News
Plain English campaign news articles
Long-winded terms and conditions
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- Created on Monday, 07 July 2014 10:18
HSBC head up a list of banking offenders hiding behind ludicrously long-winded terms and conditions.
The list, compiled as part of research by consumer group Fairer Finance, also embarrasses Norwich & Peterborough Building Society, Metro Bank, Natwest and Halifax, who all carry terms and conditions that somehow manage to run on incomprehensibly for over 25,000 words. HSBC’s terms and conditions, clocking in at a grim 34,162 words, are 5000 words longer than George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
Stop this EU nonsense now!
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- Created on Friday, 30 May 2014 16:36
The EU is moving further and further away from Plain English, according to European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly.
Her survey scathingly concludes that, not only is English misused and abused in the ‘Brussels Bubble’, it's been mangled and re-appropriated to the extent that it's now akin to a unique ‘sub dialect’.
O'Reilly, appointed by Parliament to oversee exactly how The European Union goes about its day-to-day business, is highly critical of the implications of what’s happening to English in the “bubble” in question. Mainly, that it’s at a far remove from largely proper use or corrective influence, and prone to the same kind of abuse and misuse that has meant that most types of business English, for example, are often nonsensical.
Open course special offers in August and September
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- Created on Tuesday, 27 May 2014 11:09
Plain English (Wednesday 6 August 2014 in Manchester)
Plain English (Thursday 21 August 2014 in London)
and
Grammarcheck (Tuesday 16 September 2014 in London)
Only a few places remaining on these courses. Book now to receive a £50 discount.
Just send an email to us at info@plainenglish.co.uk and ask for a special offer booking form.
Travel/house insurance issues? Let us know.
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- Created on Thursday, 17 April 2014 11:08
We’re well aware of underhand tactics regarding jargon-riddled payment schemes, deliberate pension confusion and general deception when it comes to your money.
And, in light of the first findings from the Financial Conduct Authority’s probe into travel and house insurance claims handling, we want to underline yet further examples of dodgy dealing.
Crystal Mark holder to appear on National TV
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- Created on Monday, 17 February 2014 09:50
The Will Writing Company Ltd (WWC), who were the first legal services company in the UK to gain Plain English Campaign’s Crystal Mark for the clarity of their Will precedents, are appearing on national TV in March.
