Claire's County Court Carry On

ClaireLR

JCS1 wrote: »

I think you have a good argument, weren't you told at interview that there would not be an IPA? Appreciate figures have changed a few times since then with more IPOQ's, but guess they have stayed fundamentally the same?

They did indeed say at interview that there wouldn't be an IPA. My SOA has probably stayed around about the same - I earn a little more than I did then but I also pay out a little more - I added £5 per week to shopping and petrol but this is only in relation to how the prices have gone up - I'm sure this time last year petrol was around 15p a litre cheaper than it is now.

I was wondering if you know if they do reassess these guidelines every so often?

Yes I did speak to the person you PM'd me about - do you think it would be worth giving her manager a call to explain the situation? My plan of action now is to send the payslip at the end of the month with written explanations of everything they have asked for (i.e. that I need internet for studying hence that cost, and I work further than the end of the road :rotfl:so need more than they'll "allow" for petrol, and see what happens from there. She told me it would go to the OR for them to make a decision on it, is she bluffing me? What would you advise??

fermi

ClaireLR wrote: »

I was wondering if you know if they do reassess these guidelines every so often?

I far as I am aware, they are based on the "family spending" surveys that are carried out annually by the Office of National Statistics.

There seems to be quite a bit of time lag, so they may well still be working from the figures from over a year ago.

But guidelines are just that. They aren't maximum amounts to be allowed. Instead they are intended to give someone looking at your I&E an idea as to at what level they should start to ask questions and/or proof if expenditure exceeds that level.

To interpret guidelines figures as "you should not spend more than this" misses out on the spirit and the intent of them.

JCS1

ClaireLR wrote: »

Yes I did speak to the person you PM'd me about - do you think it would be worth giving her manager a call to explain the situation? My plan of action now is to send the payslip at the end of the month with written explanations of everything they have asked for (i.e. that I need internet for studying hence that cost, and I work further than the end of the road :rotfl:so need more than they'll "allow" for petrol, and see what happens from there. She told me it would go to the OR for them to make a decision on it, is she bluffing me? What would you advise??

I would probably wait and see what they put in writing to you, ask for a copy of their calculation of your IPA though. This way you have the RTLU manager and then the OR to appeal/argue with. I suspect the RTLU manager is already fully aware of your letter.

JCS1

fermi wrote: »

I far as I am aware, they are based on the "family spending" surveys that are carried out annually by the Office of National Statistics.

There seems to be quite a bit of time lag, so they may well still be working from the figures from over a year ago.

But guidelines are just that. They aren't maximum amounts to be allowed. Instead they are intended to give someone looking at your I&E an idea as to at what level they should start to ask questions and/or proof if expenditure exceeds that level.

To interpret guidelines figures as "you should not spend more than this" misses out on the spirit and the intent of them.

They are indeed based on figures provided by Office of National Statistics, but with this kind of data recording, there is always going to be a time lag, and I suspect the recent increase in utiltity bills aren't included.

fermi

JCS1 wrote: »

They are indeed based on figures provided by Office of National Statistics, but with this kind of data recording, there is always going to be a time lag, and I suspect the recent increase in utiltity bills aren't included.

Yep. The latest full version of the survey HERE for 2007 hasn't been published very long. I wouldn't recommended anyone reads that because it is horrendously complicated

I believe the OR uses a much simplified version, which is probably where the person Claire spoke to was quoting their figures from. At the moment I would imagine these are still the ones derived from the 2006 ONS report.

sparrabeth

Hi Claire

Thanks for linking me here

Oh God - I have a feeling that my story is going to end up looking very similar to this one.

Good luck xxxxx

ClaireLR

I'm still hoping it will work out - I'm hoping that by calling their bluff and with the mistakes they have made I would have a good case if it went to court. We'll see. I'll post again when anything else happens.

ClaireLR

14 April 2008

I've had a letter this morning from the IS. I'm not going to type the whole thing out (I'm at work!) but the general gist of it is that I am to send a copy of my payslip at the end of April when my tax code is in place, that bit is fair enough. However, they've also asked for evidence that I use the internet for work. How am I meant to prove that! Other than asking my boss for a letter, which I really, really do not want to do because she will ask why, I don't know what to do.

The letter also has an apology for the way in which the woman spoke to me.

It does say if I have any problems to call her, I'm not sure what to do.

The letter doesn't say anything about any other expenditure being disallowed as I thought it would - I thought I would be having to collect receipts for everything for the next few weeks to prove expenditure on food, petrol etc etc

Has anyone got any ideas on how I can prove about the internet? Do you think they would accept a letter from me stating why I need it and explaining why I cannot provide any further documentation???

dalip

Don't kow the answer i'm afraid but have been reading your thread with interest as i had an IPA of £50 a mth and have recently had to fill in a new IPOQ due to job change. My original OR was in my view quite generous with my allowances so am expecting different OR to cut some of them back!:eek:

scaredwitless32

Hi Claire,
Dont really know what to suggest but I guess if you want to keep the internet, (if this is one of the things you are arguing over), then you will HAVE to get some sort of proof and I cant think of any way to prove you need it other than by confirmation from someone you work for/with. Is there no one else you could ask? Would your boss hold it against you if you told her ofyour situation, or do you think it would threaten you r job :eek:

On a positive note, at least you got your apology for the way you were spoken too :T.

Sorry Im not very helpful .

H x