Heinz apologises after ad featuring black family sparks anger online – The Guardian

Posted October 7th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, news, racism by michael

‘The US manufacturer, which recently launched an ad campaign for family-sized pasta sauces, was criticised for promoting stereotypes in a billboard advertisement spotted at Vauxhall and Manor House stations.’

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The Guardian, 6th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK Pensions Ombudsman to launch expedited decision-making for complaints – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 2nd, 2024 in complaints, news, ombudsmen, pensions, pilot schemes by tracey

‘The UK Pensions Ombudsman (PO) will soon launch an expedited determinations scheme to help speed up the resolution of complaints and allow adjudicators to focus on more complex cases.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 2nd October 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Ombudsman rejects complaint in case where complainant alleged she had lost £150k+ due to handling of planning applications – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 2nd, 2024 in complaints, enforcement, local government, news, ombudsmen, planning by tracey

‘A woman who complained to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman about a planning dispute she claims cost her £150,000 has been told the Ombudsman cannot investigate her complaint.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 30th September 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Met Police misconduct found after Black boy mistakenly searched in robbery investigation – The Independent

‘A disciplinary panel has found that actions by two Metropolitan Police officers amounted to misconduct when they stopped and restrained a 14-year-old Black boy.’

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The Independent, 28th September 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Fewer complaints about barristers’ use of social media – Legal Futures

The number of reports to the Bar Standards Board (BSB) about barristers’ use of social media has unexpectedly fallen but an increasing proportion relate to “controversial social and political issues”.

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Legal Futures, 30th September 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Dark patterns – Mills & Reeve

‘The ASA has banned Nike and Sky adverts, on the basis they use so called “dark patterns”. Dark patterns are a range of techniques which cross the line from legitimate advertising techniques to ones which unlawfully nudge consumers into making choices not in their best interests. These decisions come as the ASA joins the CMA in undertaking wider proactive investigations into online choice architecture that amount to unlawful dark patterns.’

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Mills & Reeve, 27th September 2024

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Watchdog bans Huel’s ‘misleading’ advert – second times in two months – The Independent

Posted September 27th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, food, health, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘A watchdog has banned yet another advert for food supplement firm Huel for making unsubstantiated claims about the product’s health benefits and cost relative to fruits and vegetables.’

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The Independent, 26th September 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Telecoms providers must ensure transparency following ASA ruling and Ofcom guidance – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 25th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, media, news, telecommunications by sally

‘A recent Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling and subsequent Office of Communications (Ofcom) guidance serves as a reminder to UK telecommunications providers on standards for advertising technology superiority claims and comparative advertising, an expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 24th September 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Advertising watchdog investigates RSPCA Assured adverts after complaints of ‘misleading’ claims – The Independent

Posted September 19th, 2024 in advertising, animal cruelty, animals, charities, complaints, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The advertising watchdog has launched an investigation into adverts by the RSPCA, following complaints that claims in them are misleading.’

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The Independent, 19th September 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Procedural steps not taken by employee irrelevant to constructive dismissal claim – Local Government Lawyer

‘An employee’s failure to fully complete every step of an internal grievance process will not impact their right to claim constructive dismissal, according to the recent ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) involving a local authority. Sharmin Chowdhury analyses the judgment.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th September 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Rats, mould, damp: UK’s biggest student homes provider faces legal action over poor accommodation – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2024 in complaints, health, health & safety, housing, landlord & tenant, news, rent, universities by tracey

‘A tenants’ rights group is fighting for justice for residents of university halls who claim health affected by conditions.’

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The Guardian, 7th September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Payments for Windrush victims denied compensation – BBC News

Posted September 6th, 2024 in colonies, compensation, complaints, government departments, immigration, news by sally

‘More than £400,000 has been secured for victims of the Windrush scandal wrongly denied payment through the Home Office compensation scheme.’

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BBC News, 5th September 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Homes seized from landlord after complaints ignored – BBC News

Posted August 28th, 2024 in complaints, housing, landlord & tenant, local government, news, rent, repairs by tracey

‘A private landlord who ignored tenants’ complaints has had their properties seized by a local authority.’

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BBC News, 28th August 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mother and son call for review of ‘harsh’ UK witness protection programme – The Guardian

‘A mother and son whose lives have been completely reshaped by living under witness protection have called for a wholesale review of the system, warning that instead of keeping people safe it can be “hostile” to innocents.’

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The Guardian, 27th August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Steven Bartlett nutrition adverts banned for being misleading – BBC News

Posted August 15th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, news, standards by sally

‘Adverts for nutrition products promoted by Diary of a CEO podcaster Steven Bartlett have been banned after a watchdog said they were misleading.’

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BBC News, 14th August 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ministry of Defence pays out £1.7m to bullying, harassment and discrimination claims last year – The Independent

Posted August 12th, 2024 in armed forces, bullying, compensation, complaints, harassment, news by tracey

‘The Ministry of Defence (MoD) paid out £1.7 million in bullying, harassment and discrimination claims last year, after a series of reports from female civil servants about unacceptable behaviour and cultural issues.’

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The Independent, 10th August 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Solicitors hit out at FCA over car finance mis-selling delay – Legal Futures

‘Solicitors representing clients with claims for mis-sold car finance have expressed frustration at the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) delay in completing its work on the issue.’

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Legal Futures, 1st August 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Complaints about the SRA rise by 29% – Legal Futures

‘Complaints about the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) handling of cases rose by 29% last year, with the increase in interventions part of the reason.’

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Legal Futures, 24th July 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ofcom to ban inflation-linked mid-contract price rises on phones, pay-TV and broadband – The Guardian

Posted July 19th, 2024 in complaints, consumer protection, news, ombudsmen, telecommunications by michael

‘Phone companies, broadband providers and subscription TV services will be banned from imposing inflation-linked price increases in the middle of contracts from next year, the telecoms regulator has confirmed.’

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The Guardian, 19th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Trader recommendation websites must vet firms, says watchdog – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, internet, news, trading standards, vetting by sally

‘Popular trader recommendation websites must vet the firms they advertise and tackle fake reviews under new rules designed to protect households from cowboy builders and tradespeople.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com