Archive for July 2014

Passing 2nd year of degree as a mature student

July 24, 2014 Parks & Green spaces Comments Off on Passing 2nd year of degree as a mature student
Law

The many law books!

It really does not seem possible that I have already finished the second year of my Law Degree.

Nor does it that I have covered the following areas; Family Law, Law of Business Associations, Equity and the Law of Trusts, Law of Tort, European Union Law, Contract Law, Foundations of Criminal Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law & Legal Method and Skills.

I am delighted to have been formally contacted confirming that I have passed the second year – which I have to say is a relief!

When I started the degree I was not sure what to expect. Especially going back into education after a fifteen year break. Certainly getting back into studying and exams took a little while to get used to.

It really has opened up a whole new world to me, making many new friends along the way.

Much has been said about the new funding system for university students. I have to say if it was not for the new system I may well not be writing this article. The reason being the concept of upfront fees was a real barrier to undertaking a qualification. What if I did not enjoy the course? What if I could not get back into the academic flow to be successful in the course?

I will now enjoy the summer before meeting the challenge of the third year in October.

At last – a cap on payday lenders

July 15, 2014 payday lenders Comments Off on At last – a cap on payday lenders

PaydayIt has been a long time coming, but at last the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has announced the intention for a lending cap of 100% of the original loan amount. This is proposed to be in place by January.

Already there is significant change taking place in the payday lending market. In the last three months the amount of loans given reduced by 50% for the same period last year. Clearly the changes that were implemented in July are having an effect; limit on roll-overs, more affordability checks and controls on CPA’s which is a mechanism that has allowed lenders to take money from people’s bank accounts.

Further evidence of this was seen today as the Money Shop will have to refund over £700,000 of interest and default charges to 6,247 customers who received a loan that exceeded its own lending criteria. This was following a review by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

One of the largest lenders in the pay day loan industry, Wonga, appointed a new chairman yesterday. Mr WongaHaste admitted that they are to become a smaller and less profitable operation. The company will be ditching the appalling puppet advertising campaign – that has been accused of trivialising debt and the potential marketing towards youngsters.

Whilst this is all welcome, it does not resolve the symptom cause of people needing payday loans.
Credit Unions will play a very important role in the solution going forward as not only do they offer affordable loans, they also help give money management and debt advice. A crucial part of helping stop the cycle of debt that leads people to payday lenders in the first place.

CreditUnionThe UK currently has around 400 credit unions and a million members in total. Credit unions are usually move supportive than the high street towards people with bad credit histories. Plus APR rates vary between 7-40%.

The Government has now put in £38m for the Credit Union Expansion Project, launching next April. Within the scheme dozens of credit unions will bring together their resources to cut down on administration costs.

The project is run by the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd. A key part of the project is to improve the industry’s use of IT to enable instant credit scoring. Currently many Credit Unions will take over a week to lend money, where as payday lenders can offer instant loans. So this step will provide Credit Unions with a way to combat the USP of instant loans that payday lenders have had.

Already experts in the payday industry expect their market to contract by over 40% in the next year.

Campaign success – making A10 junction safer

July 4, 2014 Highways, Parks & Green spaces Comments Off on Campaign success – making A10 junction safer

Landbeach Milton junctionThe ‘A10 Safer Junction’s’ campaign has now had its first success with improvements starting on Monday (July 8th) at the Landbeach/Milton junction.  The petition campaign was well supported with over 1,200 people signing and was directly credited with starting the consultation process for improvements.

Two schemes were consulted on. The chosen design as pictured will take 8 weeks to complete. It will create a new pedestrian and cycle crossing on the A10 junction between Milton and Landbeach

The scheme is great news for pedestrians and cyclists as it will offer quick and direct path across the junction. It increases visibility of and for pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross.

One of the reasons we launched the campaign for action this and the Landbeach-Waterbeach junction wasLandbeach footpath junction both have a high accident rate. Once the improvements are in place we will see if further action is needed. Last year the Conservatives put a new cycleway and footpath between Milton and Landbeach (something the local community have wanted for decades) and this is an additional welcome step. Pictured with local campaigner Sarah Smart where the footpath currently ends.

To further aid safety solar stud lighting will be laid along the edges of the whole dual use path. New street lighting will be provided near the crossing points.

This latest success follows on from securing a reduced 50mph limit along the A10 and street lights and traffic lights at the Denny End junction.