New flu vaccine available this winter for those aged 65 and over READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-flu-vaccine-available-this-winter-for-those-aged-65-and-over

Major crackdown on abuse of 'debt' judgement by rogue parking and utility firms is announced Ministers will pledge action on abuse of county court judgments by rogue firms Anyone who has had a CCJ without their knowledge will have it removed The Govt plans to immediately set aside all backdoor CCJs for those who can prove to a judge that they did not know about it when it was passed. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5214075/Action-debt-judgement-rogue-firms-abuse-announced.html

Recent High Court PIP Judgement Affecting those with Psychological Distress High Court. RF v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2017/3375.html The High Court Judge: - quashed the new regulations because they discriminate against those with disabilities in breach of Human Rights Act 1998 obligations. - declared that the Secretary of State did not have lawful power to make the regulations (i.e. they were ‘ultra vires’) and should have consulted before making them. Yes the Government is going to appeal this Judgement at the Court of Appeal so we will have to wait and see the outcome of that Appeal.

Hi guys Does anyone know my rights here.I bought my father in law a portable turntable forxmas- the iwoot website says " usb encoding and comes with usb cable" He opened it and the day after asked where the usb cable goes as it doesnt have a usb port. It turns out it doesnt have usb anything! I wrote to iwoot and told them and asked for a return. That was on the 28th December - im STILL getting the same blanket response from them... "were sorry this hasnt met your expectations etc etc well get this sorted for you asap" Ive asked to pass my complaint to a manager, messaged them on twitter nothing seems to make them care! I paid by paypal so started a paypal case yesterday ,i honestly cant tell you how bad this company is. There have been a lot of 1 star reviews about them since xmas, their customer service is appalling! i would never ever recommend them to anyone. With their service im wondering if they will wait until such a date that they say i cant return it any longer as its passed the returns date window. Surely this item isnt as described so im entitled to a refund? Can anyone advise? ive screenshotted the description in case they change it before i can send it back. The worst bit is he has cancer and doesnt need any more crap! ive told them im going to contact BBC Watchdog with it thanks

READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-within-the-royal-air-force-community-for-those-affected-by-domestic-abuse

Tawnyowl here with a thought that entered my mind about one minute ago. Best write it down because another minute or two and it will be forgotten. Age is my excuse.Strange how many times that excuse is used nowadays. When this post is finished will check up how old i am. Went to the docs last week for healthy heart check up,you go once a year to check you are still here after having heart attacks. Check blood pressure,things like that. Now definitely not keen on hanging around the docs as you just never know what you might catch. Nurse told me to shut up while checking my pressure as she could not get a reading. Last time she saw pressure like that was in a cooker. I do go on a bit at times. After ten minutes she said perfect,as expected. Goodbye nurse see you next year was my reply.Headed for the door sharpish. Just hang on a moment have you had a flu jab.Nurse said . Well jabs that word,i nearly passed out thinking of the needle remembering those jabs they give you in the hospital in your stomach to thin the blood.Well i think that is what they are for.I tend not to ask many questions in hospital as if they take a liking to you they may fancy experimenting. Well no why. You had better have one then. Which arm i said,choose your spot. Well can you believe it,she paraded in front of me with this needle about two inches long giving me a smile that would freeze the desert oasis. And came at my arm like a Olympic javellin thrower complete with run up.At a speed worthy of a sprinter. In it went,my feathers nearly fell off and i was ready to take flight. But managed to stay put. After recovering for a split second i said my goodbyes and headed for the door sharpish.Hold on a minute the nurse said,not so fast. Have you had a pneumonia jab. What are we having a laugh i have never heard such a thing. Settling down a touch after reassuring me there was such a thing i said as usual,which arm would you like. My she said you are a bright one,there is only one arm left to have go at. And once again out came the needle. Took a fine run up and in it went,180 i replied,(Darts term) and legged it shortly afterwards,because if another jab had been required where would it have gone.Fell for that before in hospital,putting my arm out and the nurse shook her head and pointed to my trousers. What a job,three layers of thermal insulation,well it was winter,braces the lot,then i got harpooned,tetanus that time. What have i come in for,ah i know i caught a cold,just got rid,now put my back out but will not stop me running my empire. The smallest business in the UK,it must be.But i am pleased how things are going. From 1-10 probably 2. Now how are you all this cool, windy huge coastal tides day.Have you a cold that arrived from who knows where. Strange is it not that i am sure i read that you can catch a virus from touching a screen,a door things like that. Now what is the first thing you do when going to the docs. Hit the computer to say you have arrived,age,date of birth etc. That is what i came to ask.How are you all. Bye for now Tawnyowl.

Hi, on the 13th August I was referred to Ingeus by my JSA Advisor and told to expect a call off them. On the 15th August I had a severe epileptic seizure caused by stress and was given a sicknote for 12 weeks by my doctor. He thinks, due to me being severely depressed and prone to more seizures, that I should be on ESA. I closed my claim for JSA on the 17th and opened my claim for ESA on the same day. Later that day I had a letter from Ingeus telling me to attend on the 27th. There were no mentions of sanctions or anything like that, but it caused me to become very agitated. I called the number on the letter (their general enquiry number I think) and the man, without asking for any details, told me I still had to attend. Is this correct? My JSA claim is now closed and my ESA claim is being processed. I've never met nor spoken to Ingeus before, so do I still need to go? I'm very ill at the moment and this might make me worse I fear. Obviously in 13 weeks if they put me in WRAG, that's a different situation but right now I am very ill. Any info on this would be very very appreciated!

The taxman has been accused of using small businesses and the self-employed as a “cash cow” after unveiling plans for a “draconian” new penalty regime. HMRC has announced that millions of companies and individuals with an income of more than £10,000 will have to file quarterly tax returns online. Those that are late in supplying information about their tax affairs will face a new “penalty point system”, similar to that used for motorists. Four offences will result in an automatic fine, which could be as much as £100. Every additional point will result in a further fine. Under the plans the points will only be “reset to zero” after two years in which all information has been submitted on time. The scheme will see those who repeatedly fail to file their tax returns on time face hundreds of pounds worth of fines. At present those who miss their annual deadline face a single automatic penalty of £100. HMRC is also proposing to treble fines for the late payment of tax. At present people are charged three fines worth 5 per cent of any outstanding income tax after 30 days, six months and a year. A consultation document published by HMRC proposes that the penalties should be 4 per cent after 30 days, 10 per cent after six month and 15 per cent after a year. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/15/taxman-accused-of-using-small-businesses-as-a-cash-cow-after-unv/

How exciting. Those nice people at Rock Law who have been so nice trying to contact me from a Birmingham number - 0121 6152941 finally spoke to me today. Very strange because when I tried to call the number, it wouldn't ring. They were really keen to talk to me because they had been calling me repeatedly although strangely each time I answered there was silence. A loose connection I expect. Anyway, we finally spoke. Very nice guy called Gavin with a Welsh accent and he told me that he was in Swansea even though his number came from Birmingham very clever of these people to be able to do that and to be in two places at the same time Swansea is a very nice place I know because I've been there and he told me that I had some PPI which needed to be reclaimed and he also told me that every loan ever made by any bank in the last 25 years had PPI embedded in it and could be reclaimed. Wow and he was from Rock Law Rock like the stone and law like the police he said and he laughed because I think that it was meant to be a joke and he was going to send me an email to get things going but he wanted some personal information first and he really tried to persuade me to give him the information even though I said that I was worried about handing personal details over the phone to someone I didn't know but he was very nice and I nearly trusted him but not quite and so he said that he couldn't help me if I wouldn't tell him my birthday and I wouldn't so he went. Rock_Law_Gavin-2.mp3 And those people at Rock Law are very busy but they still find time to be very worried about my finances because they even phoned me again Rock_law.mp3 Call number one recorded on a Samsung mobile phone using the automatic call recorder app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appstar.callrecorderpro&hl=en no processing Call number two recorded through Skype using Amolto call recorder http://amolto.com/ no processing

Information for War Pension recipients and Armed Forces Pension Scheme members living in Greece. The financial situation in Greece continues to be subject to change and is fast moving. Veterans UK is closely monitoring developments but given the recent banking restrictions being imposed by the Greek authorities, the MOD has written to all War Pension recipients and Armed Forces Pension Scheme members living in that country offering 3 options. READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-pension-payments-to-those-living-in-greece

,,my huband applied for pip in october after being made to graduate from dla higher rate mobility and no care he had his assessment at home in jan and i constantly phoned up to be told its with a manger etc so i made a complaint and lo and behold today i got a phonecall to say he had been awarded enhanced mobility and enhanced care i cried as its taken 15 years to be acknowledged that i care ft for my husband , so all i can say is keep going stay strong and believe .. the good guys nearly always win x

My car was stolen from my driveway 10 days after a judge ordered Logbook loans to return my car to me. Two men, one with an Irish accent knocked on my neighbours door and asked if the owner of the car was a black woman. That made me realise that this was not an ordinary car theft and that it was done by somebody who had had dealings with me. The car was stolen in 2011 and the police have not been able to do anything except place the car details on the missing car register. However, I came across the following on an old thread on this forum. I would be interested in finding out about the two men Laurie and Simon mentioned in the following passage. Also all attempts to track someone who seems to be their previous boss Graham Poulter have proved futile. My reasons for tracking the thieves are two fold, one because they had no right to steal it and have left me without a car. 2 Logbook loans, the old Logbook loans have registered against my property at the land registry and once I sell I will have to pay a substantial amount of money. I have been informed that even though the old Logbook Loans went into receivership that I will still have to pay the administrators the money registered against my property. "Gemini International UK Ltd acted as Specialist Recovery Agents for Logbook Loans for approximately 3 years. Initially we were brought in to trace, locate and recover vehicles which were the subject of accounts where customers had been in default for some time and that other recovery agents had failed to find. We continued working as agents on their behalf until such time as their continuing expansion raised certain issues and practices that we were not happy to be a party to and we subsequently terminated our working relationship in October 2007. As we are currently in court action against Logbook Loans we would like to keep our comments brief, but would like to clarify a few points. We would like to make it clear that any repossession undertaken by us has been carried out as agents on the instructions of, and with the full authority of Logbook Loans. In certain cases we were permitted to arrange payment plans thereby giving customers another chance to avoid repossession. If the customer failed again to make the agreed payments, overdue letters were issued but ultimately our instructions were that the vehicle be repossessed. Once at the stage of repossession the customers were given the opportunity to pay the account in full. In other cases where the customer had been in default for some time (and in some cases for several unpaid loans) and where other agents had failed to locate the vehicles because they had been hidden, we were instructed to locate and repossess immediately. Any subsequent action or sale of a vehicle has been at the request of Logbook Loans for their own reasons; on the whole vehicles repossessed were taken to auction sites. In one particular case a vehicle was sold as it was in poor condition and would not have reached a satisfactory amount at auction. In other cases it has been on the instructions of, and with the authority of, Logbook Loans for reasons known by them. We are not in the business of 'stealing cars' and any claims indicating this will be strongly refuted. Customers we have dealt with have been given every chance by us to avoid repossession taking place and we continue to hold all paperwork, notes and correspondence to support this. We have already dealt with members of the press, certain financial authorities and legal bodies in regards to certain issues concerning Logbook Loans (including issues made on this site) and are happy to continue to do so. As reference has been made to employees using first names only this is because a portion of our work has involved a criminal element and has been for our staff's own safety. As for the self-employed agent referred to (Simon) he was dismissed by our company, along with another former self - employed agent (Laurie) for theft and deception. Despite warnings that these two individuals should not be working in an industry where vunerable people are involved they continue to be able to work indirectly for Logbook Loans. We would like to add that should anyone we have dealt with in the past have any ongoing issues regarding Logbook Loans and would like any help or advice please feel free to contact us.

Shelter England Shelter Scotland The Connection at St Martin-In-The-Fields (Helping Homeless People)

*** NEWS RELEASE ** NEW RESEARCH REVEALS LACK OF AWARENESS OF SUPPORT FOR FUEL COSTS AMONGST THOSE ON LOW INCOMES A new survey commissioned by Turn2us, part of national charity Elizabeth Finn Care, has found that people on low incomes are unaware of the potential support available to help with their fuel bills. This is despite the fact that nearly two-thirds (64%) of those surveyed are uncertain if they can meet these costs this winter without experiencing financial hardship. Over a third (37%) of people living in low income households* have never checked their eligibility for welfare benefits and tax credits, and over two-fifths (45%) are currently not claiming benefits that they may be entitled to. Claiming benefits entitlements can not only boost income to help pay fuel bills but can also act as a trigger for eligibility from various fuel poverty programmes. The research also found that over two-thirds (70%) are unaware that energy suppliers have to offer cheaper ‘social tariffs’ to their most vulnerable customers and over two-fifths (43%) are not aware of the government’s Warm Front scheme which provides funding for insulation and heating improvements – despite the fact that they are on a low income and could be eligible for assistance from these schemes. Furthermore, over one in three (36%) have never or can not remember when they last checked they were on the cheapest energy tariff available to them. These results are particularly worrying in light of the findings that the costs of last winter’s fuel bills caused over two-fifths (44%) to feel stressed, nearly one in seven (14%) to suffer illness or physical pain as a result of cold conditions and over one in eight (13%) to fall behind on their bill payments. Shockingly, over half (55%) said that if they were struggling to meet their fuel costs, they would resort to switching off their heating altogether or only heating one room at a time and two-fifths (41%) would cut back on other essentials including food, yet only 6% would consider approaching a charity to see if they were eligible for a grant. The official definition of fuel poverty is where a household has to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel to maintain an adequate level of warmth. There are currently an estimated 4.75 million households in fuel poverty in the UK, around three-quarters of which are on a low income**. Turn2us is running its second annual Acting on Fuel Poverty campaign throughout the winter to highlight the support available to those struggling with their fuel costs, and has launched a dedicated campaign microsite at www.fuelpovertymap.org.uk. The microsite directs users to sources of help including the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to work out which welfare benefits and tax credits they might be entitled to, the Turn2us Grants Search database which provides access to over 3,000 charitable funds, information pages on increasing energy efficiency and energy efficiency grants, and a link to the Which? Switch energy tariff comparison tool for users to check they are on the best tariff available to them. The microsite also includes an interactive fuel poverty map for users to find out, according to the official definition, if they are in fuel poverty and compare different areas across the UK. Alison Taylor, Director of Turn2us said: “Our latest research findings show that there is a need for individuals and families to have access to clear information and independent guidance to help them find support with rising energy costs. Our fuel poverty microsite brings together a number of tools which are free to use – all in one place, which can help households identify whether they can maximise their income and reduce their energy costs ahead of the arrival of their winter bills.” Helen*** worked as a nurse for many years before she had to leave work due to ill health, and on a limited income, she found herself struggling with her household bills. Her house was damp and living in a rural village, Helen would travel to the nearest town library once a week to keep warm for a few hours. It was here that searching on the internet, she came across Turn2us. Helen identified through Turn2us that she was eligible for a charitable grant which paid for the damp in her home to be fixed and gave her some extra money to put towards her bills. Helen said: “The money I received has been a lifesaver and has had a huge impact on my quality of life. I now live in a warm home and the extra money for bills has really taken some of the pressure off.” Turn2us is working in partnership with a number of charities and organisations across the UK for the Acting on Fuel Poverty campaign, who will help to increase awareness of the help available for those in fuel poverty and how they can access it. For more information about the campaign, please visit www.fuelpovertymap.org.ukand www.turn2us.org.uk.

After 2 October, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will use its legal powers to pursue those who have failed to submit self-assessment forms and have tax payments outstanding. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19798919