Business fraud - Get-tough policy to be welcomed

NEWS that up to 1,000 people are to be barred from acting as company directors is a revealing comment on the world of business.

This represents a marked increase on 2002 when three directors were disqualified from running firms while 66 people were convicted for company law offences in 2004, a 50% rise on 2003.

According to Corporate Enforcement director Paul Appleby, fraudsters, thieves and those convicted of embezzlement will be hunted down.