjusted figures showed.

Scotland’s businesses are still suffering from a “Covid hangover” with new figures showing the number of firms becoming insolvent has reached an 11-year high, the Independent reported. Corporate insolvences rose to 1,132 in 2022-23, with this up by almost a third (32.6%) on the previous year, new figures from the Accountant in Bankruptcy showed. The 2022-23 total is nearly a fifth (19.4%) higher than pre-pandemic, with 948 insolvencies recorded in 2019-20 – with an expert warning a “further wave of insolvencies is inevitable” unless economic circumstances improve “drastically”.

Shares in Itsarm PLC fell Wednesday after the company said that the likelihood it would be able to continue for a period longer than three months before becoming insolvent was low, MarketWatch.com reported. Shares at 1109 GMT were down 0.15 pence, or 32%, at 0.33 pence. The London-listed womenswear fashion brand said the board determined it would be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders to put forward a formal proposal for a members' voluntary liquidation, or MVL.

The UK received a record level of demand for debt that acts as protection against inflation, with concerns mounting that rising prices aren’t slowing down despite the Bank of England’s interest rate hikes, Bloomberg News reported. The £46 billion ($57 billion) order book for £4.5 billion of so-called inflation-linked notes sold on Wednesday was far bigger than any previous UK sale of similar debt tracked by Bloomberg. Data last week showed consumer prices in Britain accelerated 10.1% from a year ago, driven by the strongest increase in food costs in more than four decades.

Creditors contesting Adler Group SA’s €6 billion ($6.6 billion) debt restructuring were denied permission to appeal, helping the embattled real estate firm move ahead with the plan, Bloomberg News reported. A judge at the High Court in London said Tuesday the tribunal wasn’t convinced by any of the reasons for permission to appeal. The decision follows a ruling at the same court last week allowing Adler to extend maturities of bonds due next year and borrow around €900 million, despite opposition from some of its creditors including DWS Group and Strategic Value Partners.

P&O Ferries is confident of avoiding a fine for sacking nearly 800 seafarers without notice. The annual report of the DP World-owned ferry operator, seen by the PA news agency, said its directors think an ongoing inquiry by the Insolvency Service will not result in any punishment, PAMedia reported. Some 786 of the company’s workers were made redundant without consultation on March 17 2022, leading to widespread criticism from politicians and trade unions. They were replaced by cheaper agency staff. A criminal investigation into what happened did not result in a prosecution.

British health minister Steve Barclay said on Friday that he intends to pursue legal action against the Royal College of Nursing's upcoming strike action, Reuters reported. "Following a request from NHS Employers I have regretfully provided notice of my intent to pursue legal action to ask the courts to declare the Royal College of Nursing's upcoming strike action planned for 30 April to 2 May to be unlawful," he said. "Bullying nurses and dragging us through the highest courts would not be a good look for government," the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said in a response to his statement.

Boy George is reportedly facing bankruptcy after a £1.75million damages claim brought by a former Culture Club bandmate, the Mirror reported. The "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! 2022" star, 61, reached an out-of-court settlement with ex-drummer Jon Moss in March this year after being sued for a loss of earnings. Mr Moss, 65, had previously brought legal action against Boy George (real name George O'Dowd), guitarist Roy Hay and bassist Michael Craig, after allegedly being 'expelled' by their manager in September 2018 after 37 years playing together.