Royal Mail referred to Ofcom over late letter deliveries
‘Royal Mail is falling down on its letter delivery obligations, a group of MPs has said.’
BBC News, 17th March 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: ombudsmen
Ombudsman issues special report on Catalyst Housing over ‘repeated failures’ indicative of wider service failure – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Housing Ombudsman has called for significant improvements at Catalyst Housing ahead of its merger with another major social landlord, Peabody, following an investigation that found it “routinely failed to recognise formal complaints” and that aspects of its service were “arbitrary, disjointed and concerning”.’
Local Government Lawyer, 13th March 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Council told to pay nearly £10k after woman forced to live in unsuitable accommodation for three years – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found that Croydon Council placed a woman fleeing domestic violence in “unsuitable accommodation” for three years, as well as finding poor complaint handling.’
Local Government Lawyer, 13th March 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
IOPC investigating response of West Midland police in death of Priory patient – The Guardian
‘The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the response of West Midlands police into the death of a 23-year-old man who ran away from a mental health hospital and was killed by a train.’
The Guardian, 13th March 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Birmingham City Council told to change handling of care complaints – BBC News
‘A council wrongly handled complaints by families over respite care for children with disabilities, an ombudsman found.’
BBC News, 2nd March 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Universities rebuked over academic misconduct cases in England and Wales – The Guardian
‘Universities have been reprimanded over unfair treatment of students accused of academic misconduct in a report by the higher education ombudsman for England and Wales.’
The Guardian, 27th February 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Major social landlord to pay more than £2k after disabled resident left without use of toilet – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Housing Ombudsman has found severe maladministration at major social landlord Clarion after repeated drain blockages left a disabled resident unable to use a functioning toilet in their new build home.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st February 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Nicola Bulley: Ofcom ‘extremely concerned’ by family media complaints – BBC News
‘Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has said it was “extremely concerned” to hear complaints made about ITV and Sky News by the family of Nicola Bulley. Ofcom said it had written to both “to ask them to explain their actions”.’
BBC News, 21st February 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Ombudsman makes severe maladministration finding against council after family left “with unsafe and rotting windows” – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Housing Ombudsman has found severe maladministration for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s continued repairs failings over 18 months, which left a family in “unsafe conditions”.’
Local Government Lawyer, 16th February 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
ASA rulings show that gambling brands can still utilise sports personalities – OUT-LAW.com
‘The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has determined that two gambling adverts featuring a pair of former England international footballers were not likely to appeal to under-18s.’
OUT-LAW.com, 14th February 2023
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
Harold Shipman ad trivialised murders, says advertising watchdog – BBC News
‘A life insurance advert featuring serial killer Harold Shipman “trivialised” his murders and was distressing to victims’ families, the advertising watchdog said.’
BBC News, 15th February 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Mobile and broadband prices: UK watchdog reviews inflation-busting rises – The Guardian
‘The UK telecoms regulator has launched an investigation into the industry-wide practice of hitting broadband and mobile customers with inflation-busting price rises of up to 17% and could bring in tougher protections against hefty mid-contract increases.’
The Guardian, 9th February 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Ombudsman sees “significant increase” in heating and hot water cases – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Housing Ombudsman has revealed that it has seen a 60% increase in complaints on heating and hot water, with 1,600 received in 2021/22 and 1,491 received already in 2022/23.’
Local Government Lawyer, 7th February 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Hundreds of UK officers should never have been appointed, says police watchdog – The Guardian
‘Officers with prior convictions and close links with criminals are among hundreds who have joined the police in the last three years who should not have been allowed in, according to the head of the police watchdog.’
The Guardian, 5th February 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Energy suppliers to be investigated over Britons forced on to prepayment meters – The Guardian
‘Energy companies are to be investigated by the regulator Ofgem after the number of households struggling with their bills being forced on to prepayment meters has increased sharply. Ofgem could consider taking legal action if it determines that the rise in the number of homes being forced on to prepayment meters is proven to show companies are not taking proper due care of vulnerable households.’
The Guardian, 23rd January 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Council to pay compensation to family after ‘unprofessional’ conduct by care provider – Local Government Lawyer
‘A Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report has revealed that a care provider commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council failed to alert a late woman’s family of her deteriorating health and did not contact medical help.’
Local Government Lawyer, 10th January 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
ASA ruling against Ladbrokes highlights social media risks for gambling brands’ ad campaigns – OUT-LAW.com
‘The UK Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) recent ruling against gambling brand Ladbrokes and its operator LC International Ltd over a marketing tweet signals the regulator’s stringent approach in enforcing its new guidance to protect under 18s in the UK from gambling adverts.’
OUT-LAW.com, 6th January 2023
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
Cambridgeshire County Council to pay compensation over ‘unprofessional’ carer – BBC News
‘Cambridgeshire County Council is to compensate the family of a woman whose carer “wailed” on the floor after she was told of her client’s death.’
BBC News, 9th January 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Ombudsman’s decisions and housing conditions claims – Nearly Legal
‘Plunkett v Clarion HA. County Court at Central London. Ms Plunkett was an assured tenant of Clarion, on the Eastfields Estate. She began a claim for disrepair and unfitness for human habitation while in temporary accommodation in a hotel. The defects complained of were primarily leaks to the interior of the flat and outside the front door causing interior damp, significant mould growth, leaks from above, non-functioning ventilation to kitchen and bathroom, and infestation of mice, for periods of two to four years. The existing issues and unfitness for human habitation were confirmed in an independent expert report. Clarion had refused to agree a single joint expert.’
Nearly Legal, 13th December 2022
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Ex-leader of London borough fails in High Court challenge over naming in Ombudsman report – Local Government Lawyer
‘A former leader of the London Borough of Haringey has lost a judicial review challenge over a decision by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to name him in a report.’
Local Government Lawyer, 12th December 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
