Business & Finance
Small business demands access to justice within the public procurement system
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Media release
Embargoed: 00.01 21st October 2024
Small business demands access to justice within the public procurement system
Aspire Community Works today called on the UK Government and the devolved nations to launch reviews of access to justice within the public procurement system to tackle inequities faced by smaller organisations in the not for profit and private sectors as part of its #BetterforUs campaign.
This recommendation is included in Aspire’s new report, Public Good Procurement 2024, published today, which highlights the significant barriers that small organisations face when challenging procurement decisions.
Aspire’s report based on its lived experience as a community business bidding within the public procurement process identifies a critical gap in the procurement system, where small businesses and mission-led enterprises are effectively excluded from seeking redress due to the high costs of legal challenges, which can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. This financial burden prevents these organisations from holding contracting authorities accountable for errors in the procurement process, acts as a barrier to their involvement and prevents improvements being made by public authorities as a result of lessons learned.
Aspire recommends that the Governments could consider a number of options including the establishment of a small business tribunal; a self-funded Ombudsman system, as in Northern Ireland, or use the appeals process within the NHS Provider Selection Regime introduced in England as a model. The latter includes a formal complaints and appeals process that offers independent review, regardless of contract value to all providers including small businesses and community organisations. Any of these would offer a lower-cost and more accessible alternative to court challenges for small businesses and would help to enhance their involvement within the system.
“The cost of taking a procurement case exceeds the turnover of organisations such as ours. The current procurement system is failing social enterprise and small businesses, leaving poor decisions unchallenged and no improvements made,” said Dr Katharine Sutton, Director of Aspire Community Works. “Giving small organisations the power to challenge unfair decisions will not only bring justice, but will also drive real, needed change in how public contracts are awarded. It’s time to fix this broken system and ensure public procurement works for everyone.”
-Ends
Further information:
Katharine Sutton: 07805 781113; 07966 890401; Aspire Community Works: 020 703 4433
[email protected]
www.betterforus.org.uk
Notes to editors
- About Aspire Community Works
Aspire Community Works is a UK-based community enterprise dedicated to promoting fair working conditions and tackling inequality in the labour market. Through public procurement and advocacy, Aspire seeks to build stronger communities and create sustainable employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups. - The Government has recently announced that the Procurement Act 2023 will come into force in February 2025. It has delayed its implementation to draw up a new National Procurement Policy Statement and is currently consulting on this issue. It proposes to introduce a National Procurement Plan as part of its Making Work Pay Strategy.
- In the UK procurement is devolved and the report outlines the differences in approach within the UK. Aspire is calling on the UK Government to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals as the golden thread to run through all procurement in the UK.
- Aspire Community Works derives the majority of its income through public procurement. Its policy and campaigning work is supported by Trust for London.
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Business & Finance
Paraguay President Santiago Peña Resigns Amid Bank Collapse
Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña resigns amid a bank collapse impacting millions, sparking a major financial crisis.
On November 5, 2026, Paraguay’s political landscape was dramatically reshaped as President Santiago Peña resigned amid a severe financial crisis. This crisis, characterized by the collapse of a major bank, has left millions of Paraguayans with frozen savings, triggering widespread financial instability across the nation [The Guardian, November 2026]. The resignation came after intense public pressure, reflecting the profound impact of the banking sector’s failure on the country’s socio-economic fabric [The Guardian, November 2026].
The immediate catalyst for Peña’s resignation was the unprecedented bank failure that exposed significant vulnerabilities in Paraguay’s financial system. This collapse not only froze millions of savings but also drew international scrutiny to the country’s fiscal management [BBC, November 2026]. The banking debacle underscored the systemic issues within Paraguay’s financial institutions, raising questions about regulatory oversight and governance that have yet to be fully addressed.
Peña’s decision to step down was formally communicated through an official announcement, marking a pivotal moment in Paraguay’s political history [BBC, November 2026]. This move was largely seen as a response to growing unrest and a loss of confidence in his administration’s ability to manage the crisis effectively. The president’s resignation has opened a leadership vacuum at a critical juncture, as the nation grapples with stabilizing its economy and restoring public trust.
The international community has been closely monitoring the developments in Paraguay, with the bank collapse serving as a cautionary tale of financial mismanagement [BBC, November 2026]. While specific international responses were not detailed, the situation has likely prompted discussions on the need for stronger financial governance frameworks in similar emerging markets. The crisis has highlighted the interconnectedness of global financial systems and the potential repercussions of inadequate oversight.
As Paraguay faces this economic turmoil, the focus now shifts to the interim leadership and their strategies to mitigate the crisis’s impact. Restoring the public’s access to their frozen assets will be a priority, alongside implementing reforms to prevent future financial collapses. The path forward will require decisive action from both domestic policymakers and international financial bodies to ensure stability and confidence in Paraguay’s banking sector.
The ripple effects of this financial crisis extend beyond Paraguay, as regional economies assess their vulnerabilities to similar shocks. The need for robust risk management practices and transparency in financial dealings is underscored by this situation. Paraguay’s experience may serve as a catalyst for broader financial reforms within the region, promoting resilience against potential economic disruptions.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of Paraguay’s response to the crisis. The interim leadership’s ability to navigate these challenges will set the tone for the country’s economic recovery and political stability. Observers will be keenly watching for signs of progress as Paraguay seeks to rebuild its financial credibility and restore normalcy for its citizens.
Peña’s resignation, though a significant political event, is just the beginning of a complex recovery process for Paraguay. The nation’s future hinges on its capacity to implement necessary reforms and regain the confidence of both its people and the international community. The lessons learned from this crisis will likely inform future policy decisions, shaping Paraguay’s path toward economic resilience.
In the aftermath of this crisis, Paraguay’s financial system will inevitably undergo scrutiny and transformation. The global financial community will be attentive to how Paraguay addresses its systemic issues, with the potential for this situation to become a case study in crisis management and reform. The developments in Paraguay may influence how emerging economies structure their financial governance in the years to come.
Business & Finance
FBI Identifies North Korea as Culprit in $6.3 Billion Binance Crypto Hack
FBI attributes $6.3B Binance crypto hack to North Korea, raising security concerns. Binance covers 90% of losses.
In a striking attribution of cyber malfeasance, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has named North Korea as the perpetrator behind a colossal $6.3 billion hack on Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. This revelation underscores persistent cybersecurity vulnerabilities and intensifies geopolitical tensions already fraught with complexity [The Guardian, November 2026].
The breach, now recognized as the largest of its kind, has sent shockwaves through the digital asset community, raising urgent questions about the robustness of current security protocols within the crypto industry [Al Jazeera, November 2026]. Despite the significant financial blow, Binance has demonstrated resilience by covering a substantial 90% of the losses, reflecting its commitment to maintaining user trust and stability [The Guardian, November 2026].
Binance’s response to the hack has been proactive, involving collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to pursue recovery of the stolen assets. A spokesperson from the exchange affirmed, “We are working closely with law enforcement to recover the funds,” indicating a strategic approach to mitigate the consequences of this unprecedented breach [The Guardian, November 2026].
The scale of the hack, valued at $6.3 billion, places it squarely in the spotlight of global financial and security discussions. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in digital finance systems, particularly as they become more entwined with global economic infrastructures [Al Jazeera, November 2026].
North Korea’s involvement in such a high-profile cybercrime reflects broader geopolitical dynamics, where state-sponsored hacking has become a tool for economic gain and political leverage. This attribution by the FBI further complicates diplomatic relations and underscores the need for coordinated international responses to cyber threats [The Guardian, November 2026].
The incident has not only affected Binance but has also sent ripples across the broader cryptocurrency market, prompting investors and exchanges to reassess their security measures. The hack’s magnitude highlights the urgent need for enhanced protective measures and industry-wide collaboration to fortify digital asset exchanges against future threats [Al Jazeera, November 2026].
In the wake of this cyber assault, Binance’s robust response and coverage of losses may set a precedent for how exchanges handle such adversities in the future. It also emphasizes the critical role of transparency and accountability in maintaining user confidence and market integrity [The Guardian, November 2026].
As the situation unfolds, the interplay between cybersecurity and international politics will likely intensify, with potential repercussions for regulatory frameworks governing digital assets. The hacking incident serves as a catalyst for ongoing debates about the balance between innovation and security in the realm of cryptocurrency [Al Jazeera, November 2026].
Looking forward, the focus will remain on how Binance and other cryptocurrency platforms adapt to these evolving threats. Their ability to enhance security protocols and foster international cooperation will be crucial in defining the future landscape of digital finance. The world will closely monitor these developments, particularly as they relate to North Korea’s cyber capabilities and intentions [The Guardian, November 2026].
Business & Finance
Naboo Expands with Acquisition of UK Events Platform Pro-ven
Naboo has acquired UK M&E spend specialist pro-ven, which becomes Naboo UK, keeping all 20 staff and its founder.
Naboo, the Paris-based meetings and events (M&E) spend management platform, announced on 27 October 2026 that it has acquired pro-ven, a UK specialist in venue sourcing and event procurement, for an undisclosed sum. The companies say the combination creates the world’s largest pure-play provider of M&E spend management and venue sourcing.
Founded in 2005, pro-ven helps corporate and association clients manage meetings and events spending through venue and supplier sourcing, contract negotiation, approval workflows, invoicing and payment management. It generates around €30 million in annual transaction value and brings enterprise clients including Unilever, Virgin Media and Sony. Following the deal, Naboo says the combined business will manage around $300 million (€268 million) of meetings and events spend.
Under the terms of the deal, pro-ven’s Hertfordshire office becomes Naboo’s UK headquarters and the business will operate as Naboo UK. All 20 pro-ven employees are being retained, and founder and managing director Julian Laxon will stay on to help grow Naboo’s UK presence. Existing pro-ven clients keep the same account teams and commercial arrangements, while gaining access to Naboo’s AI-driven technology platform and international network.
Naboo says the acquisition was financed equally through equity and borrowing. It follows the company’s $70 million (€58.7 million) Series B round in February 2026, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with participation from existing investors Notion Capital, ISAI and Ternel.
The UK is not a new market for Naboo, which has operated there since 2024. CEO and co-founder Maxime Eduardo said the deal is primarily about accelerating growth in what he called a huge market for the company and adding enterprise customers. “Together with pro-ven, that is the leader we are building,” he said.
The acquisition caps a busy period for Naboo, which recently unveiled a new brand identity and opened its first Asia-Pacific office in Singapore, following its expansion into North America with offices in Montreal and New York.
Sources: Business Travel News; EU-Startups; CIT World; The Business Travel Magazine.
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