Hi guys, I was hoping that someone would be able to help me. I currently claim carers allowance for my disabled adult son. I was thinking about doing a part time course through the OU. The course is pay time and I could apply for a part time study loan to pay the fees. I don't claim any out of work benefits but I do claim child benefit and child tax credit for my 15 year old son. My question is can I continue to claim carers allowance and apply for a part time study loan to pay for the course fees? Thanks Me x

Tests show billions of people globally are drinking water contaminated by plastic particles, with 83% of samples found to be polluted https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/06/plastic-fibres-found-tap-water-around-world-study-reveals "The US had the highest contamination rate, at 94%, with plastic fibres found in tap water sampled at sites including Congress buildings, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters, and Trump Tower in New York. Lebanon and India had the next highest rates." "European nations including the UK, Germany and France had the lowest contamination rate, but this was still 72%." and this report is on TAP water - dont forget the fish and beaches. "the results of a study by Plymouth University caused a stir when it was reported that plastic was found in a third of UK-caught fish, including cod, haddock, mackerel and shellfish." https://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/research/mberc/Research/Marine%20pollution/Pages/Plastics.aspxhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/feb/14/sea-to-plate-plastic-got-into-fish "The most common plastic types were Polyethylene terephtalate (PET) comprising 20% of the samples followed by Nylon 6% and Acrylic 5%. "

Hope this is the right place, my issue is in relation to Scottish Law. In March 2016 I signed up for a home study course, I had two options. Either sign up for each module individually or 4 of them which gave a greater discount. I signed for all 4 and paid about £1k on my personal credit card. It was suggested a higher discount was available and that seemed appropriate. The plan was to recover the cost from my employer now that did not work out as I planned and ultimately they paid nothing. Although some months have passed since my initial sign up I asked for a refund of the fee’s for the modules not started so that I could pay that back to my card, from there I could then pay for each module as I pass the previous. They have refused to do this stating that I agreed to terms that refunds were only due within 14 days. I did not understand that I had agreed to such terms. Each module is available from the provider as a standalone course, although I have paid for them all I have only received material for the first module. They will not issue any material for the subsequent modules until I complete the previous one. they are in no way out of pocket for anything but the first module. Part of the fees paid are for exams for those modules which would only be payable to the exam provider in the future. At first they said they would consider a refund, then they accused me of dishonesty suggesting my employer had paid the fees and I was trying to get them back from them. I offered to get a letter from my employer confirming they have not paid fees however they then ignored that and have insisted they can speak to my employer and explain the value in the course which is none of their concern quite frankly. As far as I am aware the contract is ultimately between them and myself, nothing to do with my employer as they had not agreed to pay them anyway. At this point the relationship has broken down completely, especially after their suggestion that I was being dishonest in requesting a refund. I have no desire to continue studying with them and want to move to another provider. My question therefore is whether I have a case to raise a small claims summons to recover the remaining fees or even a charge back on my credit card? T hey are just stalling now. I have even offered a compromise in that I will accept £100 less to cover their administration for processing the refund. I have not had to sign anything throughout the process. This is what they say covers their position; Fees are not refundable after two weeks have elapsed, but a transfer to another course of comparable value may be considered. Such a transfer may be subject to an administration fee,depending on how far you have progressed on the first course. (Where software has been supplied as part of the course, and the seal on this has been broken, no refunds will be considered for this particular item.) Would welcome some thoughts on the best way to approach this in order to get a refund if you are of the opinion I am entitled to one.

I have heard mixed details about this matter. The Student Finance information seems to indicate that as the loan is only for fees, and paid to the college, it is not counted as income but my friend has been told otherwise. Can anyone point me to specific information showing definitive answer please.

Advise on behalf of a friend: Friend is on ESA and studies at college for 13.5 hours a week. According to his college, he's full time. (I think to college, full time is 12 hours?) Is self-study counted when working out the hours? Thank you

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19968609

Hi there - I am looking to find out if this is possible? My husband has been on Incapacity Benefit for a number of years and in receipt of the low DLA. He is looking to start studying a degree part time. Would this interfere with his benefit and is this allowed? Thanks in advance!