Consultations
DfT: New proposals to improve access to taxis for disabled people have been launched by Transport Minister Paul Clark. The consultation (closes on 24 April 2009) asks for feedback on improvements that could be made to the design of vehicles and how taxi companies can offer a better service to people with mobility issues.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act it is already unlawful for taxi drivers to discriminate against disabled people and they have a responsibility to provide a full service to all passengers. However, this is currently difficult to enforce by law and there is no universal standard for what constitutes an accessible taxi.
Press release ~ Consultation on improving access to taxis ~ Directgov - Disability Discrimination Act (part 3) ~ RADAR the disability network
STFC: On the 14 July 2008 the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) announced a £397m investment portfolio in new scientific infrastructure. This announcement included the earmarking of £24m for a new Imaging Solutions Centre to be built at the Rutherford Appleton laboratory, on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
As part of the process of planning for the new Imaging Solutions Centre (ISC), the STFC now invites researchers in UK universities and industry to comment on the composition of this new Centre.
OFT: The OFT is appealing for complaints from timeshare owners who have received unsolicited approaches by scammers claiming to be resale agents and promising a 'guaranteed buyer' and a high price for their unwanted timeshare.
Any consumers with a complaint about timeshare resale scammers or bogus holiday club operators should write to the OFT at: ScamBusters, Bogus Holiday Club Project, OFT, Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8JX. They will acknowledge all receipts and will contact consumers again should they require further details.
Genuine avenues for timeshare resale do exist but the OFT advises owners to always take advice first, do some research on the company making the offer and to check out the truthfulness of any promises made before making a decision.
HM Treasury: The Government has launched a consultation document on strengthening protection for vulnerable homeowners. The Government is proposing that companies offering sale & rent back agreements, which may target homeowners facing repossession, should be brought within the scope of Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulation.
The consultation sets out the details of the proposed legislation and will close on 1 May 2009. The FSA has published a separate consultation alongside on the detail of its proposed new regime.
Press release ~ Regulating the sale and rent back market: a consultationRegulating sale and rent back: an interim regime ~ OFT report on the sale and rent back market study ~ Government response to the OFT market study ~ OFT announcement on proposed action ~ FSA consultation on the details of an interim regulatory regime for the sale and rent back market
