Greedy yorkshirewater

[SilentDiver]

It is legal. Have a read of this: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/tpp-new-creditor-guide.pdf

Just because it's the DWP's policy doesn't make it legal, nor does it exempt them from the Data Protection Act or the UN Human Rights Charter. If my company policy was to murder non-paying clients in cold blood I don't think I'd get away with it by just saying I could in a PDF file and putting it on the web.

Try trying doing even a cursory amount of research instead of replying in such a manner.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987 ... on/35/made

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987 ... ule/9/made

I would suggest that the only way they know if they can make deductions would be if they were made aware by the customer/advice agency/other third party they were on JSA etc. The DWP wouldn't give that information out.

Bit of a non-sequitur mentioning the UN Human Rights Charter and murder.

Mentioning my company policy of going after late-payers with a hatchet (both my company and that policy are entirely imaginary of course!) was purely hyperbole to emphasise the point that whatever the DWP or Yorkshire Water's policies may be, that doesn't override law unless the law that their policy is based upon specifically states that it does.

Section 9, admittedly from a cursory reading says nothing about it overriding the UNHRC and it's hardly surprising, because UK law isn't allowed to, thus the cursory reading this time and no reading at all the previous time.

That aside, Yorkshire Water have no business contacting government agencies about a matter that is entirely between them and one of their customers, they are a private company - I appreciate that it's a common occurrence but that doesn't make it right.

[Mr A]

Thanks to all who replied, so is this legal? They knew she was on benefits because she told them. She wasnt hiding and was upfront about everything, however she didnt give them her NI number or anything. They asked her for her benefits details so they could deduct 80 a month which she refused and she continued to pay what she could afford. Now they say there going ahead without her consent.

[Mr A]

Thanks for your reply ForestNymph. So if she rings the benefits agency before they make a decision and refuses the deductions they wont allow it?

[Mr A]

Thanks forestNymph, il keep you posted on how she gets on.

[Mr A]

i dont think shes being unreasonable paying 20 a month either. If every one of yorkshire waters 1.7million customers payed 20 a month, theyd be nearing half a billion yearly, i think this is just blatant greed.

[Mr A]

Ok so she rang the DWP and was told there was nothing they could do, they told her she needed to contact yorkshire water and make new arrangments with them.

[Cats]

Ok so she rang the DWP and was told there was nothing they could do, they told her she needed to contact yorkshire water and make new arrangments with them.

I read through all the posts, it’s the water companies last threat before expensive court action, The dwp don’t like doing the deductions because of the cost involved.
Sounds like your friend let communications with water company slip. I wouldn’t admit to owning them anything, but keep up a payment of what can be afforded and phone that advice in to them, if payment plans are missed and they aren’t informed it gives them the go ahead to carry on to next levels of threat.
it’s just constant cat and mouse games with all these utility companies!
I never refuse to pay on purpose its genuine financial difficulty most of us are facing, and these companies (that should be in the publics interest) profits are way to high.
always be firm when contacting them, with a payment, and make sure they log your concerns and get a reference number from them.
I would never lose sleep over owing to these companies my policy is food in the cupboards first, roof over my head, then whatever is left maybe these companies can get a payment at my discretion and convenience, but I ALWAYS inform them of my intentions! keeps the hassle that court action can bring at bay

[Mr A]

update: She got a letter from the dwp stating they are deducting £15 a week. Nothing she can do about this?

[Mr A]

Hi ForestNymph and thanks for your reply. Which part of the Act should i be looking at? Thanks again.

[Mr A]

ForestNymph, she does receive income support. When you say "There is an Act of Parliament that over-rides this" does that mean writing to them quoting section 187 would be pointless? Thanks for your help