Executives and Team

Simon Collyer

Website URL: http://www..abcorg.net

Clients living in England threatened with homelessness within 56 days are within scope for legal advice following implementation of housing legislation passed in April 2017.

Previously, clients in England were not entitled to legal advice until the threat of homelessness was within 28 days.

Providers will need to ensure that they are aware of the new rules for clients in England, which come into effect on 3 April 2018.

The change will mean that the definition is now consistent across both England and Wales. Legislation in Wales (Housing (Wales) Act 2014) introduced this change on 27 April 2015.

These changes were introduced under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017.

Turning the Tide. The Centre for Social Justice have been examining the fortunes of five seaside towns: Rhy. Margate, Clacton-on-Sea, Blackpool, Great Yarmouth.

This is what they have to say:

Cities have come to embody how we view modern deprivation and poverty. Yet some of the most pronounced disadvantage in our country exists away from the big cities. This short study of five seaside towns – Rhyl, Margate, Clacton-on-Sea, Blackpool, Great Yarmouth – offers a glimpse of how social breakdown has affected some smaller communities, asks what factors continue to hold them back, and considers what more can be done to help them move on.

Seaside postcard

Image: Some seaside towns have suffered since their heyday

 

The full report can be down loaded below:

Thursday 05 April, 2018

Fancy Getting Fit Like the Scots?

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford is encouraging commuters across Scotland to do the Daily Mile challenge this Friday (6 April) and put a spring in their step on National Walk to Work Day.
 
The Daily Mile challenge was first introduced by Elaine Wyllie in 2012 to St Ninian’s primary School in Mr Crawford’s Stirling constituency.

The Scottish Government has since written to schools, nurseries, colleges and universities as well as public and private sector companies encouraging them to help Scotland become the world's first Daily Mile Nation.
 
Researchers at Essex University last year demonstrated the positive impact of the Daily Mile on improving attainment as well as self-esteem and wellbeing amongst pupils in an East London school. 

Bruce Crawford SNP MSP

Image: Bruce Crawford SNP MSP 
 
Commenting, Bruce Crawford SNP MSP for Stirling said:
 
“I hope that as many people as possible join me on the Daily Mile challenge this Friday and put a spring in their step on National Walk to Work Day.
 
“Walking all or part of the journey to work is a great way to clear your mind and improve your health while reducing your carbon footprint.
 
“The Daily Mile challenge, first introduced in a Stirling school, is helping fight obesity, improve pupil behaviour, focus and confidence. Indeed, a study by Essex University last year found that participants of the Daily Mile programme did better than expected in classroom tests simply by getting active.
 
“The SNP Government is committed to making sure as many people as possible participate in this great example of Scottish innovation, to one day become a Daily Mile Nation, and I hope this Friday will inspire more people to ditch their usual mode of transport and participate in the Daily Mile challenge.”

Daily Mile Challenge

The SNP has said the Tory UK government is “letting young people down” by refusing to change the law to ensure all that workers are entitled to a real Living Wage.

Under current UK government legislation, younger workers can be discriminated against with lower wages, despite doing the same job. As of 1st April 2018, workers over the age of 25 are entitled to at least £7.83 an hour, while those aged 21 to 24 are only entitled to £7.38 an hour, those aged 18 to 20 are only entitled to £5.90 an hour, those under 18 are only entitled to £4.20 an hour, and apprentices are entitled to just £3.70 an hour.

27-year-old SNP MP for Glasgow East, David Linden, who left school at the age of 16 and started work as an apprentice, is calling on the UK government to “stop discriminating against young people”, and urgently change the law to ensure that all workers are entitled to a real Living Wage – currently £8.75 in Scotland, £10.20 in London.

While the powers to set the minimum wage remain reserved to Westminster, the SNP Scottish Government is working to encourage employers to pay the real Living Wage in Scotland. The SNP government’s Living Wage accreditation scheme has ensured over 1000 employers now pay a real Living Wage in Scotland – with plans to ensure a further 25,000 people benefit from their employer becoming Living Wage accredited in the next three years. 81.6% of Scottish workers earn the real Living Wage, the highest rate in the UK.

Commenting, David Linden MP said:

“The UK government must stop discriminating against young people – and finally change the law to ensure that all workers are entitled to a real Living Wage.

“The Tories are letting young people down by stubbornly refusing to end this discrimination, which penalises workers just because of their age, and takes no account of their needs, responsibilities and living costs.

“If the UK government won’t change the law then it must devolve the powers so that the SNP Scottish Government can introduce a real Living Wage for all workers in Scotland.

“The arguments for this discriminatory Tory policy just don’t stack up. The SNP government is working hard to encourage employers to pay a real Living Wage in Scotland – but as long the powers remain reserved to Westminster equality and fairness will remain out of reach for far too many.”

David Linden

Image: Glasgow East, David Linden MP

Scottish taxpayers are saving an average of over £160 a year on their prescriptions compared to patients south of the border, SPICe calculations reveal.
 
On average, Scots take out 19 prescriptions per year. If these were charged at the English rate of £8.60 each, people in Scotland would be out of pocket by an average of £1,143.80 since prescription charges were abolished in 2011.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Emma Harper said:
 
“The SNP is proud of our record on free prescriptions – ensuring that ordinary Scots who are sick or living with long-term illnesses do not have to choose between medication and other necessities, like feeding their families or heating their homes.“Alongside scrapping tuition fees, ending parking charges at NHS-run hospital car parks, removing bridge tolls, protecting free eye tests, investing in childcare and building even more affordable housing – we’re demonstrating a firm commitment to providing public services that are free at the point of use in Scotland.
 
“While the Tories at Westminster charge sick people a small fortune for vital medication and the Tories at Holyrood campaign for tax cuts for the wealthiest, the SNP’s flagship free prescriptions policy removes a significant financial burden from adults in Scotland every year.”

Friday 30 March, 2018

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all our audience. Why do we eat Easter Eggs at this time of year? 

The Easter season in the UK includes the 40 days of lent and Holy week culminating in Easter Sunday – also known as Resurrection Sunday. In 2018, there are two Easter public holidays celebrated in the UK. Good Friday is observed across the UK, while Easter Monday is celebrated everywhere except Scotland.

So why Easter Eggs? The egg has many interpretations, but it is known as an ancient symbol of new life, and it has been associated with festivals celebrating spring.

From a Christian perspective, it is believed Easter eggs represent Jesus' resurrection. The outside of the egg looks dead, but inside there is new life, which is going to break out. Chocolate Easter eggs became popular because Easter is the end of the Lenten fast.

Not more snow surely?

As a weather system moves in from the south and comes up against cold air over the UK, there is the chance that rain could turn to heavy snow in places. Several cm of snow are possible, especially over hills, with drifting in strong winds. There is also the possibility of a few cm of wet snow gathering at lower levels. At present the extent and amounts of any snow are very uncertain, and it is quite possible that snow might not be too disruptive.

As the National Living Wage increases to £7.83 per hour on 1 April 2018, find out whether your lifestyle would be affordable on the National Living Wage. It takes someone on the average UK salary seven months to earn the annual salary of someone earning the NLW. 

Main Points

Average weekly household spending rose to £554.20 in the financial year ending 2017; in real terms, this was a return to pre-economic downturn levels.

Households spent an average of £79.70 a week on transport, an increase of £5.40 in real terms when compared with the previous year; this makes transport the top spending category.

When comparing between English regions and UK constituent countries, average weekly household spending differed by more than £200.

Households in the 65-to-74-year-old age group spent nearly a fifth of their total spending on recreation and culture.

Households without children spent a higher proportion of their total spending on transport than households with children.

Average weekly spending of a 15-year-old was more than three times that of a 7-year-old.

ONS Total household expenditure at financial year ending 2017 prices

 

ABC Note: The National Living Wage is the amount of money all employees aged over 25 are legally entitled to. It used to be known as the National Minimum Wage, but it was re-branded in 2016.The amount is lower than the real living wage which many organisations are signing up to. It was a clever bit of manoeuvring by the government to make themselves look more generous than they have actually been.

SNP Social Justice spokesperson at Westminster Neil Gray MP has said that a u-turn from the UK government on housing benefit for under 21s shows the Tories have ‘finally realised penalising young people in this way is callous.’  
 
The comments come as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published a written statement – just hours before the Easter recess at Westminster – confirming a major change in Universal Credit policy. The UK Government has confirmed it will amend regulations so that all 18-21 year olds will be entitled to claim support for housing costs in Universal Credit.
 
The current situation is that people between 18 and 21 who make a new claim to UC in UC Full Service areas – currently being rolled out - need to meet certain requirements in order to receive that vital financial housing support.
 
The statement also includes provision for a Youth Obligation – described as an ‘intensive package of labour market support for 18-21 year-olds looking to get into work.’
 
Neil Gray MP commented:
 
‘’This major u turn from the Tories shows they have finally realised that penalising young people – as they had done until now – is simply callous and could only lead to a rise in homelessness for young people.
 
‘’Any change of policy in the shambolic and damaging roll out of UC is welcome – but we need to see detail from the DWP on what they mean by saying young people will need to sign up to a  ‘youth obligation‘ before accessing this much needed benefit  - how that will work. We also need clarification on whether or not these changes will be linked in any way with sanctions. Our  young people need support into work and into homes and not to be penalised as they start their life by having vital financial support removed from them.
 
‘’The SNP Scottish Government has always mitigated this callous policy and provided support to under 21s through the Scottish Welfare Fund, and the social security bill ensured this support would be in legislation – at an estimated cost of up to £6.5 million by 2020. It is shameful that it’s taken the UK Government till now before realising this policy was just wrong from the start. 
 
‘’The Tories think they make any cuts in welfare and get away with it – £4bn in annual cuts to Scotland by the end of the decade. now they have u-turned on this, they can reverse all these cuts and realise people need a helping hand  up not pushed into poverty.”

 Over 2 million people on the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage will get a pay rise on 1 April when new rates come into force

Full time workers on the National Living Wage will earn over £600 more a year, a total uplift of over £2,000 since the National Living Wage was introduced in 2016

Almost 400,000 young workers are expected to benefit from the fastest increases in the NMW in more than 10 years

Over 2 million people will get a pay rise from today (1 April 2018) thanks to an above-inflation rise in national living and minimum wage rates.

The National Living Wage will go up by 4.4%, from £7.50 to £7.83, meaning a full-time minimum wage worker will be over £2,000 better off since the introduction of the National Living Wage in April 2016. From today the tax-free personal allowance will also increase from £11,500 to £11,850.

Almost 400,000 young workers are expected to benefit from the fastest increases in the National Minimum Wage in more than 10 years.

Business minister Andrew Griffiths said:

“Over 2 million people across the UK will get a step up in pay thanks to today’s rise in the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.

“The uplift means a pay rise of over £600 a year for a full time worker on the National Living Wage – that could be two months food shopping or a year’s electricity bills.

“So if you should be getting a rise this month, check your pay, talk to your boss and report underpayment to Acas or HMRC.”

From 1 April 2018 the rates for:

·        workers aged 25 and over will be £7.83 per hour

·        workers aged 21 to 24 will be £7.38 per hour

·        workers aged 18 to 20 will be £5.90 per hour

·        workers aged under 18 will be £4.20 per hour

·        apprentices under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship will be £3.70 per hour

Employers who underpay minimum wage rates can face fines of up to 200% of the back pay they owe to workers and can be publically named by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Since 2013 the naming scheme has identified more than £9 million in back pay for around 67,000 workers, with more than 1,700 employers fined a total of £6.3 million. Since 2015, the

Government has doubled investment in minimum wage enforcement, spending £25.3 million in 2017 to 2018.

The uplift comes after the Government published its Good Work plan in February, which announced the right to a payslip for all workers. The new law is likely to benefit around 300,000 people who do not currently get a payslip.

For those paid by the hour, payslips will also have to include how many hours the worker is paid for, making pay easier to understand and challenge if it is wrong. The move is part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy the government’s long-term plan to build a Britain fit for the future by helping businesses create better, higher-paying jobs in every part of the UK.

For more information on the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage and to report underpayment, visit www.gov.uk/checkyourpay or contact Acas for free and impartial advice.

1.     The Government takes advice on minimum wage rates from the independent Low Pay Commission, which balances the needs of workers and businesses.

2.     Minimum wage rates

Date 25 and over 21 to 24 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice
April 2017 £7.50 £7.05 £5.60 £4.05 £3.50
April 2018 £7.83 £7.38 £5.90 £4.20 £3.70

3.     Number of people affected by region

Region Workers to receive National Living Wage uplift Young workers to receive National Minimum Wage uplift
North East 78,000 22,000
North West 205,000 57,000
Yorkshire & Humber 156,000 34,000
East Midlands 142,000 29,000
West Midlands 172,000 41,000
South West 127,000 32,000
East 138,000 36,000
London 166,000 17,000
South East 164,000 34,000
Wales 81,000 20,000
Scotland 117,000 31,000
Northern Ireland 80,000 26,000
Total 1,630,000 380,000

4.     The average UK domestic electricity bill is £619 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/annual-domestic-energy-price-statistics.

5.     The average weekly food bill was £58 last financial year according to ONS statistics.

National Minimum Wahe 02

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Executives

  • Simon Collyer

    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.

  • Christopher Johnson

    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

  • Frances Rimmer

    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.

  • Stuart Meyers

    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.

  • Louis Jones

    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.

  • Marcus Pierpont

    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.

  • Shane Mitchell

    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.

  • Joe Corlett

    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.  

  • Jon Taylor

    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’.

  • Thomas Hearn

    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.

  • Max Gillard

    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.

  • Harry

    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.

     

  • Ned

    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.

     

  • Brandon

    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.

     

  • Callum

    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.

     

  • Joanie DeMuro

    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.”

     

  • Cherry Lam

    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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