Days of Action
The September cost-of-living Days of Action have now been arrange with just one event subject to confirmation. Local businesses have contacted us concerned that some of their staff may be struggling with the cost-of-living. In response to these requests we have set aside a day of action for local employers to promote to their staff. On the 29th September we will operate a dedicated telephone advice line between the hours of 09.30 – 15.00. Employees who need more detailed follow-up work will be offered an appointment with one of our Financial Resilience Workers.
September marks the last of the current round of events but please contact our teams in Beeston, Eastwood or Stapleford if you are struggling with the cost-of-living. Our work can make a real difference and we will work with you to increase your income and and reduce spending.
Vacancies with Citizens Advice Broxtowe
Check out our latest vacancies here. We are seeking to recruit and Telephone Adviser and Energy Adviser so if you want to be part of a team making a real difference to people’s lives in Broxtowe click on the vacancies button:
Consumer update
Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) – Vevor products – The OPSS is urging consumers to check any Vevor products they may have recently purchased, directly from the company’s online marketplace or through others, following more than 90 recalls and safety alerts. In response to the unusually high number of affected goods, OPSS has issued an Important Safety Message, where consumers can check the affected items, ranging from welders and drills to waffle makers and milkshake machines for both business and domestic use.
Vevor customers with affected products should follow the instructions on the Vevor webpage to return the product and receive a refund. They should stop using affected Vevor products immediately.
You can read the Important Safety Message about product recall for Vevor-branded products on GOV.UK.
Wizz Air – The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) has taken enforcement action against Wizz Air after complaints by passengers that their rights had not been met when flights were delayed or cancelled. Wizz Air is re-looking at passenger claims over flight disruption dated from 18 March 2022 onwards. Passengers whose flights were due to depart before 18 March 2022 can also request their claims be reopened, as long as their flight was no more than 6 years ago.
You can read about the CAA enforcement action against Wizz Air on the CAA website.
Flight cancellations
The disruption to flights caused by a fault with air traffic control systems will have left many people seeking compensation for cancelled or rescheduled flights. The Citizens Advice website provides concise information on your rights as an air passenger. Click here to visit the relevant page on flight cancellations and delays.
If you have booked your flight along with accommodation you are probably also covered by your rights as a package holiday customer. For more information on this click here.
Craft fair fundraiser
Citizens Advice volunteer Jackie Mather held a craft fair and fundraiser for Citizens Advice Broxtowe on the bank holiday. The event, focused on Jackie’s craft hobby included a tombola and a cost-of-living Day of Action. Once again we would like to thank Jackie for her efforts to raise much needed funds for Citizens Advice Broxtowe and the staff and volunteers who gave up their bank holiday to help run the event and provide information on the cost-of-living to people on the day. We are also grateful to all those who donated prizes for the event. At the time of writing we are still totalling the amount raised with a trickle of late donations.
Government review of insolvency framework
After a number of concerns have been raised about personal insolvency services, including those from Citizens Advice the government have instigated a review of the insolvency framework. In its evidence to the review, dating back to 2019, Citizens Advice states: “Over the past 12 months we’ve seen a 6% rise in the amount of clients approaching us for help with Individual Voluntary Arrangements. Within that figure we’ve seen significant rises in the amount of issues we’re seeing around the IVA process (up 25%), the role of Insolvency Practitioners (up 35%) and complaints and redress (up 28%). When coupled with anecdotal evidence from our advisers it gives rise to some serious concerns about aspects of the IVA market and the existing regulatory model.”
You can read the government’s consultation outcome here and read the report by Citizens Advice here.
We would strongly recommend seeking advice from Citizens Advice before considering an IVA or other forms of personal insolvency agreement. Our services are free and one of our Debt Caseworkers would be happy to discuss options to manage your debts.
Wilko’s administration
PwC has been appointed as administrators for Wilko, and has issued information for customers. The business is trading and the stores are open as normal.
- gift cards will continue to be accepted while the stores are trading but new gift cards can no longer be purchased
- if customers have already placed a click and collect order they can be collected from the store where the order was placed
- all existing click and collect orders are being honoured – if people want to cancel their orders they should contact Wilko’s customer service team
- Wilko will continue to accept returns or exchanges as normal
- faulty goods can be returned or exchanged in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015
You can read information on Wilko administration for customers on the PwC website.
Scammers are putting fake adverts on social media offering ‘clearance sale’ bargains on Wilko products. The adverts take people to websites offering discounts of up to 90%. These sites are fake – Wilko has confirmed that all Wilko sales are taking place in-store only.
You can read about fake Wilko websites on Which? website.
Community round-up
