Tag: communications

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Press release: Health supplement company closed for taking advantage of customers

Vivid Lifestyle Ltd (Vivid) was incorporated in July 2013 and its’ registered office was in Hounslow, West London.

The company started business in 2014, selling nutritional supplement tablets wholly to UK customers before broadening its operations to international markets. By 2017, the majority of its sales were to customers in Australia and New Zealand.

Vivid enjoyed significant turnover, reaching over £1 million in 2017, with a gross profit margin of 91.4%, and sat in the centre of a multi-national trading operation, co-ordinating the activities of a telesales centre in India and a distribution centre in Reading.

Following complaints, however, the Insolvency Service launched an investigation into the Vivid’s activities and petitioned to the courts to wind up the company.

The court heard that Vivid’s customers, which included a significant proportion of elderly and vulnerable patients, were misled as to the worth and likely effects of the tablets sold to them at huge mark ups.

Vivid employed highly pressurised and persistent sales practices and techniques, including telesales callers making false claims to be qualified to give medical advice.

The court also heard that Vivid appeared to have abused customers bank and credit card information. Customers were charged for items they did not order, were told they had not paid for items when they had and were charged for repeat sales which they had not requested. In some cases, customers simply paid in order to be rid of the callers.

Vivid was wound up by the High Court Business and Property Courts in Manchester on 29 August 2018 and at the hearing, for which no company representatives were present, District Judge Matharu said she found Vivid’s manner of procuring business and payment “quite disgusting”.

She continued:

there is layer upon layer of taking advantage of those most least able or prepared to deal with the nature of the communications.

DJ Matharu said that the company “must be stopped”, and duly made an order that the company be placed into compulsory liquidation with the Official Receiver appointed as Liquidator.

Investigation Supervisor Irshard Mohammed, of the Insolvency Service, said:

The Insolvency Service has taken action against a significant number of companies selling everyday vitamin tablets to the elderly and infirm as a cure for whatever ails them. We will continue to do so.

Members of the public should be wary of anyone calling them, or their elderly or vulnerable friends or relatives, looking to sell them expensive medicines over the telephone.

Notes to editors

The petition to wind up the company was presented in the High Court of Justice Business and Property Courts in Manchester, on 25th July 2018, under the provisions of section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986 following confidential enquiries by Company Investigations under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985, as amended. A Winding Up Order was made against Vivid Lifestyle Ltd at the hearing on 29th August 2018.

Vivid Lifestyle Ltd was incorporated on 15 July 2013 with the Company Registration Number 08610085. Its Registered Office on 29 August 2018 was 3 Foundry Mews Hounslow, P O Box 631, London, United Kingdom, TW3 9UB.

Since 2016, in addition to Vivid, the Insolvency Service has wound up nine other health supplement companies in the public interest after they scammed people, often the elderly and vulnerable, into unnecessarily buying their products.

All enquiries concerning the affairs of the companies should be made to: The Official Receiver, Public Interest Unit, 4 Abbey Orchard Street, London, SW1P 2HT. Telephone: 0207 637 1110; piu.or@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk.

Company Investigations, part of the Insolvency Service, uses powers under the Companies Act 1985 to conduct confidential fact-finding investigations into the activities of live limited companies in the UK on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Further information about live company investigations is available on GOV.UK.

The Insolvency Service, an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), administers the insolvency regime, and aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community, including dealing with the disqualification of directors in corporate failures.

BEIS’ mission is to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy that works for all, in particular by creating the conditions for business success and promoting an open global economy. The Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions team contributes to this aim by taking action to deter fraud and to regulate the market. They investigate and prosecute a range of offences, primarily relating to personal or company insolvencies.
The agency also authorises and regulates the insolvency profession, assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees, provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available.

Contact Press Office

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 7674 6910 or 020 7596 6187

Press Office

The Insolvency Service


4 Abbey Orchard Street
London
SW1P 2HT

This service is for journalists only. For any other queries, please contact the Insolvency Enquiry line on 0300 678 0015.

For all media enquiries outside normal working hours, please contact the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Press Office on 020 7215 1000.

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:

Link: Press release: Health supplement company closed for taking advantage of customers
Source: Gov Press Releases

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The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations Order of Council 2018

This Order approves the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018 (“the Regulations”) made by the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (“RCVS”) under section 11 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (c. 36) on 14th June 2018. Those Regulations substitute Part 4 of the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations 2014 (“the 2014 Regulations”) (as set out in the Schedule to the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations Order of Council 2014 (S.I. 2014/3493)).

Link: The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations Order of Council 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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The Veterinary Surgeons (Examination of Commonwealth and Foreign Candidates) (Amendment) Regulations Order of Council 2018

This Order approves the Veterinary Surgeons (Examination of Commonwealth and Foreign Candidates) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (“the Regulations”) made by the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (“RCVS”) under section 6(4) of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (c. 36) on 8th March 2018. The Regulations amend the Veterinary Surgeons (Examination of Commonwealth and Foreign Candidates) Regulations 2005 (as set out in the Schedule to the Veterinary Surgeons (Examination of Commonwealth and Foreign Candidates) Regulations Order of Council 2005 (S.I. 2005/3240)).

Link: The Veterinary Surgeons (Examination of Commonwealth and Foreign Candidates) (Amendment) Regulations Order of Council 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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The Network Rail (Felixstowe Branch Line Improvements – Level Crossings Closure) Order 2018

This Order authorises Network Rail Infrastructure Limited to construct a bridge over the Felixstowe Branch Line railway and close six level crossings over that railway. The Order also authorises the stopping up and diversion of public rights of way.

Link: The Network Rail (Felixstowe Branch Line Improvements – Level Crossings Closure) Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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Press release: Public Health England and Drinkaware launch Drink Free Days

A YouGov poll has found that one in five of UK adults are drinking above the Chief Medical Officer’s low risk drinking guidelines and more than two thirds of these say they would find cutting down on their drinking harder to do than one or more other lifestyle changes – improving their diet, exercising more, or reducing their smoking, if they were smokers.

Working together for the first time, Public Health England and alcohol education charity Drinkaware are today (10 September 2018) jointly launching a new campaign ‘Drink Free Days’ to help people cut down on the amount of alcohol they are regularly drinking.

The campaign will be encouraging middle-aged drinkers to use the tactic of taking more days off from drinking as a way of reducing their health risks from alcohol.

The more alcohol people drink , the greater their risk of developing a number of serious potentially life limiting health conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as 7 types of cancer.

Regular drinking also increases the amount of calories consumed and can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
Evidence from behavioural science suggests that simple and easy ways of helping people to change their behaviour are the most effective, which is why Drinkaware and PHE have chosen to focus on Drink Free Days.

Pre-campaign research also found that the concept resonated strongly with people and was seen as clear to follow, positive and achievable.

Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive at Public Health England, said:

Many of us enjoy a drink – but whether it’s a few in the pub after work a couple of times a week, some beers on the sofa watching the football or regular wine with our dinner – it’s all too easy to let our drinking creep up on us.

While the link with liver disease is well known, many people are not aware that alcohol can cause numerous other serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease as well as several cancers. It’s also an easy way to pile on the pounds.

About 10 million people in England are drinking in ways that increases the risks and many are struggling to cut down. Setting yourself a target of having more drink free days every week is an easy way to drink less and reduce the risks to your health.

Commenting, Drinkaware Chief Executive Elaine Hindal said:

The more you drink, the greater the risk to your health. It’s really that simple.

But an increasing number of people, particularly middle aged drinkers, are drinking in ways that are putting them at risk of serious and potentially life limiting conditions such as heart disease, liver disease and some types of cancer.

That’s where this campaign comes in and we’re delighted to be joining forces with Public Health England for the first time to help give people that knowledge.

Having a few drink free days each week, will help reduce the risks to your health and improve your wellbeing.

This new partnership between Public Health England and Drinkaware is a fresh and bold step in our work to reduce alcohol harm. PHE’s One You digital platform has a strong track record on encouraging behaviour change; Drinkaware is an independent educational charity with an extensive reach to the key audiences. Working together to help communicate the message that having drink free days will reduce the risks to your health is the first move in what we hope will be a long term partnership.

Former England and Liverpool footballer John Barnes is supporting the campaign which will be providing people with a range of tools and resources to help them cut back and make better choices about their drinking.

John said:

This is an important campaign highlighting how many of us don’t realise that we are drinking in ways that could be harming our health and how we are struggling to moderate.

A beer here and a glass of wine there might not seem like much but the units can add up and so too can the health risks.

Having a few more days a week that are drink free is a great way of taking control of our drinking and making healthier choices for the future which is why I am supporting this fantastic campaign.

A dedicated website provides all the information, resources and apps to help support people, including the One You Drink Free Days app and Drinkaware’s Drink Compare Calculator.

Background

YouGov Survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. YouGov interviewed 8,906 UK adults aged 18 to 85 online between 14 May and 5 June 2018. This included a subset of 1,847 adults who drank over 14 units in the last week. Data has been weighted to be representative of the UK adult population according to gender, age, social grade and region.

Proportion of adults drinking above the lower risk guidelines

Research shows that middle-aged drinkers are more likely to be drinking more (above the 14 units lower risk guidelines) than the general population: Adult Survey for England 2016 – Adult Health Trends (table 10).

Campaign evaluation

PHE and Drinkaware will separately undertake full independent evaluations and peer review processes.

The public health burden of alcohol

Evidence review: this PHE review looks at the impact of alcohol on the public health and the effectiveness of alcohol control policies.

Alcohol consumption: advice on low risk drinking

UK Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines on how to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level.

Drink Free Days app

The Drink Free Days app is a simple and easy way to track the days you drink alcohol and the days you don’t.

One You

Launched in March 2016, One You from Public Health England is the first nationwide programme to support adults in making simple changes that can have a huge influence on their health, could help prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease and reduce risk of suffering a stroke or living with dementia, disability and frailty in later life. It aims to inform, energise and engage millions of adults, especially those in the 40 to 60 ‘middle-aged’ group, to make changes to improve their own health by eating well, moving more, drinking less and quitting smoking. One You also provides information on free health checks and how people can reduce their stress levels and sleep better.

About Drinkaware

Drinkaware is an independent charity which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by helping people make better choices about their drinking. We achieve this by providing impartial, evidence based information, advice and practical resources; raising awareness of alcohol and its harms, and working collaboratively with partners..Follow them on Twitter @drinkaware.

About PHE

Public Health England exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and providing specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific expertise and support. Follow us on Twitter: @PHE_uk and Facebook: www.facebook.com/PublicHealthEngland.

Public Health England press office

Link: Press release: Public Health England and Drinkaware launch Drink Free Days
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Government invests £5m to increase places for disadvantaged children in youth organisations

  • 5,500 places to be created for young people to join uniformed youth groups
  • Funding will support expansion and development of new groups

A new £5 million fund will increase places in uniformed youth groups to reach vulnerable young people and allow for expansion in deprived areas, Minister for Civil Society Tracey Crouch announced.

An estimated 5,500 spaces will be created in groups such as police cadets, Scouts, Guides and faith-based organisations to help reduce waiting lists for these in-demand local clubs.

The fund will help organisations open new groups in deprived areas across England and allow more children to benefit from weekly activities, camps or volunteering programmes – helping to boost their wellbeing, mental health and life skills.

In addition, the Uniformed Youth Fund, will provide more opportunities for adults to get involved in projects and volunteer their time in order to grow and sustain groups in their community.

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said:

Organisations like the Guides and Sea Cadets play a key role in so many childhoods. They create lasting friendships and teach important life skills such as teamwork and resilience.

This fund strengthens our support for young people by ensuring that even more children have access to these groups and are helped to reach their full potential.

Samantha Hyde, Director at Youth United Foundation, said:

We are delighted to be able to expand our important work with children and young people living in the some of the most deprived regions in the country, providing them with the opportunity to join a uniformed youth group and, as a result, gain a range of life-changing skills and experiences.

We strive to increase opportunities in areas and communities where there are least provisions and the most need, to ensure that young people of all backgrounds are able to succeed.

The Fund will be distributed and managed by Youth United Foundation, a member organisations for uniformed youth groups.

The Fund will also lay the foundations for groups to continue to expand and tackle waiting lists beyond the current financial year.

The announcement follows the recent Civil Society Strategy where the government promised to work alongside uniformed youth groups to consider how they can expand in disadvantaged areas.

ENDS

For more information please call the DCMS press office: 0207 2112210

Notes to editors:

Youth United Foundation Network collectively work with 1.5 million young people and is formed of 11 uniformed youth organisations, including: Army Cadets Force, Boys’ Brigade, Fire Cadets, Girls’ Brigade, Girlguiding, Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade, Royal Air Force Cadets, St. John Ambulance, Sea Cadets, The Scout Association and Volunteer Police Cadets.

Youth United Fund’s mission is to give every young person, regardless of economic or ethnic background, the opportunity to join a uniformed youth group.

Link: Press release: Government invests £5m to increase places for disadvantaged children in youth organisations
Source: Gov Press Releases