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Farepak 'faces claims worth £38m' Farepak 'faces claims worth £38m'
(30 minutes later)
Administrators dealing with collapsed Christmas savings club Farepak have received claims for £38m.Administrators dealing with collapsed Christmas savings club Farepak have received claims for £38m.
A total of 113,000 customers and agents have made claims so far, BDO Stoy Hayward said in a report to creditors.A total of 113,000 customers and agents have made claims so far, BDO Stoy Hayward said in a report to creditors.
It also warned victims they would get no more than 5p in every pound they lost when the firm failed. More than 150,000 people lost an average of £400.It also warned victims they would get no more than 5p in every pound they lost when the firm failed. More than 150,000 people lost an average of £400.
The report also blames Farepak's collapse on its failure to "adequately" ringfence cash paid in by customers.The report also blames Farepak's collapse on its failure to "adequately" ringfence cash paid in by customers.
"It is clear that Farepak did not protect the money paid in by agents and customers," the BDO Stoy Hayward report added."It is clear that Farepak did not protect the money paid in by agents and customers," the BDO Stoy Hayward report added.
The administrators explained that Farepak's collapse was triggered by the fact £33m it lent to its parent company European Home Retail (EHR) was not paid back.The administrators explained that Farepak's collapse was triggered by the fact £33m it lent to its parent company European Home Retail (EHR) was not paid back.
InvestigationInvestigation
Administrators now hope to move the firm into voluntary liquidation - which would allow its assets to be sold off and turned into cash to pay off creditors. Administrators now hope to move the firm into voluntary liquidation - which would allow its assets to be sold and turned into cash to pay off creditors.
BDO Stoy Hayward added the move would also allow liquidators to investigate the collapse and sue "any parties responsible or liable" for its failure, and redistribute any money made from legal action to creditors.BDO Stoy Hayward added the move would also allow liquidators to investigate the collapse and sue "any parties responsible or liable" for its failure, and redistribute any money made from legal action to creditors.
Farepak customers paid monthly sums to the firm or its agents towards vouchers or food hampers for the festive season.Farepak customers paid monthly sums to the firm or its agents towards vouchers or food hampers for the festive season.
However when the company went into administration in October it left them with limited hopes of compensation. However, when the company went into administration in October it left them with limited hopes of compensation.
A voluntary fund set up in the run-up to Christmas raised about £7m to mitigate the effect of the collapse on savers.A voluntary fund set up in the run-up to Christmas raised about £7m to mitigate the effect of the collapse on savers.
Legal hitchLegal hitch
But last month, members of the savings club were hit by a further setback after a High Court judge deferred some payments owed to members.But last month, members of the savings club were hit by a further setback after a High Court judge deferred some payments owed to members.
At stake was the legal status of money accrued between the collapse of Farepak and the time it went into administration soon after.At stake was the legal status of money accrued between the collapse of Farepak and the time it went into administration soon after.
If successful, savers would have received sums ranging from £17 to £1,500.If successful, savers would have received sums ranging from £17 to £1,500.
A judgement in the case is due later this year.A judgement in the case is due later this year.
Meanwhile, the Treasury has vowed to launch a review of Christmas saving clubs and the lack of regulations governing them - a move prompted by Farepak's collapse.Meanwhile, the Treasury has vowed to launch a review of Christmas saving clubs and the lack of regulations governing them - a move prompted by Farepak's collapse.