Simon Collyer
Plymouth Couple Live on £4 a Day Universal Credit at Christmas
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.
If you already get benefits
Universal Credit will replace the following benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
If you currently receive any of these benefits, you cannot claim Universal Credit at the same time.
Universal Credit is being introduced in stages across the UK.
ABC Comment, have your say below:
ABC Comment.Please watch the video below to see how UC is working out in practise:
US Government Workers Continue Without Pay
Eight hundred thousand government workers’ lives have been thrown into disarray by the shutdown, with 380,000 workers on furlough and 420,000 who have worked without pay since December 22.
The American Federation of Government Employees, or AFGE, says it is illegal for federal workers to work without pay.
A US term: a furlough is the temporary laying-off of employees, usually because there is insufficient work to occupy them.
President Trump wants 5 billion from the public to build his border wall that he said the Mexicans would pay for as an election promise.
ABC Comment, have your say below:
Colchester Gazette Features the ABC on New Years Day
Our special thanks go to the Colchester Gazette & Standard that featured the ABC on New Years Day.
Our special thanks in particular go to reporter, Vicky Gale.
http://www.twitter.com/@Vicky_Gazette">@Vicky_Gazette
Image: Reporter Vicky Gale.
Our article is here: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17328977.grant-shines-a-light-on-creative-careers-service/
ABC comment: have your say below:
Happy New Year To Everyone
Happy New Year Everyone. Let’s make a wish - the end of Universal Credit and the end of this government and the end of their callous, cruel and sadistic campaigns towards the unemployed and the disabled. The end of ESA and PIP's medical testing and the hours spent filling out forms, attending tribunals and wrestling the authority's just to get enough to live on and to survive.
Let us stop the government and DWP from killing more of our citizens and bring an end to needless austerity and the extra cost burden thrown on the taxpayers by these useless interventions.
More people in work in the USA has meant that one in six Americans are on food stamps. It is no different here. Work is no longer a way out of poverty, for some, it is a way into it.
Things can only get better and so they must.
Have a Happy New Year and our Best Wishes go out to ALL those in these difficult times.
ABC Team.
Important Information on Employment And Support Allowance Payments
A technical issue in the benefits computer system means some Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) customers will receive weekly payments instead of their normal fortnightly payments.
This affects customers due a fortnightly payment on 8, 9, 10 and 11 January.
As an example, claimants expecting a fortnightly payment on Thursday 10 January will receive half of their payment on Thursday 3 January and the other half on Thursday 10 January.
No one will miss out on a payment and customers do not need to take any further action. However, customers should take account of this split in payments while planning their financial needs and budget accordingly.
Normal fortnightly payments will resume on 21 January.
The Department for Communities apologises for any inconvenience caused.
ABC Comment, have your say below:
Brit Who Worked His Whole Life Denied Universal Credit ‘Because He Lived Abroad’
According to the Metro newspaper, a man who has worked his whole life a claims he was denied Universal Credit because he wasn’t a UK citizen – after he spent two years living in Spain. Former train manager Matthew Stockall, 38, returned from Benidorm to the UK last month after the breakdown of his relationship but struggled to find work.
He was later shocked to receive a rejection letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) which stated he hadn’t been living in the UK for long enough to claim – despite having been born and bred in Manchester.
Mathew had paid tax and NI for twenty years. The Habitual Residence test is carried out to make sure that, if you're planning to claim these benefits, you've a legal right to be in the UK (the right to reside) and you're intending to settle here for the time being (habitual residence).
Once you show that you have the right to reside, you must then show that you are habitually resident in the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Ireland (the 'Common Travel Area').
The habitual residence part of the test applies to British citizens returning to the UK after time spent living or working abroad, as well as to EEA nationals coming to the UK.
The rejection meant Matthew, who worked as a bar rep during his time in Spain, was forced to sofa surf and rely on friends and relatives for food and basic living essentials, living off just £20 a week. After contacting his local MP and reapplying for Universal Credit Matthew, who is still looking for work, was accepted to receive the benefit after a total delay of five weeks.
UK citizens living abroad may face this test on their return. Anyone going abroad for a period to work needs to be aware of this test.
ABC Comment, have your say below:
The ABC Complains About the Universal Credit Website
Simon Collyer, ABC founder is busy doing battle with the DWP.
The Universal Credit (UC) online account in the Payments section has this statement:
YOUR PAYMENT IS BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE TOLD US AND COVERS THE PERIOD BETWEEN......
This is NOT true. Universal Credit is based on information given by the employer to HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs) and that information is given to the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions).
The DWP are making the Claimant responsible for information that they have no access to, and no responsibility for, and whose accuracy is the responsibility of the employer, HMRC, and the DWP, NOT [we argue] the Claimant.
It is difficult to see how the Claimant can be responsible for the accuracy of payment information when they cannot have access to the HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) system? This is the system employers use to report payroll information.
The ABC reports that the Irish Claimant Commitment is much fairer and has an equal section on what the claimant can expect from the government.
ABC Note: Unfair Contracts in law: Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (UCTA) A statute which imposes limits on the extent to which liability for breach of contract, negligence or other breaches of duty can be avoided by means of contractual provisions such as exclusion clauses. It is unfair in our view if claimants are forced to sign a contract or aggrement to assume responsibility for something they have NO control over. We are not lawyers and this is not a legal opinion. However this is hardly fair, one must agree...
ABC Comment: Have your say below:
Trains Fares Minister Simon Burns MP Racks Up £80,000 in Car Trips
The Guardian have pointed out that Simon Burns, the minister responsible for rail, had been travelling to and from work from Chelmsford in a government car at a cost of £400 a day.
Burns claimed this was because he was not allowed to read sensitive papers on the train, but his claim was immediately contradicted by the Cabinet Office, although it was conceded that reading Red box matters in such an environment was not advisable.The cost to the taxpayer was estimated to be £80,000 per annum.
Image: Simon Burms MP
ABC Comment: Sir Simon Hugh McGuigan Burns is a British politician, who served as Member of Parliament for Chelmsford since being elected at the 1987 general election until 2017 general election.
ABC Comment, have your say below:
House of Lords Sold 369 Bottles Of Own-Label Champagne This Year
Figures revealed under Freedom of Information show that bars and restaurants in the House of Lords sold 369 bottles of own-label champagne in 2017/18, with the luxury alcohol selling for £43 a bottle.
The House of Lords also sold 292 bottles of prosecco and 25 bottles of rose champagne.
All while one in 200 people in the UK are homeless.
ABC Comment, have your say below:
'Let Them Eat Cakes' - DWP Secretary Amber Rudd Spotted Having Tea in Posh Restaurant Wolseley
While benefit claimants visit Foodbanks over Christmas....
Image: The Rt Hon Amber Rudd, DWP minister.
DWP minister Amber Rudd and was spotted having tea with actress Keeley Hawes, having tea together at The Wolseley.
Tea is £29.75 per person at the Woolsey, far beyond the 'budget' reach of those on Universal Credit.
Hawes who started out as a model and has appeared in several pop videos appeared in many TV and big screen productions, stated that she is bisexual in 2002.
Image: Actress Keeley Hawes
Image: The Wolseley in Mayfair.
The Wolseley is a café-restaurant in the grand European tradition on London's famous Piccadilly. With a spectacular Listed interior, the restaurant buzzes from early till late, seven days a week.
As well as eclectic lunch and dinner menus encompassing European classics, the restaurant serves breakfast, morning coffee, afternoon tea and an all-day menu.
Image: The Wolseley - anyone for tea!
In 1921 the English architect, William Curtis Green, was commissioned by Wolseley Motors Limited to design a prestigious car showroom at the site of 160 Piccadilly. The car company went bust.The building then became a branch of Barclays Bank. It was in July 2003 that restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King came to acquire the building.
Image: Marie Antoinette was the last Queen of France had a reputation for high living. Marie Antoinette was guillotined at 12:15 p.m. on 16 October 1793. The phrase "Let them eat cake" is often attributed to Marie Antoinette, but there is no evidence that she ever uttered it, and it is now generally regarded as a journalistic cliché
ABC Comment, have your say below:
Executives
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Simon Collyer
Position: Founder & Director
Simon Collyer hails from Brightlingsea in Essex, a small town on the coast between Colchester & Clacton. Simon worked very successfully in the leisure marine industry in the UK and in Australia. Later in London Simon worked in the web development and publishing fields, founding a below-the-line sales promotion agency in the early nineties and then later a software company Red Banner in South Africa (2002-06). Here in South Africa, Simon became interested in the Third Sector and starting his own organisation.
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Christopher Johnson
Position: Bookkeeping and Administration
Chris lived in Oxford for twenty years, having been educated at Magdalen College School. Chris sought a career with British Rail and spent twenty years in railway retail management ending with Virgin Trains at Euston Station. Christopher retrained in bookkeeping and accounts in 2000 and now works for Chelmsford Community Transport.
A strong, enthusiastic team player with a meticulous eye for detail, Christopher brings a range of skills to the ABC.
Team
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Frances Rimmer
Position: Researcher
When not charming snakes Frances is a Modern History student at the University of Essex, focusing specifically on social history. The lives and experiences of the ordinary person rather than on politics or the military. Outside of her studies, Frances enjoys film and writing. As a keen roller skater who plays roller derby with the Kent Roller Girls, Frances secret wish would be to become a skating instructor and open her own rink, as she has always wanted to help people in some way, and feels it would be great to do so while also sharing her passion with like-minded people.
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Stuart Meyers
Position: Researcher
Stuart Meyer, is a final year American Studies student at the University of Essex. Stuart focussed his academic life on global justice and the rights of migrants. Additionally Stuart has a passion for writing, both creatively and with the aim of providing accessible information to those who need it most Stuart has made a great contribution to our library of Advice Guides demonstrating his versatility by writing intelligently on a wide range of topics.
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Louis Jones
Position: Film Maker
Louis is a 19 year old TV and film student studying at Colchester Institute. Along with hand-picked fellow students, Louis made the ‘Membership’ video that can be seen on the ABC website. Louis volunteers at, Hospital Radio Colchester, as a football commentator. A true fan of the ‘Great Game’ Louis insights have been sought after on occasions by key local media, the Colchester Daily Gazette & even BBC Essex.
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Marcus Pierpont
Position: Film Director
Talented student film maker, Marcus Pierpoint, directed the ABC 'Membership' film which can be seen on the organizations website. Marcus has recently graduated from a BTEC course, studying Creative Media Production at Colchester Institute and he claims a true passion for films and filmmaking. Marcus also enjoys radio work and volunteers at the local hospital radio station, producing and presenting his own show. Marcus is enrolled at the University of Greenwich, and dreams of a career in the media industry.
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Shane Mitchell
Position: Film Maker
Shane Mitchell, is another Colchester Institute Film and TV student that aspirers to be a Director of Photography in the future. Shane was the camera operator for the ABC Membership video, fun to make says Shane but it is also work he is very proud of. Shane loves all things ‘film’ and he makes videos even in his spare time.
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Joe Corlett
Position: Film Director
Ex-student script writer/director, Joe Corlett, directed the ABC's corporate video (About Us) which is now viewable on the main website. Joe graduated from the Colchester Institute with a BTEC diploma in the field of media. Joe is passionate towards film making and hopes to continue making more that are constructed form his own material. On the side he's loves being out jogging in all terrains and when not out side he's writing scripts for future projects. Joe is now out in the world ready to start his life goal of working in the Media industry.
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Jon Taylor
Position: Film Maker
Jonathan Taylor has been working in the media sector for 3 years and for our filming projects he worked as the production manager. John worked on graphical elements of our film, About Us for example, rendering images and making them look good on screen.
Jon is also experienced in animation and he made the logo and animation sequences in the ABC corporate videos.
Part of Jon’s brief was to also organise the administration side of filming, known collectively to admin experts the world over as ‘the paperwork’.
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Thomas Hearn
Position: Film Maker
Thomas Hearn, has been involved in media, for about three years. Tom likes to work a lot at a computer, particularly the editing suite. For the ABC project, Tom worked on the edit itself; created and pieced together both the footage and the music, Tom created the visual elements of the ABC ‘About Us’ video and put most of the visual effects on the video.
I think we can agree that along with the rest of our youthful student team; Tom has done a very fine job indeed.
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Max Gillard
Position: Film Maker
The last of our film team Max Gillard has recently finished college studying Creative Media Level 3 and Max hopes to continue the course on to University to someday gain a job in the media industry.
We wish Max the best of luck.
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Harry
Position: Film Maker
My name is Harry Genge and I am an aspiring film maker. I have skills in the majority of film orientated jobs, though I am most interested in the creative roles such: Directing, Director of Photography and Writing. In my spare time I make short films, write, read, draw/paint and take the dog out for long walks.
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Ned
Position: Producers
My name is Ned Woodcraft and I’m an aspiring Producer. As well as completing a diploma in media production I have also had a number of jobs in the professional market. I’m also a keen sailor and water sport enthusiast.
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Brandon
Position: Producer
My name is Brandon and I’m an aspiring producer and actor. I enjoy bringing a production together with planning and preparations to create a great finished product. My hobbies also include street magic and bass playing.
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Callum
Position: Writer and Director
My name is Callum Olive and I’m an aspiring writer and director. I’m always looking for a new project and love writing new stories and screenplays at home and on the move. My hobbies include playing the piano and street magic.
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Joanie DeMuro
Joanie joined ABC team in early 2017. She was one of six student volunteers from the University of Essex in that cohort. The student team focused on a range of projects, including creation of Wikipedia page,‘training manual’ and most importantly, researching and adding entries to the website directory of organisations that assist the unwaged, or those on low incomes. “This placement was very helpful - thanks for the opportunity Simon.”
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Cherry Lam
Cherry Lam has been volunteering for ABC for one month. Although it is a short period of time, she knows a lot more about the running of a charity organisation. Cherry is responsible for adding directories to the organisation website according to categories. Joining this placement helped her improving skills and gaining new experiences. Cherry says is extremely appreciative of the support she has received from ABC which allowed her to improve skills.
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