(Sharecast News) – A year ago Matthew Moulding – undoubtedly one of the business names of 2020 – was perhaps best known for founding a controversial VAT-free online sales operation for Tesco, Asda, WH Smith, Dixons and Best Buy. Until 2011, he based certain operations in the Channel Islands to take advantage of European tax rules that exempt imports below £18 from VAT, until the loophole was closed by the then chancellor, George Osborne, in his budget of that year. – Guardian
The UK has been accused of failing to honour its promise to curb shipments of plastic waste to developing countries, after it emerged Britain’s new post-Brexit regulations are less stringent than those imposed by the EU. From 1 January, shipments of unsorted plastic waste from the EU to non-OECD countries were banned. But Britain will continue to allow plastic waste to be exported to developing countries, despite a Tory party manifesto commitment to banning the practice, and promises of no regression of environmental standards post-Brexit. – Guardian
Foreign truckers bringing freight to Britain have raised their prices by almost 700pc over fears of getting stranded in the UK or not being able to secure loads for the return journey. Hauliers who previously charged 1.50 per kilometre now want 10 because of the impact of new Brexit customs controls, according to the Road Haulage Association. – Telegraph
Marks & Spencer has bought Jaeger after the upmarket fashion brand’s collapse in the autumn. The retailer is expected to buy only Jaeger’s intellectual property, which would allow it to sell Jaeger-branded goods on its website as a third-party brand. M&S did not disclose the amount paid, but it is understood to be about £5 million. – The Times
