Hyper-Shrinkinflation (636)

To the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary and to the Chair, Ombudsman Services.

For Clarity - Attempt 636.

636) Hyper-Shrinkinflation.

Dear Mr Clark and Lord Tim Clement Jones,

Michele Hanson, in yesterday's Guardian asks the question,

"If the government takes no notice what is the point of government inspections?"

We suppose their main point is that they help to maintain the illusion that we live in a fully-functioning, modern 21st century democracy. The Chief Inspector, Peter Clarke, has certainly done his job. The Ministry of Justice hasn't done theirs.

The UK Government, "approved" and "monitors" the RICS "appointed" Ombudsman Services:Property private redress scheme.

In 2009/10 the company's Ombudsman made "financial awards" averaging £1.511.75p. By 2016 they were down to 50 quid.

We, here at the Ombudsmans61percent Campaign, believe this is an unique economic trend.

For example: Executives' pay - up. Cost of an apartment in Kensington and Chelsea - up. Cost of a Manchester City player - up. Average weekly food bills - sharply up. Financial awards made against RICS regulated surveyors by their Ombudsman - spectacularly down.

This is, "Hyper-Shrinkflation" in the opaque world of private redress.

Whereas, the Ministry of (In)Justice has a strong Chief Inspector on their case, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy - with its, "close and continuing relationship with Ombudsman Services:Property," hasn't.

Here, instead, we have a situation whereby a regulator, RICS, doesn't adequately regulate its Members and (Un)Regulated Firms but does very adequately regulate its appointed redress scheme, Ombudsman Services:Property and sees nothing remotely remiss with their Ombudsman's so-called, "financial awards" plummeting from £1,511.75p to 50 quid in the space of six years..

The company's CEO and Chief Inspector, The Rev Shand Smith, describes this unique economic trend as being, "Good For Business." And he's right. Poorly regulated surveyors are laughing all the way to the bank. He also describes it as being, "Good For Consumers."

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, how is a 50 quid financial award from your Ombudsman to a property complainant, "Good For Consumers?"

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, doesn't this explain why there are complainants who think your, "best efforts" are simply not good enough?

Q. Mr Clark, why isn't there an independent inspector - someone like Peter Clarke - to inspect this cosy and collusive relationship between business and private redress?

Yours sincerely,

Steve Gilbert - Workstock number - 510458.

The Ombudsmans61percent campaign is at: www.blogspot.com Ombudsmans61percent Campaign and www.facebook.com = Ombudsmans Sixtyone-percent.