Wilko bosses to be grilled by MPs

The former bosses of Wilko are set to be grilled by MPs next week following controversy around the retailer’s collapse earlier this year.

The discount chain’s executives came under fire after it was revealed they paid out £77m in dividends to themselves and shareholders in the lead up to its administration.

The ex-bosses are now set to appear before the Business and Trade select committee next Tuesday (November 28).


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The appearance comes as trade union GMB wrote to newly elected select committee chair Liam Byrne MP asking him to hold Wilko to account. They will provide evidence at the hearing as well.

The union’s national officer Nadine Houghton said: “It’s only right Wilko bosses should be forced to explain themselves to MPs.

“They ignored all warnings about their company’s financial future – lining their own pockets and dishing out millions to shareholders before leaving 10,000 people jobless.

“Wilko workers deserve answers from the company that crushed their livelihoods, while UK taxpayers will want to know why they’ve had today millions in redundancy payments.

“Hopefully the select committee will get those answers.”

Wilko’s dividends payouts are also being investigated by The Pensions Regulator, which is investigating a £56m deficit in the company’s pension fund.

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