Watchdogs to inspect controversial barracks housing asylum seekers after health fears – The Independent

‘The UK’s prison and immigration watchdogs are to carry out an investigation of two controversial military barracks that are housing asylum seekers, amid mounting concern about conditions on the sites.’

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The Independent, 11th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Anthony Grainger family to continue legal fight over fatal shooting by police – The Guardian

‘The family of an unarmed man who was fatally shot by police have vowed to continue their fight for answers after the official watchdog dropped its investigation into the operation.’

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The Guardian, 4th February 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Influencers told not to use ‘misleading’ beauty filters – BBC News

‘Filters should not be applied to social media adverts if they exaggerate the effect of the product, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled.’

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BBC News, 3rd February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK opens formal investigation of Facebook’s Giphy takeover – The Independent

Posted January 29th, 2021 in artistic works, competition, internet, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘The U.K. s competition watchdog launched a formal investigation on Thursday into Facebook s purchase of Giphy over concerns it will stifle competition for animated images.’

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The Independent, 28th January 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Terrorism watchdog to open inquiry into radicalisation in prison – The Guardian

Posted January 25th, 2021 in inquiries, Islam, Ministry of Justice, news, ombudsmen, prison officers, prisons, terrorism by tracey

‘An inquiry into the way prisons deal with convicted terrorists is being launched by the independent terror watchdog amid concerns of growing radicalisation behind bars.’

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The Guardian, 24th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New watchdog will be able to ban dangerous materials used at Grenfell Tower – The Guardian

‘Companies that make dangerous building materials such as those used at Grenfell Tower could be prosecuted and their products banned by a new watchdog announced by the government.’

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The Guardian, 19th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Firms accused of putting workers’ lives at risk by bending lockdown trading rules – The Guardian

Posted January 18th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, enforcement, health & safety, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘Irresponsible firms are exploiting looser lockdown regulations to bring thousands of non-essential workers into sometimes busy workplaces, with little chance of enforcement action by the nation’s safety watchdog.’

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The Guardian, 16th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Families of citizens dying after contact with police still await justice – The Guardian

‘Relatives of people who have died after contact with the police have told of their distrust in and dissatisfaction with the ability of the complaints system to help deliver justice.’

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The Guardian, 18th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bedford hospital: ‘Risk of baby abduction’ at ‘inadequate’ maternity unit – BBC News

Posted January 15th, 2021 in birth, children, families, hospitals, kidnapping, news, ombudsmen, whistleblowers by tracey

‘Maternity services at a hospital have been downgraded to “inadequate” after inspectors found a “potential risk for baby abduction”. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected Bedford Hospital’s maternity services in November following “14 whistle-blower inquiries”.’

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BBC News, 15 January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ofcom investigating row over Emily Maitlis’ Newsnight monologue about Dominic Cummings – The Independent

‘The UK’s broadcasting watchdog is investigating the row over BBC host Emily Maitlis’ monologue about Dominic Cummings’ infamous trip to Barnard Castle.’

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The Independent, 15th December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Vulnerable teen given tent to live in, watchdog report finds – BBC News

Posted December 10th, 2020 in care orders, children, fostering, news, ombudsmen, reports by tracey

‘A teenager given a tent to live in, and a child denied the chance to say “goodbye” to his dying mother feature in a report revealing heart-breaking decisions about children in care.’

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BBC News, 10th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ombudsman criticises council after cancellation of transport sees teenager with autism miss start of term – Local Government Lawyer

‘A council has agreed to pay more than £2,400 in compensation after an investigation from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman into the termination of a child’s transport to school.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 4th December 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Covid spending: Watchdog finds MPs’ contacts were given priority – BBC News

‘Companies recommended by MPs, peers and ministers’ offices were given priority as the government raced to obtain Personal Protective Equipment, the National Audit Office found.’

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BBC News, 18th November 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sheffield City Council failed boy with special educational needs – BBC News

‘A council has been told to pay a boy with special educational needs £20,000 because it failed to provide a suitable alternative education for him.’

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BBC News, 5th November 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

TikTok star Emily Canham falls foul of UK ads watchdog – BBC News

Posted November 4th, 2020 in advertising, internet, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘A social media influencer has become the first person to be reprimanded by the UK’s advertising watchdog over a TikTok post.’

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BBC News, 4th November 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Campaigners hail dramatic government climbdown in battle to protect post-Brexit food standards – The Independent

Posted November 2nd, 2020 in agriculture, bills, brexit, food, food hygiene, news, ombudsmen, standards by tracey

‘A dramatic government climbdown will protect post-Brexit food quality, delighted campaigners say – after fears that chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef would be allowed in. In another U-turn, Liz Truss has bowed to pressure to give teeth to a new watchdog to prevent trade deals, particularly with the US, watering down food and animal welfare standards.’

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The Independent, 1st November 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK mobile phone firms to be banned from selling locked handsets – The Guardian

Posted October 28th, 2020 in consumer protection, news, ombudsmen, sale of goods, telecommunications by sally

‘Mobile phone companies are to be banned from selling devices that are locked into specific networks to make it easier for customers to switch providers.’

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The Guardian, 27th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Windrush man wrongly classified as illegal immigrant left destitute for a year – The Guardian

‘An electrician who was wrongly classified as being an illegal immigrant, despite living in London for more than 45 years, was destitute as he waited a year for the Windrush taskforce to decide on his application to stay in the UK, the parliamentary ombudsman has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 25th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Damning CQC report calls for improved community-based capacity, pooled budgets and new national specialist commissioner of complex care – Local Government Lawyer

‘A Care Quality Commission review has found “undignified and inhumane” care in some hospital settings providing complex care for autistic people, and people with a learning disability and/or mental health condition.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th October 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

CQC report: Care of people with learning disabilities ‘inhumane’ – BBC News

‘Too many hospitals for people with learning disabilities or autism are providing poor care which is, at times, undignified and inhumane, the care regulator for England has said.’

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BBC News, 23rd October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk