Las Vegas 4* getaway only £515pp - 7nts iconic Flamingo hotel on the strip & flights

Ahoy pirates, Las Vegas is calling and for todays deal you will be staying on the famous strip in the iconic 4* Flamingo Hotel. The Las Vegas getaway is for 7 nights which we think is the perfect amount of time to stay, you can even book with a deposit and payment plan. Holiday details… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Transport for London hoarding over £321 million of unused Oyster card credit

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Figures from the transport body showed that TfL is hoarding over £321 million in unused Oyster card money. The figures apply to balances and deposits on Oyster cards that have not been used for at least a year. Shahsi Verma, TfL's chief technology officer has said they are committed to giving back the unused credit to customers if that's what they want.The credit on an Oyster card can be claimed back by any Tube station ticket machine and never expires, but Lib Dem London Assembly member, Caroline Pidgeon has raised concerns about the amount of unused credit which she says is creating an immense cash mountain for TfL. Ms Pidgeon would like to see TfL spending more time and energy explaining to the public how they can get their money back rather than consistently bombarding the public with advertising and information campaigns. As reported in the East London and West Essex Guardian, Ms Pidgeon has highlighted the fact that TfL have been incredibly quiet about the issue of such huge funds sitting unused.

July 03, 2018 at 09:08AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Summer in the city: 4* London hotel stay from £48pppn - incl. pool & rooftop bar

Summer has never looked so good, as prices plunge at this gorgeously trendy 4* hotel in Canary Wharf. We've discovered rooms available for under £50 per person, per night (based on 2 sharing) on dates throughout summer and autumn. Guests will have full use of the hotel's indoor pool and rooftop bar, and there are… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Upscale 5* Madeira autumn break 4nts from £298pp - incl. flights, hotel & breakfast

Ahoy mateys! We are drooling over this upscale luxury spa holiday on the gorgeous little Portuguese island of Madeira. You will be staying at the impressive design hotel 5* Savoy Saccharum set right on the Atlantic Ocean, with flights and breakfast included in your stay. (With the option to shorten/extend your holiday, or upgrade to… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Licence suspensions: Punishment or public safety?

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There have recently been media reports of a licensed hackney carriage driver who have had their taxi driving licence suspended by Bolton Council following a case of “misconduct” by the driver.It appears from the minutes of the Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee that these suspensions were imposed as a punishment.

What does the law allow licensing authorities to do when considering a suspension for a taxi or private hire driver’s licence?

Misconduct in Bolton

According to the minutes of the committee, the first case involved a hackney carriage driver who was convicted of an offence under the Equality Act 2010 for overcharging a person in a wheelchair.In this case the committee resolved: “That the licence to drive a hackney carriage vehicle be suspended for a period of five weeks on the basis that the Committee is not satisfied that the driver is a fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time.”

The Law

It is a well-known and established fact that a licensing authority can only licence a person who they are satisfied is a fit and proper. The “fit and proper” test exists to ensure the public are protected.

Licensing authorities used to use the power of suspension as an interim measure, for example, I cases where serious complaints and/or allegations have been made in relation to a licensed driver. In these circumstances, a licensing authority will suspend a licence until the outcome of an investigation has been reached.

This approach was ruled unlawful by Mr Justice Singh in the case of R (application of Singh) v Cardiff City Council [2012] EWCH 1852 (Admin). Mr Justice Singh said that the power to suspend a licence should be “a final determination on the fitness and propriety of the driver.”

This naturally raises the question of what a licensing authority can do. There will be instances where misconduct by a licensed driver is not sufficiently serious to warrant a full revocation. The only alternative – unless they chose to take no action – will be a suspension of the taxi/PH driver’s licence.

Mr Justice Singh suggested in his ruling that a suspension may be appropriate " if misconduct has been established" if something "less than complete revocation" is appropriate and suspension "will constitute sufficient sanction in the interests of the public"

This therefore makes it possible for a licensing authority to use the power of a suspension as a punitive measure – but only under certain circumstances.

Bolton Council’s minutes stated: “There is therefore reasonable cause to suspend the hackney carriage licence as a warning and a deterrent.”

Punishment

There is an important legal difference between retributive punishment and utilitarian punishment. Utilitarian punishment seeks to punish offenders to discourage or deter future wrongdoing. Retributive punishment on the other hand seeks to punish offenders because they deserve to be punished (legally sanctioned retribution).

In the context of taxi/PH licensing, the power of suspension can only ever be imposed as a utilitarian punishment because licensing exists to protect the public.

Therefore if the conduct of a taxi/PH driver has not been that of a fit and proper person, but complete revocation is seen as a disproportionate response, it may be considered that a defined period of suspension will act to deter the driver from misconduct in the future and so render them once again fit and proper.

In practice there may often be a fine line between what constitutes a retributive or utilitarian punishment. Each case will have to be determined on its individual merits and in view of the evidence.

July 03, 2018 at 07:16AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Grand 5* luxury hotel Berlin from £77.50pp - incl. option spa & Rolls Royce limo service

Ahoy mateys! The leafy Grunewald district is situated in west Berlin, and here you can enjoy at 5* stay at the prestigious Patrick Hellmann Schlosshotel. The hotel boasts stylish interior courtesy of Patrick Hellmann and Karl Lagerfeld, an elegant spa, Europe's first GQ Bar and a Rolls Royce limo-service (!) Details Many travel durations possible… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Tunisia from £360pp: Late summer or last minute 7nts incl. flights & waterslides

Tunisia is back on everyone's travel radar this year, with fantastic value to be had on holidays from London, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham and Bristol. Check out this 7-night all inclusive offer on our holidays finder, staying at a beachfront hotel with its own selection of waterslides and pools; prices start from as little as… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Italy autumn beach break: 7nts from £335pp - incl. 5* spa hotel, breakfast & flights

Ahoy mateys! Escape to the Italian seaside with this beach break to Puglia, in the south of Italy. You'll be staying at the 5* Hotel Gusmay & Suite Le Dune in Peschici (the "spur" of Italy's boot) just a short walk from a private sandy beach. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Malta 4* autumn break 7nts from £292pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy mateys! Jet off to Malta for some well-deserved late summer sun this September for a stay at the 4* Paradise Bay Resort Hotel is in picturesque Mellieha, known for its pristine beaches. Here you will be right by a sandy beach with a selection of pools overlooking Paradise Bay on one side and the… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Late summer flights to Marseille, South of France from £25 return

Pirates, fancy heading to the South of France, with these bargain flights to Marseille you can do just that! The flights depart throughout September and start from only £25 return, use our flights finder for all options. Team the flights with a bargain or luxury hotel and you have yourself an amazing mini break. Flight… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Thanksgiving in Boston from £447pp: 4nt Sheraton stay - incl. Virgin flights & rooftop pool

Thanksgiving is one of the USA's most popular holidays, so we were pleasantly surprised to find it so cheap to visit at this time. Using our flights finder and hotel finder, we've put together a DIY offer that will allow you to visit Boston over the holiday from as little as £447 per person, based… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

2 week winter sun all inclusive Cuba holiday from £797pp - beach hotel, flights, bags & transfers

Ahoy there pirates, if the one and only Cuba is on your bucket list then you might want to take a look at this! This holiday in Cuba is on an all inclusive board basis and you will spend 2 weeks in the sun in a great 4* hotel for under £800 per person. Holiday… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

GMB welcomes APPG report demanding gig economy companies cough up tax

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GMB Union has welcomed an All Party Parliamentary Group report exposing how gig economy employers currently avoid paying their fair share of tax.

The APPG demands the government rigorously enforces the law to prevent bogus self-employment, takes international action to tax gig economy earnings in the UK and demands HMRC imposes the law across all companies regardless of how big they are.GMB is at the forefront of a long running battle against bogus self employment in the so called gig economy.GMB has won workers' rights cases against against Uber, Addison Lee and - most recently - Hermes.

GMB has also announced legal action against three Amazon delivery companies over workers status on the charge of bogus self employment.Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary, said:“This report shows that not only is insecure work bad for workers, it’s daylight robbery of our tax system - companies like Uber are responsible for hundreds of millions of lost taxes that could be spent on hospitals, schools, roads, our care system, local government.“GMB has been taking the fight to exploitative gig economy employers in the workplace and in the courts, and we’re winning. “Questions have to be asked about why HMRC is not pursuing missing taxes with the same vigour, while the rest of us are told austerity has to continue.”

July 02, 2018 at 05:13PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

4* Tuscany escape in August from £173pp: 4-7nt stay - incl. flights, breakfast & rooftop pool

Mateys, we've spotted some great rates on peak summer season holidays in one of our favourite destinations; Tuscany. This August escape to one of Italy's most popular spa towns -- Montecatini -- is available from a number of UK airports and starts from just £173 per person, based on 2 sharing. It includes flights, 4… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Silent Electric motor blamed after skateboarder left fighting for his life following collision with Toyota Prius minicab in Mayfair London

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A skateboarder was left fighting for his life after failing to hear the electric motor of a hybrid Toyota Prius approaching.

Theo Fallstrom, 24, was left in a critical condition after suffering a brain haemorrhage during the collision. He also suffered a broken shoulder and damage to his ear.

Theo was only saved by the quick response of London's air ambulance team who arrived at the scene in Mayfair within minutes.

Medics Dr David Cooper and paramedic Rob Twitchen put Mr Fallstrom in an induced coma to protect his brain and he was taken to the major trauma centre at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington.

Mr Fallstrom has now praised the amazing efforts and response from London's Air Ambulance service. Without their quick medical attention Theo would of most certainly of died from his injuries.

The collision took place on Albemarle Street, Mayfair at around midnight last August as Theo was heading home. He said he was unable to hear the approach of the Prius minicab because of it's quiet electric motor.

The driver of the minicab, who was on his way to pick up a fare, said he did not see Mr Fallstrom who slammed head first into his windscreen. The collision was declared a non-fault accident, but concerns have no been raised about the safety of such vehicle's which have almost silent motors.

July 02, 2018 at 04:29PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Skateboader Left Critical after Failing To Hear Approaching Electric Uber Prius

A skateboarder was left critically injured in a road crash after failing to hear an approaching electric minicab. 

Theo Fallstrom, 24, suffered a brain haemorrhage, broken left shoulder and damaged right ear in the collision with the hybrid Toyota Prius in Mayfair. But he was saved by medics from London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance who arrived in minutes.

Today his mother called air ambulance medics “the SAS of first responders”.

Mr Fallstrom had been skating home at around midnight in Albemarle Street and had been unable to hear the car, powered by its quiet electric motor.

LAS was on the scene in three minutes, followed by an air ambulance fast- response car four minutes later. Its medics Dr David Cooper and paramedic Rob Twitchen put Mr Fallstrom in an induced coma to protect his brain and he was taken to the major trauma centre at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington.

He spent about three weeks in a coma and more than a month of rehabilitation at Wellington Hospital, St John’s Wood, where he had to relearn to talk and walk. His mother Leonie, from Holland Park, told his story at London Air Ambulance summer gala last week.

After the accident on August 20 last year, Mr Fallstrom was bleeding from his ear, flailing around and punching out due to the brain damage. Ms Fallstrom said: “He didn’t hear the electric Prius. The driver on his way to collect a fare didn’t see him.” Describing the effect on the windscreen of him slamming into it she added: “Theo hit with such force he scored a bullseye.

“He needed to be put in a coma, and fast. [The medics] called for silence and performed the complex task. London’s Air Ambulance are the SAS of first responders. These absolutely incredible people and their speed and expertise.”

Theo, a chef at Daylesford organic shop in Marylebone, cannot remember the accident. It was regarded as a “no fault collision”. Theo said: “I feel put back together. If it wasn’t for their speed and skill I wouldn’t be here or quite possibly not able to speak or walk.” It costs £8 million a year to keep LAA’s two helicopters and fleet of fast cars in operation and most is raised from donations. 

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Last minute Gran Canaria getaway from £182pp - 7nts hotel, flights, bags & transfers (2-3 share)

Pirates, there is still time to grab a bargain holiday this July, check out this Gran Canaria getaway we have found at this great price. The holiday is cheapest based on 3 sharing and it is still an awesome price at £220 per person for a couple sharing. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights Example… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Rhodes 5* All Inclusive family from £334pp - incl. flights & hotel

Arrr pirates! Rhodes is one of our favourite Greek islands and for this holiday you will be staying at the 5* Mitsis Rodos Maris Resort & Spa, situated right by the beachfront in Kiotari, with all inclusive included in your stay. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date: 19th… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flights to lovely Luxembourg from only £19 return (summer dates)

Pirates, we have come across these really cheap flights that depart from London for under £20 return - wow! The flights are in August when the weather should be great and there are great rates in September too. Flight details Direct flights to Luxembourg Departures from London Stansted Example date: 16th - 18th August Dates… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Spring break in Majorca: 4nts B&B in 4* spa resort from £193pp incl. flights

Escape the inevitable grey skies of the UK spring time and instead jet off to the Balearics to enjoy some early season sun at this stunning 4* spa resort on the island of Majorca. The PortBlue Club Pollentia doesn't only offer a number of great facilities surrounded by palm trees, but there are also stunning… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT