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Waterways Ombudsman

Website of the Waterways Ombudsman the body that investigates complaints about British Waterways and their subsidiaries once British Waterways’ own complaints procedure has been exhausted. There is information on making a complaint and guidance on how complaints are handled. Annual reports are provided in full text and include summaries of decisions taken by the Waterways Ombudsman. Other documentation, such as standards and policies, is also provided on the site.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

The Parliamentary Ombudsman investigates complaints about the action or inaction of British government departments. They also handle some issues brought by members of the public. Additionally the department performs the role of Health Service Ombudsman, investigating complaints from the public about failures in NHS care and treatment. The website offers a summary of its duties and information for the general public on when to use the ombudsman service and how to make a complaint. An additional feature is the full-text annual reports, investigation reports and consultation documents.

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales (PPO) responds to complaints about conditions and treatment from prisoners and people subjected to probation orders. Its website provides information on the function and current activities of the ombudsman. It includes access to recent annual reports, case digest newsletters, fatal incident reports, special investigation reports and surveys and research reports. Also provided is user information on how to file a complaint and a listing of related internet sites on the topic of prisons.

Financial Ombudsman

The Financial Ombudsman Service oversees the UK financial industry and resolves individual complaints against specific organisations. It covers financial services such as insurance, mortgages, investments and credit. Its website provides information for consumers and businesses, together with a database of the Ombudsman's decisions (or 'determinations') from April 2012 onwards.

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

The Local Government Ombudsman investigates complaints of injustice and misadministration by local authorities and all adult social care providers (including care homes and home care agencies) in England. It includes such areas as housing, education, consumer services, social services and council tax. Its website describes the role of the ombudsman and provides information for the public on how to file a complaint. Annual reports from 1995/96 onwards are available along with a digest of cases considered.

Independent Complaints Reviewer

The Independent Complaints Reviewer provides a complaints review service for the following public bodies: the Land Registry; the Audit Commission; the Charity Commission; the Homes and Communities Agency; the National Archives; the Northern Ireland Youth Justice Agency and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. The site has guidance to making a complaint, background information on each organisation and copies of their annual reports. The Independent Complaints Reviewer will only investigate complaints once they have been exhausted by the organisation’s internal complaints procedures.

Memorandum search

This website is produced by the Cabinet Office’s European and Global Issues Secretariat. It makes available the Secretariat’s explanatory memoranda concerning European Union legislative and policy initiatives, in a searchable database. This site has now been archived.

Accountant in Bankruptcy

The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an agency of the Scottish Government, with responsibility for supervising and regulating the process of bankruptcy in Scotland. The website has guidance for people who are owed money, people at risk of bankruptcy, money advisors and legal practitioners dealing with insolvency cases. Legislation covering bankruptcy in Scotland, forms, consultations and reviews are also provided. A register of insolvencies is available to search, following free registration.

Crofting Commission

Website of the Crofters Commission, an organisation established in 1955 to develop and regulate the crofting system and to promote and protect the interests of crofters. Crofting is a system of land tenure, regulated through the Crofting Acts, found only in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. This site provides information on the role and functions of the Commission and on becoming a crofter. Publications of the Commission, including leaflets, can be viewed n the site. Forms, legislation and policy guidance can also be downloaded.

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