Two more adverts have been banned as the ASA continues its battle with websites that give the impression of being "official"
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is continuing its clamp down on websites that pose as official websites, persuading them to overpay for services that are often free or cost less by going direct to government portals. The Telegraph has reported on the plethora of sites that charge for European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), which are available free from the NHS and give health cover when travelling within the European Union. The ASA has tackled some of the claims made on search engine adverts. Adverts from driving theory test websites have also been tackled. The ASA said today it had banned two more adverts - one offering to complete driving licence applications and another selling Land Registry data on property deeds.
It said that www.drivinglicense.org.uk, which offers driving licence applications, included the text: "Driving Licence Application How to apply to to [sic] DVLA. Online application. Online registration not only improves efficiencies and eliminates unnecessary paperwork, it also ensures a errors [sic] free form before you send it to the DVLA. Alternatively you can apply to the DVLA directly without using the method of our online application."...............Read more Here
Former chief land registrar and unions express concern about possibility of private firms having a say in granting of land rights
Polly Toynbee: There's no evidence that privatisation works, but it marches on
The Land Registry is headed towards privatisation, in a move which will give private firms a say in the granting of land rights, according to leaked minutes from a meeting of its board members. Former executives from the body, which registers the ownership of land and property in England and Wales, say that a sell-off "beggars belief" because it will allow the private sector to adjudicate on what can be conflicting interests between sellers, buyers, lenders and neighbours. Documents seen by the Guardian show that far from still considering public ownership of the 150-year-old body as a viable option – as ministers publicly claim – senior civil servants are deciding between a joint venture between the government and a private company, or letting a private company run it as a so-called Govco.
Michael Fallon, the business minister responsible, had stated that options would be put out for a public consultation before any decision was made – and this would include the option of retaining the Land Registry as an executive agency of government. Conservative ministers are in favour of a joint venture, sources say. But the Guardian understands that Vince Cable, the business secretary, will block Tory moves towards a joint venture as he argues that the government must keep tighter control of any potential private sector partners......Read more here