My friend Mark owns a canoe boat along the river Severn. It is not registered nor licensed . He sometimes rows it to different waterways during summer. Can he be penalised for non-registration if he is a member of British Canoeing?

You may not need to register a canoe with the navigation authority if you’re a member of British Canoeing.

Register a boat

Overview

You usually need to register or licence your boat if you want to keep or use it on inland waterways, such as rivers and canals. Contact the navigation authority of the waterway you want to use to find out.

A boat is:

any vessel with or without a motor, for example a sailing boat, river boat, canal boat or houseboat

any ‘open boat’ such as canoe, paddle board, rowing boat or dinghy

To get a boat registration you may need:

insurance

a Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate

You must renew each year for the waterway you want to keep or use your boat on. You can buy a visitor registration or licence for shorter periods.

Carry more than 12 passengers

You must have a passenger-carrying certificate issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency if you want to carry more than 12 passengers.

Commercial use

You must apply for a boatmaster’s licence if you want to use your boat commercially.

Use at sea

You can register your boat with the UK Ship Register for use at sea.

Who to contact

Register or license your boat with the navigation authority responsible for the waterway you want to use.

Most canals and some rivers, like the Severn, Trent and Ouse

Register with the Canal & River Trust.

Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, and adjacent waters

Register with the Broads Authority.

River Thames, River Medway, and the rivers of East Anglia

Download the application form for the waterway you want to use and register with the Environment Agency:

River Thames

River Medway

Anglian waterways (Great Ouse System, River Nene, River Stour, River Ancholme, Black Sluice, River Welland and River Glen)

Rye Harbour

River Thames annual registrations run from 1 January to 31 December. Other registrations run from 1 April to 31 March.

The Royal Military Canal

You do not need to register a boat for use between West Hythe Dam in Shorncliffe, Kent and Iden Lock in Cliffe End, East Sussex.

Contact Shepway District Council to register a boat for use between West Hythe Dam and Seabrook.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Check if you need to register your boat with Scottish Canals or NI Direct.

Other areas

Check with the Inland Waterways Association to find the navigation authority for other areas.

Using more than one waterway

You can buy a ‘gold licence’ which lets you use all Environment Agency and Canal & River Trust waterways.

Canoe or rowing boat exemptions

Rowing clubs or associations can register a rowing boat for use on some waterways through British Rowing.

Penalties

An enforcement officer may put an enforcement notice on your boat if it’s on an inland waterway and:

it’s not licensed or registered

it’s not licensed or registered for the waterway you’re using

your licence or registration is not displayed

it breaches the terms and conditions of the licence or registration

Check your licence or registration for additional rules that apply to your waterway.

You may be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000 or have your boat removed if you do not display an up-to-date licence or registration.

Questions about a penalty notice

Contact your navigation authority if you have questions about a penalty notice.

The UK Ship Register

You need to register your boat with the UK Ship Register to use it at sea.

Whether you can use the register depends on your citizenship status. Check the eligibility requirements for each part of the UK Ship Register.

There are 4 different parts of the register. Which part you use depends on what you’re using your boat for:

Part 1 - commercial or pleasure boats

Part 2 - fishing boats

Part 3 - small boats

Part 4 - charter boats

Part 1 registration - commercial or pleasure boats

You can use Part 1 of the register if you have either:

a commercial boat, unless you plan to use it for fishing

a ‘pleasure vessel’ - this means you do not make any money from it

Registering your boat on Part 1 of the register means you’ll be able to:

get a marine mortgage against your boat

spend more than 6 months outside the UK

It costs £153 to register for 5 years.

You’ll be sent a renewal notice when it’s time to renew. It costs £72 to renew your registration for another 5 years.

Part 2 registration - fishing boats

Use Part 2 of the register if you’re using your boat to catch and sell fish.

You can choose from ‘simple’ or ‘full’ registration. If you choose full registration you can get a marine mortgage against your boat.

To register for 5 years it costs:

£159 for simple registration

£196 for full registration

Part 3 registration - small boats

Use Part 3 of the register (small ships register) if:

your boat is less than 24 metres long

your boat is a pleasure vessel

you live in the UK for at least 185 days of the year

You cannot use Part 3 of the register if you’re a business.

Registering on Part 3 of the register means you’ll be able to prove your boat’s nationality when sailing outside UK waters.

It costs £35 for 5 years.

Part 4 registration - charter boats

Use Part 4 of the register if you plan to hire out (charter) your boat.

It costs between £35 and £196 for 5 years. The amount you’ll pay depends on the type of boat you’re registering.

How to register

You can register your boat online. You’ll need to create an account if you do not already have one.

If you own the boat with other people, all owners must have an account before you can register your boat online.

Start now

You can pay by debit or credit card.

You can also use the online service to renew, cancel or change the details of your registration.

Before you start

You’ll need:

the dimensions of your boat

the previous registration details of the boat (if it’s been registered before)

the bill of sale

the radio signal detail - including your UK radio call sign, Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number and International Maritime Organization (IMO) number

the builders certificate

a certificate of survey for tonnage and measurement

an international tonnage certificate (ITC69)

safety certificates

Other ways to register

You can also register by post. Download and fill in the form for the type of boat you want to register.

Contact

You can contact the UK Ship Register by email, phone or post.


My parent died and I have been offered a scholarship for my undergraduate university course. I do not know how much I will receive. I am from England. What scholarship amount should I be expecting to receive?

You can use the money to pay tuition fees and your maintenance for:

Scholarships for children whose parent died in service

Overview

You can apply for help with the costs of further and higher education if all of the following are true:

one of your parents died as a result of their service in the armed forces

your parent died on or after 1 January 1990

you’re 16 or over and in full-time education

you or a surviving parent receive bereavement benefits from the Armed Forces Compensation scheme, War Pension scheme or Armed Forces Attributable Benefits scheme

You cannot apply if you were the foster child of the person who died.

What you can use the scholarship for

a further education course of up to 3 years

your first undergraduate course at a UK university or other higher education institution (such as a college or art school) - this can include study abroad if it’s part of the course

a higher level technical education course at qualification levels 4, 5 or 6

If you’re unsure about the type of course ask the college or university you want to apply to.

What you'll get

In the 2018 to 2019 academic year you can apply for up to:

£1,500 for a further education course

£9,250 for tuition fees and £4,950 for a Maintenance Grant for a higher education or higher level technical education course

If you’re studying in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, you can apply for up to £9,000 for tuition fees and £4,950 for a Maintenance Grant.

How the payments are made

Payments are made 3 times a year no later than:

31 October

31 January

30 April

Your college or university must have confirmed that you’re registered for a course and attending before any payment is sent.

Payments can be backdated in some circumstances, for example you become eligible for a scholarship and apply while studying.

Further education scholarships are paid to either you or your parent or guardian.

University and other higher education scholarships are paid directly to you.

All scholarships are tax free.

How to apply

Download and fill in the bereavement scholarship scheme application.

Post your application to the address on the form.

If you’re applying for a higher education scholarship (for example, an undergraduate degree from a UK university), also include:

a letter from the college or university confirming that you’ve accepted their offer of a place

proof of the fees, for example a photocopy of your tuition fees invoice

Deadlines

Veterans UK must receive your application by 31 January in the academic year of your further education or university course.

You can apply from 1 April in the academic year you’ll begin studying.

What happens next

The Veterans UK Scheme Administrator will get in touch to confirm whether you’re eligible for the scholarship you’ve applied for.

How long it takes to find out if you’re eligible depends on the evidence you provide with your application.

If you’re applying for a university or higher education scholarship

Register with the Student Loans Company to ensure you’re charged UK student fees for your course.

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision you must appeal to Veterans UK in writing.

Help with your application

Contact the Veterans UK helpline if you have any questions about the scholarships, for example what you need to do to apply or how to fill out the application form.

Overview

one of your parents died as a result of their service in the armed forces

your parent died on or after 1 January 1990

you’re 16 or over and in full-time education

You cannot apply if you were the foster child of the person who died.

What you can use the scholarship for

You can use the money to pay tuition fees and your maintenance for:

a further education course of up to 3 years

a higher level technical education course at qualification levels 4, 5 or 6

If you’re unsure about the type of course ask the college or university you want to apply to.

What you'll get

In the 2018 to 2019 academic year you can apply for up to:

£1,500 for a further education course

How the payments are made

Payments are made 3 times a year no later than:

31 October

31 January

30 April

Further education scholarships are paid to either you or your parent or guardian.

University and other higher education scholarships are paid directly to you.

All scholarships are tax free.

How to apply

Download and fill in the bereavement scholarship scheme application.

Post your application to the address on the form.

a letter from the college or university confirming that you’ve accepted their offer of a place

proof of the fees, for example a photocopy of your tuition fees invoice

Deadlines

You can apply from 1 April in the academic year you’ll begin studying.

What happens next

If you’re applying for a university or higher education scholarship

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision you must appeal to Veterans UK in writing.

Help with your application

a higher level technical education course at qualification levels 4, 5 or 6

Overview

one of your parents died as a result of their service in the armed forces

your parent died on or after 1 January 1990

you’re 16 or over and in full-time education

You cannot apply if you were the foster child of the person who died.

What you can use the scholarship for

You can use the money to pay tuition fees and your maintenance for:

a further education course of up to 3 years

If you’re unsure about the type of course ask the college or university you want to apply to.

What you'll get

In the 2018 to 2019 academic year you can apply for up to:

£1,500 for a further education course

How the payments are made

Payments are made 3 times a year no later than:

31 October

31 January

30 April

Further education scholarships are paid to either you or your parent or guardian.

University and other higher education scholarships are paid directly to you.

All scholarships are tax free.

How to apply

Download and fill in the bereavement scholarship scheme application.

Post your application to the address on the form.

a letter from the college or university confirming that you’ve accepted their offer of a place

proof of the fees, for example a photocopy of your tuition fees invoice

Deadlines

You can apply from 1 April in the academic year you’ll begin studying.

What happens next

If you’re applying for a university or higher education scholarship

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision you must appeal to Veterans UK in writing.

Help with your application

In the 2018 to 2019 academic year you can apply for up to:

Overview

one of your parents died as a result of their service in the armed forces

your parent died on or after 1 January 1990

you’re 16 or over and in full-time education

You cannot apply if you were the foster child of the person who died.

What you can use the scholarship for

You can use the money to pay tuition fees and your maintenance for:

a further education course of up to 3 years

a higher level technical education course at qualification levels 4, 5 or 6

If you’re unsure about the type of course ask the college or university you want to apply to.

What you'll get

£1,500 for a further education course

How the payments are made

Payments are made 3 times a year no later than:

31 October

31 January

30 April

Further education scholarships are paid to either you or your parent or guardian.

University and other higher education scholarships are paid directly to you.

All scholarships are tax free.

How to apply

Download and fill in the bereavement scholarship scheme application.

Post your application to the address on the form.

a letter from the college or university confirming that you’ve accepted their offer of a place

proof of the fees, for example a photocopy of your tuition fees invoice

Deadlines

You can apply from 1 April in the academic year you’ll begin studying.

What happens next

If you’re applying for a university or higher education scholarship

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision you must appeal to Veterans UK in writing.

Help with your application

Overview

one of your parents died as a result of their service in the armed forces

your parent died on or after 1 January 1990

you’re 16 or over and in full-time education

You cannot apply if you were the foster child of the person who died.

What you can use the scholarship for

You can use the money to pay tuition fees and your maintenance for:

a further education course of up to 3 years

a higher level technical education course at qualification levels 4, 5 or 6

If you’re unsure about the type of course ask the college or university you want to apply to.

What you'll get

In the 2018 to 2019 academic year you can apply for up to:

£1,500 for a further education course

How the payments are made

Payments are made 3 times a year no later than:

31 October

31 January

30 April

Further education scholarships are paid to either you or your parent or guardian.

University and other higher education scholarships are paid directly to you.

All scholarships are tax free.

How to apply

Download and fill in the bereavement scholarship scheme application.

Post your application to the address on the form.

a letter from the college or university confirming that you’ve accepted their offer of a place

proof of the fees, for example a photocopy of your tuition fees invoice

Deadlines

You can apply from 1 April in the academic year you’ll begin studying.

What happens next

If you’re applying for a university or higher education scholarship

Register with the Student Loans Company to ensure you’re charged UK student fees for your course.

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision you must appeal to Veterans UK in writing.

Help with your application


My son is currently in prison and I want to make contact with him although I am worried that my phone calls will be listened to and my letters might be read by people that are not my son. Are phone calls and letters in prison private?

Most letters sent to and from prison are checked by prison staff.

Staying in touch with someone in prison

Letters, video and telephone calls

Letters

You can contact a prisoner by writing to them. Write the person’s prisoner number on the envelope. Normally there’s no limit on the number of letters you can send.

Prisons cannot open letters from solicitors and courts except in special cases, for example if they suspect a letter is not really from a legal adviser.

You can complain to the prison if you think your letters are being read when they should not be, or if your letters are not reaching the prisoner.

Video calls

You can make video calls to people in some prisons using your mobile phone or tablet.

Video calls are free at the moment. This is because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Calls can last up to 30 minutes. A prisoner is allowed 1 video call a month.

Who can call

You must be over 18 and on the prisoner’s list of friends and family.

You can invite up to 3 other people (of any age) on the call if they are on the prisoner’s visitor list.

How to call

Find out if the prison offers video calls.

Install an app on your phone or tablet (it can take up to 24 hours for your account on the app to be verified).

Check if everyone who wants to join the call is on the prisoner’s list of friends and family.

Request a video call using the app or ask the prisoner to request a call.

Prison staff will schedule the call and send confirmation by email.

All video calls are recorded. Prison staff may watch video calls while they are happening.

Telephone calls

The prisoner has to call you using a prison phone.

They can only call people named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they’re able to call.

Prison staff can listen to and record most types of call. Some calls are not monitored, for example when a prisoner calls a legal adviser.

You can also exchange voice messages with a prisoner using the Prison Voicemail service.

Email and social media

Prisoners are not allowed to access social networking websites (such as Facebook or Twitter) while they’re in custody.

You cannot email prisoners directly, but you can use a service called Email a Prisoner. If you send a message this way, it’ll be printed out and delivered by prison staff. Each email costs 40p and you need to buy credit to use the service.

In some prisons, prisoners can also reply and attach a photo through Email a Prisoner. Check which prisons allow replies.

Banned items

You must not send or give anything to a prisoner that:

is indecent or obscene

threatens the security of the prison

is written in code

You must not take anything written by a prisoner that they want to publish and be paid for.

It’s a criminal offence to send or give a prisoner:

illegal drugs

alcohol

weapons

a camera

a mobile phone

Contact the prison if you’re unsure what you can send or give.

Sending money

You can send money to someone in prison by making an online payment by Visa, Mastercard and Maestro debit card.

The money is paid into the prisoner’s account - a basic cash account they can use to send and receive money.

You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post to any prison. You’ll need to use a debit card instead.

If you cannot make an online payment

You may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:

are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet

do not have a debit card

This will allow you to send money by post.

You can also find out how to get a debit card by setting up a basic bank account.

Visiting someone in prison

You can normally visit partners and close family members in some prisons. There are restrictions because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Find out which prisons are open for visits and what you need to do.

You can only visit a prisoner if they’ve added you to their visitor list. The prison will contact you once you’re on this list.

Get help with the cost of visiting someone

You might be able to get help paying for a prison visit, for example travel costs, if you’re receiving certain benefits.

How often you can visit someone in prison

A convicted prisoner is usually allowed at least two 1-hour visits every 4 weeks.

A prisoner on remand (waiting for their trial) is allowed three 1-hour visits a week.

You can find out more about the exact rules on visits on the prison information page of the prison you’re visiting.

Staying in touch with someone in prison

Letters, video and telephone calls

Letters

Most letters sent to and from prison are checked by prison staff.

Video calls

Who can call

How to call

Find out if the prison offers video calls.

Telephone calls

The prisoner has to call you using a prison phone.

Email and social media

Banned items

You must not send or give anything to a prisoner that:

is indecent or obscene

threatens the security of the prison

is written in code

It’s a criminal offence to send or give a prisoner:

illegal drugs

alcohol

weapons

a camera

a mobile phone

Contact the prison if you’re unsure what you can send or give.

Sending money

If you cannot make an online payment

You may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:

are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet

do not have a debit card

This will allow you to send money by post.

Visiting someone in prison

Get help with the cost of visiting someone

How often you can visit someone in prison


I own a home and energy bills are always high. When I hired a engineer to assess why my energy bills are high. He mentioned the problem is because of insulation. I can't afford to replace the insulation Can I get a loan to replace the insulation ?

You may be able to get a loan through the Green Deal, but you’ll have to pay this back.

Green Deal: energy saving for your home

Overview

The Green Deal helps you make energy-saving improvements to your home and to find the best way to pay for them.

The improvements that could save you the most energy depend on your home, but typical examples include:

insulation, such as solid wall, cavity wall or loft insulation

heating

draught-proofing

double glazing

renewable energy generation, such as solar panels or heat pumps

If you need help paying for home improvements

Find out if your home will benefit

There are various ways to check if your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements:

use the Energy Efficiency Calculator to find out how you can reduce your energy bills

check which home energy grants you might be able to apply for

talk to a Green Deal assessor or provider

The Green Deal may be right for you if you think your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements.

You can also talk to Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland

Find out about call charges

The Green Deal is not available in Northern Ireland.

Green Deal mark

All Green Deal organisations must be authorised. Look for the quality mark, which is a green house with a tick on the roof.

You can also check if a Green Deal company is genuine.

Improvements and benefits to your home

Any household with an electricity meter (including prepayment meters) in England, Scotland or Wales can use the scheme.

Both the landlord and the tenant must agree to the improvements if the building is rented.

Eligible improvements

You can use the Green Deal for a range of different energy saving measures including:

replacing windows and doors

installing secondary glazing

using energy efficient lighting

insulating your loft or walls

adding draught proofing

upgrading your heating

generating renewable energy from sources such as wind or solar power

But only if your Green Deal assessment recommends them.

Get an assessment

You must get your property assessed to use the Green Deal. Contact a Green Deal assessor or ask a Green Deal provider to find an assessor for you.

You may have to pay for an assessment. The assessor must tell you the fee in advance.

What to expect from an assessment

A Green Deal assessor will visit your home, talk to you about your property and your energy use and help you decide if you could benefit from Green Deal improvements.

When you book

You may be asked if:

you own or rent the property

your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, built before 1900 or constructed in a non-traditional way

there are access issues, such as access to your loft

you can provide bills showing your recent energy use

When the assessor visits

You may be asked:

how many people live in your home

what type of heating and appliances you use

how often you use your heating

what energy-saving measures are already installed

After the visit

You’ll get a document, called a Green Deal advice report, that contains:

an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that rates your home for energy efficiency

an occupancy assessment that measures how much energy you and other occupiers are using

improvements your assessor recommends

an estimate of the money you could save on your annual energy bills

a statement on whether the improvements will pay for themselves through reduced energy costs

A Green Deal advice report is valid for 10 years, or until you make changes or energy saving improvements to the property, for example you build an extension or change the windows.

The actual savings will depend on how much energy you use and the future cost of energy.

What to do next

You decide:

if you want to get the work done

how you want to pay

Getting the work done

How you decide to get the work done will affect your options for how you pay for the work.

After you get a Green Deal advice report, you can:

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and pay for the work yourself

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and a Green Deal finance plan to pay for the work

get your own installers to fit the improvements and pay for them yourself

pay for the work in more than one way, like using a Green Deal finance plan or money of your own

Some companies provide all the services for a Green Deal package - assessment, finance and installation. You can choose to use a different company for each service.

Get a quote

Give a provider or installer your Green Deal advice report.

Providers will give you a quote and arrange the installers for you. Installers will quote to do the work themselves. A quote from a provider will include the repayment terms if you’re paying with a finance plan.

You can get more than one quote and you can choose which improvements you want.

You can ask the provider or installer if you or your property qualify to combine the Green Deal with these other schemes:

Affordable Warmth Obligation - help from your energy company to improve your home if you’re on certain benefits or a low income, or for certain hard-to-treat properties

Feed-in Tariffs - payments from your energy provider if you generate your own electricity (such as through solar panels or a wind turbine)

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - payments for generation and use of renewable energy to heat buildings

any scheme run by your Local Authority - contact your Local Authority for information

Agree the work

Pick the provider or installer you want to do the work.

The provider will write you a contract called a Green Deal finance plan if you choose to pay with Green Deal finance. The plan will contain:

an outline of the work that will be done

any financial help you can get from other schemes

the repayments and interest rate

information on other incentives you can access, such as Feed-in Tarrifs

information on warranties and guarantees

Your Green Deal repayments will be automatically added to your electricity bill if you have chosen to take Green Deal finance.

Complaints

You can complain about your Green Deal.

How to pay

You can pay in advance, get a Green Deal finance plan, or use other schemes to fund the work. You can also combine ways to pay.

Getting a Green Deal finance plan

Finance plans are offered by approved Green Deal providers.

Give your Green Deal assessment to providers you want to get a quote from.

Your provider will find an installer for you.

You can only get a finance plan for improvements recommended in your Green Deal assessment.

Each provider must tell you:

how much you’ll pay back

how long you’ll pay for

What you can borrow and how much you’ll pay

You can get finance for an amount based on what you’ll be expected to save on your energy bills.

The annual repayments on the loan should not be more than the savings you might make on your energy bills.

There’s no set interest rate. Your interest rate will be determined by the amount of your finance plan. Check with your provider for rates and fees.

The interest rate is fixed for the full term of the plan so your repayments will be fixed.

How you pay

You pay back the loan through a charge added to your electricity bill. If you have a prepayment meter, a small amount will be taken from the meter each day.

This is because the Green Deal stays with the property. If you move, you no longer benefit from the improvements and therefore stop paying for them.

You can pay off your Green Deal early, but you might be charged a fee - check with your provider.

Moving into a property with a Green Deal

If you move into a property with a Green Deal, the landlord or seller must show you a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This will explain what improvements have been made and how much you’ll need to repay.

The person who pays the electricity bill pays the money back.

You can change electricity supplier if the new supplier is participating in the Green Deal.

Get more information

Contact the Green Deal provider if you have specific questions about the improvements, warranties or repayments.

You can get general information from Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland.

Find out about call charges

You can pay in advance, get a Green Deal finance plan, or use other schemes to fund the work. You can also combine ways to pay.

Green Deal: energy saving for your home

Overview

The Green Deal helps you make energy-saving improvements to your home and to find the best way to pay for them.

The improvements that could save you the most energy depend on your home, but typical examples include:

insulation, such as solid wall, cavity wall or loft insulation

heating

draught-proofing

double glazing

renewable energy generation, such as solar panels or heat pumps

If you need help paying for home improvements

You may be able to get a loan through the Green Deal, but you’ll have to pay this back.

Find out if your home will benefit

There are various ways to check if your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements:

use the Energy Efficiency Calculator to find out how you can reduce your energy bills

check which home energy grants you might be able to apply for

talk to a Green Deal assessor or provider

The Green Deal may be right for you if you think your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements.

You can also talk to Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland

Find out about call charges

The Green Deal is not available in Northern Ireland.

Green Deal mark

All Green Deal organisations must be authorised. Look for the quality mark, which is a green house with a tick on the roof.

You can also check if a Green Deal company is genuine.

Improvements and benefits to your home

Any household with an electricity meter (including prepayment meters) in England, Scotland or Wales can use the scheme.

Both the landlord and the tenant must agree to the improvements if the building is rented.

Eligible improvements

You can use the Green Deal for a range of different energy saving measures including:

replacing windows and doors

installing secondary glazing

using energy efficient lighting

insulating your loft or walls

adding draught proofing

upgrading your heating

generating renewable energy from sources such as wind or solar power

But only if your Green Deal assessment recommends them.

Get an assessment

You may have to pay for an assessment. The assessor must tell you the fee in advance.

What to expect from an assessment

When you book

You may be asked if:

you own or rent the property

your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, built before 1900 or constructed in a non-traditional way

there are access issues, such as access to your loft

you can provide bills showing your recent energy use

When the assessor visits

You may be asked:

how many people live in your home

what type of heating and appliances you use

how often you use your heating

what energy-saving measures are already installed

After the visit

You’ll get a document, called a Green Deal advice report, that contains:

an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that rates your home for energy efficiency

an occupancy assessment that measures how much energy you and other occupiers are using

improvements your assessor recommends

an estimate of the money you could save on your annual energy bills

a statement on whether the improvements will pay for themselves through reduced energy costs

The actual savings will depend on how much energy you use and the future cost of energy.

What to do next

You decide:

if you want to get the work done

how you want to pay

Getting the work done

How you decide to get the work done will affect your options for how you pay for the work.

After you get a Green Deal advice report, you can:

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and pay for the work yourself

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and a Green Deal finance plan to pay for the work

get your own installers to fit the improvements and pay for them yourself

pay for the work in more than one way, like using a Green Deal finance plan or money of your own

Get a quote

Give a provider or installer your Green Deal advice report.

You can get more than one quote and you can choose which improvements you want.

You can ask the provider or installer if you or your property qualify to combine the Green Deal with these other schemes:

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - payments for generation and use of renewable energy to heat buildings

any scheme run by your Local Authority - contact your Local Authority for information

Agree the work

Pick the provider or installer you want to do the work.

an outline of the work that will be done

any financial help you can get from other schemes

the repayments and interest rate

information on other incentives you can access, such as Feed-in Tarrifs

information on warranties and guarantees

Your Green Deal repayments will be automatically added to your electricity bill if you have chosen to take Green Deal finance.

Complaints

You can complain about your Green Deal.

How to pay

You can pay in advance, get a Green Deal finance plan, or use other schemes to fund the work. You can also combine ways to pay.

Getting a Green Deal finance plan

Finance plans are offered by approved Green Deal providers.

Give your Green Deal assessment to providers you want to get a quote from.

Your provider will find an installer for you.

You can only get a finance plan for improvements recommended in your Green Deal assessment.

Each provider must tell you:

how much you’ll pay back

how long you’ll pay for

What you can borrow and how much you’ll pay

You can get finance for an amount based on what you’ll be expected to save on your energy bills.

The annual repayments on the loan should not be more than the savings you might make on your energy bills.

The interest rate is fixed for the full term of the plan so your repayments will be fixed.

How you pay

You can pay off your Green Deal early, but you might be charged a fee - check with your provider.

Moving into a property with a Green Deal

The person who pays the electricity bill pays the money back.

You can change electricity supplier if the new supplier is participating in the Green Deal.

Get more information

Contact the Green Deal provider if you have specific questions about the improvements, warranties or repayments.

Find out about call charges

Finance plans are offered by approved Green Deal providers.

Green Deal: energy saving for your home

Overview

The Green Deal helps you make energy-saving improvements to your home and to find the best way to pay for them.

The improvements that could save you the most energy depend on your home, but typical examples include:

insulation, such as solid wall, cavity wall or loft insulation

heating

draught-proofing

double glazing

renewable energy generation, such as solar panels or heat pumps

If you need help paying for home improvements

You may be able to get a loan through the Green Deal, but you’ll have to pay this back.

Find out if your home will benefit

There are various ways to check if your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements:

use the Energy Efficiency Calculator to find out how you can reduce your energy bills

check which home energy grants you might be able to apply for

talk to a Green Deal assessor or provider

The Green Deal may be right for you if you think your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements.

You can also talk to Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland

Find out about call charges

The Green Deal is not available in Northern Ireland.

Green Deal mark

All Green Deal organisations must be authorised. Look for the quality mark, which is a green house with a tick on the roof.

You can also check if a Green Deal company is genuine.

Improvements and benefits to your home

Any household with an electricity meter (including prepayment meters) in England, Scotland or Wales can use the scheme.

Both the landlord and the tenant must agree to the improvements if the building is rented.

Eligible improvements

You can use the Green Deal for a range of different energy saving measures including:

replacing windows and doors

installing secondary glazing

using energy efficient lighting

insulating your loft or walls

adding draught proofing

upgrading your heating

generating renewable energy from sources such as wind or solar power

But only if your Green Deal assessment recommends them.

Get an assessment

You may have to pay for an assessment. The assessor must tell you the fee in advance.

What to expect from an assessment

When you book

You may be asked if:

you own or rent the property

your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, built before 1900 or constructed in a non-traditional way

there are access issues, such as access to your loft

you can provide bills showing your recent energy use

When the assessor visits

You may be asked:

how many people live in your home

what type of heating and appliances you use

how often you use your heating

what energy-saving measures are already installed

After the visit

You’ll get a document, called a Green Deal advice report, that contains:

an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that rates your home for energy efficiency

an occupancy assessment that measures how much energy you and other occupiers are using

improvements your assessor recommends

an estimate of the money you could save on your annual energy bills

a statement on whether the improvements will pay for themselves through reduced energy costs

The actual savings will depend on how much energy you use and the future cost of energy.

What to do next

You decide:

if you want to get the work done

how you want to pay

Getting the work done

How you decide to get the work done will affect your options for how you pay for the work.

After you get a Green Deal advice report, you can:

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and pay for the work yourself

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and a Green Deal finance plan to pay for the work

get your own installers to fit the improvements and pay for them yourself

pay for the work in more than one way, like using a Green Deal finance plan or money of your own

Get a quote

Give a provider or installer your Green Deal advice report.

You can get more than one quote and you can choose which improvements you want.

You can ask the provider or installer if you or your property qualify to combine the Green Deal with these other schemes:

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - payments for generation and use of renewable energy to heat buildings

any scheme run by your Local Authority - contact your Local Authority for information

Agree the work

Pick the provider or installer you want to do the work.

an outline of the work that will be done

any financial help you can get from other schemes

the repayments and interest rate

information on other incentives you can access, such as Feed-in Tarrifs

information on warranties and guarantees

Your Green Deal repayments will be automatically added to your electricity bill if you have chosen to take Green Deal finance.

Complaints

You can complain about your Green Deal.

How to pay

You can pay in advance, get a Green Deal finance plan, or use other schemes to fund the work. You can also combine ways to pay.

Getting a Green Deal finance plan

Finance plans are offered by approved Green Deal providers.

Give your Green Deal assessment to providers you want to get a quote from.

Your provider will find an installer for you.

You can only get a finance plan for improvements recommended in your Green Deal assessment.

Each provider must tell you:

how much you’ll pay back

how long you’ll pay for

What you can borrow and how much you’ll pay

You can get finance for an amount based on what you’ll be expected to save on your energy bills.

The annual repayments on the loan should not be more than the savings you might make on your energy bills.

The interest rate is fixed for the full term of the plan so your repayments will be fixed.

How you pay

You can pay off your Green Deal early, but you might be charged a fee - check with your provider.

Moving into a property with a Green Deal

The person who pays the electricity bill pays the money back.

You can change electricity supplier if the new supplier is participating in the Green Deal.

Get more information

Contact the Green Deal provider if you have specific questions about the improvements, warranties or repayments.

Find out about call charges

Green Deal: energy saving for your home

Overview

The Green Deal helps you make energy-saving improvements to your home and to find the best way to pay for them.

The improvements that could save you the most energy depend on your home, but typical examples include:

insulation, such as solid wall, cavity wall or loft insulation

heating

draught-proofing

double glazing

renewable energy generation, such as solar panels or heat pumps

If you need help paying for home improvements

You may be able to get a loan through the Green Deal, but you’ll have to pay this back.

Find out if your home will benefit

There are various ways to check if your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements:

use the Energy Efficiency Calculator to find out how you can reduce your energy bills

check which home energy grants you might be able to apply for

talk to a Green Deal assessor or provider

The Green Deal may be right for you if you think your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements.

You can also talk to Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland

Find out about call charges

The Green Deal is not available in Northern Ireland.

Green Deal mark

All Green Deal organisations must be authorised. Look for the quality mark, which is a green house with a tick on the roof.

You can also check if a Green Deal company is genuine.

Improvements and benefits to your home

Any household with an electricity meter (including prepayment meters) in England, Scotland or Wales can use the scheme.

Both the landlord and the tenant must agree to the improvements if the building is rented.

Eligible improvements

You can use the Green Deal for a range of different energy saving measures including:

replacing windows and doors

installing secondary glazing

using energy efficient lighting

insulating your loft or walls

adding draught proofing

upgrading your heating

generating renewable energy from sources such as wind or solar power

But only if your Green Deal assessment recommends them.

Get an assessment

You may have to pay for an assessment. The assessor must tell you the fee in advance.

What to expect from an assessment

When you book

You may be asked if:

you own or rent the property

your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, built before 1900 or constructed in a non-traditional way

there are access issues, such as access to your loft

you can provide bills showing your recent energy use

When the assessor visits

You may be asked:

how many people live in your home

what type of heating and appliances you use

how often you use your heating

what energy-saving measures are already installed

After the visit

You’ll get a document, called a Green Deal advice report, that contains:

an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that rates your home for energy efficiency

an occupancy assessment that measures how much energy you and other occupiers are using

improvements your assessor recommends

an estimate of the money you could save on your annual energy bills

a statement on whether the improvements will pay for themselves through reduced energy costs

The actual savings will depend on how much energy you use and the future cost of energy.

What to do next

You decide:

if you want to get the work done

how you want to pay

Getting the work done

How you decide to get the work done will affect your options for how you pay for the work.

After you get a Green Deal advice report, you can:

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and pay for the work yourself

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and a Green Deal finance plan to pay for the work

get your own installers to fit the improvements and pay for them yourself

pay for the work in more than one way, like using a Green Deal finance plan or money of your own

Get a quote

Give a provider or installer your Green Deal advice report.

You can get more than one quote and you can choose which improvements you want.

You can ask the provider or installer if you or your property qualify to combine the Green Deal with these other schemes:

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - payments for generation and use of renewable energy to heat buildings

any scheme run by your Local Authority - contact your Local Authority for information

Agree the work

Pick the provider or installer you want to do the work.

an outline of the work that will be done

any financial help you can get from other schemes

the repayments and interest rate

information on other incentives you can access, such as Feed-in Tarrifs

information on warranties and guarantees

Your Green Deal repayments will be automatically added to your electricity bill if you have chosen to take Green Deal finance.

Complaints

You can complain about your Green Deal.

How to pay

You can pay in advance, get a Green Deal finance plan, or use other schemes to fund the work. You can also combine ways to pay.

Getting a Green Deal finance plan

Finance plans are offered by approved Green Deal providers.

Give your Green Deal assessment to providers you want to get a quote from.

Your provider will find an installer for you.

You can only get a finance plan for improvements recommended in your Green Deal assessment.

Each provider must tell you:

how much you’ll pay back

how long you’ll pay for

What you can borrow and how much you’ll pay

You can get finance for an amount based on what you’ll be expected to save on your energy bills.

The annual repayments on the loan should not be more than the savings you might make on your energy bills.

The interest rate is fixed for the full term of the plan so your repayments will be fixed.

How you pay

You can pay off your Green Deal early, but you might be charged a fee - check with your provider.

Moving into a property with a Green Deal

The person who pays the electricity bill pays the money back.

You can change electricity supplier if the new supplier is participating in the Green Deal.

Get more information

Contact the Green Deal provider if you have specific questions about the improvements, warranties or repayments.

Find out about call charges

Green Deal: energy saving for your home

Overview

The Green Deal helps you make energy-saving improvements to your home and to find the best way to pay for them.

The improvements that could save you the most energy depend on your home, but typical examples include:

insulation, such as solid wall, cavity wall or loft insulation

heating

draught-proofing

double glazing

renewable energy generation, such as solar panels or heat pumps

If you need help paying for home improvements

You may be able to get a loan through the Green Deal, but you’ll have to pay this back.

Find out if your home will benefit

There are various ways to check if your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements:

use the Energy Efficiency Calculator to find out how you can reduce your energy bills

check which home energy grants you might be able to apply for

talk to a Green Deal assessor or provider

The Green Deal may be right for you if you think your property could benefit from energy-saving improvements.

You can also talk to Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland

Find out about call charges

The Green Deal is not available in Northern Ireland.

Green Deal mark

All Green Deal organisations must be authorised. Look for the quality mark, which is a green house with a tick on the roof.

You can also check if a Green Deal company is genuine.

Improvements and benefits to your home

Any household with an electricity meter (including prepayment meters) in England, Scotland or Wales can use the scheme.

Both the landlord and the tenant must agree to the improvements if the building is rented.

Eligible improvements

You can use the Green Deal for a range of different energy saving measures including:

replacing windows and doors

installing secondary glazing

using energy efficient lighting

insulating your loft or walls

adding draught proofing

upgrading your heating

generating renewable energy from sources such as wind or solar power

But only if your Green Deal assessment recommends them.

Get an assessment

You may have to pay for an assessment. The assessor must tell you the fee in advance.

What to expect from an assessment

When you book

You may be asked if:

you own or rent the property

your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, built before 1900 or constructed in a non-traditional way

there are access issues, such as access to your loft

you can provide bills showing your recent energy use

When the assessor visits

You may be asked:

how many people live in your home

what type of heating and appliances you use

how often you use your heating

what energy-saving measures are already installed

After the visit

You’ll get a document, called a Green Deal advice report, that contains:

an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that rates your home for energy efficiency

an occupancy assessment that measures how much energy you and other occupiers are using

improvements your assessor recommends

an estimate of the money you could save on your annual energy bills

a statement on whether the improvements will pay for themselves through reduced energy costs

The actual savings will depend on how much energy you use and the future cost of energy.

What to do next

You decide:

if you want to get the work done

how you want to pay

Getting the work done

How you decide to get the work done will affect your options for how you pay for the work.

After you get a Green Deal advice report, you can:

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and pay for the work yourself

ask a Green Deal provider to arrange installation and a Green Deal finance plan to pay for the work

get your own installers to fit the improvements and pay for them yourself

pay for the work in more than one way, like using a Green Deal finance plan or money of your own

Get a quote

Give a provider or installer your Green Deal advice report.

You can get more than one quote and you can choose which improvements you want.

You can ask the provider or installer if you or your property qualify to combine the Green Deal with these other schemes:

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - payments for generation and use of renewable energy to heat buildings

any scheme run by your Local Authority - contact your Local Authority for information

Agree the work

Pick the provider or installer you want to do the work.

an outline of the work that will be done

any financial help you can get from other schemes

the repayments and interest rate

information on other incentives you can access, such as Feed-in Tarrifs

information on warranties and guarantees

Your Green Deal repayments will be automatically added to your electricity bill if you have chosen to take Green Deal finance.

Complaints

You can complain about your Green Deal.

How to pay

You can pay in advance, get a Green Deal finance plan, or use other schemes to fund the work. You can also combine ways to pay.

Getting a Green Deal finance plan

Finance plans are offered by approved Green Deal providers.

Give your Green Deal assessment to providers you want to get a quote from.

Your provider will find an installer for you.

You can only get a finance plan for improvements recommended in your Green Deal assessment.

Each provider must tell you:

how much you’ll pay back

how long you’ll pay for

What you can borrow and how much you’ll pay

You can get finance for an amount based on what you’ll be expected to save on your energy bills.

The annual repayments on the loan should not be more than the savings you might make on your energy bills.

The interest rate is fixed for the full term of the plan so your repayments will be fixed.

How you pay

You can pay off your Green Deal early, but you might be charged a fee - check with your provider.

Moving into a property with a Green Deal

The person who pays the electricity bill pays the money back.

You can change electricity supplier if the new supplier is participating in the Green Deal.

Get more information

Contact the Green Deal provider if you have specific questions about the improvements, warranties or repayments.

You can get general information from Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland.

Find out about call charges


My uncle wants to change the body size of his van to a camper van. He needs it to be more spacious and ready for a family holiday. Is there a link where he can find the documents needed to provide?

Check what evidence you need when you convert a van to a campervan or motor caravan.

Change vehicle details on a V5C registration certificate (log book)

When you need to update your V5C

You must update the details on your registration certificate (V5C) to tell DVLA about:

mistakes on your V5C

most changes you make to your vehicle

You cannot change tax class by updating your V5C. You do this by changing your vehicle tax - even if you’re changing to a tax class that’s exempt from vehicle tax, for example ‘disabled’.

Changes you need to update

You must update your V5C if you change any of the following:

colour

engine

cylinder capacity (cc)

fuel type

chassis or bodyshell (replaced or modified)

seating capacity

weight of a large vehicle, for example goods vehicle or campervan

Changes that may need inspection

You must also update your V5C if you change any of the following:

wheel plan

body type, for example you convert a van to a campervan or ’motor caravan’ (DVLA gives a body type description based on the vehicle’s external appearance)

vehicle identification number (VIN)

chassis number

frame number for motorbikes

DVLA will tell you if they need to inspect the change.

What evidence to give

You must give DVLA evidence or written confirmation if you make any of the following changes to your vehicle. Your V5C update will be rejected if you do not.

Change of engine number or cylinder capacity (cc)

You need to provide either:

a receipt for the replacement engine

written evidence from the manufacturer

an inspection report provided for insurance purposes

written confirmation on headed paper from a garage (if the change took place before you bought the vehicle)

Change of fuel type

You need to provide evidence if:

your existing engine is converted – the confirmation must be on headed paper from the garage that did the work

a new engine is fitted – provide the receipt as confirmation

Change of weight of a larger vehicle

If you change the weight of a large vehicle (for example, a campervan or goods vehicle), you’ll need to provide either:

a plating certificate

a design weight certificate

Change of body type to motor caravan

How to update your V5C

Fill in section 1 if you have a new style log book with multi-coloured numbered blocks on the front cover. Fill in section 7 if you have the older style log book.

Send it to DVLA with any necessary evidence.

If the change is not listed in section 1 or 7, add notes to the ‘vehicle details’ section instead. Send it to DVLA with evidence and a letter explaining the change.

Where to send your V5C

Send your V5C to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DZ if you changed any of the following:

engine size (cc)

fuel type

weight of a goods vehicle

number of seats on a bus

For all other changes, send your V5C to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.

What happens next

DVLA will contact you to:

confirm the change or tell you if it needs an inspection

tell you if the change means you have to pay more vehicle tax

It may take longer than usual to get your replacement V5C because of coronavirus (COVID-19).


We have recently created a beauty product and been selling to the local supermarket stores. Recently we decided to market the product online we have started receiving orders and queries from customers. As part of this we have store some customer information Can we use their information to send them targeted advertisement?

You must check if customers want to be contacted by fax, phone, post or email, and give them the chance to object. You must be able to prove you’ve done this.

Marketing and advertising: the law

Overview

All marketing and advertising must be:

an accurate description of the product or service

legal

decent

truthful

honest

socially responsible (not encouraging illegal, unsafe or anti-social behaviour)

There are regulations that restrict what advertisers can and cannot do.

As well as the regulations, there are 2 advertising codes of practice that you need to follow to help you advertise legally.

You must describe your product or service accurately.

Requirements for specific products

There are also specific requirements that apply to certain sectors, such as:

food

alcohol

beauty products

environmentally friendly products

medicines

tobacco

For example, you can only claim your drink is ‘low in alcohol’ if it contains between 0.5% and 1.2% alcohol by volume.

Data protection

If you’re gathering, storing or using information about customers or potential customers, you must also protect their data.

Regulations that affect advertising

Advertising to consumers

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations mean you cannot mislead or harass consumers by, for example:

including false or deceptive messages

leaving out important information

using aggressive sales techniques

Read ‘The consumer protection from unfair trading regulations’ for the rules on advertising legally.

Advertising to businesses

Advertising to businesses is covered by the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations. As well as being accurate and honest, you must not make misleading comparisons with competitors, that includes:

using a competitor’s logo or trademark, or something very similar

comparing your product with a competitor’s product that’s not the same

Download ‘The Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008’ for more detail about the regulations that cover advertising to businesses.

Penalties

If you break the regulations, you could be reported to a local Trading Standards office. You could be fined, prosecuted or imprisoned.

Advertising codes of practice

There are 2 advertising codes of practice that describe how businesses should advertise.

They cover all kinds of promotional communications, depending where the advert or promotion will appear.

Non-broadcast media

The CAP non-broadcast code has rules that cover non-broadcast advertising (for example print, online), sales promotion and direct marketing (such as telesales and email).

The code specifies standards for accuracy and honesty that businesses must stick to, including specific conditions, such as:

advertising to children

causing offence

political advertising

Broadcast media (for example TV, radio)

You must follow the CAP broadcast code, which covers issues including taste, decency and product placement.

As well as setting standards about accuracy and honesty businesses must stick to, they also have rules about things like scheduling.

General broadcasting rules

You also need to follow rules about taste, decency, product placement etc that apply to all broadcasting.

These are called ‘broadcast codes’. Find out more about them on the Ofcom website.

Enforcing the rules

The rules are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Anyone who thinks advertising rules have been broken can complain to the ASA within 3 months of the advert appearing.

If an advert breaks the rules, it may be withdrawn. If the product does not match the description or the advert breaks the law, you could be prosecuted.

Describing your product

You must describe your product accurately. This means if you make a claim about your product, you must be able to prove what you say.

Prices

Your adverts must describe the actual cost accurately, including any ongoing or associated costs (like subscription fees) and taxes (such as VAT).

Direct marketing

When you collect customer details, you must get their permission if you want to send them other offers or promotions.

You must also ask for their permission if you want to share their information with another organisation.

Letting customers opt out

Customers have the right to stop their information being used for direct marketing.

You must make it easy to opt out - for example by sending a ‘STOP’ text to a short number, or using an ‘unsubscribe’ link.

Telesales and fax marketing

You must say who you are when you make a telesales call, and give your address or phone number if you’re asked for it. The number for customers to call must be a freephone number.

You’re not allowed to send marketing faxes to individuals unless you’ve received their prior permission, but you can send unsolicited faxes to companies.

You must be able to prove that you’ve checked you’re not contacting anyone who does not want to be contacted.

Check who’s asked not to receive calls or faxes using the:

Telephone Preference Service

Fax Preference Service

It’s illegal to phone or fax someone registered with these services if you do not have their permission. You can be fined up to £500,000 for each unsolicited phonecall.

Automated calls

If you want to make automated calls - with pre-recorded phone messages - you must get the permission of the individual or business first.

Direct mail

Check that your mailing lists do not include anyone who’s asked not to receive direct mailing, using the Mail Preference Service.

Email marketing and text messages

You’re only allowed to send marketing emails to individual customers if they’ve given you permission.

Emails or text messages must clearly indicate:

who you are

that you’re selling something

what the promotions are, and any conditions

Check that you are not sending emails to anyone who’s asked not to receive them, using the Email Preference Service.

If you buy or rent a mailing list, ask the supplier if you have the right to use it for email marketing.

Every marketing email you send must give the person the ability to opt out of (or ‘unsubscribe from’) further emails.

You must tell customers if you add them to a list of people who do not want to be emailed.

Cookies

You must tell visitors to your website how your site uses cookies, and ask if they want to accept them.

The information should be easy to understand.

Find out more about cookies on the Information Commissioner’s Office website  and AboutCookies.org.

Customers can complain if you misuse their information, and you could be ordered to pay a fine or compensation.

When you collect customer details, you must get their permission if you want to send them other offers or promotions.

Marketing and advertising: the law

Overview

All marketing and advertising must be:

an accurate description of the product or service

legal

decent

truthful

honest

socially responsible (not encouraging illegal, unsafe or anti-social behaviour)

There are regulations that restrict what advertisers can and cannot do.

As well as the regulations, there are 2 advertising codes of practice that you need to follow to help you advertise legally.

You must describe your product or service accurately.

Requirements for specific products

There are also specific requirements that apply to certain sectors, such as:

food

alcohol

beauty products

environmentally friendly products

medicines

tobacco

For example, you can only claim your drink is ‘low in alcohol’ if it contains between 0.5% and 1.2% alcohol by volume.

Data protection

If you’re gathering, storing or using information about customers or potential customers, you must also protect their data.

Regulations that affect advertising

Advertising to consumers

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations mean you cannot mislead or harass consumers by, for example:

including false or deceptive messages

leaving out important information

using aggressive sales techniques

Read ‘The consumer protection from unfair trading regulations’ for the rules on advertising legally.

Advertising to businesses

using a competitor’s logo or trademark, or something very similar

comparing your product with a competitor’s product that’s not the same

Penalties

Advertising codes of practice

There are 2 advertising codes of practice that describe how businesses should advertise.

They cover all kinds of promotional communications, depending where the advert or promotion will appear.

Non-broadcast media

The code specifies standards for accuracy and honesty that businesses must stick to, including specific conditions, such as:

advertising to children

causing offence

political advertising

Broadcast media (for example TV, radio)

You must follow the CAP broadcast code, which covers issues including taste, decency and product placement.

As well as setting standards about accuracy and honesty businesses must stick to, they also have rules about things like scheduling.

General broadcasting rules

You also need to follow rules about taste, decency, product placement etc that apply to all broadcasting.

These are called ‘broadcast codes’. Find out more about them on the Ofcom website.

Enforcing the rules

The rules are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Anyone who thinks advertising rules have been broken can complain to the ASA within 3 months of the advert appearing.

Describing your product

You must describe your product accurately. This means if you make a claim about your product, you must be able to prove what you say.

Prices

Direct marketing

When you collect customer details, you must get their permission if you want to send them other offers or promotions.

You must also ask for their permission if you want to share their information with another organisation.

Letting customers opt out

Customers have the right to stop their information being used for direct marketing.

You must make it easy to opt out - for example by sending a ‘STOP’ text to a short number, or using an ‘unsubscribe’ link.

Telesales and fax marketing

You must be able to prove that you’ve checked you’re not contacting anyone who does not want to be contacted.

Check who’s asked not to receive calls or faxes using the:

Telephone Preference Service

Fax Preference Service

Automated calls

Direct mail

Check that your mailing lists do not include anyone who’s asked not to receive direct mailing, using the Mail Preference Service.

Email marketing and text messages

You’re only allowed to send marketing emails to individual customers if they’ve given you permission.

Emails or text messages must clearly indicate:

who you are

that you’re selling something

what the promotions are, and any conditions

Check that you are not sending emails to anyone who’s asked not to receive them, using the Email Preference Service.

If you buy or rent a mailing list, ask the supplier if you have the right to use it for email marketing.

Every marketing email you send must give the person the ability to opt out of (or ‘unsubscribe from’) further emails.

You must tell customers if you add them to a list of people who do not want to be emailed.

Cookies

You must tell visitors to your website how your site uses cookies, and ask if they want to accept them.

The information should be easy to understand.

Find out more about cookies on the Information Commissioner’s Office website  and AboutCookies.org.

Customers can complain if you misuse their information, and you could be ordered to pay a fine or compensation.

Marketing and advertising: the law

Overview

All marketing and advertising must be:

an accurate description of the product or service

legal

decent

truthful

honest

socially responsible (not encouraging illegal, unsafe or anti-social behaviour)

There are regulations that restrict what advertisers can and cannot do.

As well as the regulations, there are 2 advertising codes of practice that you need to follow to help you advertise legally.

You must describe your product or service accurately.

Requirements for specific products

There are also specific requirements that apply to certain sectors, such as:

food

alcohol

beauty products

environmentally friendly products

medicines

tobacco

For example, you can only claim your drink is ‘low in alcohol’ if it contains between 0.5% and 1.2% alcohol by volume.

Data protection

If you’re gathering, storing or using information about customers or potential customers, you must also protect their data.

Regulations that affect advertising

Advertising to consumers

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations mean you cannot mislead or harass consumers by, for example:

including false or deceptive messages

leaving out important information

using aggressive sales techniques

Read ‘The consumer protection from unfair trading regulations’ for the rules on advertising legally.

Advertising to businesses

using a competitor’s logo or trademark, or something very similar

comparing your product with a competitor’s product that’s not the same

Penalties

If you break the regulations, you could be reported to a local Trading Standards office. You could be fined, prosecuted or imprisoned.

Advertising codes of practice

There are 2 advertising codes of practice that describe how businesses should advertise.

They cover all kinds of promotional communications, depending where the advert or promotion will appear.

Non-broadcast media

The code specifies standards for accuracy and honesty that businesses must stick to, including specific conditions, such as:

advertising to children

causing offence

political advertising

Broadcast media (for example TV, radio)

You must follow the CAP broadcast code, which covers issues including taste, decency and product placement.

As well as setting standards about accuracy and honesty businesses must stick to, they also have rules about things like scheduling.

General broadcasting rules

You also need to follow rules about taste, decency, product placement etc that apply to all broadcasting.

These are called ‘broadcast codes’. Find out more about them on the Ofcom website.

Enforcing the rules

The rules are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Anyone who thinks advertising rules have been broken can complain to the ASA within 3 months of the advert appearing.

Describing your product

You must describe your product accurately. This means if you make a claim about your product, you must be able to prove what you say.

Prices

Direct marketing

When you collect customer details, you must get their permission if you want to send them other offers or promotions.

You must also ask for their permission if you want to share their information with another organisation.

Letting customers opt out

Customers have the right to stop their information being used for direct marketing.

You must make it easy to opt out - for example by sending a ‘STOP’ text to a short number, or using an ‘unsubscribe’ link.

Telesales and fax marketing

You must be able to prove that you’ve checked you’re not contacting anyone who does not want to be contacted.

Check who’s asked not to receive calls or faxes using the:

Telephone Preference Service

Fax Preference Service

Automated calls

Direct mail

Check that your mailing lists do not include anyone who’s asked not to receive direct mailing, using the Mail Preference Service.

Email marketing and text messages

You’re only allowed to send marketing emails to individual customers if they’ve given you permission.

Emails or text messages must clearly indicate:

who you are

that you’re selling something

what the promotions are, and any conditions

Check that you are not sending emails to anyone who’s asked not to receive them, using the Email Preference Service.

If you buy or rent a mailing list, ask the supplier if you have the right to use it for email marketing.

Every marketing email you send must give the person the ability to opt out of (or ‘unsubscribe from’) further emails.

You must tell customers if you add them to a list of people who do not want to be emailed.

Cookies

You must tell visitors to your website how your site uses cookies, and ask if they want to accept them.

The information should be easy to understand.

Find out more about cookies on the Information Commissioner’s Office website  and AboutCookies.org.

Customers can complain if you misuse their information, and you could be ordered to pay a fine or compensation.

Marketing and advertising: the law

Overview

All marketing and advertising must be:

an accurate description of the product or service

legal

decent

truthful

honest

socially responsible (not encouraging illegal, unsafe or anti-social behaviour)

There are regulations that restrict what advertisers can and cannot do.

As well as the regulations, there are 2 advertising codes of practice that you need to follow to help you advertise legally.

You must describe your product or service accurately.

Requirements for specific products

There are also specific requirements that apply to certain sectors, such as:

food

alcohol

beauty products

environmentally friendly products

medicines

tobacco

For example, you can only claim your drink is ‘low in alcohol’ if it contains between 0.5% and 1.2% alcohol by volume.

Data protection

If you’re gathering, storing or using information about customers or potential customers, you must also protect their data.

Regulations that affect advertising

Advertising to consumers

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations mean you cannot mislead or harass consumers by, for example:

including false or deceptive messages

leaving out important information

using aggressive sales techniques

Read ‘The consumer protection from unfair trading regulations’ for the rules on advertising legally.

Advertising to businesses

using a competitor’s logo or trademark, or something very similar

comparing your product with a competitor’s product that’s not the same

Penalties

If you break the regulations, you could be reported to a local Trading Standards office. You could be fined, prosecuted or imprisoned.

Advertising codes of practice

There are 2 advertising codes of practice that describe how businesses should advertise.

They cover all kinds of promotional communications, depending where the advert or promotion will appear.

Non-broadcast media

The code specifies standards for accuracy and honesty that businesses must stick to, including specific conditions, such as:

advertising to children

causing offence

political advertising

Broadcast media (for example TV, radio)

You must follow the CAP broadcast code, which covers issues including taste, decency and product placement.

As well as setting standards about accuracy and honesty businesses must stick to, they also have rules about things like scheduling.

General broadcasting rules

You also need to follow rules about taste, decency, product placement etc that apply to all broadcasting.

These are called ‘broadcast codes’. Find out more about them on the Ofcom website.

Enforcing the rules

The rules are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Anyone who thinks advertising rules have been broken can complain to the ASA within 3 months of the advert appearing.

Describing your product

You must describe your product accurately. This means if you make a claim about your product, you must be able to prove what you say.

Prices

Direct marketing

When you collect customer details, you must get their permission if you want to send them other offers or promotions.

You must also ask for their permission if you want to share their information with another organisation.

Letting customers opt out

Customers have the right to stop their information being used for direct marketing.

You must make it easy to opt out - for example by sending a ‘STOP’ text to a short number, or using an ‘unsubscribe’ link.

Telesales and fax marketing

You must be able to prove that you’ve checked you’re not contacting anyone who does not want to be contacted.

Check who’s asked not to receive calls or faxes using the:

Telephone Preference Service

Fax Preference Service

Automated calls

Direct mail

Check that your mailing lists do not include anyone who’s asked not to receive direct mailing, using the Mail Preference Service.

Email marketing and text messages

You’re only allowed to send marketing emails to individual customers if they’ve given you permission.

Emails or text messages must clearly indicate:

who you are

that you’re selling something

what the promotions are, and any conditions

Check that you are not sending emails to anyone who’s asked not to receive them, using the Email Preference Service.

If you buy or rent a mailing list, ask the supplier if you have the right to use it for email marketing.

Every marketing email you send must give the person the ability to opt out of (or ‘unsubscribe from’) further emails.

You must tell customers if you add them to a list of people who do not want to be emailed.

Cookies

You must tell visitors to your website how your site uses cookies, and ask if they want to accept them.

The information should be easy to understand.

Find out more about cookies on the Information Commissioner’s Office website  and AboutCookies.org.

Customers can complain if you misuse their information, and you could be ordered to pay a fine or compensation.

Marketing and advertising: the law

Overview

All marketing and advertising must be:

an accurate description of the product or service

legal

decent

truthful

honest

socially responsible (not encouraging illegal, unsafe or anti-social behaviour)

There are regulations that restrict what advertisers can and cannot do.

As well as the regulations, there are 2 advertising codes of practice that you need to follow to help you advertise legally.

You must describe your product or service accurately.

Requirements for specific products

There are also specific requirements that apply to certain sectors, such as:

food

alcohol

beauty products

environmentally friendly products

medicines

tobacco

For example, you can only claim your drink is ‘low in alcohol’ if it contains between 0.5% and 1.2% alcohol by volume.

Data protection

If you’re gathering, storing or using information about customers or potential customers, you must also protect their data.

Regulations that affect advertising

Advertising to consumers

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations mean you cannot mislead or harass consumers by, for example:

including false or deceptive messages

leaving out important information

using aggressive sales techniques

Read ‘The consumer protection from unfair trading regulations’ for the rules on advertising legally.

Advertising to businesses

using a competitor’s logo or trademark, or something very similar

comparing your product with a competitor’s product that’s not the same

Penalties

If you break the regulations, you could be reported to a local Trading Standards office. You could be fined, prosecuted or imprisoned.

Advertising codes of practice

There are 2 advertising codes of practice that describe how businesses should advertise.

They cover all kinds of promotional communications, depending where the advert or promotion will appear.

Non-broadcast media

The code specifies standards for accuracy and honesty that businesses must stick to, including specific conditions, such as:

advertising to children

causing offence

political advertising

Broadcast media (for example TV, radio)

You must follow the CAP broadcast code, which covers issues including taste, decency and product placement.

As well as setting standards about accuracy and honesty businesses must stick to, they also have rules about things like scheduling.

General broadcasting rules

You also need to follow rules about taste, decency, product placement etc that apply to all broadcasting.

These are called ‘broadcast codes’. Find out more about them on the Ofcom website.

Enforcing the rules

The rules are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Anyone who thinks advertising rules have been broken can complain to the ASA within 3 months of the advert appearing.

Describing your product

You must describe your product accurately. This means if you make a claim about your product, you must be able to prove what you say.

Prices

Direct marketing

When you collect customer details, you must get their permission if you want to send them other offers or promotions.

You must also ask for their permission if you want to share their information with another organisation.

Letting customers opt out

Customers have the right to stop their information being used for direct marketing.

You must make it easy to opt out - for example by sending a ‘STOP’ text to a short number, or using an ‘unsubscribe’ link.

Telesales and fax marketing

You must be able to prove that you’ve checked you’re not contacting anyone who does not want to be contacted.

Check who’s asked not to receive calls or faxes using the:

Telephone Preference Service

Fax Preference Service

Automated calls

Direct mail

Check that your mailing lists do not include anyone who’s asked not to receive direct mailing, using the Mail Preference Service.

Email marketing and text messages

You’re only allowed to send marketing emails to individual customers if they’ve given you permission.

Emails or text messages must clearly indicate:

who you are

that you’re selling something

what the promotions are, and any conditions

Check that you are not sending emails to anyone who’s asked not to receive them, using the Email Preference Service.

If you buy or rent a mailing list, ask the supplier if you have the right to use it for email marketing.

Every marketing email you send must give the person the ability to opt out of (or ‘unsubscribe from’) further emails.

You must tell customers if you add them to a list of people who do not want to be emailed.

Cookies

You must tell visitors to your website how your site uses cookies, and ask if they want to accept them.

The information should be easy to understand.

Find out more about cookies on the Information Commissioner’s Office website  and AboutCookies.org.

Customers can complain if you misuse their information, and you could be ordered to pay a fine or compensation.

Marketing and advertising: the law

Overview

All marketing and advertising must be:

an accurate description of the product or service

legal

decent

truthful

honest

socially responsible (not encouraging illegal, unsafe or anti-social behaviour)

There are regulations that restrict what advertisers can and cannot do.

As well as the regulations, there are 2 advertising codes of practice that you need to follow to help you advertise legally.

You must describe your product or service accurately.

Requirements for specific products

There are also specific requirements that apply to certain sectors, such as:

food

alcohol

beauty products

environmentally friendly products

medicines

tobacco

For example, you can only claim your drink is ‘low in alcohol’ if it contains between 0.5% and 1.2% alcohol by volume.

Data protection

If you’re gathering, storing or using information about customers or potential customers, you must also protect their data.

Regulations that affect advertising

Advertising to consumers

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations mean you cannot mislead or harass consumers by, for example:

including false or deceptive messages

leaving out important information

using aggressive sales techniques

Read ‘The consumer protection from unfair trading regulations’ for the rules on advertising legally.

Advertising to businesses

using a competitor’s logo or trademark, or something very similar

comparing your product with a competitor’s product that’s not the same

Penalties

If you break the regulations, you could be reported to a local Trading Standards office. You could be fined, prosecuted or imprisoned.

Advertising codes of practice

There are 2 advertising codes of practice that describe how businesses should advertise.

They cover all kinds of promotional communications, depending where the advert or promotion will appear.

Non-broadcast media

The code specifies standards for accuracy and honesty that businesses must stick to, including specific conditions, such as:

advertising to children

causing offence

political advertising

Broadcast media (for example TV, radio)

You must follow the CAP broadcast code, which covers issues including taste, decency and product placement.

As well as setting standards about accuracy and honesty businesses must stick to, they also have rules about things like scheduling.

General broadcasting rules

You also need to follow rules about taste, decency, product placement etc that apply to all broadcasting.

These are called ‘broadcast codes’. Find out more about them on the Ofcom website.

Enforcing the rules

The rules are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Anyone who thinks advertising rules have been broken can complain to the ASA within 3 months of the advert appearing.

Describing your product

You must describe your product accurately. This means if you make a claim about your product, you must be able to prove what you say.

Prices

Direct marketing

When you collect customer details, you must get their permission if you want to send them other offers or promotions.

You must also ask for their permission if you want to share their information with another organisation.

Letting customers opt out

Customers have the right to stop their information being used for direct marketing.

You must make it easy to opt out - for example by sending a ‘STOP’ text to a short number, or using an ‘unsubscribe’ link.

Telesales and fax marketing

You must be able to prove that you’ve checked you’re not contacting anyone who does not want to be contacted.

Check who’s asked not to receive calls or faxes using the:

Telephone Preference Service

Fax Preference Service

Automated calls

Direct mail

Check that your mailing lists do not include anyone who’s asked not to receive direct mailing, using the Mail Preference Service.

Email marketing and text messages

You’re only allowed to send marketing emails to individual customers if they’ve given you permission.

Emails or text messages must clearly indicate:

who you are

that you’re selling something

what the promotions are, and any conditions

Check that you are not sending emails to anyone who’s asked not to receive them, using the Email Preference Service.

If you buy or rent a mailing list, ask the supplier if you have the right to use it for email marketing.

Every marketing email you send must give the person the ability to opt out of (or ‘unsubscribe from’) further emails.

You must tell customers if you add them to a list of people who do not want to be emailed.

Cookies

You must tell visitors to your website how your site uses cookies, and ask if they want to accept them.

The information should be easy to understand.

Find out more about cookies on the Information Commissioner’s Office website  and AboutCookies.org.

Customers can complain if you misuse their information, and you could be ordered to pay a fine or compensation.