Work TV

David O'Mar a disabled dad died two weeks after being judged fit for work as he lay in hospital with pneumonia

Mr Mar was diabetic and suffering with pneumonia when his benefits were amazingly taken away.  

Diabetic David O’Mar was stripped of his disability benefits in April after a work ­capability assessment. His daughter Alexandra is calling on officials at the DWP – as well as Prime Minister David Cameron – to make good on their pledge to reveal how many deaths are linked to cuts.

David, 58, was bed-bound in hospital on the date of a tribunal to decide whether he should carry on getting disability benefits or was well enough to look for a job. Unbelievably, and despite family pleas to reschedule, the court ruled Mr O'Mar who was a former radio DJ, fit for work.

David, died of pneumonia on April 29.

The prime minister David Cameron told MPs this week that the data is “being prepared for publication as we speak”.

A string of deaths are feared to have been caused by cuts. Stephanie Bottrill, 53, of Solihull, West Midlands, killed herself in May 2013 and left a note blaming the bedroom tax. Ms Bottrill, 53 was worried about paying an extra £20 a week to stay in her home.

Source: Mirror Newspaper, Twitter.  

Jeremy Corbyn was one of the first MPs to sign the early day motion this week calling on the government to publish the ESA death statistics. The early day motion was proposed by Marie Rimmer MP, St Helens South and Whiston. 

That this House notes that on 30 April 2015 the Information Commission took a decision that the Government must disclose the number of incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance claimants who have died since November 2011 until May 2014 within 35 calendar days; acknowledges the petition signed by over 230,000 members of the public calling for this data to be released; further notes that even though the 35 day deadline has passed this data has not been released; has concerns that the data released may be a standardised figure rather than a full picture; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure the release of this data in full and without further delay.

PLEASE SEE BELOW - IS YOUR MP ON THE LIST? 

According to Parliament. 

Early day motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few EDMs are actually debated.

How are EDMs used?

EDMs are used for reasons such as publicising the views of individual MPs, drawing attention to specific events or campaigns, and demonstrating the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.

Do they get debated?

Although there is very little prospect of EDMs being debated, many attract a great deal of public interest and frequently receive media coverage.

Do they have to comply to a format?

EDMs have a strict format. Each one has a short title, like 'Internet Gambling', and a sentence no longer than 250 words detailing the motion.

What are the rules?

Other than following the above format, EDMs must abide by certain rules about their subject matter. The main ones are:

EDMs may only criticise other MPs, Lords, judges or members of the royal family if that is the main subject of the motion

no reference should be made to matters before the courts

no unparliamentary language or irony should be used

titles must be purely descriptive

Types of EDMs

EDMs against statutory instruments (are known as 'prayer') - generally the only type of EDM that leads to a debate.

Internal party groups - put forward by party members to express a different view on an issue to the official party position.

All-party EDMs - usually promote an issue, such as animal welfare, across party divides. Generally, only all-party EDMs attract a large number of signatures.

Critical - occasionally EDMs are tabled criticising another Member of the House, or a member of the House of Lords.

Promotion - of an outside campaign or report (often by the voluntary sector).

Constituency issue - drawing attention to and commenting on.

Commenting on deficiencies in other parties' policies - often by government MPs as they can't criticise the Opposition at question time.

Signatures

In an average session only six or seven EDMs reach over two hundred signatures. Around seventy or eighty get over one hundred signatures. The majority will attract only one or two signatures.

An EDM is not likely to be debated even if it gains a large number of signatures.

Who will not sign?

The following people in Parliament normally will not sign EDMs:

Ministers and government whips

Parliamentary Private Secretaries

The Speaker and his deputies

Ministers and whips do not normally sign EDMs.  The 2005 Ministerial Code stated that Parliamentary Private Secretaries “must not associate themselves with particular groups advocating special policies”, and they do not normally sign EDMs.  Neither the Speaker nor Deputy Speakers will sign EDMs.  Internal party rules may also affect who can sign early day motions.

Amendments to EDMs

After an EDM has been tabled, other Members can then table amendments to the original EDM. Proposed amendments must not increase the motion’s length beyond 250 words and any names of Members signing an amendment are automatically withdrawn from the main motion.

EDM's that are amendments to a previous motion have an 'A' after their number followed by a further number to indicate whether it is the first amendment, second etc.

Withdrawl of EDMs

The Member in charge of an EDM (i.e. the first signatory) may withdraw it even if other Members have signed it. Individual names may also be withdrawn.

Tracing EDMs

EDMs dating back to the 1989-90 session of Parliament can be traced using the EDM database. It records the full title and text of EDMs and signatures of supporting MPs.

Which MP's have signed so far?

We decided to give 3aaa a plug after they contacted us in order to promote their open days.

If you are a young person thinking about an apprenticeship, this could be a 'gig' for you to attend.

The ACADEMY OPEN DAY's are Friday 14th/Friday 21st August 2015. 

3aaa  Boundary House 4 County Place Chelmsford  Essex CM2 0RE www.3aaa.co.uk

Here comes the sales stuff. 

Join the 3aaa Chelmsford Academy at our Apprenticeship Open Days from 10am-4pm to gain an insight into our different Apprenticeship courses. If you are a young person looking to start an exciting new career, join us at the 3aaa Chelmsford Academy for some helpful advice from our team of professionals. Please contact us for further information. No need to book in advance, but if you wish to, you can reserve a space. 

3aaa is the outstanding provider of Apprenticeships in England, specialising in the delivery of Professional Services Apprenticeships.  Following an inspection in October 2014, 3aaa has now been awarded Grade 1 Outstanding across all areas by Ofsted.  By achieving Grade 1s for every category, this makes 3aaa the only independent training provider to achieve Ofsted Grade 1 Outstanding in all areas on a first inspection.

The Company are working with the next generation of experts who are enthusiastic and passionate about starting a career and helping to transform your business  they say.

3aaa Apprentices undertake an initial assessment process to joining the programme.  They are all interviewed, assess on their employability and learning skills and complete assessments in English, Maths and ICT.

The programmes that 3aaa include are as follows:-

• IT/Technology (Levels 3 and 4)

The 3aaa Technology Apprenticeship programme delivers all of the skills that a new employee requires to make sure that they can be successful within this fast moving sector.

• Digital Marketing

With this sector becoming more prominent every day, your Apprentice will learn how to understand how social media and digital marketing can positively impact on real life business within a range of different industries.

• Accountancy

We deliver the internationally recognised AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification through an excellent Apprenticeship programme that delivers high quality, industry ready employees.

• Business Administration

The 3aaa Business Administration Apprenticeship is designed to give your Apprentice the skills that meet the needs of this growing and demanding.

• Financial Services

This Apprenticeship programme delivers all of the skills a new employee requires to ensure that they can be successful within this vital sector.

• Technical Sales

We are working with the next generation of Technical Sales experts who are enthusiastic and passionate about starting a career in the fast-paced and dynamic environment of IT Sales.

The ABC is on Facebook. As our audience is continuing to grow we do welcome news and ideas. This is our Newsdesk Link: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are always looking for interesting news, stories and ideas and Facebook will assist us grow our audience still further.

We do thank those who have visitited us and who have recommended their friends to the ABC website. We are on Twitter. Do connect and get social if you feel all communicative. We will have a Facebook logo on the website shortly. This logos a link. 

Thank you once again for your support.

The ABC 

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has confirmed her party’s MPs will vote against the UK Government’s plans to curtail trade union activities and the rights of trade union members. Proposals published by the UK Government today will set new thresholds for industrial action and give employers the right to replace striking workers during an industrial dispute.

Plaid Cymru’s Leader Leanne Wood AM said:

“Plaid Cymru condemns in the strongest terms the latest assault on trade unions and the rights of working people by an ideologically-driven Tory government.

“Rights in the workplace were hard fought for and should be robustly defended. Such rights have been attacked by successive UK governments over several decades. The latest assault will further weaken the bargaining power of unions and their members.

“The UK has fewer public holidays, less favourable terms and conditions, lower trades union participation rates compared to many other EU states.

“I pay tribute to the trade union movement who’ve been active, vocal and determined in taking the cause of working people to the corridors of power.

“The trades unions have taken an admirable stance in defence of our social security safety net and our precious public services and against austerity and the collective punishment of the poorest.

“The most equal societies are the most successful economies.  The Party of Wales wants to see our country become one where an excellent business climate goes hand in hand with high standards of employee participation, good rights and wages for workers and high levels of trade union membership.

“We must resist attempts to dismantle this vital movement for social and economic good.”

Labour leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn says he's honoured to receive the backing of Britain's biggest union Unite. Labour's Harriet Harman says her party will not oppose the government's welfare bill and the household benefit cap. Labour's interim leader says after two election defeats it is time for the party to 'listen to the people'. Which people is the issue one might ask?

Jeremy Corbyn can certainly hold his own in a debate. Here he is action at the Oxford Union. 

It is interesting that the owner of the Cartier brand said this at an international luxury market conference in Monaco according to CNN:

Johann Rupert, chairman of Cartier owner Richemont (CFRHF), made a number of dystopian warnings during a speech at a Financial Times conference in Monaco.

He forecast that robots would "put hundreds of millions of people out of work," which would widen the gap between rich and poor and stoke social unrest.

"It's really what keeps me awake at night ... How is society going to cope with structural unemployment and the envy, hatred and the social warfare? Because the people with money will not wish to show it," he said.

 Super wealthy clients could be targeted as unemployment surges, he said. That would make selling luxury goods more difficult.

"We cannot have 0.1% of 0.1% [of rich individuals] taking all the spoils. And folks, those are our clients. But it's unfair and it is not sustainable," he said to an audience that appeared stunned by his remarks. "So I don't know what new social pact we'll have, but we'd better find one." 

Mr Rupert lives in a country [South Africa] where people get shot and killed every day, and where rape, muggings and robbery are commonplace. You would not want to walk around much of South Africa wearing a Cartier watch or jewellery - Rupert is saying that situation could come to Europe and the USA. In Venezuelan people are robbing shops to get food.

These claims may be considered mearly headline grabbing, but they are very real concerns when you live in country like South Africa, with the huge chasm between rich and poor. 

Statistics from the Department for Communities and Local Government last year showed that the level of council tax arrears across the UK has risen from £2.2bn to £2.5bn since 2009/2010. Councils willingness to use bankrupsy orders has increased significantly. 

Last year, Citizens Advice reported that council tax debt is now the most common debt problem the charity advises on.

Fortunately, there has been a 45 per cent drop in number of payday loan problems reported to Citizens Advice. New regulations were introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority and the regulator took enforcement action against lenders and, additionally, a further drop after the government introduced the cap on payday loans on 2 January 2015.

TIPS FROM THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT DEALING WITH BALLIFFS

What you can do when a bailiff visits:

A bailiff (‘enforcement agent’) may visit your home if you don’t pay your debts, eg a Council Tax bill, parking fine, court fine, county court or family court judgment. This will happen if you ignore letters saying that bailiffs will be used.

You might be arrested if you don’t pay criminal debts, eg fines or penalty notices.

A bailiff may also visit your home for other reasons, eg to serve court documents or give notices and summons.

There are different kinds of bailiffs, known as:

• ‘certificated enforcement agents’
• ‘high court enforcement officers’
• ‘county court and family court bailiffs’
• ‘civilian enforcement officers’

Bailiffs must usually give you at least 7 days’ notice of their first visit.

Dealing with bailiffs:- You usually don’t have to open your door to a bailiff or let them in.

Bailiffs can’t enter your home: by force, eg push past you, if only children under 16 or vulnerable people (eg, disabled) are present between 9pm and 6am or enter through anything except the door

Bailiffs are allowed to force their way into your home to collect unpaid criminal fines, Income Tax or Stamp Duty, but only as a last resort.

If you don’t let a bailiff in or agree to pay them: they could take things from outside your home, eg your car, you could end up owing even more money. If you do let a bailiff in but don’t pay them they may take some of your belongings. They could sell the items to pay debts and cover their fees.

Check the bailiff’s identity. Before you let a bailiff in to take your things or pay them, ask to see:

•          proof of their identity, eg a badge, ID card or enforcement agent certificate
•          which company they’re from
•          a telephone contact number
•          a detailed breakdown of the amount owed
•          contact the county court business centre    
•          if they say they’re a certificated enforcement agent
•          check the list    
•          if they say they’re a high court enforcement officer-contact the court that sent them
•          if they say they’re a county court bailiff, family court bailiff or a civilian enforcement officer;

 Paying a bailiff

•          The bailiff doesn’t have to accept your offer.
•          What bailiffs can and can’t take
•          If you let a bailiff into your home, they may take some of your belongings to sell.
•          Bailiffs can take luxury items, eg a TV or games console.
•          things you need, eg your clothes, cooker, fridge
•          work tools and equipment which together are worth less than £1,350
•          someone else’s belongings, eg your partner’s computer

You can ask for proof of a bailiff’s identity and authorisation even if they’ve visited before, eg ask them to put it through the letterbox or show it at the window.

All bailiffs must have a certificate, unless they’re exempt or they’re with someone who does have a certificate. Anyone who claims to be a bailiff and isn’t one is committing fraud. To check a bailiff’s identity:

Find out what kind of bailiff they are from their proof of identity and then:

You can pay the bailiff on the doorstep - you don’t have to let them into your home. Make sure you get a receipt to prove you’ve paid.

If you can’t pay all the money right away, speak to the bailiff about how you could pay the money back.

Offer to pay what you can afford in weekly or monthly payments.

They can’t take:

You’ll have to prove that someone else’s goods don’t belong to you.

What bailiffs can charge:

How much you’ll pay will depend on your situation.

If you owe more than £1,500 you’ll also have to pay a percentage of your debt as an additional fee each time a bailiff visits your home, unless it’s a county court or family court bailiff.

You can get more information on bailiff’s fees from Citizens Advice.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN HELP YOU

•          National Debtline    
•          the Money Advice Service    
•          Citizens Advice    
•          StepChange Debt Charity 

The latest DWP related death concerns Aaron Lane a talented musician who won a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London in his 20s battling mental health problems took his own life after he was ruled fit to work.

Aaron Lane, suffered psychosis and had been receiving Employment and Support Allowance. He was recently ruled fit to work under the Tory Government’s benefits changes.

His parents say he feared he would lose all of his benefits. The police forced entry to his home in Newark, Linconshire, and found him dead aged 31. He had apparently committed suicide.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it had followed all correct procedures in Aaron’s case.

Aaron’s dad Steve said: “He was worried that all of his money would be stopped".

Source Vox Political Blog

The 2015 Budget reaction has been much more mixed this morning. The so called 'Living Wage' is really just an enhanced National Minimum Wage. George Osborne is a very smart politician, and he has set out to counter some of the advantage the oppositions policies offered.

Ian Duncan Smith’s gloating and undignified behaviour in parliament yesterday, has cost him a few more of the few friends he has.

The Living Wage distracts from the fact that welfare is being cut, not as severely as people had  expressed concern about two weeks ago, but families in work and out of work are going to suffer.

A clever budget by Osbourne, but not one that will bring much cheer to those relying on state funding to survive. The budget distracts momentarily from the issue of Greece and the effect their default and leaving the Eurozone could have on the financiers who invest in public debt.  

Nigel Farage has been in full swing in the European parliament, this time getting a few more cheers of support than he usually does. Things could change very quickly, and make this budget seem a minor issue in comparison to what could happen on the international stage.

The newspapers saw the budget in a generally positive light. The real number crunching has yet to start.  The Institute For Fiscal Studies - IFS has been voted 'Think Tank of the Year 2015' and we eagerly await their analysis.