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Guidance Notes and Best Practice Guides
MoJ: Businesses that mislead the public by claiming they can arrange for unpaid loans, credit card debts or other consumer debts to be written off have been told to ‘stop or face action’, as new guidance is issued by the Ministry of Justice. The guidance highlights misleading statements in adverts making dubious claims or leaving out important information which might breach consumer protection regulations.
Businesses making these statements could face enforcement action by the Ministry of Justice which might ultimately result in authorisations being removed. Consumers can check whether a business holds an appropriate consumer credit licence by searching the OFT's online consumer credit register.
Press release ~ Marketing and Advertising Claims Management Services Guidance Note ~ Marketing and Advertising Claims Management Services: Unenforceable Credit Agreements ~ Covering Letter ~ MoJ – Claims Management Regulation ~ Consumer Credit counselling Services ~ BERR - Consumer Credit Act 2006 ~ Advice Now ~ OFT's online consumer credit register ~ Marketing Checklist
DIUS: Further Education colleges are at the heart of communities and have a key role to play in isolating & challenging the minority who promote violent extremism, Skills Secretary John Denham claimed as he launched new guidance for FE colleges (for consultation – closes 6 May 2008) to help them promote mutual respect & understanding and encourage debate around the social challenges posed by the threat of extremism.
The 'Learning together to be safe' toolkit contains advice on how colleges can embody the values of openness, free debate & tolerance, and promote them through the way they operate - vital since a large number of young people from a diverse range of backgrounds pass through further education. The FE guidance comes after similar guidance for universities and the HE sector was launched in January 2008.
Press release ~ Association of Colleges (AoC) ~ The Role of Further Education Providers in Promoting Community Cohesion, Fostering Shared Values and Preventing Violent Extremism ~
Defra: Lord Philip Hunt, the Minister for Sustainable Development, has announced a steering group to update Defra's 'Green Claims' Code, which was devised to assist businesses to advertise their green products and services with confidence and help protect consumers from bogus or inaccurate claims.
The code was last updated in 2003 but due to the massive growth in the market for 'green' products, the code now needs revising to support businesses and ensure the broad range of environmental claims they make are accurate, truthful and relevant. The updated version will address gaps in the current guidance to keep pace with the vast range of claims made about products and services. Further announcements about the code's developments can be expected in the Autumn of 2009.
Press release ~ Defra Green claims code ~ Sustainable Development commission ~ Go Green in a Fortnight! ~ Pocket Green Guide for Wales (5.6Mb) ~ Green Guide online
Defra: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued revised guidance to all local authorities on managing air quality. The practice guidance includes information on:
* principles for the assessment of local measures to improve air quality
* low emission zones (including examples of where these have been successfully introduced)
* measures to encourage the uptake of low emission vehicles (a measure in the UK Air Quality Strategy 2007)
* measures to encourage the uptake of retro fitted abatement equipment to vehicles
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are preparing their own policy and practice guidance for their local authorities.
Press release ~ Guidance documents
Press release ~ Guidance documents
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