E-Surgery - How Can I Help?

Armed Forces - Complaints

The Independent Service Complaints Commissioner provides oversight of the complaints system within the forces and also serves as an alternative point of contact.

Asylum

There is a set procedure for dealing with organisations like the Home Office, UK Border Agencyand so forth. Therefore to save time, if your case relates to asylum or immigration you must complete and return the following forms to me. If you have a legal representative then you must also ensure they know that you have contacted me.


Case Details	Authorisation Form

Benefits

I can try and help you with problems you may be having with benefits, including pensions and national insurance. Please write to be outlining the details of your problems. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It would also be helpful if you provided a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.

Bills

You can download this factsheet on support available for those struggling to pay for household bills.

Help with Household Bills

City Council

In the first instance you should contact your local councillor as it is his or her job to represent you on issues relating to the provision of local government services. You can find you who your local councillors are here. It is also worth visiting Plymouth City Council's website. The Local Government Ombudsmeninvestigates complaints about local authorities, but only after you have first exhausted the council's own complaints system.

CSA

I can try and help you with problems you may be having with the Child Support Agency. Please write to be outlining the details of your problems. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It is also helpful if you can provide a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.

Court Cases

Members of Parliament are forbidden from intervening in ongoing court cases.

Crime

Local authorities have a statutory duty to work with other organisations to tacle crime and disorder. More information can be found on the Plymouth City Council website.

Dentists

You may like to download this fact-sheet about dentistry in Plymouth.

Electoral Register

You can register to vote through the Plymouth City Council website.

Electricity - Bills & Service

Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity watchdog. They can provide free and impartial advice and can take up your case with utility companies.

Energy - Efficiency & Grants

The Energy Saving Trust can provide free and impartial advice on how you can cut your bills and help fight climate change. The Warm Front Scheme is a government funded project that may be able to help with the provision of insulation and heating improvements.

Gas - Bills & Services

Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity watchdog. They can provide free and impartial advice and can take up your case with utility companies.

Honours

The UK Honours System has its own website with details of how to nominate people.

Housing (Council)

The provision of council housing is a matter for local government. As such, the housing section of Plymouth City Council's websiteis a good place to start. If you cannot find the answer to your query or problem through this method, the next step is to contact your local councillor. You can find you who your local councillors are here.

You can also download this Housing Help Factsheet

Help with Housing

Immigration


Case Details	Authorisation Form

Media - Complaints

The Ofcom website has a very helpful page on How to Complain - ranging from content on TV and Radio to problems with your phone and internet service. For newspapers and magazines see the Press Complaints Commission and for advertising the Advertising Standards Authority.

Mortgages - Difficulties

The National homelessness Advice Services (NHAS) publishes a leaflet entitled Worried about your mortgage? Get advice now which can be found here.

NHS

I can try and help you with problems you may be having with the National Health Service. Please write to me outlining the details of your problem. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It is also helpful if you can provide a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.

Nuclear Issues

You can download my community information sheet here.

Ombudsmen

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman carries out investigations into complaints against UK government Departments and Agencies.

The Local Government Ombudsman looks at complaints about councils and some other auhorities including education eadmissions panels.

Parking

Parking services are a matter for local government. As such, the parking section of Plymouth City Council's websiteis a good place to start. If you cannot find the answer to your query or problem through this method, the next step is to contact your local councillor. You can find you who your local councillors are here. After years of experience dealing with these issues, I have found the best course of action is esometimes to pay the fine and then appeal the decision where appropriate. This way you avoid paying an escalating fine (it can double after a certain period) should your appeal be unsuccessful.

Pensions

I can try and help you with problems you may be having with pensions. Please write to me outlining the details of your problem. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It is also helpful if you can provide a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.

Planning

Planning applications fall under the responsibility of Plymouth City Council. In the first instance you may find a solution through the planning section of the Council's website. Failing that you should contact your local councillor as it is his or her job to represent you on issues relating to the provision of council services. You can find you who your local councillors are here.

Policing

You may find the information or solution you are looking for through the pages of the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary. For complaints about the Police themselves see the website of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Post - Complaints

In the first instance you should make your complaint to the postal service provider. However, if you remain unsatisfied then you can contact Postwatch, the independent watchdog for postal services.

Rubbish Collections

See the Rubbish & Recycling Section of Plymouth City Council's website. Further to that you should contact your local councillor as it is his or her job to represent you on issues relating to the provision of council services like bin collections. You can find you who your local councillors are here.

Schools

I can try and help you with problems you may be having with schools, including grants and closures. If your query concernins admissions, then you may like to start by visiting this website. Please write to me outlining the details of your problem. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork. It is also helpful if you can provide a telephone number, should my staff or I need to contact you to discuss your case.

Tax

I can try and help you with problems you may be having with tax, including HM Revenue & Customs. Please write to me outlining the details of your problem. You may like to include copies of any relevant paperwork.

Tours of Parliament

I can arrange guided tours of the Palace of Westminster, tours of the Westminster Clock Tower ('Big Ben') and tickets for the public gallery. Further details, including dates and times of tours, can be found on the Parliament website.

Veterans Badges

Eligibility criteria, details of how to apply and the necessary forms can all be found on the Veterans UK Website.

Water - Bills & Service

The Counsumer Council for Water provides a voice for water and sewerage customers and can help with complaints against water companies. You can also read about my own campaign for fairer water bills in the South West here.