ESFA Update: 21 August 2019
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Latest information and actions from the Education and Skills Funding Agency for academies, schools, colleges, local authorities and further education providers.
Conman sentenced for selling forged exam certificates
A conman found to be selling fake certificates for qualifications online was sentenced on 14 January. The individual was sentenced to 80 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £567.97, including a £60 victim surcharge, after knowingly selling fake certificates for qualifications.
He also illegally used Ofqual’s and exam boards’ branding and logos to make the certificates seem more likely to be genuine.
Ofqual discovered this website and investigated. We monitored conversations online and purchased a number of certificates. We also discovered the address linked to the website and referred the matter to Trading Standards officers there at Darlington Borough Council. We contacted all the exam boards involved for them to take necessary action.
Michelle Meadows, Executive Director for Strategy, Risk & Research at Ofqual said:
Fake certificates for qualifications will not be tolerated and we have ensured that the website no longer provides these. We want people to feel secure in the knowledge that a qualification accredited by Ofqual is valid. People who are found to be selling fake certificates for qualifications or using the Ofqual logo illegally will face legal action.
Chris McEwan, Darlington Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration said:
I commend Trading Standards for bringing this important case to court. The jobs market is tough and it may be tempting to make false claims but anyone using a fake qualification certificate to get a job will be found out and ruin their employment chances. It is also a stark reminder to all businesses that employee fraud is a real threat which can have a significant financial and reputational impact. Qualification claims should always be verified.
Anyone wanting to report the sale of fake qualification certificates can contact Ofqual directly on 0300 303 3344.
Published 15 January 2015
Last updated 21 August 2019 + show all updates
Last updated 21 August 2019 + show all updates
- The name of the individual has been removed as their conviction is now spent and a request was made under GDPR.
- First published.
July 2019 Transaction Data
In July:
- HM Land Registry completed more than 1,898,280 applications to change or query the Land Register
- the South East topped the table of regional applications with 437,867
HM Land Registry completed 1,898,283 applications in July compared with 1,662,826 in June and 1,794,855 last July, of which:
- 364,709 were applications for register updates compared with 321,490 in June
- 998,656 were applications for an official copy of a register compared with 870,019 in June
- 229,294 were search and hold queries (official searches) compared with 205,027 in June
- 19,471 were postal applications from non-account holders compared with 17,729 in June
Applications by region and country
| Region/country | May applications | June applications | July applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| South East | 390,642 | 374,229 | 437,867 |
| Greater London | 318,243 | 321,774 | 349,605 |
| North West | 203,002 | 194,062 | 220,424 |
| South West | 164,417 | 160,310 | 182,925 |
| West Midlands | 155,019 | 140,325 | 169,363 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 138,521 | 131,021 | 147,593 |
| East Midlands | 125,246 | 118,557 | 134,194 |
| North | 81,397 | 77,136 | 88,654 |
| East Anglia | 70,692 | 67,536 | 78,143 |
| Isles of Scilly | 89 | 43 | 62 |
| Wales | 84,932 | 77,750 | 89,375 |
| England and Wales (not assigned) | 80 | 83 | 78 |
| Total | 1,732,280 | 1,662,826 | 1,898,283 |
Top 5 local authority areas
| Top 5 local authority areas | May applications | Top 5 local authority areas | June applications | Top 5 local authority areas | July applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 27,284 | Birmingham | 25,418 | Birmingham | 28,964 |
| City of Westminster | 23,530 | City of Westminster | 21,935 | City of Westminster | 24,100 |
| Leeds | 20,600 | Leeds | 20,243 | Leeds | 22,097 |
| Cornwall | 17,452 | Manchester | 18,168 | Manchester | 19,642 |
| Manchester | 17,036 | Cornwall | 16,673 | Cornwall | 19,010 |
Top 5 customers
| Top 5 customers | May applications | Top 5 customers | June applications | Top 5 customers | July applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enact | 48,609 | Enact | 45,886 | Infotrack Limited | 59,675 |
| Infotrack Limited | 46,242 | Infotrack Limited | 45,347 | Enact | 53,372 |
| O’Neill Patient | 24,797 | O’Neill Patient | 22,915 | O’Neill Patient | 26,849 |
| Optima Legal Services | 24,643 | WSP Management Services Ltd | 22,000 | Optima Legal Services | 24,422 |
| My Home Move Limited | 19,964 | Optima Legal Services | 21,029 | TM Group (UK) Ltd (Search Choice) | 21,309 |
Access the full dataset on data.gov.uk
Next publication
Transaction Data is published on the 15th working day of each month. The August data will be published at 11am on Friday 20 September 2019.
Highly Commended Business Advice and Support Partnership
At the Regulatory Excellence Awards in June 2019 the judges awarded the Business Advice and Support Partnership the highly commended award in the Primary Authority category.
The partnership was established in 2017 and consists of East Sussex County Council, Kent County Council, Hampshire County Council and Slough Borough Council. The partnership focuses on sharing expertise, knowledge and resources across geographical boundaries quickly and effectively to provide high level support to businesses.
The Business Advice and Support Partnership delivers over 120 Primary Authority partnerships including 16 co-ordinated partnerships and in sectors as diverse as hot tub suppliers, food manufacturers and toy importers. It provides advice on devolved matters in Wales and all Primary Authority Advice goes through cross authority peer review process before it is issued.
The partnership uses different communication methods to ensure that intelligence, expertise, experience and learning are shared. Currently it is focusing on the growth of Primary Authority partnership numbers and engagement, especially with co-ordinated partnerships, to maximise the number of businesses receiving regulatory support and advice.
Legia Warszawa vs Rangers FC – travel advice
Glasgow Rangers will be playing Legia Warszawa on 22 August, 8pm CET, at the Legia Stadium in Warsaw.
Getting to the stadium
The Legia Warsaw Municipal Stadium (also known as the Polish Army Stadium) is located on 3 Łazienkowska street in Warsaw.
The nearest bus stops are Legia Stadion and Rozbrat. Information on public transport connections is available on the website of the Warsaw Public Transport Authority.
If you are travelling from Modlin Airport you would have to take a train or a taxi.
If travelling by taxi, you are advised to use major taxi companies, such as Sawa Taxi (+48 22 644 44 44) or Ele Taxi (+48 22 811 11 11). If you do pick up a taxi on the street, always check the per kilometre price, which should be clearly marked on the side of the taxi, before getting in. Some taxis operating in areas frequented by tourists can charge highly inflated price.
Safety tips
If you are a UK National and you plan to travel to Poland to watch the match, it is advisable to:
- Keep your passport safe, fill out the last page (emergency contacts) and keep plenty of copies of the data page.
- Consider having adequate travel insurance while travelling.
- Obey Polish laws, regulations and instructions from local authorities. If you are arrested, the British Embassy cannot get you out of police detention until the Police proceedings are completed. The British Embassy do not provide legal advice.
- Ask for a receipt from taxi drivers so your belongings can be retrieved if left in a taxi.
- If you drink alcohol, drink responsibly and be aware that alcoholic drinks may be stronger in Poland than in the UK. Don’t leave drinks or food unattended and beware of accepting drinks from casual acquaintances.
- Check your bill carefully when buying drinks in bars and nightclubs.
- As in any other city, beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport. Only carry what you need, leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits.
Read more in the Poland travel advice.
Emergency service numbers
All Emergencies – 112
Contact the Embassy
British Embassy Warsaw ul. Kawalerii 12 00-468 Warsaw Tel: +48 22 311 0000 Fax: +48 22 311 0311 Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri from 9am-12.30pm. Wed – closed.
If you are in Poland and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +48 22 311 00 00. If you are in the UK and worried about a British national in Poland, call 020 7008 1500.
Published 21 August 2019
Last updated 21 August 2019 + show all updates
Last updated 21 August 2019 + show all updates
- We have added information on getting to the stadium and safety tips
- First published.