OFT secures court orders against mobility aids company and directors  – The Office of Fair Trading

Mobility Aids

The OFT has secured court orders against Optimum Care Mobility Limited ‘Optimum’, a Derbyshire-based business that sold mobility aids such as stairlifts, scooters and specialist chairs, across the country. The orders prevent the company and its former directors from using unfair and misleading sales practices again.The OFT was concerned that people, often the elderly or disabled, were being misled when they bought mobility aids from Optimum. The OFT worked closely with Derbyshire County Council’s Trading Standards department during its investigation and was particularly concerned that Optimum: Falsely claimed it was connected to public bodies such as the NHS and/or qualified to make medical judgments. Made persistent and unwanted telesales calls without making clear the purpose of the telephone call. Engaged in excessively long sales visits in order to secure deals in the consumers’ homes. Did not provide and honour legal rights to cancel a purchase. Offered to sell items on credit without holding the required licence to do so.

via OFT secures court orders against mobility aids company and directors  – The Office of Fair Trading.

A minimum income standard for the UK in 2012 | Joseph Rowntree Foundation

What income do people need to achieve a socially acceptable standard of living?

Soaring childcare and transport costs plus cuts to tax credits mean families need to earn a third more post-recession to make ends meet.

A video and infographics www.jrf.org.uk/mis illustrate the data.

An interactive visual http://mis.jrf.org.uk lets you explore what goods MIS can buy you, as decided by members of the public.

A minimum income calculator http://www.minimumincome.org.uk/ lets people find out how their income measures up to the MIS.

JRF’s annual update, based on what members of the public think people need to achieve a socially acceptable standard of living.

via A minimum income standard for the UK in 2012 | Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

BBC News – Do you live above the bread, butter and jam line?

Discussion about poverty in Britain quickly gets snagged on the question of whether you can be poor if you have a plasma TV.

But if, instead of thinking about the breadline, we consider what level of income is needed for an acceptable standard of living, the debate changes.

It gives us a sense of what is decent in a rich country like ours, what we regard as a socially acceptable minimum.

via BBC News – Do you live above the bread, butter and jam line?.