I registered business at ex’s address
Q. During a recent bipolar episode I registered a company at Companies House and I gave the address of my company as my ex-girlfriend’s address. I have no recollection of doing this but now I wish for the company to be dissolved as soon as possible. The company was not registered with HMRC.
I am needing the Bureau’s help to find out what steps I could take to dissolve the company.
I am also worried about the legal consequences as I have previously been imprisoned because of actions that I have taken during previous bipolar episodes.
A. As long as you have not used the company for fraudulent purposes there should be no issues with the law.
But the fact that the company address was your ex-girlfriends, this could have severe implications for her benefits.
We would suggest that you contact Companies House (Scotland) directly and explain the circumstances to them using either their e-mail address (enquiries@companieshouse.gov. uk) or by phoning them (0303 1234 500) and to ask for their advice on the best and quickest way of getting the company struck off the register.
Q. I would like to make an enquiry into the Scottish Government Health and Social care £500 payment. I have received this and I do not agree with how much I was paid– £213. I have contacted my HR department regarding this as I was working full-time from June 2020 to September 2020 and then I went down to part-time hours from October to present. I have not had an answer to this from my HR department and was looking for advice on the issue. I am not part of a union.
A. The qualifying period for the payment was from March 17 to November 30.
The health care and Social care payment is worked out on a pro-rata basis: It means that full-time staff will receive the full £500 and staff who work part-time will receive a proportion of the full amount based on the amount of time they have worked.
So someone who works 50 per cent of full time hours would receive £250, for instance.
It is pro-rata/hours worked and it is also taxable.
If you are disputing the amount you are paid we would suggest contacting your line manager or employer directly to ask for a breakdown of how your payment was worked out.
Q. I was in a local shop recently and went to pay for my shopping with a credit card. The shopkeeper told me her store does not accept debit or credit card (it is an independent store). I am wondering if this is legal and allowed. I thought every shop had to accept either debit or credit cards.
A. A trader does not have to accept payment by credit card. S/he will usually display a sign if payment by certain types of credit card is acceptable and may impose certain conditions.
For example, if the client orders train tickets by phone, the trader may insist the client presents the credit card when s/he comes to pick up the tickets. It is not illegal for shops not to accept credit cards.
Q. I have always been in employment and was able to manage my finances and pay my debts, however, due to the Covid19 Pandemic I have lost my employment and I have had to start claiming benefits. The knock-on of this is that I am not in a position to pay my debts . I have applied to my creditors for a payment holiday which has been granted by my creditors.
I am wary of the fact that the grace periods are due to end and I will be expected to make the contractual monthly payments. I have the following debts : ■ Three credit cards ■Overdraft ■ Personal Loan I also pay out £120 a month for various insurances.
I am looking to seek some advice on managing my debt as it is affecting my mental health.
A. Advising on debt issues is a big part of what Citizens Advice
Bureau does on a daily basis. Before specifically advising you on how to move forward and become debt free we would get our debt adviser to look at your income and expenditure and then explain the options to you which would suit your situation.
We would not tell you what to do, we would explain your options to you and then let you make the decision.
Debt can really affect people’s mental health and it is important to try and deal with it ASAP.
We are here to help make the process easier for you and we do not charge for our service.
There are a few things you need to do straight away. As you have an overdraft with the TSB Bank and your benefits are paid into the same bank, you may wish to consider obtaining a new bank account as if you stay with the TSB they will become a preferential creditor to the detriment of other creditors.
You have no urgent matters nor is there any court action pending.
Creditors are required to go through certain procedures with regards to collecting debts – explained about applying for a Time to Pay Direction/ Order, or a Time Order under section 129 of the Consumer Credit Act, these are diligence blockers but only block one creditor, whereas a debt arrangement scheme debt payment programme blocks all creditor diligence.
Q. I am looking for some advice relating to a complaint I made to Tesco regarding their dual pricing strategy. I sent the complaint via Twitter and I felt that Tesco’s response was not satisfactory. I feel that the response is not satisfactory because they say I have to sign up to the Club Card service to get the lower price. However, they are unable to provide transparency relating to their pricing strategy.
Therefore, I believe that not only are Tesco discriminating against me and other customers who rely on lacto-free products, they are also using the discrimination as a strategy to convince me to sign up to their Club Card service. If Citizens Advice could assist me regarding this complaint, it would be greatly appreciated.
A. I can advise you to follow the complaints procedure on the Tesco website if you feel you have been discriminated against as the result of a disability.
You have the option to raise a formal complaint in writing and to take the matter further if you are unhappy at the response.
The Equality Act 2010 sets out when someone is considered to be disabled and protected from discrimination.
The definition covers a range of illnesses and conditions – so check it even if you don’t think you’re disabled. For example, you might be covered if you have a dyslexia, autism or chronic migraines.
The definition is set out in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. It says you’re disabled if: ■you have a physical or mental impairment
■your impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to do normal day-to-day activities What is your preferred outcome? Would you like an apology or an explanation from Tesco regarding their pricing policy?
Tesco have suggested applying for a free Club Card. Is there any reason why this is not an option?
The Equality Advisory Support Service, EASS helpline is for people who think they may have experienced discrimination and will not be available to employers, service providers or educators.
You can call the helpline directly, but it is best if you go to an advice organisation first.
They can then make contact with the service on your behalf.
The helpline can provide advice and information on discrimination in employment, housing, education, transport and cases where you may have been discriminated against when using or buying goods and services.
It can also provide advice and information on human rights issues. Help is provided by: ■explaining what the law says and how this applies to you
■explaining how a situation could be resolved
■supporting you to try and resolve issues informally
■if the issues cannot be resolved informally, referring you to a conciliation or mediation service
■if you need or want to seek a legal solution, helping you work out if you are eligible for civil legal aid
■if you are not eligible for civil legal aid, helping you find an accessible legal service, or helping you represent yourself by giving information and support on how to prepare and lodge a claim. The helpline does not: ■provide legal advice ■represent you when providing preclaim support ■advise on the strength of a case ■advise on what evidence is needed for a case
■advise on court or tribunal proceedings once a claim has been issued.
Contact them via FREEPOST at Equality Advisory Support Service, FPN4431or call 0808 800 0082, textphone 0808 800 0084 or visit www. equalityadvisoryservice.com
PLEASE NOTE: Rutherglen & Cambuslang Citizens Advice Bureau currently is open for telephone/email advice Monday to Friday 9.30am until 3pm.