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Easter 2020-04-12

There appears to be a mistaken belief that Freedom of speech is the right to say whatever you like about whatever or whoever you like, whenever you like.

This was so evident when NHS worker, Siobhan was seen aggressively screaming at Trump supporter “Nazi Scum” at the time of recent Trump visit to the UK. Freedom of speech is about expressing rational views in a civilised manner. Hurling Nazi scum at Trump supporter on 04/06/2019 was just an ugly abuse of an innocent person simply because she disagreed with his views interfering with his right to demonstrate support for the statesman she disagrees with. She rightly understood as stated in her tweet, that she let herself down. She also let down the left who increasingly use abusive language and violence as they deep down realise their socialist agenda cannot be defended by a fair debate.

Recent anti-Trump protests as well as climate protestors blocking infrastructure consequently causing misery to hard working population on their way to work made me realise the significance of seemingly insignificant statement in the Passion of Christ: Mark 15:21: “Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.” Picture a scene of a wild crowd angry and aggressive towards an innocent man. The soldiers however did not ask the crowd to help Jesus when he was falling under the weight of the tree. Instead they saw a man on his way home to his family from a hard day’s work. Farming was a gig economy of that time 2000 years ago. The Bible was clearly saying that it was men like Simon who were the pillars of the society carrying the burden and not the angry crowd that wanted the blood of an innocent man.

However in no way do I compare the protestors to the Passion of Christ. Should Siobhan decided to claim welfare benefits she may have been sanctioned for leaving a job without a good reason.

It is therefore quite disheartening to learn that some senior clergy voiced their support for left Labour campaign. Most notable was Justin Welby’s speech to TUC Congress 2018: in September 2018. 

I agree that Jesus was concerned for poor and treatment of workers by unscrupulous masters who would not feed them or pay them adequately.

The Bible is clear that the workers are to be paid for their work and not as a favour: “Romans 4:4 “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favour, but as what is due.” The emphasis is here that those who work are awarded adequately. 

Also Matthew 20:4 “and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went.”

Also: James 5:4 “Behold, the pay of the labourers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.”

However, Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” However our Government looks after the deserving poor and disabled.

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not want to get involved into politics at the time. When challenged by Pharisees he said: “Mark 12:13-19 Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar13 But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”“ Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him”

This was clearly not just about taxes. During that time there was a political protest against paying taxes to Rome. He therefore made it clear to Pharisees that he would not get involved into the politics of the time.

Therefore I consider Justin Welby’s comparison of the Trade Union movement to Jesus’s mission a poor judgment. Jesus was helping deserving poor but distanced himself from criticising Caesar. Indeed he made it clear that he came to serve and not to be served, Matthew 20:28.

Simon Jenkins, 14 Sep 2018: God aside, for whom does Justin Welby speak?, Guardian, stated that the Church of England has traditionally being pro-Tory: “For generations, the Church of England was rightwing.” It seem a bit hypocritical to voice support for the TUC when in fact the Church of England holds shares in companies such as Amazons. 

This clearly suggests that the Church supports hard work and the “gig” economy, which is compatible with the teaching of the Bible.

Jesus enjoyed hospitality of tax collectors and “sinners”: ¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

He made it clear that he came because of sinners in need of mercy and not righteous as they did not need him just as a healthy person does not need a doctor. This was clear from the following conversation when he said to the rich young men if he wanted to be perfect he needs to sell his possession, give it to the poor and follow him saying to disciples afterwards: Mathew 19“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””27

This was often misinterpreted averring that rich people cannot enter the kingdom of God. However Jesus said everything is possible for God and that was why he came.

It is evident that Jesus very much understood the role of wealthy hard-working men in the society. He was a regular guest of Lazarus and his family. What is perhaps most striking is that his resting place was provided by one of his disciples Joseph: [Matthew 27:57-60], “a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph,” …”60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”

Conservative Party appreciates the importance of rich men and gig economy balanced against the rights of workers.

It was a Jewish philosopher who said that employing a man was the biggest deed. Indeed setting up and establishing a successful business is not something any individual can do whilst majority of us can successfully complete an undergraduate degree.

It is so obvious that employing other workers you support them whilst they contribute to your business. The business and its workers pay taxes supporting the public life. So for instance our NHS is a crowd funded, a contemporary term often associated with litigation funding.

Whilst some clergy insist on donating money as the deed and a ticket to the Kingdom of God, fr Peter, a Roman Catholic Priest, in his sermon insisted that serving others is the key to the eternal rewards. After all Jesus said Son of God did not come to be served but to serve. Fr Peter told us that politicians are those among others who serve the public. It may be open to debate as to what degree some politician server the voters. It is however not suggested that they provide this service for free. After all they are not missionaries.  

Conservative party commitment to workers’ right and wellbeing was evident in recent article by Amber Rudd and Matt Hancock, May 12 2019, The Sunday Times, insisting “Bosses must play their part in mental health care” stating: “So we are working together on measures to encourage all employers to play their part in retaining employees who are struggling with their mental health. This includes measures to improve access to cost-effective and high-quality occupational health services.

”

They concluded: “Aiming high, focusing on the future, believing in people: that’s how we’ll make a success of our country through the 2020s and beyond” outlining commitment for a modern, compassionate Conservative Party.

Back to the religion; whilst on the beginning of the 20st century socialist and communist leaders saw a religion and the church as enemies, persecuting many clergymen, contemporary preaching of clergy such as Justin Welby’s signifies a shift to the left. 

This is unlikely to be favoured by the congregation. At the time of free speech and social media, one prefers to be kept freely informed and politically educated as a choice and not via a political oppression.  Simon Jenkins in his article stated: “If the world offers any message at present, it is surely that God and the supernatural in all forms should be ruthlessly divorced from politics.”

Concluding: “Any attempt to reach a consensus between his ageing communicants and his radical evangelicals is likely to end in tears. But championing the partisan policies of Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell is surely a controversy he does not need.” with a message: ”It is a search for comfort and support, perhaps supernatural and outside the rituals of the formal church. Here surely is where an archbishop of Canterbury should direct his attention. Leave others to the evils of the gig economy.

”

Vesna Cvetek, Non-Practicing Barrister and former Mass Reader, Roman Catholic Church

Easter 2020-04-12

TW14 9XB Greater London

[This blog was written last year but not published on my own blog. The blog contains information and advise that may be helpful to the public.]

We are facing severe threats from criminals to our cyber security since their usual criminal activities such as drug dealing and country lines are under the attack

Quite often I read complaints of residents on the Feltham Community Facebook that they were contacted what appears to be fraudsters. Sadly, in the circumstances it will be elderly and vulnerable who will be affected the most so it is important that we educate ourselves because as I said the fraudsters are looking to expand their criminal enterprise. The way to prevent harm is to “get wise”.

I think that education is important to keep yourself safe, both software awareness as well as financial awareness

It is helpful to install a software virus and internet software and here you would need to do your own research

There is ISC organisation in the US holding webinars on virus, the information was shared by the Hounslow police on Twitter:

(ISC)² 311 Park Place Blvd #400, Clearwater, FL 33759 United States • www.isc2.org © 1996–2021. (ISC)², Inc. All rights reserved.

If you are victim of a financial fraud, the first point of call should be your bank or other relevant financial institution(s). They are bound by the FCA Principle of Business

https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/PRIN/2/1.html

The Principles

1 Integrity	A firm must conduct its business with integrity.
2 Skill, care and diligence	A firm must conduct its business with due skill, care and diligence.
3 Management and control	A firm must take reasonable care to organise and control its affairs responsibly and effectively, with adequate risk management systems.
4 Financial prudence	A firm must maintain adequate financial resources.
5 Market conduct	A firm must observe proper standards of market conduct.
6 Customers’ interests	A firm must pay due regard to the interests of its customers and treat them fairly.
7 Communications with clients	A firm must pay due regard to the information needs of its clients, and communicate information to them in a way which is clear, fair and not misleading.
8 Conflicts of interest	A firm must manage conflicts of interest fairly, both between itself and its customers and between a customer and another client.
9 Customers: relationships of trust	A firm must take reasonable care to ensure the suitability of its advice and discretionary decisions for any customer who is entitled to rely upon its judgment.
10 Clients’ assets	A firm must arrange adequate protection for clients’ assets when it is responsible for them.
11 Relations with regulators	A firm must deal with its regulators in an open and cooperative way, and must disclose to the FCA appropriately anything relating to the firm of which that regulator would reasonably expect notice.

I would point your attention to PRIN 6: “A firm must pay due regard to the interests of its customers and treat them fairly.”

If they do not resolve your issue than you can progress it to the Financial Ombudsman but you need to exhaust the internal complaint process of the relevant company. This is to really prevent and resolve issues at the earliest opportunity. FCA is the regulatory body and does not deal with individual consume complaints but has set up a CONC, Consumer Credit Source Book which has rules and guidance that governs the work and procedures of the financial institutions but also debt advise providers both charities and commercial ones.

https://www.fca.org.uk/search-results?search_term=CONC

I would also point out that a lender must be registered under the FCA, which can be checked:

If lender isn’t registeredthey can be reported for what is known as loan sharks. The following information can be found on the https://www.gov.uk/report-loan-shark

“Loan sharks are illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates. You can check if a company is authorised to lend money and report loan sharks anonymously.

You can search the Financial Services Register for companies and individuals authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

consumer.queries@fca.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 111 6768
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Saturday, 9am to 1pm

If you spot a loan shark or you’ve borrowed money from one you can report them anonymously: Illegal Money Lending Team
Report a loan shark online
reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 555 2222
24-hour service
Text a report to 07860 022 116”

There has been lots of reports regarding Phishing. If you receive a SMS message, email or letter, HMRC and the Gov advise the following:

https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing/report-hmrc-phishing-emails-texts-and-phone-call-scams:

Report HMRC phishing emails, texts and phone call scams

You can report something suspicious to HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) phishing team, for example:

• a text message (forward it to 60599 – you’ll be charged at your network rate)
• an email (forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk)
• a message in an application, for example WhatsApp – take a screenshot and forward as an email
• phone calls asking for personal information or threatening a lawsuit (report a phone call)

On the www.gov.uk there is information on what to look for if you are not sure if the communication you received is genuine.

The Government has set up a page to help voters with reporting scams: https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing

Which suggest the follow, but read the rest of the page for the Gov advise

Suspicious emails

Forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.

Text messages

Forward the text message to 7726 – it’s free.

This will report the message to your mobile phone provider.

Fraud such as identity theft, hacking and phishing for instance can be reported to the Action Fraud which is than investigated and passed to the police if evidence exist

If you are a victim of fraud, Hounslow police twitter account suggest that you report it to Action Fraud [https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/  0300 123 204

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/contact-us ],

You can report it direct to the police but there are processes in place that are best to be followed. Also, you can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Charity [https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information
0800 555 111]

It is advisable if you are a victim of financial identity fraud to set up your record on CIFAS [https://www.cifas.org.uk/contact-us The UK’s largest cross-sector fraud sharing organisation].

This will then appear on your credit report so when fraudster applies for a credit, the creditor would ask for a password. This way you could prevent financial loss

You can also create a statement on your credit report file and link it to a particular creditor on your file so that they are aware if you think you are at risk. Your statement can be max 200 words and can be set up free of charge.

The Credit Report files contain other information such as previous addresses the file and your records are linked or individuals who are linked to your accounts so that you can monitor your accounts this way

You can access the three free credit reports using the following websites

• Experian – use MSE Credit Club, which offers full access to your Experian credit report for free anytime. 

• Equifax – use Clearscore*, which provides free access to your Equifax report.
• TransUnion – use Credit Karma, which gives you free access to your TransUnion report.

Be wise – Stay Safe

Sleep tight

The Green Queen

4 October 2021

Amended Easter 17 April 2022

One too quickly assumes that drug addicts are some unemployable working-class youths both black and white, dysfunctional and without social skills.

We learnt recently that this is just a prejudice. It finally dawned on me that the users are not  just the “local” trouble makers but also Armani suits, city professionals, many of them practicing solicitors and barristers. It is a common knowledge at the Bar that there is ripped drug consumption.

This is why they were up in arm to Shaun Bailey’s proposal of drug testing. It became clear that Armani suits do not want drug testing as it interferes with their delusional world and drug fuelled performance. The rest of us, normal reasonable standards individuals are not really bothered. Indirectly our world will be safer. Directly I will finally be free…the summer of 2022. (The time stop was moved two years on)

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I have accessed NHS live in the past (http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/addiction/Pages/addictionwhatisit.aspx) which states: “If you have an addiction, you’re not alone. According to the charity Action on Addiction, one in three of us are addicted to something. Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol and nicotine, but it’s possible to be addicted to just about anything, including: work, internet, solvents or shopping”

They argue “Being addicted to something means that not having it causes withdrawal symptoms, or a “come down”. Because this can be unpleasant, it’s easier to carry on having or doing what you crave, and so the cycle continues.

Some studies suggest addiction is genetic, but environmental factors, such as being around other people with addictions, are also thought to increase the risk.

An addiction can be a way of blocking out difficult issues. Unemployment and poverty can trigger addiction, along with stress and emotional or professional pressure.”

Alcohol was considered as a mental health condition by the Social Security Tribunal since 2006/7. There is the Upper Tribunal case ref CE/437/2011 averring “’As Upper Tribunal Judge Jacobs pointed out in CIB/1296/2007 (sitting as a Social Security Commissioner) alcohol dependence is a mental condition (as decided by a Tribunal of Commissioners in relation to DLA in R(DLA) 6/06). The same must apply to drug dependence, and if it is correct in relation to incapacity benefit it is also correct in relation to ESA’ (paragraph 11)

—————-

“Both regulations 19(5) and 29(2)(b) of the [ESA] Regulations require that the claimant must suffer from a specific disease or bodily or mental disablement. Having made a finding of fact that the claimant was using drugs, the First-tier Tribunal should have considered and determined whether the claimant’s drug use amounted to drug dependency and constituted a mental disease or disablement.
Judge Knowles referred to JG v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2013] UKUT 37 (AAC), a decision by a Three-Judge Panel, which relied on the factors listed in the category of Substance Dependence contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM IV) and found that alcohol dependency fell within the phrase ‘specific disease or bodily or mental disablement’. While JG concerned a claimant with alcohol dependence, Judge Knowles found that the constellation of markers were equally applicable to drug dependence.
However, Judge Knowles noted that DSM IV had been superseded by DSM-5 with effect from 18 May 2013. DSM-5 divided substance related/addictive disorders into two groups -substance use disorders and substance induced disorders. It also addressed specific substances separately. Listing 11 diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder, DSM-5 advised that severity is specified as follows –
-mild substance use disorder is the presence of 2-3 of the above symptoms;
-moderate is the presence of 4-5 symptoms; and
-severe is the presence of six or more symptoms.

Whilst the tribunal followed the accreditation I could see that in reality we should classify the addicts in three groups. It is already done in mental health assessment of depression so why could it not be applied here as well

———————————————————-

Having read the Telegraph article: Julie Burchill: You cannot use drugs and avoid doing harm, I noted the following. She no longer takes drugs and therefore feel free to speak out. She was able to stop taking it and one assumed she was in a “mild group”. Either that or her overall mental health improved.

Just like it is often the problem with the mental health one finds it difficult to accept there is an issue.

It was a psychiatric during the talk organized by the Nigeria Brittan Law forum who produced a chart where one can assess based on the live events how stressed you are and is it alarming needing an action. Loss of a loved one carries the highest score and getting married is quite at the top as well. I discussed it with a group of walkers in 2019 in support of the London Legal Walk and they agreed that getting married itself is stressful.

One of my Facebook friends, British man, beamed how he got married to Argentinian woman at the time of Falklands war and happily reported that both sides behaved in a civilized manner. This clearly illustrates why getting married can be stressful.                   

The addicts and dealers alike pose danger to the society and to the victims. Having read horror how a dealer murdered another so that he could still his clients published in Standards online, 26/8/2020 recently it is right that  Shan Bailey and others highlighted danger of drugs as behind the trafficking, country lines and gangs there are broken families, poverty fuelled by the drug addiction and well funerals

Every each and one of these addicts is like a Frankenstein in action. Possessed by drugs’ craving they become unstoppable in their demand for drugs and will stop at nothing to feed their sick cravings

Charity such as MIND believe that there is no such thing as an addiction. It is a mental health issue. There are 5 NHS specialist units in England for the worst affected but are crying for funding.

I fear that the society still think that the drug addiction is not an illness and like to turn the blind eye to the harm they cause to the victims. The reasons may be several: fear of re-praisal by the dealers who see drug trafficking a “business”, but also people don’t tent to get involved if does not concerns them directly.

It is good that we started to talk about the Armani suits drug addiction for these reasons.

We need to look at the social backgrounds of these individuals. They are brought up thinking they can do no wrong. This was deeply imprinted in their behaviour so they mistakenly believe they can do no wrong but at the same time  they cannot deal with the reality.

They are educated so they think they should run the world hence they support socialist Labour who would do anything for votes.

They do not support Conservatives as the party values entrepreneurship whilst the leftist believe they can do anything they want. Wrong because whilst most people could pass a degree not many people can set up and build a successful, multi-million company as it takes natural skills.

There is a skill of passing exams. It would not assist you to suddenly gain entrepreneur skills.

I spent the last ten years fighting for my personal freedom and right to family and personal life and communication. Even the arrest of 746 did not bring freedom and safe guarded Art 8

From day one I asked to stop hacking and unlawfully forwarding my personal emails. A barrister at the city law school city said it was legal. It was not. They breached of Article 8 and RIPA 2000. I was powerless and yes afraid of the mob.

In Croatia there is a say that the suit does not make up a man, loosely translated. It is not the suits that matter but your actions.

Ms Law I strongly believe the drugs should not be legalized. No thank you I do not want a little smoke or any other smoke. Speak for yourself. I’d rather have a time with my beloved cats and a cuppa on a comfy couch, with bacon and vegie pasta dinner made by me

Apart from the sociofantasy and irresponsible upbringing they are also obsessed to be popular funny and happy. They need a kick when out with “friends”

Such life style may be a problem in itself.

Meeting new people, you always feel a tiny bit of anxiety so why do it as a life style.

It is company of friend and family that loves you, can give you a good time. Not strangers.

If you are going out mingling with total strangers who talk about the wild life trophy hunting, it is fore sable that you would need another kind of kick to look ecstatic and happy!

I have family and friends. I want to enjoy my life spending with them and not some socifantasist  substance misusers whatever they wear.

In the 21st century having to fight for the Article 8 is a tarnish on the legal profession and the rule of law.

I do not think that the proposed charter alone will change the behaviour of the Armani suits.

Using a substance that makes their eyes ablaze it is not unforeseeable that the damage it does to their brain and body.

There is a culture of long hours and cut-throat competition that is supported by drugs. These individuals refuse to talk about mental health in fear of their status

For them it is a stigma to be seen as “weak” and calling a physician, but It became acceptable to call a dealer, and take the substance on the quite side. For them a Work life balance is for elderly with a one foot in the grave

Shaun’s actions and intentions are step in the right direction but dealing with the underlying issue why they are taking drugs is important too.

Vesna Cvetek

1 September 2020 (1st draft)

18 April 2022 (Amended)

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I recently discovered that there are not many people who know what a self-build plot was. I would not know either if it was not for attending the Grand Design Birmingham in October and watching Kevin Cloud’s shows.

 

I grew up in Croatia, during the socialist regime. Croatia and former Yugoslavia was perhaps unique from other contemporary socialist and communist countries of Europe, which were also part of the Russian block. Former Yugoslavia was not, in that people owned their own homes. Not only that majority of people build their own homes. This tradition continues to present day.

 

According to the article by Richard Bacon, the Self-building and Renovations publication of the Grand Design, in Austria 80% of new properties are developed in this way. Further in most of the developed countries a substantial number of homes are a self-build.

 

I was therefore a bit surprised that here in the UK building your own home is so rare that it is part of the TV show. A self-build is associated with a modern, uniquely designed dwellings. It therefore comes as no surprise that Graven Hill featured in the Grand Design TV series, The Street, is becoming a tourists’ attraction. A celebration of a creative, innovative mind.

 

Graven Hill in particular is designed as a community built project were people look out for each other. It is also a commercial project too.

 

Beautify designed homes are not just nice to look at. They are designed around the needs and character of the homeowner or family who is going to inhabit that space. It is no surprise that one resident who took part in the Grand Design Birmingham show stated that he built a house to live in with his disabled wife reporting improvement in her health. It is a well-accepted fact that the space we live in affects our wellbeing so the home owner’s statement was not unusual.

 

In addition to beautiful designs pleasing to the eye, building your own home is considered a cost effective. There are options the homeowner can choose from. They can use high quality material and fittings which may be more expensive making it still cheaper than buying a commercial property built using lower quality material.

 

Self-build in the UK seems to be linked to high quality and innovative designs. I am more familiar with builds of an ordinarily dwellings. It is perhaps this kind of self-build that needs to be encouraged more. It is only in the last few years that the legal framework was put in place referred as The Right to Build thanks to the Conservative Member of Parliament Richard Bacon until recently and the PPC, former chairman of the all-party Parliamentary Group on Self-Build, Custom and Community House building and place making.

 

The law says everyone has right to sign up to a self-build register which every local council must keep. In turn the council must than ensure that within three to four years the sufficient suitable building plots are permissioned to match the number on the register.

 

Section 2(1) of the Self-build and custom Housebuilding Act 2015 places a duty on relevant bodies to have regard to each self-build and custom housebuilding register including Part 2 of the register (where a register is in two parts) that relates to their area when carrying out their planning, housing, land disposal and registration functions

 

The following guidance suggest ways in which the duty may be demonstrated in carrying out each function:

 

(ii) Housing: Local Housing authorities who are under the duty to have regard to register that relates to their areas should consider the evidence of demand for self-build and custom housebuilding from the registrars when carrying out their housing functions. This includes when preparing their local housing strategies and in developing plans for new housing on land owned by the local housing authority.”

 

(IV) Registration states “should consider the demand for self-build and custom house building.”

 

Based on my conversation with political activists they are either not aware what a self-build plot is or they were on the register for many years without any feedback from the local authority of the prospect of been allocated a plot. Although this may be a less known option but the local authorities clearly have duty to take the demand into consideration when planning for the housing and development.

 

However, there is a catch22 situation here, if public does not know about this legislation they will not be registering their interest. Consequently, as they will not register their interest, there will not be demand for the self-build plot. As above the council has duty to look at the demand based on the register, which in this instance would not be great since not widely publicised by the local authorities. Consequently, the legislation whilst well intended on its own may not very effective.

 

The local authorities by failing to promote this scheme are missing out on a potential option to ease out the housing shortage. The popularity of this scheme could also erode the monopoly of the property developers, and potentially encourage them to behaviour more honourably when it comes to buying lands and holding on to it without building on it, which seems to be an issue.

 

There is another side to this story, the local authority receives funds from the property developers to be used by the council to develop the area’s infrastructure etc. Therefore, the Council is evidently incentivised to sell the land to large development corporations, instead of promoting the self-build plots and projects.

 

Potential self-builders can search for their very own plots. Consequently, in the current issue of Grand Design magazine the process of finding and checking a potential plot is explained with the guidelines what to look for and where to search. The process, however, seems quite laborious and significant number of people may find it too complicated to follow.

 

Affordable homes in the Capital:

However, self-build should not be substitute for the Mayor’s failure to build affordable housing in the capital. According to the Evening Standards, 15/11/2019. Mayor of London have started to build less than 5,000 affordable homes in six months, from April. This means further 12,126 would have to be started if he is to hit his minimum target of 17,000 for 2019/20 year. His record on affordable housing is really pitiful and he is highly unlikely to meet this minimum target.

 

The mayor appears to want to pass the buck by setting up Community Led Housing London www.communityledhousing.london. The Community Group is set up to guide, mentor and support community groups in delivery self-build affordable homes.

 

This scheme appears to be promoting community led Housing Associations. There are already Housing Association that were set up as a community affordable housing so Mayor is simply re-inventing the wheel and passing the buck down the road.

 

Cowboy builders:

There is another issue associated with self-build and renovation work highlighted at the Grand Design Birmingham, cowboy builders. According to the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) recent survey one in 3 homeowners is so fearful of hiring a cowboy builder that they do not commission any work. A typical project costs £40,000.00. They calculated that the fear of dodgy builders costs the economy £10bn a year.

 

The Federation proposes a licence system for the builders. This would be widely welcomed, since currently anyone can set themselves up as a builder irrelevant of any experience or knowledge. I think if all builders are also required to register with the Federation (www.fmb.co.uk) this would provide a peace of mind to the homeowner since the fmb checks the trades including a financial check.

 

There are potentially other benefits of the homebuilding and renovations. A home improvement sometimes may lead to a home extension which potentially could offer a home to a lodger or a tenant, again easing a housing crisis.

 

Promoting the healthy economy starts at home.

 

Vesna Cvetek

18 November 2019

So, they wanted to enjoy a free broadband.

This was the second time there was an attempted fraud/scam over telephone.

What brought it was that I cancelled the newly entered broadband agreement. In response, they phoned me claiming it was not cancelled alleging that an agent whose id was not recorded cancelled it.  I telephoned the broadband provider and they had no information about cancellation.

The scammer attempted to telephone me a few more times until the day before the service was to be disconnected. The service was disconnected on the agreed date and I received £5 good will gesture at their own initiative.

Back to the scammers, they desperately tried to stop the disconnection in particular as they got hold of the Wi-Fi router. The reason was because the courier left it outside my front door whilst putting on the system I signed it whilst in fact I was out of the UK miles away.

I did not report it to the action fraud line as no crime was committed although they clearly attempted to. They have appropriated a router they reasonably knew did not belong to them but this is dispute that is between them and the broadband provider.

Their anger must have been even greater in the knowledge they committed theft but could no longer enjoy proceeds of their crime.

One of the reasons I cancelled was hacking. There was me using the old broadband network trying to access my emails. Instead of emails I kept getting messages scrip running in the background. I do not support socialism and no doubt using your neighbour’s broadband is most likely accepted under their socialist utopia of free world where others/victims pay.

 

There was another occasion when I was contacted by a fraudster claiming they were from a credit reference agency. I knew very well that the credit reference agency does not call people and that it is a duty of the person to request any correction of the agencies’ records, if proven that the records are incorrect. There was two of the scammers on the line as I put them on mute hoping they would go. They did not. They kept being aggressive until I said I was calling police to which point they cut the line as if shot by a lighting.

That call took place whilst I was away. So now I do not answer calls unless from friends or family whilst I am on holiday.

Although there is very little they can do apart from upset you.

 

There is recommendation to share experience of scams among your friends, family and neighbours in order to make them aware and keep them safe in particular vulnerable such as elderly who seems to be an easy target for fraudsters.  It is also recommended to check unexpected calls, letters and online contacts with someone you trust.

I was glad to read on the local community Facebook group people sharing the experience and recent scam attempts, as well as asking for advice on suspicious calls. Lots of scam attempts tent to allege the victim owes money or fraud was committed attempting to black male the victim into quick decisions to part with the money. Many of the scammers recently alleged they were calling from HMRC.

Helpful guidance that it could be scam is if the call, letter, email or text has arrived unexpectedly.  You’ve never heard of the lottery or competition they are talking about and did not buy a ticket. They are asking you to send money in advance. You’ve been urged to respond quickly so you don’t get time to think about it.

When the broadband scammer called, me it was obvious that the person was not working in any form of customer services and certainly not for one of the leading broadband providers. He was arrogant, brash and cut me abruptly in the middle of the sentence. It is important to also look for small clues as well, such as their attitude and behaviour. I also called the number back and there was just messages you called [broadband] sorry you missed us. This clearly did not sound like the message when you telephone the real broadband provider. It was a very casual non-professional message.

It is important to stay safe so, sometimes is necessary to report the fraud to Action Fraud action line [0300 123 2040] or visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk, or call Citizens Advice Consumer Service who can pass on details to the trading standards [03454 04 05 06].

 

 

What fraudsters often ignore is the emotional impact they have on their victims. I still remember vividly how this lady was defrauded by a man, her former landlord in a similar to Fiona Onasanya incident. She has just lost her husband. She speaks very limited English. In all this grief, she had to deal with this man who did not want to pay his ticket and who most likely was fully aware and no doubt took advantage of her circumstances.

At the time of alleged contravention, she did not even have a full driving licence.

She felt angry and was anxious as how slow police work was going. Taking private prosecution would however be more difficult for her not to mention the cost implication.

In hindsight, she at the end benefited from the overall money advice as she was financially struggling and it was important for her to manage her finances as this could potentially implicate her immigration application.

As the current law stands applicants who for instance were declared bankrupt applying for British nationality, their application is likely to be turned down. This is because the applicants are required to prove good character. Whilst changes are announced to the immigration rules I hope that this will not be watered down as simply the society is entitled to accept only those who can guarantee they will positively contribute to the society.

 

In this instance, her vulnerability was very obvious and significant but it is unclear if police and indeed Crown Prosecution Service CPS are adequately trained to deal with vulnerable victims. Whilst lots of it may be improving my view is that the quality of the training needs to be improved. Whilst it is easier to for instance follow a logic you were not driving therefore it is fraud. It is not so obvious to many officers that there could be emotional issues and vulnerability also involved. Not to mention that they were taking their time to contact the victim.

In comparison Fiona Onasanya’s victim although I did not read the judgment I was not aware if any vulnerability was involved. This still makes it a cowardice crime implicating another innocent person into a web of lies, having them to attend criminal hearing and being interrogated by the judge and the CPS. Some also argue that “mud sticks”.

Whilst there has been significant improvement in treatment of vulnerable court users, it is very discouraging that judges for instance do not require to complete training in mental health and wellbeing. The only judges who are required are employment tribunal judges. Both sides of political spectrum agree that this needs to be changed.

I have read a report by the JUSTICE [https://justice.org.uk/our-work/criminal-justice-system/mental-health-fair-trial/] working party, where Lord Burnett of Maldon, The Lord Chief justice said: “Underpinning these proposals is a common thread – the concern that courts and the legal profession are not being provided with sufficient training and guidance to enable them to carry out their roles effectively, whether case management, trial management or sentencing.”

 

The Mental Health and Fair Trial report argues that from first contact with the police through to sentence, there remain fundamental problems with the English justice system’s response to mental health. Left unaddressed the fair trial rights of many defendants may be undermined.

The report makes 52 recommendations on the following aspects of the criminal justice process:

[1. The investigative stage – Mental health experts, not police officers, should be identifying people with vulnerability as a result of mental ill health or learning disability and those identified should have access to proper support.
2. Decision as to charge or prosecution – A specialist prosecutor should be appointed for each Crown Prosecution Service area who must make the charging decision in cases of vulnerability, assisted by up-to-date guidance and assessments.
3. Pre-trial and trial hearings – Trial processes can be bewildering and incomprehensible for those with mental ill health and learning disabilities. Magistrates’ courts, youth courts and the Crown Court should have a dedicated mental health judge with enhanced case management powers and responsibility for a case progression protocol.
4. Legal capacity tests – A capacity based test of fitness to plead and fitness to stand trial, placed on a statutory footing should be available in all courts and the “insanity” defence should be amended to a defence of ‘not criminally responsible by reason of a recognised medical condition’.
5. Disposal and sentencing – A Sentencing Guideline on mental health and vulnerability should be created and a broader range of disposals made available to sentencers to meet the needs of the case.

]

 

Criminals often do not consider the impact they have on the victims of crime. By increasing the number of officers, I cannot see how this will improve unless the police and courts’ training is significantly improved.

 

Written by Vesna Cvetek

20 August 2019