To clarify the previous article, it remains unclear whether liveaboard boaters without a home mooring are to be included in the Government Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) is still in discussion with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to clarify the position and how it will be assessed after BEIS requested its input in early December. With the involvement of boaters and supporters across the country, NBTA is attempting to steer the Government towards a £400 payment that truly includes all off-grid households, including itinerant liveaboard boaters, and that this is made available as soon as possible.
Posts Tagged ‘Bargee Traveller’s Association’
Update – energy bills support not so clear cut
Sunday, January 1st, 2023Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, cost of living, Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Energy Bills Support Scheme, fuel costs, heating, liveaboards, Travelling communities
Posted in News | No Comments »
Energy bills support for off-grid households to go live in January 2023
Wednesday, December 21st, 2022On Monday 19th December 2022 the Government announced that support with energy costs for off-grid households would go live in January 2023. The 900,000 households in England, Scotland and Wales without a direct relationship to an energy supplier will be able to apply for the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) Alternative Funding and some would also be eligible for the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment. The announcement also covered support for all households in Northern Ireland.
The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) and Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) held intensive discussions with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to ensure that all off-grid households, including itinerant boat, caravan and vehicle dwellers without a fixed address, will be included.
Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, cost of living, Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Energy Bills Support Scheme, Friends Families and Travellers, fuel costs, heating, liveaboards
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Psychotherapy and Mental Health Skills Coaching Service for boat dwellers launched
Sunday, May 29th, 2022A Psychotherapy and Mental Health Skills Coaching Service for itinerant liveaboard boaters has been launched, supported by the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. It aims to help liveaboard boaters to access the mental health support that they need. For contact details and more information, click here
Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, Community Fund, continuous cruising, GP registration, liveaboards, mental health, National Lottery, NHS, NHS access, traveller's rights
Posted in Health | No Comments »
CRT makes minor concessions on Licence Terms and Conditions
Tuesday, July 6th, 2021CRT has made minor changes to the new Boat Licence Terms and Conditions (T&C) in response to the Pre-Action protocol letter of 31st May 2021 sent by the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA), but has not altered its position on the major issues that were challenged.
Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, Boat Licence Terms and Conditions, Boats with home moorings., British Waterways Act 1971, law, legal challenge, liveaboards, Section 17, Waterways Act 1995
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CRT agrees not to enforce new Terms and Conditions for 14 days following legal challenge
Thursday, June 10th, 2021Following a pre-action protocol letter of 29th May 2021 challenging some of the new Boat Licence Terms and Conditions, CRT has stated that it will not enforce the disputed terms until 16th June 2021. Lawyers for the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) sent a second pre-action protocol letter to CRT on 29th May, following the
publication by CRT of its revised Boat Licence Terms and Conditions.
The legal challenge was made possible by a crowdfunding appeal –
see https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/protect-boats-homes/
Tags: appeal, Bargee Traveller's Association, Boat Licence Terms and Conditions, Boats with home moorings., British Waterways Act 1971, crowdfunder, law, legal challenge, liveaboards, Section 17, Waterways Act 1995
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CRT publishes new Boat Licence Terms and Conditions effective from 1st June
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021On 24th May CRT published its revised Boat Licence Terms and Conditions which have been slightly re-worded but have not fully taken consultation responses into account.
The legal challenge to the new Boat Licence Terms and Conditions brought by the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) and other concerned groups and individuals will continue. The organisers are very grateful to all the supporters who contributed to the appeal to fund this. Now the outcome of the consultation is known, please consider giving the appeal another push:
– Pledge £15, or any amount you can, on: www.crowdjustice.com/case/protect-boats-homes/
– Share the link www.crowdjustice.com/case/protect-boats-homes/ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat or spread the word in another way (eg to friends and family who are active on social media, through a blog or by email). Thank you!
Tags: appeal, Bargee Traveller's Association, Boat Licence Terms and Conditions, Boats with home moorings., British Waterways Act 1971, crowdfunder, law, legal challenge, liveaboards, Section 17, Waterways Act 1995
Posted in CRT Policy News | No Comments »
Please give generously to crowdfunder for challenge to CRT Boat Licence Terms and Conditions proposals
Friday, April 23rd, 2021A coalition of concerned boaters and groups including the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) is crowdfunding to start the process of a legal challenge to CRT’s proposals to change the Boat Licence Terms and Conditions.
Tags: appeal, Bargee Traveller's Association, Boat Licence Terms and Conditions, crowdfunder, law, legal challenge, liveaboards
Posted in The Law | 1 Comment »
CRT U-turn on range expected during a 6-month restricted licence
Sunday, March 14th, 2021CRT has stated that boaters without a home mooring on a restricted 6-month licence are not expected to cover the same range as those on a 12-month licence. Matthew Aymes, CRT Customer Support Manager, Licence Support (ie enforcement manager) said in an email on 23rd February 2021:
Tags: 6 month licence, Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, enforcement, liveaboards, NBTA, restricted licences, Section 17, Waterways Act 1995
Posted in CRT Policy News | No Comments »
Landmark judgement confirms Housing Benefit for boat licence fees
Monday, June 29th, 2020In a landmark judgement issued on 25th June 2020 (AB v London Borough of Camden (HB) [2020] UKUT 158 (AAC)), the Upper Tribunal has confirmed that Housing Benefit is payable for boat licence fees because the boat licence fee if living aboard is rent.
Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, boat licence fees, continuous cruising, housing benefit, judgement, liveaboards, NBTA, Universal Credit, Upper Tribunal, welfare benefits
Posted in News, Welfare Benefits | 3 Comments »
Restricted licence holders can vote in CRT Council election following complaint – vote by 14th February
Wednesday, February 5th, 2020CRT has relented from its decision to bar boaters on restricted 6-month licences from voting in the 2020 CRT Council election following a complaint by the NBTA. Make sure you check your postal address and/or your email as soon as possible, as CRT is not extending the election, which means everyone needs to vote before midnight on Friday February 14th 2020.
Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, complaints, continuous cruising, CRT Council elections, CRT governance, enforcement, liveaboards, NBTA
Posted in News | No Comments »