Earlier this year my lovely neighbour had to cancel her holiday because her Dad was dying and didn't have very long (sadly he did pass). She contacted her holiday company and gave her (very valid) reason for cancellation and thought it would be a no brainer for a refund given the circumstances. Wrong! Apparently it wasn't a good enough reason and she could have gone as her Dad didn't die until after she was due to return! Short version - I told her to send a SAR, told her what to write and what to ask for. She did. This afternoon, as I was coming back from dog walkies, she ran out all excited and told me that she'd not only got a full refund but compensation too - £3,500 holiday refund and £350 compensation! She said, "I was really afraid to do what you said, but I did it, then the company went quiet, then I got a phone call from their complaints department about 2 weeks later with a full apology and the offer of compensation". I asked her if she was happy with the outcome and she said I probably was due more compensation because of the way I was treated but to be honest I just want to forget about it all now. So I'm chalking this down as a BIG WIN, and she's sharing the knowledge with others and has lost the fear and will not hesitate to do it again in the future if the need arises 💪🤗

Does anyone know how to fight against charges from the local government and schools for taking your child out of school to go on holiday. I’m planning to go on holiday in September with my 10 year old and 16 year old. The 16 year old will be ok I think as she’s in college and there’s a bit more flexibility and understanding from college tutors. But I know my 10 year old child’s school will fine us, treat us like we’re a bad mum and dad for taking our child on holiday for two weeks. Do we have any legislation to fight against this? Or is best and easier to just pay the fine as that’ll still be a whole world cheaper than paying for a holiday in the summer break. They’re extortionate 😡 #pickyourbattles 🤔?x

Good afternoon ladies and gents- next up on stage can you please welcome UKSearch Ltd. After an ongoing dispute with Utilities Warehouse UW attempting to charge me over £600 for gas and electricity to a house I was selling, even though the gas was turned off at the meter and no electrical appliances were plugged in. So after complaints to the ombudsman and ICO (always a waste of ink), and disputing the debt via the complaints department, UW passed the alleged debt to their in house debt collectors Utility Debt Collectors UDC, who on investigation are a dormant company and not FCA registered, both companies have had all SARs and LBC etc. I will be filling the N1 on these after 1st October as a deal I have been working on will be finished and my time freed up again. Well as UW obviously realise their illegal debt collection company didn’t fool me they have now obviously put my data out there and UKSearch appear to be the highest bidder. So after a few e mails and the usual threatening texts they eventually wrote to me. Off goes SAR1 Yesterday I got their kind response and bless them they admitted they don’t own the debt or have a deed of assignment. And even though I requested my SAR report on paper, they sent it on a USB stick and I have to phone them for the password. Sorry but that won’t be happening, get printing and posting please. Needless to say SAR 2 will be on its way Monday. At least someone had the decency to put their name to this letter

Internet is terrible so can't do any work, so....

4am start today, airport still heaving, the bars are full, never ceases to amaze me how people can start drinking alcohol at 4am just cos they're on holiday, I'll stick with tea and toast thanks.