Trading standards institute: consumers are no longer protected – The Guardian

‘Trading standards officers have accused the government of failing to protect consumers after it emerged that the local council budget for policing rogue traders has fallen to just £1.99 a year per citizen.’

Full story

The Guardian, 7th August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

How the Iraq Inquiry failed to follow the money – OUP Blog

Posted August 8th, 2016 in corruption, inquiries, international law, Iraq, news, statistics, war, war crimes by sally

‘In 2007, I published an article that sought to show in detail how the Iraqi economy had been opened up to allow the transformation of the economy and the routine corruption that enabled a range of private profit-making companies to exploit the post-invasion economy. The article argued that the illegal war of aggression waged by a ‘coalition’ headed by George Bush and Tony Blair was tied to a series of subsequent crimes of pillage and occupation. These included the transformation of the economy and the political system that was explicitly illegal under the terms of the Geneva and Hague Convention; and the mobilisation of political and economic instruments to ‘liberate’ the oil. The recently published Chilcot Report recognizes this corruption – and indeed UK joint legal responsibility for the corruption – and yet the evidence for it has been buried. – See more at: http://blog.oup.com/2016/07/iraq-inquiry-chilcot-money/#sthash.UiY9VxUh.dpuf

Full story

OUP Blog, 31st July 2016

Source: www.blog.oup.com

What you’re reading should be no business of the police – but our freedom of expression is at risk – The Independent

‘Think carefully before you pack your holiday reading. As The Independent reported earlier this week, Faizah Shaheen was detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act last month after cabin crew on her Thomson Airways flight spotted her reading a book about Syria.’

Full story

The Independent, 7th August 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Threefold rise in number of sex offences in schools reported to police – The Guardian

‘The number of sex offences in schools reported to police has almost trebled in four years, a study has shown.’

Full story

The Guardian, 8th August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Banking watchdog to announce measures to boost competition – The Guardian

Posted August 8th, 2016 in banking, competition, consumer credit, fees, news, ombudsmen, statistics by sally

‘Overdraft fees and an easier system of moving personal and small business accounts are expected to be at the centre of measures intended to bolster competition in the banking sector.’

Full story

The Guardian, 8th August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Child abuse: One in 14 adults ‘abused as children’ in England and Wales – BBC News

Posted August 5th, 2016 in child abuse, news, sexual offences, statistics by tracey

‘One in every 14 adults in England and Wales suffered sexual abuse as a child, a survey suggests.’

Full story

BBC News, 4th August 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

London 2011 riots: Stop and search change ‘led to knife crime’ – BBC News

‘It is “highly likely” a drop in police stop and search usage has led to a rise in knife crime, a member of the panel which advised the government following the 2011 riots has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 4th August 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Modern Slavery Act 2015 review: one year on – Home Office

‘An independent review into the effectiveness of the criminal justice provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 one year after coming into effect.’

Full press release

Home Office, 31st July 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Rise in child sexual abuse cases threatens other policing, warns chair of commissioners – The Guardian

‘Police struggling to cope with a huge escalation in the number of child sexual exploitation cases fear it “may grow to threaten other aspects of effective policing”, the new chair of police commissioners has warned.’

Full story

The Guardian, 1st August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Women’s prison suicide rate soars as charity warns of ‘horrifying’ self-harm – The Independent

Posted July 29th, 2016 in news, prisons, self-harm, statistics, suicide, women by tracey

‘The number of women killing themselves in prison has “risen alarmingly”, new government figures have revealed – prompting warnings from top charity leaders over unsafe jail conditions. Statistics published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show the total number of deaths classed as “self-inflicted” rose by 28 per cent over the past 12 months compared with the previous year.’

Full story

The Independent, 28th July 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Number of people dying after coming into contact with police rises sharply to 200 – The Independent

Posted July 28th, 2016 in complaints, death in custody, mental health, news, police, reports, statistics, suicide by tracey

‘Some 200 people died during or following contact with police in the UK last year, according to new figures.
A report released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission reveals the number of deaths has risen 63 per cent in the last five years – with a spike of 37 per cent in the last year alone.’

Full story

The Independent, 26th July 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK government tests whether ‘online activity history’ can serve to verify identity – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 27th, 2016 in data protection, internet, news, parliament, privacy, statistics by sally

‘The UK government has tested whether internet users’ “online activity history”, including data from social networks, can be used to verify their identity when they use online public services.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 26th July 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Workers’ rights must not be bartered away in Brexit negotiations – The Guardian

Posted July 27th, 2016 in brexit, EC law, employment, news, referendums, statistics, trade unions by sally

‘Unions warned workers might pay the price for leaving the EU. The government must not invoke article 50 until it has negotiated a secure future for them ‘

Full story

The Guardian, 26th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Inside the UK’s biggest prison – BBC News

‘By the end of this year, HMP Oakwood in Staffordshire will be the largest prison in the UK, with more than 2,000 inmates. Run by private firm G4S, Oakwood’s reputation was dented in 2014 when a wing in the prison was taken over by inmates. Sima Kotecha has been inside.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th July 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Five things you may have missed about the Chilcot inquiry – The Guardian

‘Much of the furore surrounding the Iraq war report focused on the failings of Tony Blair. But there were other, crucial findings that shouldn’t be ignored.’

Full story

The Guardian, 26th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

High court challenge could derail Labour leadership race – The Guardian

Posted July 27th, 2016 in elections, news, parliament, political parties, statistics by sally

‘Labour could be forced to reopen its nomination process for the leadership contest if a high court judge rules on Thursday that Jeremy Corbyn must have the support of his MPs to appear on the ballot.’

Full story

The Guardian, 26th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Criminal injuries compensation – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The courts have tackled the issue of compensation for criminal injuries inflicted before birth.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 25th July 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Making lawyers publish “average” prices will energise consumers, says panel – Legal Futures

‘The Legal Services Consumer Panel said last week that it was “not blind to the challenges of increased price transparency”, but insisted that making lawyers publish “average” prices could be the catalyst for making consumers ask more questions about cost.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 25th July 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

There is widespread inequality for the LGBT community – so why isn’t the Government doing anything about it? – The Independent

‘LGBT people are at an increased risk of falling victim to hate crime, the incidences of which continue to rise. That being the case, it is wholly reasonable to question the 18 per cent cut in real terms to police budgets – safety is not at the heart of policymaking.’

Full story

The Independent, 23rd July 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Chief coroner calls for legal aid provision in state-involved inquests – The Guardian

‘Legal aid should be provided for families at inquests in which the government pays for lawyers to represent police officers or other state employees, the chief coroner has recommended.’

Full story

The Guardian, 25th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk