CPAG Fact sheet on how to apply the legal tests for Reg 29 & 35 in an ESA appeal http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/making-exception Appeals and reconsiderations Disability Rights UK Factsheet F36 http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/appeals-and-reconsiderations HM Courts & Tribunals Service Guides to Appealing a DWP decision. Form SSCS1A - How to appeal against a decision made by the Department for Work and Pensions. http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/sscs1a-eng.pdf Form SSCS1 - Notice of appeal against a decision of the Department for Work and Pensions. http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/sscs1-eng.pdf

Hi folks, Is anyone familiar with JCP's so-called 'two tick' [1] system? I'm trying to help someone I know find work who is (a) disabled and (b) not in 'the system' at JCP. More specifically, I'm trying to find out if (Universal Jobmatch, Directgov Jobsearch) actually employs the use of the two ticks i.e., is visibly made clear on online vacancy listings, or whether this information is only available to advisers accessing vacancies from within JCP. From a cursory perusal of about 50 or so vacancies on Directgov Jobsearch, I'm either having bad luck finding a two-tick job ad it's just not there to find. Any help with this would be much appreciated! [1] https://www.gov.uk/looking-for-work-if-disabled/looking-for-a-job

Hello. I purchased a scenic for £2195 from what appeared to be a good local used car dealer 8 days ago. 2 days ago a service light came on so I got it booked into my usual garage to be given the once over. I have since found out that the fuel pump is worn and that this has meant metal has contaminated the entire fuel system and will cost the best part of £1400 to fix properly. I have a warranty but it states that none of these components are covered. I am wondering where I stand as to getting my money back. I would rather not have them repair it. So far all we have done is inform the garage of the fault and they have told us to bring it down, which we plan to first thing tomorrow. Thanks for any advice

Hi all, We are in quite a sticky situation that I hope someone here can advise on. We moved into an old house 12 months ago that has a fully electric heating and immersion hot water system. The hot water cylinder is a very old copper tank that is about 4feet tall. It has very little/thin original insulation. In October last year we complained to the letting agency that the water was taking 3 hours to heat and wasn't staying hot. She advised us that the insulation was not the landlords responsibility and that we would have to install our own insulation jacket. I challenged that opinion and they sent someone around to fit a jacket themselves. Early this year the duel immersion failed and the longer element that heats the full tank wasn't working, so that we only get hot water from the top half of the tank. To cut a long story short, the letting agent has sent 3 separate electricians from the same firm out to check it over and all three electricians have said the tank is long passed its sell by date and that it really needs to be replaced for a more modern tank. I have had a response from the letting agent today to say the electricians are not qualified to make that assessment and that their plumber has already offered costs to the landlord who has confirmed they will not replace the tank as it is not 'essential'. We are a family of 2 adults and 4 children and live in Scotland. So it seems we are being told to 'like it or lump it'.... Does anyone know how we stand regarding the hot water system? Is the landlord within their rights to say that heating the top 12 inches of the tank is acceptable? We are really sick about this....

Hello CAG, As with millions of others, I have a ppi claim now with the FOS. The company concerned (MBNA) was supposed to send the business file across within a month of my paperwork being logged but of course hasn't - and I'm being quoted 12 to 18 months before my file is even looked at. No chasing will be done by the FOS till my file is picked uip by one of their staff (I'm in the queue but have no idea of where I am) and there is apparently no penalty for MBNA ignoring the deadline. This isn't the fault of the FOS who've recruited thousands of extra people to deal with this and are recruiting still more - but it's obvious that there's no incentive to sort this quickly while banks pay 8% on settled claims and lend out at 25%, as others have pointed out. So what I wondered was - is anyone starting/running a campaign to get this looked at in a different way, eg banks have to show why they shouldn't pay out within a fixed shorter time? Thanks for any thoughts/feedback.

I have recently changed my mobile contract to a different supplier and got a new number. I notified Halifax of my new mobile number through the internet banking service. I got no acknowledgement of the change by post to my registered address or to my registered e-mail address. All they sent was a text to my new mobile number to inform me to ring a number if I had not changed my mobile number. After about 4 days then it hit me if someone had hacked my account with Halifax and changed my mobile number I would not have known as they only notified the new number of the change. What would happen if someone hacked my account and changed my address e-mail address and mobile number would they inform me through any of my real contact details or would the first I know be an empty account. You can bet if someone had then asked for a replacement card and pin it would be my fault not Halifax. When I rang Halifax they say this is their procedure that they only contact the new number to check. I think I may well be moving my accounts from Halifax or are they all the same. dpick

I was under the impression that we had a referendum which rejected the Alternative Voting system? Why was it used to elect the police commissioners or have I missed something? The good thing is that Prescott never got elected as a police commissioner, but IMHO the AV system is not very democratic. What is your take on this?

Read more : http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/doctor-shocked-benefits-system-004300362.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19534488