Latest news with #GarethThomas
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Highway Code: Warning over common speed camera myth in UK
A motoring expert has lifted the lid on whether the widely held belief that drivers can go ten per cent over the speed limit is true or not. For many years, many motorists have believed that there is a '10 per cent +2 rule' when it comes to speed cameras, suggesting that drivers can exceed the speed limit without facing consequences. However, the truth is that it's actually up to the area's individual forces themselves to decide, meaning drivers could find themselves with hefty fines or penalties. Andrew Jervis, CEO of leading online mechanic marketplace Click Mechanic, has urged caution. He said: 'Speeding costs lives and should never be encouraged, regardless of whether it can land you in trouble or not. "Speed limits are not arbitrary figures; they are carefully determined based on factors such as road design, traffic flow, and pedestrian activity. 'They should not be taken as a target that is there to be exceeded, and failure to adhere to the rules of the road can have serious consequences. 'In any case, the 10 percent rule is guidance for the police forces - and not a rule for members of the public. 'The misconception of a 10 percent leeway could not only see drivers getting fines and/or points on their licence but can cause fatal road traffic collisions. 'As road users, we all have a responsibility to drive with consideration for others to ensure our highways are safe for all to use.' It originates from speed enforcement guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers and is designed to take into account speed guns used by the police aren't always 100 per cent accurate. However, it is also stated the guidelines 'do not and cannot replace a police officer's discretion', meaning it is no guarantee of avoiding prosecution. Common speed camera myths Here are some other common speed camera myths: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
ITV News
a day ago
- Business
- ITV News
New compensation scheme announced for Post Office Capture victims
Horizon scandal Politics Postmasters who suffered financial shortfalls in the 1990s due to errors of the faulty Capture IT system that preceded the Horizon scandal will be entitled to payouts from a new redress scheme. Capture, which was a precursor to Horizon developed in-house by the Post Office, led to a number of sub-postmasters being accused of 'accounting malpractice', with some having their contracts terminated. Some resigned, while others were prosecuted or had to pay money back. In a move to "right the wrongs of the past", the Department for Business and Trade has announced a new compensation scheme for those affected by the faults of Capture between 1992 and 2000. It follows the government's acceptance of findings from an independent investigation by Kroll Associates, which concluded there was a reasonable likelihood that Capture created financial shortfalls for postmasters. Kroll found that 13.5% of all branches may have used Capture, and that sub-postmasters felt pressured by network and area managers to use the system. Its report also found that legal teams had not been investigating potential "bugs or errors" in the system. At least 40 former sub-postmasters claimed they were wrongly accused of theft due to errors in the Capture system, ITV News reported last year. "Today's announcement represents another important step in righting the wrongs of the past and rebuilding trust in the Post Office," said Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas. The scheme is expected to open for applications in Autumn 2025, with an initial phased rollout for 150 claimants to ensure the process is fair, proportionate and accessible before wider implementation. It comes as the government confirmed that £1 billion has been paid out in compensation to over 7,300 postmasters affected by the Horizon IT scandal, and the opening of the Horizon Shortfalls Scheme Appeal process in May. The Capture Redress Scheme has been designed to address cases dating back over two decades, where documentation that can be used as evidence may be limited. It will include a " straightforward two-stage process", according to the government, comprising of an initial eligibility review followed by an independent panel assessment. A "holistic" approach to assessments will be taken, considering both financial losses and the wider personal impact on postmasters. The government says the scheme will also include prompt preliminary payments for eligible claimants, ensuring early acknowledgement of loss, and a guided scoring and banding model for "consistency in awards, while maintaining flexibility". Hudgell Solicitors says it is acting on behalf of more than 100 former sub-postmasters prosecuted, sacked or made to pay back alleged branch shortfalls when using the Capture accounting system. Of those cases, more than 30 are being led by relatives of former sub-postmasters who have since died, the firm said in February. They include Mark Lloyd-Holt and his mother, Agnes, who are pursuing justice on behalf of Agnes' late husband Peter, who died in 2021, aged 75, without ever having the opportunity to clear his name. He was sacked from his role as sub-postmaster of his Bolton Post Office in 1994 after accounts at his branch showed unexplained shortfalls, with his family saying the impact of all that happened "destroyed" him and left him a "shell of himself". Following a meeting with the government in February to discuss the second Post Office IT scandal, Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, said: "We will get redress and justice for those whose lives were affected by Capture. "There are potentially hundreds affected, and sadly a large number are likely to be people who are no longer with us, and died without ever being able to clear their name. "Our message is that people shouldn't be put off by having a lack of documentation. "If they know or suspect that they, or family members were affected by accounting issues between 1992 and 1999 which may have been due to Capture, they should come forward. "That certainly includes family members acting on behalf of loved ones who have since passed away." Who can apply to the Capture compensation scheme? Postmasters are eligible to apply if they:
Sky News
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News
Post Office scandal: Compensation scheme for Capture victims announced
The government has announced a compensation scheme for postmasters who suffered financial shortfalls due to a faulty Post Office IT system that preceded the Horizon scandal. The Capture software was a faulty computer system used by postmasters in more than 2,000 branches in the 1990s. It comes as Sky News revealed that a damning report into the system has been unearthed after nearly 30 years and could help overturn criminal convictions. 1:49 In a statement, the government said it would "provide fair compensation" for those who suffered financial shortfalls due to the Capture software between 1992 and 2000. The scheme is expected to open for applications in Autumn 2025 and will have an "initial phased rollout" for 150 claimants to ensure the process is "fair, proportionate and accessible before wider implementation". Post Office minister Gareth Thomas said: "We are committed to delivering fair and swift redress for all postmasters affected by Post Office software failures. "Today's announcement represents another important step in righting the wrongs of the past and rebuilding trust in the Post Office." 11:28 The government said all eligible claims will be reviewed by an independent panel of experts operating entirely separately from the government. It said the panel will take a holistic view of each claim, avoiding drawn-out legal processes and providing fair redress even where evidence is low. It will also use a balance of probabilities standard of proof, recommend appropriate payment levels and provide claimants the right to appeal in certain circumstances.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Post Office scandal: Compensation scheme for Capture victims announced
The government has announced a compensation scheme for postmasters who suffered financial shortfalls due to a faulty Post Office IT system that preceded the Horizon scandal. The Capture software was a faulty computer system used by postmasters in more than 2,000 branches in the 1990s. It comes as Sky News revealed that a damning report into the system has been unearthed after nearly 30 years and could help overturn criminal convictions. In a statement, the government said it would "provide fair compensation" for those who suffered financial shortfalls due to the Capture software between 1992 and 2000. The scheme is expected to open for applications in Autumn 2025 and will have an "initial phased rollout" for 150 claimants to ensure the process is "fair, proportionate and accessible before wider implementation". Post Office minister Gareth Thomas said: "We are committed to delivering fair and swift redress for all postmasters affected by Post Office software failures. "Today's announcement represents another important step in righting the wrongs of the past and rebuilding trust in the Post Office." Read more from Sky News: The government said all eligible claims will be reviewed by an independent panel of experts operating entirely separately from the government. It said the panel will take a holistic view of each claim, avoiding drawn-out legal processes and providing fair redress even where evidence is low. It will also use a balance of probabilities standard of proof, recommend appropriate payment levels and provide claimants the right to appeal in certain circumstances.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Labour MPs push front bench for ‘crackdown' on ‘dodgy' vape and barber shops
Labour MPs have called for a 'crackdown' on 'dodgy' vape, barber and souvenir shops, which a minister warned 'undermine the legitimate' firms on Britain's high streets. Melanie Onn said she 'really must press' the Government for long-term action to tackle these shops, which MPs heard had links to tax evasion and money laundering, and Joe Powell said well-known London streets such as Portobello Road and Notting Hill Gate are 'blighted'. Business and trade minister Gareth Thomas told MPs that the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) had visited almost 400 premises during a three-week operation in March, freezing several bank accounts. Mr Powell, the MP for Kensington and Bayswater, told the Commons: 'Small businesses across my constituency on our high streets from Earls Court Road to Queensway, Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road are fed up of being blighted by candy shops, low-grade souvenir shops, Harry Potter shops and, yes, even barber shops, with accusations of VAT and business rates evasion, and even links to money laundering and serious organised crime.' He urged Mr Thomas to say 'what steps' the Government is taking 'to crack down on these operations and create a legitimate level playing field for our small businesses'. The minister replied: 'We've been working with colleagues in the Home Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to take action to crackdown on illegitimate businesses that threaten to undermine the legitimate ones that are on all of our high streets. 'In March, the NECC co-ordinated a three-week crackdown against barber shops and other cash-intensive businesses where there were concerns, visiting almost 400 premises, securing freezing orders over a series of bank accounts totalling more than £1 million.' In response, Ms Onn said: 'I really do need to press him because my constituents in Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes are equally as fed up as (Mr Powell) of seeing high streets dominated by dodgy vape shops, unlicensed barbers.' She said 'some of them are legitimate' but asked: 'Is he working closely with the Home Office to try and tackle this blight because I think we probably need a national strategy, not a three-week operation?' Mr Thomas said he recognised 'a concern up and down the country' and added the NCA and Home Office 'are seeking to take action against illegitimate business'. He said a Government commitment to bolster police forces with 13,000 extra officers and special constables, backed by an uplift to forces' 'spending power' of 2.3% per year unveiled in Wednesday's spending review, 'will help'. In a viral video, Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed 'weird Turkish barber shops' were 'chipping away at society', along with fare evasion, when he caught passengers allegedly 'bumping' London Underground ticket barriers on camera. 'The state needs to reassert itself and go after lawbreakers,' he said. Conservative MP Graham Stuart said that if a book which Labour MP for Central Ayrshire Alan Gemmell is writing were a 'political thriller about fighting for small business', then he was 'sure it features five heroes on the front bench opposite, doing everything they can to promote small business'. Ministers laughed and pointed at Tory MPs when Mr Stuart added: 'Readers will ask 'who is the villain of the piece?'' The Beverley and Holderness MP suggested the villain would be Rachel Reeves, 'the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is doing everything possible to undermine business – 276,000 people having lost work since the autumn statement'. He asked: 'When will the ministers, the heroes of this story, fight against the Chancellor who's getting so much so wrong?' Mr Thomas said: 'It's a little while since I've been called a hero by (Mr Stuart) but I'm glad that I've finally had some recognition from him in that regard. 'I don't think the Chancellor of the Exchequer is a villain at all. 'Indeed, I think the spending review that she announced yesterday will help to unlock investment in our high streets and in our small businesses up and down the country – the record investment in research and development, the record investment in infrastructure, and the additional capacity to the British Business Bank will help to unlock billions of pounds of new investment and many more job opportunities across the country.' Labour former minister Liam Byrne later called for 'a plan to cut industrial energy costs now'. The Commons Business and Trade Committee chairman said: 'As our committee pointed out on Friday, the success of the industrial strategy will depend on a plan to cut industrial energy costs now. 'When the industrial strategy is published, will the Secretary of State reassure us that there will be a plan to ensure that UK energy prices are internationally competitive?' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds replied: 'The very significant increase in industrial energy prices under the terms of the last government are a significant issue for our competitiveness, and yes, that is something we're seeking to address.'
