Have you been mis-sold a payment protection claim? Now there is an easy way to start claiming compensation for them; Click here to find more information on how to go about it.

PPI, which stands for ‘Payment Protection Insurance’, is basically designed to cover your loan, hire purchase agreement or credit card repayments for a year in case you are unable to repay your loans on time because of accident, sickness or unemployment. But consumers have often complained that they have been forced to buy a policy from the same provider as the loan in order to qualify for the insurance product, which is not true.

Mis-selling has been rampant and widespread primarily because the sales people disguised as insurance advisers were offered huge incentives and commissions to drive sales and sell PPI whenever possible. This led them to misguide their clients and customers, who erroneously believed their advisers. Sales people did not make clear that the policy was entirely optional, and even insisted that the policy was required to qualify for the product or help with the application. They sometimes deliberately implied that the product would become more expensive if the customers did not opt for the PPI.

These policies are usually very expensive as compared to the level of cover they provide and many policies have important exemptions, making it difficult for policyholders to make a legitimate claim. PPI mis-selling has been around for a long time, and only very recently have new regulations enabled customers to claim compensation for their mis-sold PPI. Even though the financial regulator started fining PPI companies in 2006, no drastic change was noticed until 2011. Though there is no set deadline for a person for reclamation, but it is usually better if it is done within six years of the account being closed.

Sometimes people are mis-sold PPI without even knowing it. In this case, they may first need to find whether they have been mis-sold a policy by either checking their credit card statements or by directly contacting the lender. And if the financial institution, or the Financial Ombudsman Service, agrees that you were mis-sold the insurance, you can claim and get back all the premiums you have paid, along with the interest. Even if you were not mis-sold the policy initially, but not treated in a fair manner when you wanted to cancel your premium or cover, you can still challenge them.

However, if you were unemployed at the time you took the insurance, it might be impossible for you to make a legitimate insurance claim. Also, if you had a medical problem at the time you took the insurance, it might be very difficult to file a claim; you would need to prove that you were not warned before taking the insurance policy. The most valid cases of mis-selling are those where the customers who were sold the insurance had no chance of claiming it.

The amount of time taken to realise the compensation depends upon the complexity of the claim and the lender’s attitude towards the claim. But in most cases, it gets resolved quickly, and you may receive your claim within a couple of weeks! There are many firms that can help you to realise your claim in an efficient and timely manner. An increase in successful PPI claims has even led the leading banks in the UK to increase their provisions for PPI.

This post has been written in association with ABC Incorporation, one of the leading Claims Management companies in the UK. Their vast experience in this domain ensures that the claim process becomes easy and the clients receive the maximum compensation possible. They work on the principle of “no win, no fee” and even offer a free no obligation consultation.

If you are looking for an enjoyable holiday which really satisfies the soul, visiting Italy is a great idea! This country is a repository of beautiful historical places, good food, fashionable culture, and picturesque landscapes among many other attractions. You can find more information on tours to Italy here.

Located in Southern Europe, and comprising of the Italian peninsula and a number of islands, Italy is the fifth most popular holiday destination in the world. The climate of Italy is also highly diverse and is quite different in the inland and coastal regions; no doubt its climate is far from the stereotypical Mediterranean climate!

It is an exciting place as it borders three seas (Adriatic, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian seas) and a large number of other countries including France, Austria, Slovenia, and Switzerland! San Marino and Vatican City are two enclaves within Italy. With such proximity to different cultures, Italy is truly a wondrous and amazing place. One more exciting feature of this country is the presence of 14 volcanoes, out of which, three are still active- Etna, Stromboli, and Vesuvius. This makes it a place of attraction for a lot of archaeologists, seismologists, and scientists! People who like their adrenaline rushes can watch the fireworks from the volatile volcanoes.

If you are a lover of art and history, Italy is a must visit, given the huge number of UNESCO World Heritage sites present in Italy, 44 to be precise! The great cities of art like Rome, Venice, and Florence are a visitor’s delight. Its broad and diverse architectural styles are quite enchanting. The Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Milan and Florence cathedrals demonstrate some of the finest works of Western architecture. The old yet contemporary feeling of these cities make them stand out among many other such countries that thrive on tourism. But it is not just the aesthetics that this country is known for; Milan, known as the world’s fashion capital, is Italy’s financial centre, and hosts one of Europe’s biggest and modern trade fairs.

Italy has something for everyone! More than anything, the lifestyle, the culture, and the overall experience that this country has to offer are totally mesmerising. Italy is truly much more than fashion, architecture, and food; it has been home to some of the most celebrated artists and painters of all times including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli, and Raphael! Alongside Italy’s art treasures, there are plenty of other things in the countryside to keep a person fully occupied. People who thrive on adventure activities can opt for skiing in the Alps, hiking the Dolomites, or diving off in Sardinia’s Gold Coast. You can make the most of Italy’s diverse appeal with a holiday in multiple destinations.

For example, Rome and Sorrento can be visited under a two centre package, and is ideal for people who love sun and culture! Sorrento also offers the option of visiting Naples, Pompeii, Ercolano, and Capri. One can also opt for a romantic combination of Lake Garda and Verona. Other popular multi destination holidays in Italy include combining Genoa, Turin, and Milan, which are some of the most fascinating northern cities in Italy, or Palermo, Catania and Agrigento, which are some of the most captivating cities in the southern island of Sicily. Each of these places is interesting and exciting in its own way!

Whether it is for a group, honeymoon, or beach party, planning a good holiday takes effort, time, and a lot of knowledge; hence it is advisable to trust only professionals such as Bellarome to do this bit for you! They are the premiere online provider of specialised and customised multi centre holiday packages in Italy. Armed with a team of expert and knowledgeable travel professionals, they can design and create a tailored holiday package that best suits an individual’s or a group’s interests, requirements and budget.

Call it what you like. The final frontier. The landscape of the future. Or how marketers most likely see it: a brand new medium for advertising, with lots of blank estate and infinite possibilities.

There is no question that the social media, in particular, have invaded a significant part of our lives, even ones that ought to be kept private. As a result, marketers are constantly looking for ways to reach the millions that have embraced digital culture, those who check their half a dozen social media accounts first thing in the morning on their mobile phones, who log in to their accounts on computers at their workstations, and then once again on their mobile phones at night before they hit the sack.

The internet is the landscape of the future, everyone knows it, and that is all the more reason why website owners should concern themselves with search engine optimisation, or SEO.

Any entrepreneur running a business website will tell you that learning even the basic ropes of optimising for search engines is no easy task. Working on your own business means you’re running a very tight schedule.

A few aspiring entrepreneurs and tech-savvy people understood this dilemma, and that is how a few startups materialised. For example, you can click here to learn more about KPI. Companies like KPI say to the bewildered entrepreneur, “You have a website. Great, we’ll take it from here.”

As mentioned earlier, the landscape of the internet is always changing. As more and more websites crop up in the online space and competition for traffic gets, well, even more competitive, marketers will have to find new and better ways to improve their website’s rankings and stay on top of the game.

One of these methods is called Flow Metric, which is a process of gathering validated data on how efficient, or inefficient, a particular website is in terms of number of inbound links, as well as tracking the flow of traffic within a specified time period. A typical chart consists of a trust flow meter and a citation flow meter, which are used to measure efficiency of a website in attracting visitors from other websites through links and references.

Proper use of Flow Metric can mean the difference between a successful and a failed business venture. It is a tough call, but it is the truth nonetheless. If you rely too much on traditional forms of marketing and eschew the new revolutionary format that actually makes a difference, you might just find yourself standing on the undesirable side of the fence.

These services, such as the ones available at KPI are here for the taking. Make good use of them. Do not allow your competitors to get the better of you and, worse, ahead of you.

Business is war, as the Japanese like to say. And doing business on the internet is no different. It is a fight or flight situation, a survival of the fittest scenario, and business with the best optimised website win.

Established design and marketing consultancies regularly create a wide range of websites, including microsites, corporate and e-commerce sites. Specialist experienced website designers create positive and engaging brands through effective websites which present stunning literature and deliver creative media experiences.

Some of the UKs leading marketing and website design agencies have revealed some of their useful techniques when building their clients websites.

1. Create a Sitemap A sitemap is simply a flow diagram which shows the key pages and navigational structure of an entire website. This will provide you with a structural map to guide you through the creation of your website.

2. Wireframing Once a sitemap has been created, the next task should be to wireframe your site. A website wireframe is a line drawing which shows the placement of elements on a web page. During this stage, you should consider the amount of content and images as well as which pages will link together.

3. Copywriting When writing content for a website, consider how you can capture the attention of your target audience. Consider whether content is informative or interactive. Interactive content will be read and then acted upon, which might involve going to the contact us page. Informative content simply provides useful background information about a company, product or service. Website literature should always be clear and concise, as the majority of internet users will scan websites for the information they are looking for.

4. Design - Before designing your website, look at what your competitors are doing and choose unique styles and colours to ensure you stand out from the crowd. When selecting your background colour, make sure your visitors can easily read the content and view your links, i.e. no dark blue text on a black background or yellow text on a white background.

5. Build - By the time you get to the build stage, you should know exactly what content and images are to be included on each page, ensuring the build of the website is done as efficiently as possible. During this stage, remember to undertake cross browser testing to ensure that your website views correctly on browsers such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Firefox etc.

What more tips and advice on how to create an effective website? Contact a well established marketing design agency today. They will help you create an innovative and unique website, engaging your target audience and building a successful brand.

Liven Creative are a Surrey based design and marketing consultancy. If you are looking to create a new website or revamp an existing site visits their website today.
Branded design agency

There was a time when all maternity wear design adhered to the one-size fits all approach. Maternity clothes were often seen as dowdy, plain, ill fitting and not at all flattering to the expectant or new mum.

But thats no longer the case. Bespoke designers are creating breastfeeding clothes and maternity tops that make the wearer feel beautiful and sexy.

Theres no need for mothers to sit at home because they are worried about their body image. The fashionable and practical clothing now available gives every incentive to get out, have fun and do so with confidence.

Smart and practical proves to be a winning combination

Granted, no one says you have to slip on a mini-skirt while heavily pregnant or breastfeeding, but that doesnt mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style. Quality maternity wear and nursing tops combine practicality with smart design. Or, if you prefer, they provide the allure of maternity chic with a touch of intelligent thinking.

Naturally, while having to attend to the needs of a newborn child, a practical approach to maternity clothing is valued by mothers. For breastfeeding mums, easy access is an important issue. And this is something not forgotten by the emerging breed of designers.
This is why a number of functional access solutions have been incorporated. For example, Empire Access is located under the bust through the empire line of a dress. Other variations include: Hem-Lift Access, Side Seam Access, Vertical Front Access and Drop Cup Access.

With these additions, everyday breastfeeding tops can be both luxurious and convenient.

Step outside in maternity style

For dressing up or down, savvy online retailers have taken the best of maternity fashion and are helping mums to step out in style.

That doesnt mean to say you have to always dress like youre about to hit the town. But the beauty of innovative maternity wear is its versatility. Everyday nursing tops and tunics have that luxurious look that can be tailored for going out or staying in. Theyre also cut in a way that hides problem areas.

Crossover tops, tees and tunics are great for matching with jeans and accessories that afford a smart look suitable for any occasion.

Meanwhile, attractive colours and soft organic materials provide both confidence and comfort.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are magical stages in life. Yummy mummies should look great, be able to attend to important baby duties and still spend time with friends and family.
Online boutique stockists and maternity clothes designers have teamed up to provide a catalogue of stylish yet practical clothing. The image of maternity wear has been transformed.

A Beautiful Mummy is a boutique online retailer sourcing the best of maternity fashion. Their wide range combines stylish design and practical solutions that are attracting the attention of yummy mummies.
Maternity wear is dowdy no longer

Even advanced home cooks can have trouble cooking recipes such as macaroons, sushi or those which require knife skills (e.g. filleting a fish). With millions of recipes available online, deciding which recipes to trust can be difficult, and even with a reliable and safe recipe your dish is not guaranteed to be a success.

Some cooking techniques featured in recipes are difficult to develop from written instructions alone. The most common learning styles involve watching, listening and doing something, and these apply to culinary skills too. Whether you want to learn the basics such as how to dice an onion, line a mould or sharpen a knife, or whether you need to pipe macaroons, roll sushi or fillet and remove pin bones from a fish, the principle is the same. Spending time watching and listening to a professional chef and following their actions for yourself is by far the best way to learn to cook, and is why this method is used to train professional chefs across the globe.

Now, London cooking schools are making hands-on culinary cooking classes accessible for everybody. Simply choose a class which appeals to you (they often offer classes themed on macaroons, sushi or with other globally influenced menus) and learn how to cook with a professional chef who has cooked in the worlds best restaurants. Improve your skills effectively and in a fun, friendly and sociable atmosphere while enjoying an unforgettable learning experience with the support and enthusiasm you need to perfect your dream dish. And, perhaps best of all, culinary cooking classes enable you to learn delicious chefs recipes which you can take pride in recreating over and over again.

Typically a class in a London cooking school will consist of a fun learning experience in a friendly group, where you will learn to create delicious recipes under the watchful eye of an expert chef who will give tips and advice and answer any questions or queries. Afterwards you can relax and enjoy your food with your fellow classmates in a dedicated dining area, and recipes will be emailed to you afterwards for future reference.

If you really want to impress your friends and family opt for culinary cooking classes which focus on fashionable macaroons or sushi, but if you want to learn everyday recipes which can be used to cook dinner in an hour, there will also be a class for you. With hundreds of culinary cooking classes offered by each London cooking school every month, varying in length, time and theme, you are sure to find a class to suit you.

Latelier des Chefs are the UKs leading cooking school, offering hundreds of fun themed classes every month. Visit their website to browse recipes from professional chefs and to see the whole range of classes they have on offer.
London cooking school

Finding out that youve got cancer is a moment every individual and their family dreads. Its estimated that one in three people in the United Kingdom will contract cancer at some point during their lifetime.
Sadly, that oft-repeated statistic is one many can relate to in terms of how cancer has affected their lives.

But breakthroughs in cancer imaging are leading the fight back against The Big C. Early cancer detection is crucial. To have the best possible chance of making a full recovery its vital to catch the disease early. Thankfully, these latest developments are enabling doctors to do just that.

Modern technology, including the use of unique terahertz (THz) light, is building up a powerful armoury. The battle lines have been drawn in a bid to reduce the 157,000 (according to figures published in 2008 by the Macmillan Cancer Support charity) deaths a year in the UK from cancer.

How can Terahertz light detect cancer?

Lying between microwave and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum, terahertz light has unique cancer imaging properties. Companies utilising these on a commercial scale have opened up a number of imaging opportunities.

Until recently, it remained a largely unexplored member of the spectrum. But now scientists have discovered ways to harness the power of bright terahertz light. The results have been impressive.
Applications that can be used for security, pharmaceutical purposes and even defect detection in car paints are now being worked on.

This multi-functionality and development has also extended to cancer imaging. Indeed, the huge medical potential of terahertz spectroscopy is now being realised.

Patented terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) recognises spectral fingerprints and can examine different types of soft tissue. It also provides a breakdown of the level of water content present as well as detecting other indicators of cancer.

Gold standard 3D imaging maps are an essential part of the cancer detection process. TPI technology is enabling the production of these images and can produce faster results than X-Ray.

However, the fundamental benefit of using terahertz light in screening is not necessarily its ability to quickly produce maps. Rather, it is that TPI cancer imaging can help differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues.

In addition, and perhaps one of the major advantages of terahertz, is its ability to do so in a non-invasive manner. Meanwhile, using non-ionized radiation maintains the safety of the procedure.

Terahertz and breast cancer imaging

Terahertz waves have already proven their success at detecting skin and other surface cancers. Now, the power of terahertz technology has extended its reach to providing an accurate diagnosis of breast cancer.

When dealing with breast cancer, what do patients yearn for as part of their treatment? The answers are likely to include quicker testing and a reduced number of operations.

Intra-operative terahertz probes are now being used in major hospitals. They can ascertain in real-time how successful an operation to remove diseased tissue has been. Rather than waiting 2-3 weeks for the result of a biopsy, women can find out almost immediately if further operations are required.
Instead of undergoing more surgery that may be relying on estimates, terahertz probes can provide a higher rate of specificity. Essentially, they will provide accurate breast cancer imaging results that determine whether the tissue is now only surrounded by healthy cells.

Clinical trials have demonstrated the non-invasive and safe use of terahertz light to detect cancer. As a result, a range of technologies are being rapidly developed that harness the power of terahertz for cancer imaging.

Early detection of the disease and successfully determining affected areas is crucial. Using terahertz technology enables the fast and accurate examination of diseased tissue. This new form of imaging is leading the way in the fight against cancer.

TeraView are harnessing the power of terahertz light to provide revolutionary cancer imaging services. They have developed non-invasive and safe technologies that can detect the early stages of cancer and reduce the need for multiple operations.
Cancer imaging

Choosing the right caterer for your event is no easy task. Hundreds of catering services across the country will promote themselves as being able to cater for all types of events. However, there are certain caterers who specialise in particular types of occasions such as weddings, parties, corporate or outdoor events. Selecting a caterer who specialises in the type of event you are organising will enable you to receive a style of cuisine which suits the occasion perfectly.

Across the East Midlands, there are many teams of skilled specialist caterers who provide their clients with exceptional food and high levels of customer service. Well established corporate caterers can prepare delicious premium lunches for up to 1000 covers. Time is precious in the business world today and having an exquisite lunch delivered to your office is much more convenient than having to leave the workplace for your meals.

Specialist catering companies offer a wide range of menus to choose from and are able to create bespoke menus to suit your occasion, tastes and dietary needs.

Tasty light bite corporate buffets include a selection of delicious gourmet sandwiches made with freshly baked bread. Platters can also feature homemade Italian meatballs, handcrafted sausage rolls and baked samosas served with a sweet chilli dip. For a larger lunch, why not order homemade salmon fishcakes served with dill and lemon mayonnaise or goats cheese and caramelised onion tartlets? Alternatively you can also have hot meals delivered to your office, including wild mushroom risotto, chicken tikka masala and poached salmon with hollandaise sauce.

Whether you need a light lunch for a client meeting or a banquette for a product launch or office party, specialist corporate caterers are able to deliver exceptional hot and/or cold food to your business premises.

If you are organising a wedding or party, there are many caterers around the East Midlands who pride themselves on delivering exceptional food for all special occasions. Unique, exquisite menus add the perfect element to your event and create memories that will live with all your guests forever. Certain caterers will even provide table decorations and drinks for your occasion and can design a menu to suit your event, whether it be a wedding breakfast or an anniversary meal.

Deluxe three course meals include mozzarella, vine tomatoes and olives served with fresh basil and olive oil, or homemade soup followed by roast beef, chicken or poached salmon rounded off with a mouth watering lemon tart or strawberry gateaux.
Contact a well established, high quality catering company today and impress your clients or guests with fine cuisine which suits your occasion perfectly.

Posh Nosh are specialists in providing corporate and wedding catering services across the East Midlands area. They offer a range of delicious menus to choose from and have a 5 star hygiene scheme rating. Visit their website today to view their variety of unique menus.
Catering Nottingham

The average mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) claim is in the thousands of pounds, and some receive as much as tens of thousands. If you took out a credit card, loan, overdraft, mortgage or other lending product before 20th April 2011, you are very likely to have been mis-sold payment protection insurance. The rules around PPI are complex, but generally you may have been mis-sold PPI if you were sold it without your knowledge, with the impression that it was not optional, with the impression that it would help the approval of your loan, or if you were unemployed or retired at the time of sale.

If you think you may be entitled to make a mis-sold payment protection insurance claim then you have two options. Firstly, you could contact your bank or other lender to make the claim yourself; an option which many regular members of the public find to be an intimidating and complicated process. The other option is to use experts at a claims management company for the ultimate in ease and convenience.

Perhaps the most difficult part of making a PPI claim is the assessment of whether you have actually been mis-sold payment protection insurance. The question is surrounded by complex laws concerning how long ago the lending account must have been active, what to do if the loan has since been paid off, and what to do if you were self-employed or retired when the payment protection insurance was sold. For many people, the correct documentation concerning the mis-sold PPI has been lost or destroyed, perhaps years ago. Everyone has different circumstances around their mis-sold payment protection insurance, and it can be difficult to find out if you are entitled to make a claim without any experience in financial law.

Claims management companies often offer a free, no-obligation assessment into whether you are entitled to make a claim. Carried out through a short and easy online form or in a quick phone call, you can find out for free whether you are entitled to make a claim in just a few minutes. They understand that you dont want to waste time and effort contacting lenders if you may not be entitled to a claim at the end of it.

Claims management companies dont only make the claims process easy, but convenient too. Allow them to handle your claim while you sit back and wait for your cheque to arrive. Reliable companies work on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you have nothing to lose with your claim but could receive a cheque for thousands of pounds.

ABC Claims Management can make a no-win-no-fee PPI claim on your behalf. Their friendly advisors will a give free no-obligation assessment of whether you are entitled to PPI, and if you are, they can deal with the claims process for you, allowing you to simply wait for your cheque to arrive.
Mis-sold payment protection insurance by ABC

With disco flares, hippy-inspired psychedelic patterns and jumpsuit-loving ABBA, the 70s was a decade of outlandish clothing, creating great scope for fancy dress. Whether your fancy dress event has an open theme or a 70s specific theme, relive times gone by in a fun 70s-inspired outfit!

The mid-70s saw disco music really come into its own. If you are hosting your own fancy dress party channel the spirit of the 70s with your music selection; the Bee Gees, the Village People, the Jacksons, Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Chic, and KC and the Sunshine Band are guaranteed to get even the more reserved guests onto the dancefloor. If you are attending someone elses party, wear 70s fancy dress and throw your best retro dance moves. Funky!

There are plenty of 70s fancy dress costumes to choose from online which enable you to unleash your inner Saturday Night Fever John Travolta. Dig out your platform shoes, buy the biggest flares you can find and a bright (or even a lamé gold) frilly shirt. If you were too young to experience the 70s now is the time to catch up and really go all out! Accessorise your 70s disco look with a huge afro wig, retro shiny medallions and a stick-on handlebar moustache. A chest wig completes the look like nothing else.

For the ladies who want to look both fun and glamorous, this can be achieved with a flirty mini-dress with a psychedelic 70s pattern. Many such 70s fancy dress costumes even come with a matching headband, meaning you can achieve a complete look for around £20 cheaper than a regular dress for a night out! These dresses are great fancy dress costumes for those who want to still look great while in fancy dress. For something a little more eye catching why not channel Diana Ross with a silver sequined dress, go-go boots, afro wig and inflatable microphone? You go disco diva!

Whether you were throwing moves on the light-up dance floors in the 70s or you want to make up for lost time, disco costumes really ensure all eyes are on you at your fancy dress event.

Of course, the 60s hippy vibe lasted into the 70s. So if disco was never your thing, why not return to your inner flower-power with an acid bright flowery shirt and some ripped jeans. Ladies can accessorise patterned mini dresses with go-go boots, and for those who want a more wearable and affordable costume, hippy-style leggings, complete with peace sign and flower patches, are ideal. Accessorise with swirl pattern hooped earrings.

The popular film character Austin Powers was based on the spy films of the 1960s and 1970s. Austin -inspired costumes are hilariously over-the-top with their lace ruffles, shoulder pads and oversized glasses. Alternatively, a white 70s fancy dress jumpsuit is a great 1-piece ABBA costume for both men and women. Get 3 friends to buy the same jumpsuit and really make an entrance! The same jumpsuit can be used as an Elvis costume too; simply style your hair into a quiff instead.
Online fancy dress retailers have a huge selection of 70s costumes, including all of the above ideas and many more. Browse an online fancy dress shop for more 70s fancy dress ideas.

24 Red sell a wide range of mens and womens fancy dress costumes, with themes including 70s disco, 70s hippy, Austin Powers and ABBA. Browse their huge collection of affordable fancy dress costumes, wigs and accessories and make sure you look groovy at your fancy dress event, baby!
Buy 70s fancy dress