Victory again in Judicial Review Appeal Three appeal court judges delivered a stunningly strong verdict against the UK Government. They dismissed the Government's appeals against the Judicial Review High Court ruling and upheld the verdict that its behaviour in this case has been irrational and unlawful. They also found that the maladministration caused more than just financial losses, but also led to non-financial injustices which have not yet been recognised at all. Victory – A decent FAS settlement at last! Wonderful news! Press Release welcoming the announcement from Peter Hain, Secretary of State at DWP, that the FAS will be extended to put it on a par with the Pension Protection Fund, following publication of the Young Review. Press Release: FAS time to sort it out, not string it out Ros' comments on what would be required for a reasonable settlement of the problems of the FAS to stop the issue dragging on any longer. Scrooge lives on – Government must compensate Ros highlights rumours that Numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street are refusing to allow the DWP Ministers to offer a proper extension of the Financial Assistance Scheme before Christmas, despite previous commitments. There seems to be a row in Government over this issue. Announcing an all-night vigil outside Downing Street Release explaining that – despite the winter weather - desperate pension victims will spend all night on the pavement in Whitehall outside Downing Street and deliver a letter begging for justice. Prime Minister's answers to David Cameron at Question Time Ros' comments on extracts from Hansard showing the answers given by Tony Blair to questions from David Cameron which called for improvements to the FAS, asked for a Treasury emergency loan to be given to help his constituent who has leukaemia, is 68 and has had no pension and no FAS. Breathtaking double standards offering 100% compensation to Northern Rock depositors Release highlighting the injustice of Government immediately rescuing Northern Rock savers with a 100% guarantee, while continuing to maintain that taxpayers can't compensate pension victims who have been struggling for years with no pension. Release welcoming Young Review report Ros points to the interim Report of the DWP Review of FAS scheme assets, which validates her long-held view that not annuitising these assets would be much better for members, would save money for the taxpayer and would allow increased compensation without extra taxpayer costs. Appendix E in the review also highlights how a scheme to collect unclaimed life policies such as from Ireland, could raise £230m initially and then £70m a year thereafter. Press Release criticising ABI scaremongering about the cross-party Lifeboat amendments Ros explains for the press that the cross-party Lifeboat plans would not entail taking any money from other pension schemes or from orphan assets and that the ABI has misunderstood the proposals. Assets with owners and orphan estates need not be touched. Release commenting on FAS 2006 annual report Ros comments on the FAS annual report which shows this 'assistance' scheme has paid more for official costs of running it than it has to those who lost their pensions. She calls on the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to draw a line with the past, move away from spin and end the shambles of the Financial Assistance Scheme. Press Release on FSA Retail Distribution Review Ros' comments on FSA Retail Distribution Review consultation paper on selling savings products in the UK. Ros suggests the only people called 'independent advisers' should be those who can sell across all products. Announcement of a Tory Fringe meeting at Labour Party Conference before fifth 'Stripped of our Pensions' annual demonstration Release announcing that the Tories will hold their first-ever fringe meeting at the LABOUR party conference on 25 September 2007, to call on the Government to compensate victims at least to PPF levels, then followed by another 'Stripped of Our Pensions' demonstration. Comment on Pension Regulator's issue of its first FSD Ros' comments on the new Pension Regulator's issue of its first Financial Support Direction against Sea Containers. Lords expected to back amendments for fair compensation Release about the expected defeat for the Government in the House of Lords when Tories and LibDems, backed by a number of cross-bench peers will vote on the amendments to Clause 18 of the Pensions Bill, calling for a Lifeboat fund to be established to help pay Pension Protection Fund level benefits to those currently in the inadequate Financial Assistance Scheme. Announcement of second Judicial Review against Government Release announcing that victims of scheme wind-ups are being forced to go back to the High Court to Judicially Review the Government's recent budget announcements of extensions to the Financial Assistance Scheme which do not comply with the High Court ruling in the first JR. Release on Gordon Brown's removal of ACT relief Ros' initial reaction to revelations about the advice given to Gordon Brown in 1997 ahead of his decision to remove dividend tax relief from pension funds, explaining that the decision was irresponsible. Press Release cautioning against euphoria about FAS extension Press Release explaining that the extension to the FAS announced in the Budget is not all it seems. Press release on Budget FAS extension Press Release giving Ros’ reaction to the FAS extension announced in the Budget – more fiddled figures and spin. Press Release – High court verdict Government irrational and unlawful Press Release explaining that the Government has been found guilty of maladministration and that the High Court says ‘no reasonable Secretary of State could rationally disagree’ with the Ombudsman that the public was badly misled by official pension ‘guides’. Press Release – Hurray, Government is guilty! Press Release welcoming the verdict in the High Court Judicial Review which found against the Government and ruled that the rejection of the Ombudsman’s report was unlawful and irrational. Press release announcing 7th Feb demo to coincide with JR Press Release announcing that there will be a demonstration on 7th February – to coincide with the Judicial Review hearings. MPs will join their constituents on Parliament Green to show the Government their support for the victims and to demand compensation be paid. Press Release - Government summoned to High Court Press Release announcing that the Government has been summoned to appear before a High Court judge immediately to explain their failure to comply with the court timetable for the Judicial Review case. The DWP has effectively disqualified itself from the case and has had to seek permission to remain able to participate! Press release welcoming PPF levy announcement Press Release giving Ros’ reaction to the PPF levy announcement which seems prudent and responsible. Press Release on Government rejection of PASC report Press Release expressing disappointment at the Government’s rejection of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Public Admninstraton Select Committee (PASC) report. Press Release announcing date for Judicial Review hearing on 7th Feb 2007 Press Release announcing that the Judicial Review hearing will take place in the High Court on 7th February 2007 and that the hearing has been expedited due to the suffering of the victims who have lost their pensions. Press Release on Pension Protection Fund investment principles Press Release giving Ros’ view on the Statement of Investment Principles announced by the Pension Protection Fund Board Press release announcing ‘Strippers’ demo in Manchester Announcement of ‘Stripped of our Pensions’ demonstration at Manchester Labour party conference and asking how we can expect Gordon Brown to be trusted to introduce a new constitution, when he has not upheld our old one. Press release welcoming the PASC report Press release issued after release of the Public Administration Select Committee report, which is strongly critical of Government and calls for urgent compensation to be paid, including to those whose employers are still solvent. Government bullying victims of pension wind-ups Press Release highlighting the Government’s shameful attempts to frighten pension wind-up victims into dropping the Judicial Review and also trying to exclude tens of thousands of people from any successful outcome of the European court case. Judicial Review of Government’s unlawful and irrational rejection of Parliamentary Ombudsman report Press Release announcing the launch of a Judicial Review against the Government claiming its rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report is both illegal and irrational. Continued injustice of Financial Assistance Scheme – even after extension Note explaining why the announced ‘extension’ of the Financial Assistance Scheme is little more than a public relations exercise, designed to buy backbench silence, rather than helping those who have lost their pensions. Comments on Pensions White Paper Ros’ views on the reform proposals contained in the Government’s pension reform White Paper. Press Release announcing Parliamentary Ombudsman’s verdict Press Release welcoming the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report and hoping that Government will comply with the recommendations. Press Release about Judicial Review and European Challenges Press Release announcing that the Pensions Action Group will challenge the Government both in the UK and European Courts. The Govenrment faces a Judicial Review of its rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report and a challenge in the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament. Press Release welcoming Parliamentary Ombudsman report Press Release announcing Ros’ reaction to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report and welcoming the findings and recommendations.
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