Legislation / Legal

OFT: The OFT has imposed requirements on Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, American Express Services Europe Limited, HFC Bank Limited (part of the HSBC Group) and Welcome Financial Services Limited (part of Cattles plc) to address concerns about the way some consumer debts are enforced.
Press release ~ Requirements for: Alliance and Leicester Personal Finance ~ American Express Services Europe ~ HFC Bank ~ Welcome Financial Services
 
Newswire – TUC: Ministers must act to close a legal loophole which allows shipping companies to discriminate against overseas workers employed on UK ships by paying them as little as £2 an hour, maritime unions the RMT and Nautilus International and the TUC said last week.
 
The unions are concerned that an exemption under what was then the Race Relations Act (and which has now been replaced by the Equality Act 2010) fails to protect foreign seafarers from discrimination, despite EU law which prevents unfavourable treatment on the grounds of nationality. Not only does this legal loophole allow UK shipping employers to pay poverty wages to overseas seafarers, it also makes it harder for UK workers to find jobs on British vessels.
Press release ~ A joint statement from the RMT, Nautilus and the TUC on discrimination against seafarers ~ www.tuc.org.uk
 
IfG: The government has been defeated in the House of Lords on an amendment that will restrict the powers of Ministers to make changes to 'quangos' set up under a judicial arrangement. The government also agreed to give consideration to a sunset clause for the Public Bodies Bill after 5 years.
Press release (includes related links)
 
WAG: A Draft Assembly Measure to make changes to support the more effective delivery of affordable housing in Wales has been laid. The Housing Measure will enable Local Authorities to apply to the Welsh Ministers for approval to suspend the ‘Right to Buy’ in areas of housing pressure in order to allow the stock of affordable housing to be increased by other means.
Press release ~ WAG: Housing
 
ScotGovNew rules for selling cigarettes mean retailers risk committing an offence unless they verify, using an approved proof of age method, that someone is not underage. Acceptable proof of age will be a driving licence, passport or a national Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card, such as the YoungScotPASS card.

Young Scot yesterday have unveiled their PASS awareness pack to help retailers & service providers abide by the new law and identify authentic proof of age documentation. The rules, which come into force on 1 April 2011, are part of a wider revamp of tobacco sales law.  The move also introduces a requirement for tobacco retailers to register to sell tobacco, as well as new offences of proxy purchase & underage purchase.
Press release ~ Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 ~ Young Scot: PASS awareness pack ~ Young Scot National Entitlement Card ~  Consultation report on tobacco draft regulations
 
OFT: The OFT has launched a review of competition regulation for the sale of Domestic Electrical goods and sought views on a possible market study into warranties & repairs in the sector. It plans to focus its work on 'white' goods (ex. washing m/cs fridges) and 'brown' goods (ex. TVs), but not 'grey' goods (ex.computers).
 
At the same time the OFT is seeking comments on competition in the 'aftermarkets' for Domestic Electrical Goods which include extended warranties and out of warranty servicing & repairs.  This follows claims that independent repairers have problems getting access to the technical information and original spare parts they need to compete.
Press release ~ Domestic Electrical Goods market review page ~ Electrical goods warranties more competitive, but rules not fully obeyed
 
ScotGov: Scotland's most vulnerable children are to benefit from improved support after MSPs backed the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Bill, which will secure better outcomes for children & young people by improving their rights.  One of the key changes will be the creation of a new national body, Children's Hearings Scotland, whose National Convener will be responsible for setting standards, monitoring their implementation and for the recruitment, support & training of Scotland's 2,500 local panel members.
Press release ~ Engage for Education ~ Children's Hearings (Scotland) Bill
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