Dateline London September 3, 2003
OFT action against misleading 'money-making' mailshots
LONDON - The OFT of UK has taken action against misleading mailings for a
'get-rich-quick' scheme. Devon-based Pauline and Robert Chambers have
given undertakings that they will refrain from publishing
advertisements that formed part of a promotion for a scheme called
Your Private Gold-Mine. The scheme worked by inviting people through
direct mailings to join the Private Gold-Mine Organisation. The
organisation claimed to be one of the world's most rewarding
financial associations, making people millionaires every day, and
provided testimonials from individuals who claimed to have profited
from the scheme.
It was explained that the capital came from the organisation's other
members. The scheme claimed to be different to pyramid schemes and
chain letters. However, in order to join the scheme an individual had
to pay a £10 membership fee and to earn money the individual had to
then buy a 'product' for £10 from another member. The 'product' was
actually information on how to generate income from the internet.
The OFT has received written undertakings from Pauline and Robert
Chambers agreeing that they, or their agents, will not publish any
misleading mailings or advertisements that are likely to give a false
impression as to the earnings that can be achieved; that include
false testimonials; or that are likely falsely to convey the
impression that an opportunity does not involve soliciting third
parties. The undertakings do not amount to an admission from Pauline
and Robert Chambers that they accept that the mailings contained
misleading advertisements or that they have done in the past what
they are promising not to do henceforth.
John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said:
'Consumers should be on their guard against schemes that promise easy
money. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.'September 3, 2003 Geoff Hoon welcomes Hawk Selection for India
The Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, today welcomed the
news that the Indian government has selected the BAE SYSTEMS Hawk as the new Advanced Jet Trainer for the Indian Air Force. The deal, for the supply of 66 aircraft, support equipment, spares and long term in-country support services, is important for the UK/India defence and trade relationships, and will provide jobs in
both India and the UK. Once the deal is finalised, the contract would
result in the majority of the aircraft being manufactured in India,
and would allow for a long term joint production agreement between
BAE SYSTEMS and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Mr Hoon said:
"This decision by India to select BAE SYSTEMS Hawk aircraft is
excellent news for the UK, which follows on from our own recent
decision to buy Hawk for the Royal Air Force. It demonstrates once
again the high regard in which UK products are held across the world.
The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is the most successful aircraft of its
type ever to be built, with India being its 19th customer. A
successful India contract will contribute towards sustaining highly
skilled jobs at BAE SYSTEMS Brough and other aerospace companies, and
extends the industrial collaboration between India and the UK.
India's choice of Hawk is a measure of the quality of the aircraft
and the value for money it offers. I look forward to BAE SYSTEMS and
the Government of India achieving a successful contract."
The Government, and in particular the MoD, has strongly supported BAE
SYSTEMS' campaign for the Hawk to be selected as the new Advanced Jet
Trainer for the Indian Air Force.
The Government's policy of supporting legitimate defence exports not
only benefits the UK's international security but also safeguards the
jobs of thousands of people here in the UK.
English and citizenship to help integration and make people
proud to be British
An independent report today made recommendations to the Government on how to make sure all new citizens can speak English and have an understanding of UK institutions.
Proposals from the independent Life in the United Kingdom advisory
group suggest a short practical course and assessment in both
language and citizenship which all prospective Britons would be
expected to complete.
These will help promote the Government's aim of engendering common
values and a sense of belonging and will work in parallel with plans
for citizenship ceremonies to make acquisition of citizenship
something to be proud of.
It also advises that a "Living in the United Kingdom" handbook should
be produced for new immigrants which would be based on the course and include a short historical introduction about the UK.
Sir Bernard Crick, Chairman of the Life in the United Kingdom group,
said: "Residents who meet the requirements for naturalisation should be encouraged to apply for citizenship and to take on the
responsibilities as well as the privileges.
"To be British means respecting the institutions, values, beliefs and
traditions that bind us all together in peace and legal order. It is
vital that new citizens are also equipped to be active citizens with
a course of practical learning and an understanding of UK society and
civic structures.
"Use of the English language itself is possibly the most important
means by which diverse communities participate in a common culture -
that is why it is so important that new citizens should have a
sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.
"We do not want the burden to be onerous but plainly citizenship is
more esteemed and valued when it is earned and not given."
The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said:
"I warmly welcome the work that the group has done on the proposals
that I put forward 18 months ago. This is a substantial contribution
to getting the balance right and we will be moving forward quickly to
set out our detailed response.
"I want to encourage people who are permanently settled in this
country to apply for citizenship here. In common with people in this
country from many different cultural backgrounds, I think being
British is something to be proud of. The common values that bind us
together as a nation should be celebrated.
"The report says that "an understanding of the basic history of the
United Kingdom can strengthen commitment to common values, as true
for the old inhabitants as the new" and this is a view I fully
endorse. An understanding of our history underpins an understanding
of life in the UK.
"I also welcome the emphasis on English - acquiring English is a pre-
requisite to social integration, to further education and employment
and to the well-being of succeeding generations.
"Citizenship brings responsibilities as well as rights and it is
important that new citizens understand and respect the UK culture and
its laws."
The final report in the Life in the United Kingdom group suggests
that the citizenship curriculum should cover the following six
categories:
- British National Institutions in recent historical context -
including the rise of Parliamentary democracy, the present
electoral system and opportunities for participation in community
engagement and volunteering;
- Britain as a multicultural society - including the making of the
United Kingdom, the historic four nations and the changing role and
status of women in both custom and law;
- knowing the law - including the rights and duties of a citizen,
magistrates courts and the Crown courts;
- employment - including understanding how to get a job, the National
Insurance system and access to small business opportunities;
- sources of help and information - including Citizens' Advice
centres, libraries and national, local and community newspapers;
and
- everyday needs - including types of housing, ways of paying bills
and what makes for good neighbours.
The other main recommendations of the group are:
- prospective citizens should be assessed on their progress in
English and would have to move from one ESOL (English for Speakers
of Other Languages) level to another, with the minimum being moving
from no English to a sufficient level to take up unskilled
employment;
- applicants will learn English and citizenship in parallel;
- there should be a Living in the United Kingdom handbook in English
given to all those applying for naturalisation and other legal
migrants with work permits or leave to enter or remain in the UK,
this would also be available in bi-lingual versions;
- ESOL teaching should be available free at the earliest opportunity
to help people gain employment and with the aim of social
integration;
- there should be more support for voluntary groups who work with
immigrants to help integration, including encouraging mentoring;
- an information campaign to encourage eligible immigrants to apply
for naturalisation;
- more businesses should be encouraged to help their employees learn
English with day release provisions or on-site provision; and
- the establishment of an Advisory Board on Education for
Naturalisation to oversee the arrangements.
Mr Blunkett added:
"In the context of preparation for naturalisation, the Working Group
recommended that free tuition should be available. We will consider
the cost implications of the recommendations, along with the rest of
the report and in light of the existing provision available under the
basic skills programme."Virtual tour of prison through Prisononline
Members of the public will be able to take virtual tours of prisons
at the click of a button. 'Prisons Online', officially launched
tomorrow, takes the viewer on a journey from arrival in prison,
through daily life and right up to release. The website uses pictures, sound and text to guide viewers through the physical environment of the prison and tries to answer the most likely questions of those facing a prison sentence or their family.
Although the tour will be of interest to the general public and can
be used as an educational tool, the section 'keeping in touch' has
been specifically designed with the friends and family of prisoners
in mind.
Lack of contact with family members or the homelessness associated
with being cut off from family ties on leaving prison, is established
as a factor leading to repeat offending. The site hopes to make the
process more understandable and less traumatic to ensure that the
families and friends of prisoners know how to keep in touch with
their loved ones, how to arrange visits and what happens when they
arrive at prison on visits.
Prisons Online has been developed by Criminal Justice Information
Technology (CJIT) in collaboration with the Prison Service, the
Prison Reform Trust and Action for Prisoners Families. The virtual
tour is part of the Government's drive to use new technology to help
modernise the criminal justice system and make it more open and
accessible to the people it serves.
Jo Wright, Head of CJIT said:
"We hope all those who are involved with the prison system, both
prisoners' families and prison staff, will benefit from this insight
into prison life. We hope it will remove some of the commonly held
misconceptions and concerns about daily prison life".
Phil Wheatley, Director General of the Prison Service said:
"Prisons are, by their very nature closed environments which
relatively few people ever experience. I hope the site will allow the
general public to gain a better understanding of how prison operates
and what life is like inside.
"The families of prisoners can find the idea of a loved one serving a
custodial sentence an intimidating and overwhelming experience, this
site should help them to gain a better understanding and make it
easier to maintain family links. This is one of the key factors in
reducing re-offending" (quote to be cleared).Customs arrests in £80 million money laundering case
Customs and Excise investigators arrested two people in Chelmsford
yesterday and searched business premises across England in relation
to a suspect £80m VAT money laundering scam.
The money is believed to have been channelled through the bank
accounts of two Chelmsford-based companies and thought to be the
proceeds of a VAT missing trader fraud involving the sale of mobile
phones and computer chips.
Over twenty officers were involved in searches of business premises
and homes in Essex, Sheffield, Nottingham and Leeds. A 33-year-old
man and a 32-year-old woman were arrested for money laundering
offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 1988. They were
interviewed by Customs investigators in Braintree and then released
on bail, without charge, pending further investigations.
Tackling Missing Trader Fraud is a top priority for Customs and since
September 2000, there has been a nationally co-ordinated strategy to
tackle it. Speaking about the Government's crackdown on VAT Missing
Trader Fraud at last year's Budget,
Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Customs Minister, John Healey
said:
"VAT missing trader fraud is not a victimless crime, it costs around
£2.5 billion a year enabling criminals to fund lavish lifestyles -
money that could pay for an extra 100,000 nurses. We have put
measures in place to tackle Missing Trader Fraud. These are in the
interests of all legitimate businesses because the fraud distorts
competition and forces legitimate traders out."Offshore Safety performance grounds for optimism, says HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today said there were grounds
for believing that health and safety performance on the UK
Continental Shelf will see a major improvement during the next
decade.
The comments came as HSE published headline offshore injury and
ill-health statistics for the year ending 31 March 2003, together
with updated hydrocarbon release figures. These show that there were
no fatalities offshore last year and significant reductions in
reported 'over three day' injuries and hydrocarbon releases.
Provisional figures contained in HSE's Offshore Safety Statistics
Bulletin for 2002/2003 show:
- there were no deaths offshore, compared to three in 2001/2002;
- 58 major injuries were reported, up four (a 7% increase) on last
year's figures;
- the combined fatal and major injury rate increased to 260.5 per
100,000 workers compared to 245.6 in 2001/2002;
- 'over three day' injuries decreased by 31% to 123 - 53 less than
the previous year, sustaining the reducing trend;
- the rate of over three day injuries declined significantly from
758.42 per 100,000 workers in 2001/2002 to 552.45 per 100,000
workers in 2002/2003; and
- 636 dangerous occurrences (including hydrocarbon releases) were
reported - 25 less than the previous year (a decrease of 4%).
Announcing the figures today at the Offshore Europe 2003 Exhibition &
Conference in Aberdeen, Taf Powell, head of HSE's Offshore Division,
said: "The health and safety regime was installed ten years ago,
based on the recommendations in Lord Cullen's report into the Piper
Alpha tragedy 15 years ago this summer. Overall, much has been
achieved, with most accidents, particularly over three day injury
accidents, showing sustained improvements year on year. This is a
most welcome trend, for which industry and Step Change - a network of
employer and workforce representatives set up in 1997 - are to be
commended.
"However, improvements are somewhat slower than some other parts of
the world and fatal and serious injuries remain a cause for concern.
Although there were no fatalities last year, compared to an average
of three or four per year since 2000, serious injuries remained at a
high level. There was also, sadly, a fatal accident in May this year.
"The statistics show a small decline in dangerous occurrences. This
is important because such incidents are an indicator of underlying
risk levels offshore. Most encouraging are the hydrocarbon release
statistics (see table below). In 2000, HSE and industry launched a
sustained attack on these, with the aim of a 50% reduction in major
and significant releases by the end of March 2004. With six months of
the campaign to run, major and serious releases are down by some 39%
and we are aiming to improve on this by now targeting the poorer
performing installations.
