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Banks Accused of Unfair Tactics towards Clients in Debt |
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 16:55 |
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Banks are continuing to aggressively target customers who have fallen into debt, according to a report by a group of Scottish MPs.
The Scottish Affairs committee has called for an end to "undesirable practices" such as automated calls. The report says banks have a special obligation to behave fairly, and to help customers during the recession. But it said it was concerned that frontline staff were under pressure to sell potentially unsuitable products.
The committee recommended that banks should work with Citizens Advice Scotland to ensure that aggressive tactics are eliminated.
On the issue of pay, the committee expressed disappointment that banks considered it a "necessary evil" to reward certain bank executives with enormous bonuses when thousands of rank and file employees faced redundancy.
The chairman of the committee, Mohammed Sarwar MP, said: "Whilst the committee recognises efforts being made by the UK and Scottish governments to provide support for individuals and businesses who are struggling to cope, unacceptable practices used by banks must stop."
'Credit starved'
The committee warned that small and medium-sized enterprises were struggling to gain access to affordable finance and the committee claimed that viable businesses were being starved of credit.
It said the UK and Scottish governments should ensure businesses received the necessary support to weather the current crisis and it awaits the government's assessment of how banks have met their lending commitments.
The Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland praised the committee for highlighting the importance of transparency in small business lending decisions.
Spokesman Colin Borland said: "It is through greater transparency and better communication that the trust between the big high street banks and their small business customers will be restored.
"Further, the committee highlights that there is still some distance between how high street banks say they are behaving and the real-life experiences of small businesses out there in the real economy.
"That is why we need to get a swift, accurate picture of what's really happening - and why the FSB in Scotland continues to argue for the creation of a Financial Intermediary Service to get to the heart of the matter."
Article taken from The BBC webite |
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A places left on Fife Law Centre Opening Seminar |
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A few places still remain in Fife Law Centre's Launch Seminar on Thursday, 11/03/2010 at 16:15 pm.
The Seminar, "Women's Rights and the Law" consists of two parts. The first part will be presented by Ann Oliver, a solicitor in conjunction with Women's Aid and is called "The Difficulties of Obtaining Legal Protection for Abused Women"
The second part is a presentation by Rosemary Guinnane, an advocate, around "Equality of Women in the Workplace: Present and Future"
The seminar will be held in Our Space, Adam Smith Levenmouth Campus on Victoria Road, Leven.
If you are interested, please click on the seminar invite form and email it back to Fife Law Centre after filling out the details. Fees apply accordingly.
 FLC seminar invite (125.5 kB)
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Monday, 08 February 2010 13:38 |
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The Fife Alcohol Partnership Project is conducting a survey about alcohol and what should happen in Fife to tackle the health problems, anti-social behaviour and other harm that results from excessive drinking.
The survey is confidential and anonymous, and the results are to be used solely for research purposes to inform the work of the Fife Alcohol Partnership Project.
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Pressure mounts to phase out IE6 |
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 15:25 |
A Downing Street petition is calling for the UK government to drop Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) and move to a more modern browser.
The petition says that IE6 has security flaws and uses outdated technology, creating a burden for developers.
The petition comes as the Department of Health advised the NHS to move away from the old browser.
Other government departments - and many firms - still use the software, which was first released in 2001.
"Most creative and software development companies are forced by government department clients to build websites for IE6 when most of the industry has moved on," the petition reads.
"Upgrading would be a massive task for government, but if the public is encouraged to lead the way and the government follows, that would create the momentum needed."
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Read more...
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Glenrothes YMCA Needs You! |
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Friday, 22 January 2010 12:58 |
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The Glenrothes YMCA-YWCA is seeking to appoint two new members to its Board of Directors.
With 41 staff, 20 volunteers and an annual budget of over £1m, this charity plays a vital role in assisting the young, homeless and other disadvantaged groups within Glenrothes and Fife. Candidates will be required to have some time to spare (1-2 days per month), experience of working in the public, private, or voluntary sectors, and a genuine interest in helping youth and the wider community, particularly those who are disadvantaged. Candidates should be interested in advising the charity with its three-year consolidation programme.
Knowledge of working with young people, substance misuse, homelessness/housing, finance, IT, law, and human resources would be welcome. Architectural/surveying or property experience is particularly desirable for the charity’s major property expansion programme.
The Glenrothes YMCA-YWCA has three key schemes; 50 supported bedspaces for young homeless in hostels, and flats; the Fife wide drug and alcohol schools education programme DELTA; and learning and development programmes for young people, families and adults.
It is desirable but not essential that Board Members have an interest in Christianity. Past involvement with the voluntary sector would be advantageous, but not essential. Non-executive Board Directors do not receive any remuneration but are eligible for expenses.
If you are interested and would like to receive an information pack (by email) about the Glenrothes YMCA-YWCA and the roles and responsibilities of our Board Directors, please contact:
Mary Hill, Director, Glenrothes YMCA-YWCA, North Street, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5PP Tel: 01592 612674. E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or apply by phone/post.
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