UK Regulator Considers Action Against Retailer’s Founding Family

  • Former owner of Wilko does not expect to plug £70m pension black hole
  • UK pensions regulator considering action against Wilko after collapse
  • AHWL has not paid dividends, prioritized pension contributions over dividends
  • Pension Protection Fund could bail out Wilko pension scheme

The former owner of Wilko, Amalgamated Holdings Wilkinson Limited (AHWL), does not expect to plug the retailer’s £70.2m pension deficit after its collapse. AHWL, owned by the founding family and including former chair Lisa Wilkinson, stated in new documents that it has received no indication of a claim arising from the process so far. The UK pensions regulator is considering taking action against Wilko’s owners due to the substantial pension shortfall that occurred last August. AHWL believes it is not liable for the deficit and cited several reasons, including never being the sponsoring employer for the Wilko pension scheme and prioritizing pension contributions over dividends. The Pension Protection Fund could potentially bail out the Wilko pension scheme. The regulator has engaged with Wilko, trustees, administrators, and the PPF to protect members’ benefits.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about Wilko’s pension black hole situation, the actions taken by AHWL, and the potential involvement of the pensions regulator. It also mentions the current status of the pension scheme and the possible involvement of Pension Protection Fund. The only minor issue is the last sentence which seems unrelated to the main topic.
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Wilko’s pension black hole and the former owner’s stance on liability, but it also includes some irrelevant details such as the mention of other retailers and unrelated statements about the death of the high street.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Wilko pension scheme and related companies
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the financial situation of Wilko, a retailer that collapsed with a £70.2m pension deficit, and its impact on the pension scheme and related companies such as B&M, Poundland, The Range.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: No extreme event mentioned in the text.

Reported publicly: www.retailgazette.co.uk