Ombudsman decision on overpayment – Pensions Barrister

Posted October 26th, 2023 in marriage, news, ombudsmen, pensions, teachers, widows by sally

‘In this casenote, Paul Newman KC considers the recent decision of the Deputy Pensions Ombudsman in the matter of Mrs S, whose widow’s pension in the Teacher’s Pension Scheme had terminated by reason of remarriage – unknown to the administrator.’

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Pensions Barrister, 26th October 2023

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

Pensions disputes: UK ombudsman weighs in on pension benefits calculations – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 24th, 2023 in complaints, news, ombudsmen, pensions by tracey

‘In two recent cases the UK’s Pensions Ombudsman (PO) has responded to member concerns that a provider has not calculated their pension benefits correctly.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd October 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Ombudsman gains powers to issue “wider orders” under Social Housing Regulation Act – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 17th, 2023 in complaints, housing, landlord & tenant, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The Housing Ombudsman has gained new powers under the Social Housing Regulation Act, allowing it not only to address individual complaints from a landlord, but also extend “fairness and protection” to wider residents.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th October 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

BBC and ITV among broadcasters investigated over possible competition law breaches – The Guardian

Posted October 13th, 2023 in BBC, competition, media, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘The competition watchdog has launched an investigation into a group of broadcasters, including the BBC and ITV, over their use of freelance staff and services.’

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The Guardian, 12th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Microsoft’s $69bn deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard cleared by UK – The Guardian

Posted October 13th, 2023 in competition, computer programs, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘The UK’s competition watchdog has cleared Microsoft’s $69bn (£54bn) deal to buy Activision Blizzard, the maker of games including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, in a move that paves the way for both companies to complete the transaction.’

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The Guardian, 13th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK public cloud infrastructure services market investigation opened – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 11th, 2023 in competition, computer programs, internet, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘An in-depth investigation has been opened by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to determine whether competition is working well in the UK public cloud infrastructure services market. The investigation has been spurred by a referral made by another UK regulator.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th October 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Wandsworth Prison unsafe and inhumane – watchdog report – BBC News

‘A men’s prison in south-west London has been deemed “unsafe and inhumane”, a watchdog report has warned.’

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BBC News, 11th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

No rule to stop Tory MP interviewing minister on GB News, says Ofcom boss – The Guardian

‘Ofcom’s chief executive has said there is nothing under current rules to stop GB News using the Conservative MP Lee Anderson to interview the Tory home secretary, Suella Braverman.’

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The Guardian, 28th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Watchdog updates technical guidance for schools regarding pupils with protected characteristics – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its technical guidance for schools in England and Scotland, outlining the obligations the Equality Act places upon schools regarding pupils with protected characteristics and the provision of their education.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th September 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Data breaches putting domestic abuse victims’ lives at risk, says UK watchdog – The Guardian

‘Councils, police forces and hospitals are putting women’s lives at risk by accidentally disclosing domestic abuse victims’ addresses to perpetrators, the UK’s information watchdog has said.’

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The Guardian, 27th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Met police request support from army after officers down firearms – The Guardian

‘The Metropolitan police has called on the SAS to provide counter-terrorism support after firearms officers downed their weapons in protest at the charging of their colleague with murder. Suella Braverman ordered a review of armed policing to calm a growing rebellion of about 100 officers over the charging on Wednesday of an officer for the murder of 24-year-old Chris Kaba, an unarmed man killed last September by a single shot to the head.’

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The Guardian, 24th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Local authorities and the Building Safety Regulator – Local Government Lawyer

‘Simon Lewis and Michelle Essen look at the impact of the Building Safety Act 2022 on councils.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 22nd September 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Hospital watchdog takes action against NHS trust over patient safety concerns – The Independent

Posted September 22nd, 2023 in autism, health & safety, hospitals, learning difficulties, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Hospital regulators have taken enforcement action against an NHS trust after patients were found to have ingested batteries and screws amidst a catalogue of failings. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) upheld its “inadequate” rating of Brooklands hospital in Birmingham – which specialises in care for adults with autism and learning disabilities – after an inspection in March.’

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The Independent, 22nd September 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal set to be cleared by UK regulator – The Guardian

Posted September 22nd, 2023 in competition, computer programs, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Microsoft’s $69bn (£54bn) deal to buy Activision Blizzard, the maker of games including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, looks set to be cleared after the UK competition regulator said a revised deal addresses its concerns.’

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The Guardian, 22nd September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charities can campaign on ‘issues that provoke strong emotions’ – watchdog – The Guardian

Posted September 18th, 2023 in birds, charities, Charity Commission, government departments, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘Charities should not hold back from engaging in political activity and on emotive issues on social media such as race or immigration, even where they risk triggering controversy, the voluntary sector watchdog has said.’

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The Guardian, 17th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police watchdog to investigate handling of Andrew Malkinson case – The Guardian

‘The police watchdog has announced an investigation into Greater Manchester police’s handling of Andrew Malkinson’s case. Malkinson was exonerated in July of a rape for which he wrongly spent 17 years in prison after a DNA breakthrough. The court of appeal also ruled that disclosure failures by Greater Manchester police (GMP) rendered his conviction unsafe.’

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The Guardian, 13th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Letby inquiry must also examine NHS ‘cover-up culture’, says ombudsman – The Guardian

‘The public inquiry into Lucy Letby’s crimes must be widened to examine the NHS’s “cover-up culture” over failures in patient safety, the health service ombudsman has said.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

TUC complains to UN watchdog over ‘undemocratic’ UK anti-strike law – The Guardian

‘The Trades Union Congress has lodged a complaint with the UN’s labour standards body claiming the UK government flouted the watchdog’s orders over its newly enforced “undemocratic” anti-strike law.’

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The Guardian, 10th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ofgem announces rise of storm power cut compensation cap to £2,000 – The Independent

Posted September 1st, 2023 in compensation, electricity, electricity lines, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The compensation cap for households and businesses that lose power in severe weather has increased from £700 to £2,000 after “lessons learnt” in the aftermath of Storm Arwen.’

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The Independent, 1st September 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Acupuncture and craniosacral therapy ads banned over long Covid treatment claims – The Independent

Posted August 30th, 2023 in advertising, coronavirus, medical treatment, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The Advertising Standards Authority ruled that three ads misled consumers about the therapies’ efficacy in treating long Covid.’

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The Independent, 30th August 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk