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Money Refunds.org.uk
FREE Practical Advice and Tips on how to get money back, replacements, credits, compensation and more for poor service and shoddy goods across the UK
Government
As a Member of the public you pay taxes in various forms and in return receive a variety of services from Government at both national and local levels.
Due to the vastness and bureaucracy of the way government systems work, many seeped in traditional and outdated methods mistakes can occur which could cause you loss, harm or hardship.
Government employees often called Civil Servants work for the public at large, so as such work for YOU and thus have a duty and responsibility to YOU collectively and individually, this is your greatest strength.
In legal matters governments often seem to waste money on minor issues to prove a small point, or prove they are right. Determined actions by individuals and groups have often won significant cases against local government albeit after many years of effort, expense and dedication.
On a more localized and personal basis you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of situations examples including;
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Roads and pavements badly planned or maintained by local councils causing accidents or injury
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Miscalculations in benefits and taxes levied
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Housing matters
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Failure to enforce or otherwise deal with health or environmental issues causing health, living and safety considerations.
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Failure to notify you of circumstances which may affect you. (a Rugby house owner won over £1,000 compensation when the local council failed to notify him over a housing development next to his home.)
Applications for refunds and compensation should always be sent in writing to the appropriate authority together with copies of significant documents in support of your claim. It is essential you keep copies of all correspondence and maintain a log of any telephone calls, or personal visits you make or receive and from/with whom.
It is vital you make sure you know the name of people to contact or whom you speak to by telephone or personally as government departments are notoriously "faceless" and "nameless" although there are some indications some organisations are making attempts to become more consumer friendly.
It's useful to follow up letters with a telephone call to check it has arrived and is being seen to. Ask for the allocated reference number (if any) issued to your case, and/or the person dealing with your case, as this often speeds further enquires.
Government bodies thrive on paperwork and reference numbers which are often confusing and daunting to the general public. Some efforts are being made to simplify paperwork and make the whole aspect of dealing with Government bodies less frightening and intimidating.
Useful web sites.
The Local
Government Ombudsman You can use this website to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman or to find out more about the Ombudsmen's work, use this
action if your own direct approach fails to get results and you feel you
have a valid case against a local government authority.
www.lgo.org.uk/
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman this Ombudsman has now been amalgamated into the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. www.ombudslgscot.org.uk/ use this action if your own direct approach fails to get results and you feel you have a valid case against a local government authority.
UK
Parliamentary Ombudsman The Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Health Service
Ombudsman undertake independent investigations into complaints
about government departments. use this action if your own direct
approach fails to get results and you feel you have a valid case
www.ombudsman.org.uk
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