Reconnecting Families: a project for the local communities of Restalrig and Lochend.
Aerial Art House has officially launched registration for the “Reconnecting Families” activities. The project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, will take place from 29th August to 21st November in the Restalrig area, at Aerial Art House (respecting the social distancing measures), or online if the restrictions won’t be eased.
During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis families with young children at home and parents-to-be are struggling more than ever due to increased stress and reduced support.
The “Reconnecting Families” project aims to protect those people’s mental health and wellbeing by encouraging post-lockdown community bonding and exercise.
“We believe that circus can help our neighbourhood come out strong from this crises” said Emanuela Orti, Company Director at Aerial Art House.
“We want people to experience the joy of circus and the magic of being together,” added Hania Chwialkowska, Founder and Director at Aerial Art House.
Local families will be able to attend free of charge:
• Community support sessions
• Circus-based fitness classes for kids
• Family entertainment
100 activity packages will be distributed to local who won’t be able to take part in the activities for any reason.
Midwife advice sessions will follow pregnant women and new mums aerial yoga sessions to provide support and help families strengthen social connections in their neighbourhood.
Circus classes of various types will keep the kids active and entertained, to benefit their physical and mental health. Family entertainment will improve people’s mood during this difficult time.
For more information about the “Reconnecting Families” project, registrations, or donations e-mail aerialarthouse@gmail.com or visit Aerial Art House Facebook page.
Public service staff will deliver a petition to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today on behalf of thousands of key workers, calling on the Scottish Government to recognise the sacrifices of those on the frontline by bringing forward a coronavirus bonus payment.
GMB Scotland members are campaigning for a £2 an hour additional payment for every hour worked during the lockdown, a figure that would deliver a retrospective payment of as little as £85 extra per week on the basic rate of pay for frontline staff, many of whom earn just under or over £10 an hour.
The union is citing the example of the devolved Welsh Government’s decision to award carers a £500 bonus, retailers like Tesco who have increased the basic rate of pay by 10 per cent for their staff, and the decision of the French Government to award health workers a €1,500 bonus – in addition to a further €8 billion worth of additional funding for future pay increases.
GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Drew Duffy said: “The frontline response to the coronavirus crisis across the public sector has been largely delivered on the backs of the lowest paid – cleaners, carers, porters, refuse workers and school support staff.
“When the rest of the country went into lockdown they kept our hospitals clean, lifted our rubbish, looked after the kids of our other key workers in hub schools across Scotland, and they continue to face the crisis within a crisis that is social care.
“And while the magnificent public support they received really boosted their morale, they are rightly looking for recognition from the employers and politicians who were quick to clap them.
“Employers and governments across the UK and beyond are starting to appreciate the real value of this low-paid army and are committing to tackling the damage caused by a decade of cuts.
“If Scotland really aspires to be a nation of fair work, then the Scottish Government should do the right thing and recognise that there needs to be a reckoning on the value of these workers.
“The message is loud and clear: After the applause, pay up for our key workers. It’s the very least they deserve for everything they have done for all of us.”
The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee report ‘Universal Credit isn’t working: proposals for reform‘, calls on the UK Government to make substantial changes to universal credit in order to protect the most vulnerable.
Universal Credit is failing millions of people, particularly the most vulnerable. The Economic Affairs Committee agrees with the original aim of Universal Credit but blames the scheme’s design for soaring rent arrears and the use of food banks.
Cuts to social security budgets over the last decade is causing widespread poverty and hardship. Universal Credit needs urgent investment to catch up and provide claimants with adequate income. The temporary increase in the standard allowance in response to the Covid-19 pandemic shows that the previous level of awards was too low. The increase should be made permanent.
The Government is using Universal Credit to recover debt, mostly £6 billion of historic tax credit debt. Deductions of up to 30% of the standard allowance, and in some cases more, can be taken from claimants. This has left many households with less money than they are entitled, often at no fault of their own. Tax credit debt should be written off as it is unlikely to be repaid.
The five-week wait for the first Universal Credit payment is the main cause of insecurity. This wait entrenches debt, increases extreme poverty and harms vulnerable groups disproportionately. The Government should introduce a non-repayable two-week grant to all claimants.
The way payments are calculated can result in large fluctuations in income month-to-month, making it extremely difficult for claimants to budget. The level of awards should be fixed at the same level for three months. There should be a mechanism to enable claimants to have an early reassessment if their circumstances change.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, Chair of the Economic Affairs Committee, said: “Most people, including our Committee, broadly agree with the original aims and objectives of Universal Credit. However, in its current form it fails to provide a dependable safety net. It has led to an unprecedented number of people relying on foodbanks and not being able to pay their rent.
“The mechanics of Universal Credit do not reflect the reality of people’s lives. It is designed around an idealised claimant and rigid, inflexible features of the system are harming a range of claimant groups, including women, disabled people and the vulnerable.
“Universal Credit needs more money to catch up after 10 years of cuts to the social security budget. It requires substantial reform to its design and implementation, the adequacy of its awards, and how it supports claimants to navigate the system and find work.
“The five-week wait for a first payment must be replaced by a non-repayable two-week grant to all claimants. The monthly payment calculations which can result in big fluctuations to claimants’ incomes should be fixed for three months. Historical tax credit debt needs to be written off.
“The punitive nature of Universal Credit has not worked. It punishes the poorest by taking away their sole source of income for minor infractions. It needs rebalancing, with more carrot and less stick, particularly as large numbers of claimants will have ended up on it because of events completely out of their control.”
The Committee’s other key findings and recommendations include:
The Government must prioritise helping people into work, particularly with the increase in unemployment that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing. All claimants should have a work allowance, at a higher rate than now, to allow them to keep more of their award as they move into work.
The Government should consider reducing the taper rate to ensure that the poorest in society do not pay higher marginal effective tax rates compared to the richest in society.
The conditionality requirements on claimants who can look for, or prepare for work, has been increased significantly over recent years. Less emphasis should be placed on obligations and sanctions. Instead, there should be more support to help coach and train claimants to find jobs or to progress in their current roles. Conditionality should be adapted to accommodate changing labour market conditions, including at the local level, particularly in the light of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK has some of the most punitive sanctions in the world, but there is limited evidence that they have a positive effect. Removing people’s main source of support for extended periods risks pushing them further into poverty, indebtedness and reliance on food banks. There is a substantial body of evidence which shows that sanctions harm people’s mental health. The Government should evaluate the current length and level of sanctions. It should also expedite its work on introducing a written warning system before the application of a sanction. Sanctions must be a last resort.
The Government is doubling the number of work coaches in response to potential levels of high unemployment. This may not be enough to support people to find work in a stagnant labour market with high levels of competition for jobs. A cap should be introduced on the number of cases for which each work coach can be responsible.
Paying awards on a monthly basis does not reflect the way many claimants live. It causes unnecessary budget and cash flow problems. All claimants should be able to choose whether to have Universal Credit paid monthly or twice monthly.
Including childcare support in Universal Credit was a mistake. Paying costs in arrears has been a barrier to in-work progression and in some cases, it has been a disincentive to work. The Government should remove childcare support from Universal Credit and be made into a new standalone benefit paid in advance.
The self-isolation period has been extended to 10 days for those in the community who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or a positive test result.
In symptomatic people COVID-19 is most infectious just before, and for the first few days after symptoms begin. It is very important people with symptoms self-isolate and get a test, which will allow contact tracing.
Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with COVID-19 who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between 7 and 9 days after illness onset.
We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from 7 to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.
This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty
Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Gregor Smith
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton
Here at Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE) we’re putting together a new free filmmaking programme for the people of North Edinburgh. In order to deliver something that meets the needs of those living and working in the area we have drawn up a short survey and would like to hear from locals of all ages.
The North Edinburgh filmmaking programme will engage local people to learn all the skills of filmmaking to create work that shines a light on, and celebrates, life in the area.
To help shape this we are looking to gather as much information from as many people as possible, whether they work for a local organisation, are in education, or a local resident, we want to hear from people about their life in the community as well as their future aspirations, not only for themselves, but also for their families and the community.
The link to our survey is below. We would be extremely grateful if you could complete this if you’re interested in taking part in the programme, and please circulate to those you are engaged with through your work in the community and feel free to share on social media.
It will stay live until 5pm Monday 10th August.
If you would also like to find out more about the programme or have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we can chat further by video or telephone call.
A ‘local Champions’ network will be established in Edinburgh to provide a direct link between the Council and businesses during the city’s ongoing recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.
The decision to create a new dedicated network was taken by elected members at an online meeting of the Full Council on Tuesday and is set to involve individuals from local businesses, traders associations, community councils and other local groups to push forward policy proposals to help Edinburgh’s high streets.
It will become the latest in a long line of immediate measures put in place by the Council to provide support to businesses during and in the aftermath of Edinburgh’s lockdown.
Proposals will be brought forward to support businesses applying for tables and chairs licences and a local promotional campaign will also be explored to increase resident and visitor footfall, alongside floral planters to enhance local high streets and the option of ‘green deliveries’ using cargo bikes.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: We want to strengthen communication with businesses and make sure traders are aware of routes they can use to raise ideas and concerns with the Council. This will help us respond as quickly and effectively as possible to the needs of local businesses through these enormously challenging times and beyond.
“It’s vital that we hear from businesses about their experiences and we also need to keep residents and communities’ views central to how we move forward. A Champions network will help us strike the right balance between what is necessary for our people, planet and economy in the coming months as lockdown restrictions continue to ease and we all adapt to a new normal.
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Officers and Councillors from all parties have put an enormous amount of work into supporting local businesses during the pandemic and it’s fantastic to see this constructive way of working continue.
“At our Full Council meeting, there was strong consensus that we need to do all that we can to support businesses, for the wellbeing of our economy and jobs but also for our local communities.
“It’s going to be important that we continue to hear from businesses about what they need and what they would find helpful. The creation of a Champions network will help us to do that.”
Other Council steps to promote a sustainable economic recovery and support small businesses have included:
– Supporting businesses to gradually reopen safely with a ‘Ready, Set, Go’ advice service, including guidance provided to 20,000 business owners
– A more flexible approach to licensing to help more businesses apply to use outdoor space
– Accelerating plans to use the Council’s supply chains to better support local business and stimulate economic growth
– Creating more space for people to travel to businesses safely and enjoyably through the Council’s Spaces for People initiative, with priority being given to support walking, cycling, wheelchair use and prams
– Supporting planned promotional activity with the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group to gradually market the City as an attractive place for shopping, dining out and visiting with a £55,000 contribution from the Council.
The full report on support for local businesses is available online.
‘Significant steps back to a less-restricted way of life’
Schools will return from 11th August, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. Ms Sturgeon said she expects all pupils to be back in class full time from 18 August “at the very latest”.
Guidance issued to councils said children should ‘return to school as quickly and as safely as possible’.
Children will return to schools full-time from August 11, with quick access to testing for all those who are symptomatic, and a targeted, enhanced surveillance programme to highlight any impact on pupils and staff.
The First Minister has also announced the return to schools will be supported with an additional £30 million to recruit new teachers. This brings the total additional Scottish Government investment in the teaching profession to £75 million, enough to recruit up to 1,400 new teachers. This funding will help address learning loss and ensure much-needed resilience in our schools as we recover from coronavirus (COVID-19).
On top of £20 million of funding previously committed, a further £30 million will also be available as part of a £50 million education recovery fund for local authorities. This will support cleaning, facilities management, school transport and other practical issues that are vital in ensuring a safe return to school.
The First Minister told Parliament: “In many ways, Scotland is in a better position in relation to COVID than I would have dared hope a few weeks ago. But this position is fragile.
“If we are not careful now, then in two or three weeks we could easily be facing some of the issues here in Scotland that we are currently seeing around the world.
“The two changes I have announced – on schools and shielding – are very significant, and we need to see if there has been any impact from changes that have already taken place. It is important, in particular, that we allow the impact of re-opening our schools to be assessed before we proceed with further major changes.
“Caution remains essential. We want to open up society and the economy as soon as we safely can, but we do not want to have to re-impose restrictions. That start-stop pattern seen in other countries is potentially more harmful to the economy, and our health and wellbeing.
“Do not drop your guard now. Every single time one of us breaches the rules, we give the virus a chance to spread. If we allow complacency to creep in now, it will – without exaggeration – be deadly.”
The STUC has called for the Government and local authorities to heed the advice of teachers and the whole education workforce to ensure that schools are safe environments for pupils and staff.
STUC Deputy General Secretary Dave Moxham said: “Schools re-opening full-time is an enormous step which requires continuing suppression of the virus across communities, the full implementation of safety guidance and a proactive testing regime. We support the call of education unions to ensure that smaller class groupings are the norm with sufficient resources ploughed into schools to ensure this can happen.
“Despite the correct decision not to move into Phase 4, it is vital that we recognise that school re-opening coincides with a wider return to work under phase 3 and that pressures on school and public transport must be carefully monitored.
“Government and local authorities will need to listen carefully to staff across the whole school community as they strive to maintain a safe environment, allay the fears of pupils and parents and provide a positive education experience in these abnormal times.”
Councillor Stephen McCabe, COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson and Co-chair of the Education Recovery Group said: “The guidance published today was a truly collaborative effort between local authorities, the Scottish Government, trade unions and parent organisations.
“The overriding priority for everyone involved is to ensure a safe return to education for our children and young people. At the same time, we have been extremely conscious of the impact that not being in school has on children, young people and families.
“The guidance is designed to give clear direction to all of those in local authorities preparing for the return to school. There are many issues to consider including arrangements for cleaning, school transport, testing and surveillance. Local authority staff have been working over the summer to make preparations not only for a full return but for the contingency of blended learning.
“Now that guidance has been finalised the hard work of school staff – cleaners, janitors, catering staff, teachers, support staff and youth workers – will be focussed on making sure that our children and young people get the very best from their education in what will be a very different environment from what they were used to before the pandemic.”
Councillor Gail Macgregor COSLA Resources Spokesperson added: “We welcome the additional funding that has been provided by the Scottish Government and this will allow local authorities to move forward on preparations for a full return to school in August.
“Safety is the key priority in returning and we have always been clear that any request for funding is on that basis. As we move through the school year additional costs are likely to be incurred by local authorities.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government as we see these costs emerge. It is our expectation that Scottish Government will provide additional funding to meet evidenced and reasonable costs.
“I would like to thank all council staff for the exceptional work they are doing as they continue their preparations for the safe return to school for our children and young people.”
Responding to the First Minister’s announcement that schools will return full time from August 11th, the EIS has warned against complacency and called for more to be done to ensure that schools are safe environments for pupils and staff.
Commenting following the announcement, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The decision of the Scottish Government to reopen schools with a full pupil return is predicated on the current successful suppression of the virus but as we are seeing in parts of Europe, that situation can change quite quickly.
“Even with full implementation of the guidelines and its mitigations, many teachers and parents will be understandably nervous about a return to the classroom.
“The EIS believes more could be done to reassure school communities around safety if smaller classes were introduced as the norm, employing the many unemployed teachers currently seeking work. The additional funding announced is welcome, therefore, but this needs to translate into smaller class grouping to support physical distancing amongst pupils.”
Mr Flanagan continued: “Smaller classes would also provide real extra support to pupils, who we know will have suffered emotionally as well as educationally as a result of lockdown. Reopening schools is only the start of education recovery.”
He went on: “The EIS will be insistent that the broader mitigations proposed are implemented rigorously, particularly physical distancing between staff and pupils, which will have significant pedagogical implications.”
“It certainly will not be ‘business as normal’. We will be seeking, also, further reassurances from the Scottish Government on proactive testing and monitoring of the school estate.”
Eileen Prior, Executive Director of Connect (formerly the Scottish Parent Teacher Council), said: “We know how hard it has been for many, many families, particularly for those facing multiple pressures. So this announcement will be the light at the end of the tunnel for the majority of parents.
“Our recent survey report, reflecting the views of nearly 8000 parents, showed that most parents want their children to get all the social and educational benefits of nursery and school.
“However, parents also told us they are anxious: parents need clear information. We’re calling on the Scottish Government to help schools and parents with an education programme about COVID-19, to make sure we are all able to work together to support young people as they go back to school with a positive attitude and agreed, shared approaches to help our children and young people be healthy and happy.
“We’d like to see a communication plan in every school, so parents know what to expect in the event of a local lock down – how communication between school and home will take place, whether and how school work at home can happen.
“Putting together the plan must involve parents.'”
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said:“This is very welcome news for parents, teachers and most importantly school pupils, who will be able to return to school mid-August.
“What is vital now is that the return of schools is managed effectively and teachers are provided full support to implement protocols for reopening schools.
“Even though lockdown rules are easing, it is vital that we don’t become complacent, and continue to social distance wherever possible, to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading.”
As lockdown eases the Scottish Government wants us to walk and cycle more, to reduce passenger numbers on public transport and encourage us all to keep fit and healthy.
RNIB Scotland believes this ‘Spaces for People’ initiative could transform active travel for everyone. However, we remain concerned that, if these moves are introduced too hastily, with not enough thought given to people who are blind or partially sighted or who have other mobility issues, it could actually end up putting barriers in place.
We want space for new cycle lanes to be taken from roads not pavements, for new designs to avoid the shared spaces concept, for clutter to be removed from our streets, and for controlled crossings to the road or bus stops to be installed. This will make things safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The current situation has made us all a little more aware of what it is like to feel vulnerable, to depend more on others. Let’s build on the sense of greater cohesiveness this crisis has created and make sure the Scotland we return to is inclusive for everyone.
James Adams
Director, Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland
‘Exhausted’ staff try to recover from summer term, but few anticipate opportunity to switch off and relax
Lockdown and home learning has presented huge challenges for parents and children, but how have teachers fared?
As the school holidays begin, they have been reflecting on the strangest term in their careers – and they say that it was a period of significantly increased workload, but less actual teaching.
And most believe there is little prospect of a stress-free summer break, with a number starting preparation for the next academic year as soon as schools have broken up.
A survey of hundreds of primary school teachers by lesson resources experts PlanBee revealed that 60 percent of primary school teachers had seen a marked increase in their workload during the summer term, compared to previous years, as schools scrambled to introduce completely new ways of learning in a matter of just weeks.
This chimes with the report from the National Foundation for Education Research found that, overall, 90 per cent of parents whose children were not attending school in April 2020, reported receiving some school work to complete at home. At least 94 per cent of primary pupils received school work. Close to half of primary (42 per cent) received at least three offline lessons a day.
For 40 percent of recipients to the PlanBee survey, lesson planning and preparation took the majority of the additional time, while for a quarter of respondents, it was communicating with parents.
But 32 percent said the time they spent on actual teaching had fallen, while 39 percent said they had done less marking and feedback.
Over half report feeling well supported by their schools as they grappled with the demands of the summer term. On a scale of 1-5, with five being the highest rating, 51 percent gave their schools top marks, feeling ‘very supported’.
But the media’s reporting of changes to schools, and the role of teachers, were an area of conflict. Nearly half (49 percent) of respondents gave journalists the lowest ranking on a scale of one to five.
The government, too, could do better. Nearly 40 percent of primary school teachers gave ministers the lowest ranking, saying they didn’t feel supported. And only 2 percent gave the government top ranking, reporting that they felt ‘very supported’.
Are holidays a time of rest and recuperation for the teaching profession? Apparently not. Most described themselves as ‘exhausted’ – with one respondent saying it ‘was a different type of exhausted’ from other years.
Many reported being ‘relieved’ the term was over. Some 42 percent had already started preparation for next academic year during the summer term, predicting that lesson planning would occupy by far the biggest draw on their time. Over a quarter of respondents (27 percent) said there preparation for next term begin at the start of the holiday.
One respondent commented: ‘There is far too much prep and planning we need to recharge over the summer. Especially mentally.’
‘Part of me enjoys getting things ready for a new school year,’ said another, ‘but part of me resents the time I spend doing this that could be spent with my family.’
Another complained that it is ‘portrayed in the media that we have six weeks off!’.
This snapshot is backed by a survey from Education Support carried out during the summer term which found that as school closures, home teaching and learning continued, over half (59 per cent) of primary school teachers said they are feeling higher stress levels than usual.
Some 10 percent of PlanBee survey respondents say that they will have no opportunity at all to relax and switch off from school during the holidays while 27 percent rated their chances at two, on a one-to-five scale, with five being the best chance of putting school work behind them. Just 9 percent ranked their chances of switching off at five, the highest level.
Teacher back at school after covid-19 quarantine and lockdown, disinfecting desks at break time.
Catherine Lynch of PlanBee said: ‘The survey findings, which were gathered just as term was ending, provide a really interesting snapshot of the state of the profession – ‘exhausted’, in a word.
“The government made huge demands of teachers during lockdown and the results are clear to see. Teachers are used to being tired at the end of the school year, but this year is clearly different in terms of what the term has taken out of them and their feelings of trepidation at the prospect of what the next one will bring.’
The Scottish Government is expected to confirm 11th August as the return to school date later today.
Public urged to watch out for insurance claims scams exploiting financial losses caused by Covid-19 disruption
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) are urging the public to be alert to Covid-19 insurance claims scams.
Experts are concerned there may be a rise in insurance claims scams that aim to exploit the financial losses individuals have suffered during the pandemic.
Nuisance scammers claiming “you may be entitled to compensation because of covid-19 financial losses” could become the ‘new PPI’.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) in partnership with City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) are warning the public to be alert to a potential rise in insurance claims scams that offer to recover financial losses caused by the pandemic.
With big numbers of people across the UK taking an economic hit because of the disruption caused by Covid-19, there are concerns members of the public will be financially desperate and more susceptible to falling victim to insurance claims scams.
Fraudsters or unscrupulous claims management companies (CMCs) could cold call or message victims with unrealistic offers to help recover financial losses caused by the disruption of Covid-19.
Insurance claims scams could appear in the form of claims phishing, where a victim is told they are entitled to compensation and then asked to provide their personal and financial information in order to process a claim. The scammer can then use these details to steal their identity or attempt to gain access to funds from their bank account.
Another insurance claim scam tactic is claims farming, where a victim is told they are entitled to compensation and encouraged to make an insurance claim. Often there is no ground to claim so the person is manipulated into providing false or misleading information leaving them implicated in a criminal act of insurance fraud.
With several big-name firms now marketing legal services for those who have suffered financial loss due to the pandemic, there is an indication that insurance claims for Covid-19 disruption may become common practice.
Considering the possible audience reach of sophisticated fraud networks and existing unscrupulous CMCs, there is a worrying potential for a nuisance covid-19 insurance claims scam culture to emerge.
“With the pandemic causing so many people to lose out financially, scammers and unscrupulous companies could try to exploit the situation. Nuisance Covid-19 claims scams could become the new PPI. We encourage everyone to be vigilant and to report evidence of insurance fraud to the IFB’s confidential Cheatline”. – Stephen Dalton, Head of Intelligence and Investigations at the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB).
The IFB, IFED and the ABI which work in tandem to tackle insurance fraud, are urging the public to be alert to insurance claims scams and to take action to report suspicious activity:
If contacted out of the blue, never provide personal or financial information.
Only make a claim directly through the insurance provider and only use the contact details provided at the point the policy was taken out.
If support is required to manage a claim, use a reputable FCA-registered (Financial Conduct Authority) company or SRA-regulated (Solicitors Regulation Authority) Solicitors firm.
Report any suspicions of insurance fraud to the IFB’s confidential Cheatline service.
Take steps to protect personal data from being stolen to help to prevent being targeted. Guidance can be found at the Information Commisioner’s Office.
“Criminals will use whatever means they can to try and exploit innocent members of the public and will have no qualms in using national tragedies, including COVID-19, to commit fraud. It is therefore vital that people remain vigilant to the threat that fraudsters pose and be wary of unsolicited calls, text messages or emails about COVID-19-related insurance claims and offers of compensation. If in doubt – do without! Report any suspicions to the IFB’s Cheatline.” – DCI Edelle Michaels, Head of City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
“Scammers thrive in times of economic uncertainty and target the vulnerable. The key is to be on your guard – if someone approaches you out of the blue with an offer that seems too good to be true, then it probably is. If in any doubt, then walk away.” – Mark Allen, Manager of Fraud and Financial Crime at the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Insurance fraud can be reported confidentially and anonymously to the IFB’s Cheatline via its phone service which is powered by CrimeStoppers on 0800 422 0421 or online at insurancefraudbureau.org/cheatline
