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People who were overcharged for registering Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) in the past have just under a year left to claim a refund. A total of £54.8m is due to be repaid, but according to a report in the Sunday Times, only £14.2m has so far been claimed. LPAs enable you to nominate someone
A secretary who resigned after her managing director said she wouldn’t employ someone because she was black has won her claim of unfair dismissal. Caroline Hobbs worked for Avon Care Homes from November 2015 until she resigned without notice in April 2018. This followed an employment search for a new care home manager in which
The government has published its new bill designed to reform divorce law and “remove the need for separating couples to blame one another for the breakdown of their marriage”. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill represents the biggest shake-up of divorce laws in half a century and aims to reduce the impact that allegations of
The government is planning the cut the cost of some new homes by nearly a third to help first-time buyers on to the property ladder. The First Homes scheme will lower deposit and mortgage requirements for local first-time buyers in England. It’s hoped that people will be able to buy a home in their area,
Thousands of Muslim couples are thought to be taking part in Islamic wedding ceremonies each year in the UK without realising that their marriage may not be officially recognised under the law. This can have serious consequences if they later wish to divorce because they may find the courts refuse to accept they were ever
MPs call for root and branch reforms to cut inheritance tax Still time to claim a lasting power of attorney refund Secretary resigned after MD said she ‘wouldn’t hire black person’ Government publishes new bill to reform divorce law Government to offer 30% discount on some new build homes Ensure your Islamic wedding creates a
The Government is to step up its naming and shaming of employers who fail to pay their workers the National Minimum or Living Wage. Meanwhile, it will increase support for employers to help them comply with low pay legislation. It says the changes, which follow a review of the process, will see naming rounds occur
An employer has won a dispute over whether an employee was entitled to three months’ notice while on a fixed-term contract. The case involved a teacher, Ms Kilraine. Her letter of engagement stated that she would be employed from 1 September 2013 until 31 August 2014. The letter identified the applicable pay scale for her
The workplace advisory service Acas has issued new guidelines for employers making it clear that they cannot use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence employees who want to make claims of sexual harassment or discrimination. Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said: “”The news has reported on victims coming forward that have alleged appalling abuse by high-profile figures who
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has upheld a decision that a police officer was discriminated against due to assumptions about her hearing impairment. The officer wanted to transfer to Norfolk, but her application was rejected by the Acting Chief Inspector, who said her hearing was not up to the medical standard required to perform front-line duties.