Legislation / Legal

HMT: Legislation to make permanent The Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 was passed in the House of Commons this week.  The legislation will stop creditors, including so-called ‘Vulture Funds’, from using the UK courts to extract harsh & inequitable payments from poor countries for debts that the companies may in some cases have bought for a fraction of the cost. The Act could save poor countries an estimated £145m over 6 years.
Press release ~ The Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010
 
CLG: Eric Pickles recently announced proposals to make it easier for people to fly flags of their choice without facing costly restrictions & red tape.  The moves are intended to boost England's local & national identities and strengthen community cohesion.
 
Under current planning rules, only a select few flags are allowed to be flown without express permission from town hall officials.  Getting this approval can incur fees of up to £335.  In a speech to the Flag Institute, the Communities and Local Government Secretary has announced his intention to launch a consultation to allow a wider variety of important and historic flags to be flown by people keen to celebrate their local and national heritage and culture.
Press release & links
 
HMT: The Government has introduced the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Bill, which aims to radically change the relationship between consumers and insurance providers.  The Bill will give certainty to consumers & insurers by shifting the emphasis away from a consumer’s duty to disclose all necessary information, to a requirement for insurers to ask particular questions and obtain specific information about their customers, before they issue an insurance policy.
Press release & links ~ Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Bill
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story