ASIAN SUNDAY NORTH EAST DECEMBER 2019 - ELECTION SPECIAL

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Snow Predicted on Polling Day as cold snap hits on December 12

By Newsroom

Newsdesk@asiansunday.co.uk

Forecasters are predicting a cold snap with snow and freezing fog just in time for the general election.

Temperatures will plunge to sub-zero temperatures in some areas as a wintry speel arrives for election week, the Met Office has said. Widespread frost is expected with snowfall set to hit Scotland and the Pennines, and the rest of the UK to feel the cold with blustery winds and freezing fog. In its longrange forecast, the Met Office predicts ‘rain and transient mountain snow’ for the middle of December, followed by ‘blustery showers’ which will be heaviest in the west. Election week will see longer spells of rain, wintry showers and harsh winds, with meteorologists saying ‘the more unsettled theme is likely to persist’.

On December 12, election day, temperatures are predicted to dip below normal, with a greater chance of frost developing.

In 2017, December snow led to travel chaos across the UK, with 28cm falling Sennybridge in Wales and 12cm in the Chilterns. All recent elections have taken place in April, May or

June, with the last polling day in winter on February 28, 1974. But even if the country is ravaged by snow on election day it will still go ahead unless the law is changed. Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said the snow is not expected to hit Westminster. She said: ‘The unsettled weather is set to continue with rain and strong winds at times.

‘The colder weather may well affect much of the UK, but the risk of snow looks to be restricted to the tops of mountains in Scotland and the Pennines. ‘There are no indications that we would see some snow in the south at the minute, but that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t see frost.’

manager at YouGov, said: ‘It might be getting extremely cold over the next week or so but it’s unlikely that the weather is going to deter anyone going to the polls who wasn’t already staying at home. ‘Most of the evidence shows that weather actually has quite a small effect on turnout, and factors such as how close the election is perceived to be, and how different the parties’ positions are, normally have more of an impact.’

The risk of freezing temperatures, winter darkness and now possible snowfall has raised concerns that voter turnout at this year’s General Election will be lower than the 68.7% achieved in 2017.

Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos MORI, said winter weather is unlikely to have a big impact on the number of voters going to the polls. He said: ‘We only really have February 1974 to go on. Then the weather was bad but the turnout was high at 79%, and up on 1970. ‘By contrast, for the Blair 1997 landslide, temperatures rose to the mid-20s, but turnout was down on 1992 at 71%.’ Chris Curtis, political research

Don’t Sing Too Loud While Driving or It Could Land You With A Fine for Up To £5000

By Newsroom

Newsdesk@asiansunday.co.uk Innocently singing along to your favourite song could land you with a £5,000 fine, if it’s deemed to be too loud.

Singing which distracts you from keeping your eyes on the road, could be classed as ‘careless’ driving, opening up the possibility that you could be charged for ‘driving without due care and attention’, Mirror Online reported.

And the rules don’t just apply to drivers, but also passengers, such as football fans celebrating a goal. It means drivers will have to pay attention to much more than just speed limits and the Highway Code. According to Select Car Leasing, ‘dashcam footage or testimony from a police officer’ that you were dancing and singing before an accident, could lead to a prosecution for dangerous driving.

Director Mark Tongue said: ‘And the penalties can be severe – up to a £5,000 fine and nine points on your license in the most serious of circumstances.’

He also urged motorists to consider that singing

too loudly could result in them not being able to hear emergency vehicles approaching.

Emma Patterson, principal solicitor at motoring law specialist Patterson Law, says the fine is usually relative to the offence committed, with minor offences leading to a small fine, but those which cause an accident potentially resulting in a £5,000 fine and nine points on your license.

It comes after Bradford Council launched a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), to deal with anti-social behaviour. Councillors approved the measures earlier this year, among which is a £100 fine for ‘playing music loudly in a car’.

And the penalties can be severe – up to a £5,000 fine and nine points on your license in the most serious of circumstances.

Mark Tongue, Director Select Car Leasing

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Britain’s largest golden nugget worth £80,000 is found in Scottish river

By Newsroom

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Britain’s largest gold nugget, weighing a whopping 121.3g, has been unearthed in a Scottish river.

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An unnamed explorer made the find used the traditional method of sniping, which involves lying face down in a river wearing a snorkel and dry suit.

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The nugget is thought to be worth £80,000 but may now legally have to be handed over to the Queen. The gold was actually found in two pieces, which slot together perfectly, earning it the name The Reunion Nugget.

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It also has a hole in the middle, which may have been caused by a strike off a rock or glacier or even a tool used by a farmer during the Iron Age.

Asian Sunday newspaper is published by RF Publishing Ltd, registered number 9615401 This publication adheres to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor on editor@asiansunday.co.uk. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO direct

The mystery nugget finder approached expert Lee Palmer, author of Gold Occurrences in the UK, for help after the find in May this year.

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Asian Business Connexions Announces #AWEsome NORTH EAST | DECEMBER 2019

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Asian Business Connexions (ABConnexions) is a not for profit organisation established to connect, support, and promote the Asian and wider business community.

The aims of the campaign are to:

• Shine a light on and celebrate Asian females across the private, public and third sectors

It is perhaps one of the largest Asian Business network in the North East and is celebrating it’s tenth anniversary.

• Share advice, guidance and to support other Asian females interested in a particular sector, acting as a point of reference

In celebration of ABConnexions ten year landmark the award-winning organisation is now launching their Asian Women Enterprising #AWEsome campaign.

• Encourage more role models from the Asian community With enterprising Asian women failing to be

recognised and identified, this is leading to a lack of role models for the younger generation or those looking to start their careers.

Even though there is a gender pay gap, statistically there is an even bigger gap between what women earn and what Asian women earn.

As well as this, there are a large number of barriers that deter women from succeeding such as institutional mind sets, structural obstacles, family choices and societal

pressures.

A lack of confidence and belief is a bigger barrier than simply a lack of ambition.

ABConnexions want to dramatically change this and therefore have recognised ten Asian females for their hard work and determination and given the opportunity to act as #AWEsome role models. This is a significant opportunity for Asian women to encourage and inspire more women to become entrepreneurs.

Those #AWEsome women are:

Anu Kapoor

Irim Ali

Newcastle welcomed Anu at the age of 21 post completing her Business & Finance degree at Salford University. Since Graduation she applied her academic skills to the Banking world where she has recently earned a successful long service recognition for working within the RBS/NatWest Group for 20 years.

Irim Ali is an Elected Councillor in Newcastle upon Tyne. She was first elected in 2008 and has since been the region’s first and only black female Councillor. She has served on many boards locally and is currently a Board member for a number of local charities. Irim is committed to equalities in all forms and is a member of BAME Labour as well as the BAME Officer on the party’s Executive committee in Newcastle where she has been a local party Whip since 2018.

Her 20 years’ service enabled for her to work in various roles within the Bank which has given her an insight into Personal Banking, Business Banking and now her current role within Corporate Banking. Having been with Corporate Banking for c11 years, Anu‘s main role consists of servicing high net worth entities with the most complexity & broadest range of needs, via an understanding of her client’s strategy.

Irim holds a BA (Hons) in Law and a Diploma in Legal Practice. She is a Trainee Solicitor at David Gray Solicitors. She has recently finished her training in the Immigration Department in which she represented people in regularising their stay in the UK and is now training in the Property Department including Wills and Probate.

SHKUN CHADDA

Cyrenne Khaliq

Shkun Chadda has worked for over 20 years in health economics and outcomes groups within pharmaceutical companies and the consultancy sector. This includes working in health outcomes groups in global, European and UK roles in major international pharmaceutical companies. Shkun has experience in leading advisory boards, client workshops, health economics and outcomes research strategy development, value dossiers and associated evidence generation. In addition, she has experience developing submissions to NICE and the SMC. Shkun now works at SIRIUS, where she regularly leads projects supporting pipeline HEOR planning, literature reviews (systematic and targeted), HTA reviews and endpoint analysis in addition to being one of the three Partners who run the company. We hear a selection of the challenges professional Asians and Women face. A campaign like this is needed to initiate a dialogue regarding workable solutions. By sharing the rules of the game, we can inspire individuals and companies to develop their own strategies that work for them.

Born and raised in Newcastle, Cyrenne graduated from Northumbria University in 2004 with a degree in International Business Studies and French. Following University, she moved to London to embark on a career in Finance.

Following a successful few years in the Corporate industry she decided to move into business and joined the family run Bourne Capital – an independent property and leisure operator in London as their Financial Controller where she gained a wealth of hands-on experience operating and managing the finances of the group achieving promotion to Financial Director in 2014.

In 2018, following the birth of her second child, she and her husband Nigel made the move back to Newcastle and join the family business Gainford Group. We had both gained a wealth of experience in various sectors which could only compliment the Group’s success so far.

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Sharmishta Chatterjee-Banerjee Sharmishta is Head of Corporate Connections and Internationalisation at Newcastle University Business School. With extensive experience in the UK higher education sector and travel, retail and advertising industries, in her current role she is responsible for developing a portfolio of strategic partnerships with high quality institutions, professional bodies, and commercial organisations and leading on the award winning Global Experience Opportunities programme.

Kainat Javed Kainat is now a non-practising barrister after spending her early career practising in criminal and employment law in some of the country's most high-profile cases. She has worked with several women's rights organisations locally and nationally. In addition to championing women's rights and legal services, Kai has delivered in a strategic advisory capacity in business as a Group HR Manager and since coming back to her roots in the North East, Kai has continued to be called upon to provide HR advisory work for the company.

Kai believes that at every stage of their lives, children suffering from the highest levels of poverty must receive the same opportunities in life as the most fortunate children and with this in mind she seeks in particular, to grow and empower girls everywhere in everything she does.

Sharmishta holds a BA (Hons) in Political Science and International Relations from Jadavpur University, India and a MA in Marketing Management from Nottingham Business School. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, an alumna of the Santander UCLA W30 leadership programme and has recently completed Advance HE’s Aurora Women in Leadership programme. Sharmishta is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, and serves on the University’s Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic (BAME) Advisory group.

Shamin Ali Shamin is an Assistant Solicitor working in the Private Family Department for Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors where she specialises in Matrimonial and Financial Remedy in family law. Shamin has practised exclusively in family law since qualifying in 2005 and have worked in niche family law firms.

Very much a people person, Shamin is passionate about securing the best possible outcome for the clients she works with. Working in the legal profession has its challenges and being a family lawyer can be stressful but equally rewarding.

Shamin has started “Professional Women on the Go”, which started off as a blog to empower women , giving advice on Health, Beauty and Fitness. She have also ran a few “Professional Women on the Go” workshops on beauty and wellbeing with the aim to empower women to be the best version of themselves.

Surbhi Vedhara

Mozghan Hemati Originally from Iran, Mozghan is a graduate in Political science and now proudly owns and runs her own business – Royyal Roll, where she produces high quality handmade confectionery for all occasions Mozghan grew up with a great love of cake making and started to bake at home, in Iran, when she was very young. She then followed her passion with further studies in cake making and took part in series of chocolate and patisserie master classes in order to develop her knowledge and skills in this field. Her love of cake making has taken her from basic baking at home to developing new and incredible creations which give her customers a real unforgettable experience of high quality products.

Surbhi Vedhara is a Senior Partner at Sweeney Miller Law, a Newcastle based law firm renowned for providing quality legal services to clients across the country. She grew up in Mumbai, India, a place that is very close to my heart. In 2002, She moved to Newcatle with her husband Ashish. Following her move to the UK, She studied Law at Northumbria University and went on to qualify as a Solicitor, eventually becoming a Partner in my firm.

Now specialising in Commercial Property. She says Life has been kind to her, but she knows that a lot of women, particularly Asian women, do not have the same opportunities that she was fortunate enough to have. She therefore wants to use the platform that she has to do her bit to empower Asian women to achieve their true potential. “If I can change just one life, it will be my proudest achievement” As the mother of a teenage Asian daughter, She thinks it is truly inspiring to be a part of AWEsome, a campaign that promotes diversity and reduces barriers to inclusion but she looks forward to a day when such a campaign won’t be necessary because we will have achieved everything that we set to achieve. “Be the change you want to see” – Mahatma Gandhi

Shazia Noor 7 years ago, Shazia was at a point in her life where she felt like she was a loser and had not achieved anything in life. She remembered seeing other successful women and thinking how could she ever do anything successful One morning she got up and decided to change my life. 7 years on she has established Nur Fitness with a small work force and are currently working with partners such as Public health, Steps Forward tees Valley and also now have our own centre. Her main aim in life is to help women reach their full potential using health & fitness as a catalyst. They are developing new innovative opportunities for women all the time and our aim is to help women fitter, into either volunteering or employability. She is especially passionate about improving women's mental health and breaking down barriers by talking about taboo issues such as mental health.

Veena Soni Veena arrived in England in the 1960’s after a three-week boat journey from India, her mother had packed all their possessions in a small case. With no knowledge of the English language and culture they took a massive leap of faith. As a teacher her aim was always to ensure that all children had opportunity, confidence and support to reach their full potential. She set up learning programs for mothers as she felt they spent more time with their children, however, in many cases they often felt they were not capable of supporting their children. Education for Veena, was not about the child but rather the whole family.

Over the last 30 years Veena feels honoured to have advised guided and supported many people who have gone on to be successful in their fields and upstanding member of society. The programs she developed have helped thousands of people and she is truly humbled when people reach out to me to tell her how much these programs have positively impacted them.

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Could the British Asian Vote help determine the seats of power in the upcoming Election?

By Fatima Patel

Editor@asiansunday.co.uk Research indicates that the British Asian vote could determine vital seats of power in the forthcoming general elections on 12 December.

Historically family ties and traditional loyalty to voting Labour for its positive stance on immigration played a significant impact on the election outcomes, this however is now long gone, as the fourth generation and young people of Asian heritage take to the polls.

Labour has won more than 70 per cent of ethnic minority voters in the previous election, with the Conservatives taking 20 per cent and

the Lib Dems 3 per cent.

This had a huge impact in marginal seats during local elections such as Kensington, Battersea, Dudley North, Crewe and Nantwich, Bedford, and Warwick and Leamington, which have relatively high black or Asian populations. It was a clear message to all parties that they need a policy programme which has a strong appeal to minorities: to the Tories, Liberal Democrats and others that they have the potential to make great gains; and to Labour that it can’t afford to lose these voters.

Operation Black Vote (OBV), which campaigns for greater racial justice and equality throughout the UK have compiled a list of 100 seats in which the number of ethnic minority

voters is larger than the majority held in that constituency, which they believe puts BAME voters in a strong position to again have the chance to change the course of this election, which also means, they can change the course of Britain’s political future: to put pressure on their parliamentary candidates on issues such as schools, jobs inequality, policing, housing, immigration, global warming and racial discrimination.

Race equality expert Lord Simon Woolley, director at Operation Black Vote, said: “The British Asian vote will certainly determine who will win in some seats, especially in the north of England.

“In recent times we are seeing a significant

change in attitude from young BAME people, especially in Asian communities.

There is a new-found belief that our vote can make a huge difference, and so it should, we have a voice, a strong voice.

“Political engagement is vital and whatever political colour we choose, we seek to tackle persistent racist inequality and Islamophobia.”

Recent surveys have found that many British Muslims feel more British than their white neighbours, and they probably are.

Way back in the 1950s and 60s, migrants from south Asian countries were seen as not having an ‘important’ voice as they were reduced to carrying out menial tasks for low wages, as they settled into a different country and way

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of life.

So where are the BAME votes swaying?

Reports indicate that Black, Asian and ethnic minority voters are backing Jeremy Corbyn in far higher numbers than the overall electorate as the two main political parties vie for their votes in a very crucial election.

Labour is leading the Conservatives by 25 points among black, Asian and minority ethnic voters (BAME), according to polling by Opinium. More than half (52 per cent) said they could imagine Corbyn in Downing Street.

The figures have been disclosed as the two main parties make a concerted push to win over the BAME vote with specifically tailored policies. They appear to reinforce the belief that second- and third generation BAME immigrants, alarmed by the Windrush scandal and allegations of Islamophobia within the Conservatives, still distrust the party.

The conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir are sensitive issues for a great number of UK’s South Asian Muslims and so with Jeremy Corbyn’s clear Pro-Palestinian stance and also Labour supporting a recent party conference motion criticising India over the revocation of Article 370, this is something that will appeal to many of the voters from the British Muslim diaspora.

However, despite all the data the Conservatives still believe they are gaining support in areas with large Hindu, Sikh and African communities, with promises of

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business-friendly policies and an easing of post-Brexit immigration restrictions on Commonwealth countries.

As the election kick started there was news circulating that British Hindus had been told not to vote Labour in the general election making claims that Labour was ‘anti-India’.

This could give rise to some British Hindu’s at odds with Corbyn-led Labour on foreign-policy matters.

British voters of Gujarati Hindu origin – sharing the same ethno-religious heritage as home secretary Priti Patel – could provide a particularly high level of support for the Conservatives.

Their relationship with Labour has further declined under Corbyn’s leadership over issues such as Kashmir and his critical stance towards Modi.

With so much at stake, and Britain seemingly, more divided than ever, every vote is vital for our political parties in what is perhaps the most unpredictable and fragmented electoral space seen in a long time.

The BAME vote can most certainly therefore, not be ignored as while domestic policies remain the bread and butter of UK General Elections, ethnic and religious diversity means that the impact of international geopolitics on national voter considerations should not be underestimated.

According to polling by Opinium Labour is leading the Conservatives by 25 points among black, Asian and minority ethnic voters (BAME).

More than half (52 per cent) said they could imagine Corbyn in Downing Street.

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Report Suggests Greater Problems in North East While Newcastle is Ranked as One of UK’s Most Improving Cities

Newcastle has been ranked as one of the most improved cities in the UK in a report that also ranks Sunderland as bottom in the list.

PwC’s Good Growth for Cities report ranks Newcastle as the fourth most improving city in the UK, though it comes 29th out of 42 in a table of cities around the UK. Sunderland comes bottom in the PwC list for the third year running, while Middlesbrough and Stockton (which are considered together) are only four places higher.

The Good Growth list, compiled with think tank Demos, is based on a number of factors judged to be important to an area’s economic wellbeing, which include jobs, health, income and skills, as well as work-life balance, the affordability of housing, travel-towork times, income equality, the environment and business start-ups.

Newcastle has increased its score primarily due to an improvement in its work-life balance and by strong improvements in transport, which came at the same time as a national decline.

Jonathan Greenaway, PwC’s office senior partner in Newcastle, said: “It’s pleasing to

see Newcastle featured as one of this year’s top 10 improving cities and making one of the largest improvements within the index, which I believe is testament to the vibrant and sustainable economy which is being created across the North East.

“Building and creating ongoing working relationships between business, Combined Authorities and LEP’s is vital to ensure that this positive momentum is maintained and replicated across other cities within the region.

“It’s essential that in order for the region to prosper post-Brexit we all need to ensure we play our part.”

transforms, ensuring people are equipped with the digital and other skills they need for future jobs will remain critical to sustaining these improvements.

“But there are also less positive long-term trends, particularly relating to deteriorating housing affordability and ever longer commuting times. These issues will require

sustained investments in affordable housing supply and transport infrastructure in order to address.”

A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: “The City Council has a different version of events and questions about this survey’s mix of statistics and subjectivity.”

Our long-term analysis shows that

Sunderland and Middlesbrough/Stockton were two of just five areas nationally that were given minus scores in the Good Growth index.

good growth improvements across the

Oxford topped the list, followed by Reading and Southampton. The three most improved areas were Bradford, Liverpool and Norwich, followed by Newcastle.

driven by skills and new business

PwC chief economist John Hawksworth said: “Our long-term analysis shows that good growth improvements across the UK since 2005 have been largely driven by skills and new business creation.

“As

the

economy

and

world

of

work

UK since 2005 have been largely creation.

John Hawksworth

PwC Chief Economist

GAS GROUP SERVE UP A SAVING FOR DABBAWAL RESTAURANT A new partnership between two members of the Asian Business Connexions (ABC) family has produced a five-figure energy saving.

Great Annual Savings (GAS), headline sponsor of the 2019 ABC Awards and specialists in the business energy field, worked alongside Dabbawal Restaurant to procure the most competitive energy prices available, a move which is set to see the food chain save over £10,000.

Jaf Ali, Owner of Dabbawal restaurant, has spearheaded the rapid growth of the business and spoke about the important role the cost-saving consultancy played in boosting their bottom line.

“With the recent expansion of our business, and multiple sites to manage, time has become an extremely valuable commodity to us. Negotiating with numerous energy suppliers at once was proving problematic.

“Working with GAS has completely removed the burden of dealing with our utilities inhouse. With their expert consultants, and close ties with many of the UK’s leading

www.greatannualsavings.com

energy suppliers, they’ve managed to negotiate new deals at rates far more competitive than our renewal offers.”

associated contracts, letting ABC business owners get back to doing what they do best: running their business.”

Formed in 2012, GAS has a proven track record of working alongside businesses to minimise their overall running costs.

Boasting a diverse portfolio of over 7,500 clients throughout the UK and Ireland, and in addition to their energy offering, the North East-based firm provide more costsaving services than any other business in the market, including Waste, Water, Insurance and Card Payment Services.

GAS has built a strong portfolio of businesses from all industries and sectors in the country, including sports clubs, hotels, leisure, manufacturing, automotive, business services, agriculture, retail, community, charity and more. GAS’ successful work and growing brand make it one of the fastest-growing businesses in the North of England.

Phil Andrew, Customer Experience Director at GAS, believes their relationship with Dabbawal restaurant is a shining example of the close ties the firm has established within ABC.

To find out more about how GAS can save you more, on more, or to look at some of our customers and case studies, visit www.greatannualsavings.com.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done to help ABC members reduce their outgoing costs and hope we can partner with more in the future to enhance some of the thriving businesses involved with ABC. “Our account managers carry out all of the leg work that comes with negotiating any

Ammar Mirza (left) and Phil Andrew (right) - In June, GAS were announced as headline sponsors of the 2019 Asian Business Awards.

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Rooftop Swimming Pool Unveiled as part of £30m Plans for Newcastle City Centre Hotel

By Raheema Khan

Raheema@asiansunday.co.uk £30m scheme aims to create around 500 jobs and regenerate a large part of the city centre Plans to create a £30m luxury hotel and leisure development in the heart of Newcastle, complete with a rooftop swimming pool and several terraces, bars and restaurants, have been sent to planners.

The Malhotra Group first unveiled plans to open a hotel coined The Dorchester of the North around 10 years ago, and received planning permission several years ago.

That permission has since expired, but the Newcastle care, leisure and property group has in recent years carried out a spending spree in the city centre, buying up numerous properties which allow it to submit a revised application for a significantly larger hotel and leisure complex that takes up an entire section of Mosely Street, Cloth Market and Grey Street.

The ambitious project is now set to go before planners, with documents detailing the scale of the project which has the potential to create 510 jobs, during its construction, once complete and through the supply chain.

The firm is in discussions with top international brands to operate the hotel, which it hopes will become popular with visitors, the business community, students and the wider public.

Meenu Malhotra, chairman of the Malhotra Group said it would include a rooftop bar and swimming pool with an ornate glass, open-sided canopy, three rooftop terraces, two nightclubs which will also be international brands, as well as a number of restaurants and cafes.

The 104-110 bedroom hotel will have its own restaurant, two bars and three separate rooftop bars, as well as a health spa, gym, conference facilities and an executive lounge.

Plans for the hotel include a lift taking guests and visitors straight to one of the rooftop bars.

Two leisure business currently operate from the corner positions of the property block – Flares and Vineyard – and the Malhotra Group has revealed these will stay as tenants.

Soho Rooms will go, however, and the building next door will become a VIP nightclub.

London chain Chinawhite is among the firms in discussions for this site.

The roof top terrace and swimming pool, meanwhile, will be built at 29 Mosley Street.

CGIs and a design statement have been submitted by Space Architects, alongside a planning statement by the Newcastle office of consultancy Lichfields.

The enormous project would see all the existing Grade II and II* listed buildings retained on the site, but the rear-offshoots to 5-9 Grey Street will be demolished to create a new atrium space.

The planning statement concludes: “The proposals are to restore and re-use these predominately vacant buildings, whilst minimising the loss of original or early phases of fabric.

Demolition teams would also knock down 29 Mosely Street – built in the 1950s – and 4 Cloth Market – constructed in the 1930s – which would then be rebuilt. The luxury hotel will take up the upper floors of 3 -17 Grey Street, Drury Lane, 4 - 8 Cloth Market and 31 Mosley Street.

“The proposals will also support the continued regeneration of Grainger Town, through bringing forward a sensitively designed scheme that respects the character and appearance of the subject site and surrounding important historic buildings.

Meanwhile, a new two-three storey extension above Drury Lane and Balmbra’s Hall is planned to provide additional bedrooms.

“Importantly, the proposals will deliver most significant economic benefits including a total capital investment of around £30m; the creation of around 160 direct (FTE) jobs and around 185 indirect/induced ‘spin off’ (FTE) jobs per year throughout the two-year, ninemonth build period.

The regeneration of Balmbra’s will also include the creation of a hotel function room and conference room, and a hotel bar and restaurant will also be created on the ground floor of 3 - 13 Grey Street, where a new entrace will be built.

“Once complete, the new hotel, retail and leisure uses will provide around 105 direct (FTE)

jobs on-site and around 60 indirect/induced (FTE) jobs across the wider region.”

“Standards are important to us but affordability for the locals is very, very important.

Mr Malhotra added: “We want this to be for the enjoyment of all, so it will be high end in terms of fixtures and fittings but we are very conscious that it is affordable, and prices will be at a price point to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy it.

“We are very proud to be bringing that area back to its former glory. It’s not just a business we are establishing but a legacy that our family want to deliver and leave for the city.”

GemArts is an award winning arts organisation based in the North East of England.

A nationally recognised leader in the South Asian and diversity arts sector, GemArts creates and programmes high quality concerts, events, festivals, workshops and commissions with regional, national and international artists across all art forms.

Our Vision: We believe the arts enrich the lives of individuals and communities through celebrating our shared cultural diversity – Raising aspirations, building stronger communities and breaking down barriers.

Our Mission: To increase equality of opportunity for everyone to engage with culturally diverse arts - as artists, producers, participants and audiences.

EMAIL: info@gemarts.org | WEB: www.gemarts.org Gateshead Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN TEL: 0191 440 4124 | TWITTER: GemArtsuk

GemArts Masala Festival returns from 13th to 19th July 2020!

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Ammar Mirza CBE Ammar Mirza CBE is the Chair and Founder of Asian Business Connexions and holds various other positions across the public and private sectors.

Spanning more more than a decade of business he has helped establish several hundred new businesses within the North East and continues to champion across sectors for equality, diversity and philanthropy.

Celebrating British Asian Success with a Warm Welcome to Asian Sunday – North East!

Growing up in the North East from an Asian background, all I wanted to do was fit in, which was rather challenging due to the competing cultures and environments.

the most of our lives and the community around us.

Roll forward a good few decades and it is interesting to see across the whole of the UK the positive influences and impact of the Asian community.

Going to a predominantly, if not all, white school but then going to the Mosque and having to study Arabic on evenings and weekends.

From politics having the first Pakistani Chancellor, to various Asian Cabinet Ministers, the Mayor of London, to the Rich List being regularly topped by the Hinduja Brothers, actors, doctors, dentists, nurses, bankers, accountants and the list goes on.

During the day I would wear a school uniform, and then a traditional Asian Shalwar Kameez on evenings and weekends.

Eating fish fingers, chips and beans followed by duff and custard at lunch times to eating dhal and roti in the evenings. When my parents weren’t looking we’d watch Benny Hill and Top of the Pops, and watch Sholay and other Bollywood classics when they were.

It is funny how I thought that two cultures couldn’t and shouldn’t blend and compliment, one another. Being born in Britain, I always felt and continue to feel, British first and foremost.

(OK so I may wear clothes made in Italy, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Spain or numerous other countries that make clothes across the globe; drive a German Car; use a Chinese computer, and watch American movies, but so does the vast majority of other British people.)

But being young and naïve, the vast majority of my friends were white, and on occasion they would go into a corner shop and mess around, as young kids do.

When the shopkeeper would ask them to leave, they would call him a “Paki”, regardless of him being from Pakistan or not, and then turn to me and say, “but not you Ammar, you’re one of us.”

Interestingly, due to my desire of wanting to fit in, I didn’t think anything bad of this, and was probably grateful for them thinking like that.

However, now realising how wrong it was but like my parents, as Asians, we just wanted to fit in and make

Statistically Asians contribute three times to the UK economy more than their white counter parts. Even the backbone of our communities is serviced by Asians whether it is transport, care, leisure and hospitality.

Within our North East we have a vibrant, integrated and hugely successful Asian community and I am delighted that the hugely popular, foremost Yorkshire Asian publication, Asian Sunday has decided to launch in this region. We will hear all things relevant and responsive to the needs of the Asian and wider regional community each and every month.

Being the launch edition, the focus this month is on the general election. Regardless of how politically fatigued you feel, this is a crucial time.

One thing clear to me is that cultures and communities aren’t exclusive; being British and Asian could and should be celebrated at the same time and this publication allows us to do this.

To follow current trends I was even thinking of creating a new word – BrAsian – but I don’t think we need another B word right now. So rather than trying to fit in, let’s all try and stand out and celebrate one another.

May you have a prosperous, peaceful and positive Christmas and hope you enjoy this wonderful new North East publication.

Brewin Dolphin is proud to have fostered a close relationship with ABC and their membership.

Our support enables us to connect, support, and promote our expert services to allow individuals and businesses to develop to their full potential.

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Celebrities Who Entered Politics Celebrities have a huge fan following and so this gives them a huge advantage over other candidates to gain attention quickly and can be advantageous in launching one’s political career. With election season at maximum

speed in the UK, we thought we would take a look at some of the world’s leading celebrities and their marriage with politics.

It would be unfair if we didn’t kick start our

celebrity turned politician with the most notable one of all – Donald Trump.

You may disagree with Trumps politics but following his stint as a reality TV star for the American version of The Apprentice and

small roles in a dozen films, Trump is now one of the world’s most powerful politician. The former real estate mogul most certainly used his celebrity power and grabbed attention making him the 45th US president in 2017.

Ronald Reagan was another former American president who found success in politics following a career as an actor in Hollywood. Reagan first served as governor for California and then as US president from 1981 to 1989.

Clint Eastwood Actor Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, California, in 1986, before being appointed to the California State Park and Recreation Commission in 2001 under Governors Gray Davis and Schwarzenegger.

Before he became a television personality, Jerry Springer was first elected to Cincinnati City Council in 1971 and resigned in 1974 after admitting to hiring a sex worker. He won back his seat in 1975 and served one year as mayor in 1977.

Shirley Temple Black Child actress Shirley Temple Black ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1967 and was appointed US ambassador to Ghana in 1974 and to Czechoslovakia in 1989.

Manny Pacquiao World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was elected to the Philippines House of Representatives in 2010 and was elected as a senator in 2016.

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Celebrities Who Entered Politics Wyclef Jean Haitian-American hip-hop star Wyclef Jean registered to run in the 2010 presidential elections in Haiti before being disqualified for not meeting residency requirements.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Bodybuilder and action movie superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger served as governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

Imran Khan International Cricketer Imran Khan formed the Pakistani political party Pakistan Tehreek E Insaf (PTI) after retiring from cricket.

Following twenty years of the party’s formation, Khan finally won the seat to become Pakistan’s Prime Minister in 2018.

Abrar Ul Haq Famous Pakistani singer Abrar Ul Haq is a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and was the candidate for the party for the seat of National Assembly from constituency NA-78 (Narowal-II) in 2013 and 2018 Pakistani general elections.

Prithviraj Kapoor Even Bollywood has had its stars step into the political arena. In the 1960s, Prithviraj Kapoor, the patriarch of Bollywood’s first family, the Kapoors, was the Hindi film industry’s first entry into Parliament as a nominated member of its upper house (Rajya Sabha)

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Celebrities Who Entered Politics Amitabh Bachchan Superstar Amitabh Bachchan too dabbled in politics. In 1984, Bachchan took a break from acting and briefly entered politics in support of a long-time family friend, Rajiv Gandhi. He contested Allahabad’s seat for the 8th Lok Sabha against H. N. Bahuguna, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and won by one of the highest victory margins in general election history (68.2% of the vote). His political career, however, was short-lived: he resigned after three years, calling politics a cesspool.

Hema Malini Dreamgirl Hema Malini, is an MP for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She officially joined the BJP in February 2004, she then became MP in In the 2014 general elections for the Lok Sabha, where she defeated the Mathura incumbent, Jayant Chaudhary.

Malini has since won two further elections and continues her reign as an MP for BJP.

Govinda In the early 2000 Bollywood actor Govinda’s career took a little setback. He then stepped into politics in 2004, by joining Congress Party and was elected to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament) from Mumbai by 50,000 votes over the five-term incumbent. The dancing star, however, was criticised for inactivity as he was usually absent when the Lok Sabha was in session, while he continued his film career. Eventually Govinda retired from politics in 2008.

Sunny Deol Action man Sunny Deol has followed his father from acting to politics and has recently become an MP. Deol joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party on 23 April 2019.

He won the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections from Gurdaspur constituency against his rival Sunil Jakhar of Indian national Congress with a margin of 82,459 votes.

Shatrugan Sinha Shatrugan Sinha has perhaps been one of the most prolific Bollywood actors in politics. In 1992, he famously contested elections as a BJP candidate against Indian National Congress candidate Rajesh Khanna, India’s biggest superstar before Bachchan toppled him. While Sinha won the elections by a decent margin, he lost Rajesh as a friend – and they never spoke again. That said, Sinha Sinha fell out with BJP in the last Indian general elections, and switched parties joining the Indian National Congress.

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Candidates for North East General Election 2019

By GRAHAME ANDERSON

BY ANISAH ARIF grahame@asiansunday.co.uk anisah@asiansunday.co.uk

The General Election is upon us and on Thursday 12 December the British public will go to the polls to pick their new Prime Minister.

convince Labour voters to turn to them, with the theory that voters are anti Jeremy Corbyn but also votes could be split with Liberal Democrats gaining momentum, following their stance on Brexit and new leader Jo Swinson bringing new life into the party.

Who will be victorious is anyone’s guess, as polls are difficult to predict with Brexit continuing to headline discussions during campaigning.

Then again Labour Party could also take some Tory seats if voters trust them more than they do the Tories regarding our NHS, education system and front-line policing.

North East has historically been a strong Labour hold, but with people disillusioned over Brexit, and Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party picking up votes in the European elections, things could change. Conservatives also seem hopeful to

We took a look at who is standing in seats in Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham. and Middlesborough and which seats to look out for.

Labour

Chi Onwurah, Labour

Newcastle Central Labour’s Chi Onwurah is the incumbent for Newcastle Central she won the elections in 2017 with a massive majority and hopes to retain the seat.

This was the only ward in the North East that voted to remain in the EU. Here are the 2019 candidates: Ali Avaei (Liberal Democrat) Mark Griffin (Brexit Party) Chi Onwurah (Labour) Emily Payne (Conservative) Tay Pitman (Green)

Conservative

Catherine McKinnell, Labour

Newcastle North

Nick Brown, Labour

Newcastle North is another strong Labour hold, where Labour’s Catherine McKinnell won with a majority of over 26,000 votes in 2017.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Conservative

The constituency voted to remain in the EU.

Nick Brown has been a Labour MP since 1983 and has continued to secure his seat in Newcastle East gaining majority votes. In 2017 he secured more than 28000 votes and is the Labour Party’s chief whip. Candidates will have a tough time to unseat Mr Brown.

Here are the candidates:

The candidates for Newcastle East are:

Nick Cott (Liberal Democrat) Alistair Ford (Green) Mark Lehain (Conservative) Catherine McKinnell (Labour) Richard Ogden (Brexit Party)

Nick Brown (Labour) Robin Gwynn (Conservative) Nick Hartley (Green) Wendy Taylor (Liberal Democrat)

Berwick-UponTweed

Ronnie Campbell, Labour

The candidates for 2019 are:

The candidates for Berwick Upon Tweed are:

Thom Chapman (Liberal Democrats) Susan Dungworth (Labour) Dawn Furness (Green) Ian Levy (Conservative) Mark Peart (Brexit Party)

Tom Hancock (Liberal Democrat) Thomas Stewart (Green) Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Conservative) Trish Williams (Labour)

Hexham

Blyth Valley This is a traditionally Labour strong hold, with long-serving Labour candidate Ronnie Campbell holding his seat in 2017. However, it’s important to note that in the last 2017 election, the Conservatives also increased their vote and Blyth Valley voted in favour of leaving the EU.

This seat used to be a Liberal Democrat seat until Conservative Anne-Marie Trevelyan took the seat in 2015 and retained it with a massive majority in 2017. People in this ward voted strongly to leave the EU.

Guy Opperman, Conservative

Newcastle East

Ian Lavery, Labour

Wansbeck

Conservative candidate,Guy Opperman thrashed his Labour component in the 2017 election with a massive margin of more than 24000 votes beating the Labour candidate by almost 10000 votes.

Wansbeck has been a safe seat for the Labour Party, since it’s inception.

Labour’s Ian Lavery held on to his seat in the 2017 General Election. Majority in Wansbeck voted to leave the EU.

The area voted to leave the EU.

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Here are the candidates for 2019

Michael Flynn (Christian People’s Alliance) Jack Gebhard (Conservative) Ian Lavery (Labour) Steve Leyland (Green) Stephen Psallidas (Liberal Democrat) Eden Webley (Brexit Party)

Penny Grennan (Labour) Stephen Howse (Liberal Democrat) Nick Morphet (Green) Guy Opperman (Conservative)

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Candidates for North East General Election 2019 Ian Mearns, Labour

Gateshead

Liz Twist, Labour

Gateshead has been a strong Labour hold since 2010 and was won by Labour’s Ian Mearns in 2017 with a massive majority.

Voters in Blaydon have been loyal to Labour since 1935, it was won by Labour’s Liz Twist in 2017 with a massive majority, taking close to 27000 votes.

The ward voted to leave the EU in the referendum.

Voters in Gateshead chose to leave the EU

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Liz Twist (Labour) Adrian Pepper (Conservative) Vicky Anderson (Lib Dem) Diane Cadman (Green) Michael Robinson (Brexit Party) Kathy King (The Liberal Party) Lisabela Marschild (Space Navies Party) Lee Shaun Garrett (Independent)

Ian Mearns (Labour) Jane Macbean (Conservative) Peter Maughan (Lib Dem) Rachel Cabral (Green)

Mary Glindon, Labour

North Tyneside

Alan Campbell, Labour

Labour’s Mary Glindon has held the North Tyneside seat since 2010, after she took over from her Labour colleague Stephen Byers, who held the seat since 1997. Ms Glindon won with a massive majority of more than 19,000 votes in the 2017 election, with Conservative coming second. The ward chose to leave the EU in the referendum vote.

The area voted to leave the EU Here are the candidates for 2019: Alan Campbell (Labour) Lewis Bartoli (Conservative) John Appleby (Liberal Democrat) Julia Erskine (Green) Ed Punchard (Brexit Party)

Mary Glindon (Labour) Dean Carroll (Conservative) Chris Boyle (Lib Dem) John Buttery (Green) Andrew Husband (Brexit Party)

South Shields

Kate Osborne, Labour

South Shields is a strong Labour hold with Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck winning the majority vote in 2017.

Here are the candidates for 2019: Emma Lewell-Buck (Labour) Sarah McKeown (Green) Oni Oviri (Conservative) William Shepherd (Liberal Democrat) Geoff Thompson (Independent) Glenn Thompson (Brexit Party)

Houghton and Sunderland South

Jarrow Labour’s Steven Hepburn won the Jarrow ward in 2017, he however was suspended from the Party following accusation of sexual harassment. He has since been barred from standing for Labour and the 2019 election for Labour will be contested

by Kate Osborne. The area voted to leave the EU. Here are the candidates for 2019: Mark Conway (Social Democratic Party) James Milne (Green) Richard Monaghan (Brexit Party) Nick Oliver (Conservative) Kate Osborne (Labour) John Robertson (Independent) Shaun Sadler (Independent) David Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat)

The area voted to leave the EU.

Bridget Phillipson, Labour

Tynemouth Labour’s Alan Campbell has been comfortably winning this seat for the last two decades. Labour have a strong hold in Tynemouth.

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Emma Lewell-Buck, Labour

Blaydon

Julie Elliott, Labour

Sunderland Central

Labour won more than 59 per cent of the votes in this ward in 2017. Their candidate Bridget Phillipson has a strong hold. More than 60 per cent of voters, voted to leave the EU in Sunderland.

Sunderland central is a strong Labour hold with Julie Elliott holding the seat for Labour in 2017, winning more than 55 per cent of the vote. Sunderland voted strongly to leave the EU

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Richard Bradley (Green) Paul Edgeworth (Liberal Democrat) Richard Elvin (UKIP) Christopher Howarth (Conservative) Bridget Phillipson (Labour) Kevin Yuill (Brexit Party)

Tom D’Silva (Conservative) Julie Elliott (Labour) Rachel Featherstone (Green) Niall Hodson (Liberal Democrat) Dale McKenzie (Independent) Viral Parikh (Brexit Party)

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Candidates for North East General Election 2019 Sharon Hodgson, Labour

Washington and Sunderland West

Helen Goodman, Labour

This seat was marginally won by the 2017 Labour candidate Helen Goodman.

She was only 502 votes ahead of the Conservative candidate.

Sharon Hodgson is the incumbent Labour candidate and has held a majority since 2010. The area voted to leave the EU

Conservative have candidate for 2019.

Here are the candidates for 2019:

City of Durham

North Durham

Grahame Morris, Labour

Here are the candidates for 2019: Clare Ambrosino (Conservative) Dominic Haney (Liberal Democrat) Julie Maughan (Brexit Party) Susan McDonnell (North East Party) Grahame Morris (Labour)

Laura Pidcock, Labour

Here are the candidates for 2019: Richard Holden (Conservative) Stephen Lindsay (Independent) Michael Peacock (Liberal Democrat) Laura Pidcock (Labour) David Sewell (Green) Watts Stelling (Independent) John Wolstenholme (Brexit Party)

Kevan Jones (Labour) Craig Martin (Liberal Democrat) Derek Morse (Green) Ed Parson (Conservative) Ken Rollings (Independent) Peter Telford (Brexit Party)

This is also the seat that was famously held by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The area voted to leave the EU Here are the candidates for 2019: David Bull (Brexit Party) John Furness (Green) Paul Howell (Conservative) Michael Joyce (Independent) Dawn Welsh (Liberal Democrat) Philip Wilson (Labour)

North West Durham North West Durham is a strong Labour hold, with Labour candidate Laura Pidcock hoping to retain her seat for 2019. The area voted to leave the EU

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Labour’s Phil Wilson holds a majority in Sedgefield and comfortably retained his seat in 2017 with more than 50 per cent of the vote.

Easington

Easington voted to leave

The area voted to leave the EU

Sedgefield

new

Labour held its seat for Easington with a huge majority on 2017. Labour candidate Grahame Morris will once again contest the seat in the 2019 elections.

Kevan Jones retained the seat for Labour in 2017 winning close to 60 per cent of the votes, with Conservatives in second place only gaining 30 per cent of the votes.

Phil Wilson, Labour

a

Here are the candidates for 2019: Nicholas Brown (Brexit Party) Dehanna Davison (Conservative) Ray Georgeson (Liberal Democrat) Helen Goodman (Labour)

Roberta Blackman-Woods has held this seat for Labour since 2005 and won the election in 2017 with a majority vote. She was one of the first Labour frontbenchers to back the “People’s Vote” campaign for a referendum on any Brexit deal, however she has chosen to step down this year, citing personal reasons for not contesting her seat again. Mary Foy replaces her. The area voted to leave the EU. Here are the candidates for 2019: Jonathan Elmer (Green) Mary Foy (Labour) Amanda Hopgood (Liberal Democrat) William Morgan (Conservative) Lesley Wright (Brexit Party)

Kevan Jones, Labour

fielded

The area voted to leave the EU by more than 57 per cent.

Valerie Allen (Conservative) Howard Brown (Brexit Party) Michael Chantkowski (Green) Sharon Hodgson (Labour) Keith Jenkins (UKIP) Carlton West (Liberal Democrat)

Roberta Blackman-Woods , Labour

Bishop Auckland

Andy McDonald, Labour

Middlesborough This seat has generally been a Labour strong hold, with Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald enjoying a majority. However, with the local elections unseating Labour’s majority following confidence in Independent candidates, anything could happen.

The candidates for 2019 are: Andy McDonald, Labour Ruth Betson, Conservative Antony High, Independent Thomas Crawford, Liberal Democrat Faye Clements, Brexit Party Hugh Alberti, Green

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Candidates for North East General Election 2019 Simon Clarke, Conservative

Middlesborough South and East Cleveland

bowed out of this constituency to make way for Clarke to gain maximum votes.

Here are the candidates for 2019:

Lauren Dingsdale (Labour) This constituency is an important one for Simon Clarke (Conservative) both Labour and Conservative, as it's a Jemma Joy (Liberal Democrat) Sophie Brown (Green) marginal seat, with Conservatives winning by just over 1000 votes in 2017 Simon Clarke the Conservative candidate is the incumbent and a hard brexiteer. He will be looking to be reelected and will have a tough battle against Labour's new candidate Lauren Dingsdale.

Even Nigel Farage's Brexit Party has

Anna Turley, Labour and Co-Operative

Redcar Anna Turley the Labour candidate won this seat in 2017, with a majority of more than 9000 votes, however with opinions split about Brexit and the Brexit Party also fielding a candidate will Anna keep her seat?

Interestingly this seat was occupied by the Lib Dems between 2010 to 2015 and their popularity has been rising, so this one will be an interesting seat to watch.

Here are the candidates for 2019: Anna Turley (Labour and Co-Operative) Jacob Young (Conservative) Frankie Wales (Independent) Karen King (Liberal Democrat) Jacqui Cummins (Brexit Party) Rowan McLaughlin (Green Party)

Dr Paul Williams, Labour

Stockton South Labour won this seat in the 2017 election with a slim majority of less than 900 votes. Labour fought off the seat from Tory Minister James Wharton.

Votes could be split here from both sides.

While Labour's Dr Paul Williams is a staunch remainer, both Conservative and Brexit Party will be looking to take up votes for those who want Brexit. With Lib Dems also contesting this seat, this could prove real tricky for Labour if votes get split.

Here are the candidates for 2019: Dr Paul Williams (Labour) Matt Vickers (Conservative) Brendan Devlin (Liberal Democrat) John Prescott (Brexit Party)

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TECH COLUMN

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SABA HAROON Saba has a wealth of knowledge in the technology sector and has built up an enviable portfolio of work with various IT projects. She is a bright, creative and client focused professional who possesses, extensive experience of working within B2B, B2C and E-commerce sector.

Saba has been working in the corporate IT world for many years and as a result has gained a vast amount of practical

knowledge which in turn she will be passing onto readers of Asian Sunday every month.

She will review the latest gadgets, provide you with the most up to date technology news and of course is at hand to answer any technology queries you may have.

So if you have a burning IT question, need some assistance or simply want to write in about Saba's column then get in touch.

Please contact Saba Haroon by emailing her at Saba@asiansunday.co.uk

Women in Technology Having worked in the tech industry as a web developer and then as a project manager it still amazes me that more women don’t opt for roles in tech. Statistics show that for every 100 men in tech/computing-related roles women make a mere 15%. While the gap is vast there are small increases every year and surprisingly worldwide women from south Asian backgrounds tend to make a larger portion of the percentage. Keeping the stereotypical Asian tech person well and truly alive!

There is a slight increase year on year but the disparity between the genders is still huge. Some of the main reason’s women tend not to choose STEM (science technology engineering and maths) and specifically computing as a career are briefly highlighted below.

A Minority Women working at both board level and workforce is hugely underrepresented. A Tech Nation report looking into diversity revealed that 77% of tech leadership roles are filled by men and another report by BCS shows only 17% of the workforce are women. Findings like these raise the question of how to attract more women to tech roles and to roles of upper management and leadership.

Gender pay gap Over 60% of women who were asked in the Women in Technology Survey 2019 agree that males earn a higher salary. Hopefully, with more women being encouraged to look at STEM careers the gap over time will become much shorter. More women working in junior position now means they are working towards tomorrow’s leadership positions.

Training and Flexibility When considering jobs women reported in Women in Tech Survey 2019 that having benefits aimed at them and the option to work flexibly and from home is vital.

The opportunities to grow skills, gain further training and salary were also important.

The language used can also be confusing and technical terms for simple tasks can be difficult to understand.

Working in IT can be very flexible and with the internet practically everywhere working remotely is a reality for many individuals.

Returnships

Essentially an internship but for already experienced professionals returning to work through training and a salary. Giving women this option means they can return to their senior positions quickly after a break to build skills and not start again from the bottom. This will also help in improving the gender pay gap. The more returnships available means more women getting to senior management roles and a higher salary.

Role Models Showcasing more women who are already working in STEM careers will engage and inspire younger generations within schools to choose tech 31% of women agreed in The Women in Technology Survey 2019. They also agreed that there is a responsibility upon employers to encourage a shift in opinions and bring change.

Technology and computing can seem daunting at first but if you have an inquisitive mind and want to know how things work and not just consume them then it’s a rewarding choice. There are so many resources available now to teach yourself like Udemy, Codecademy and Treehouse that are free and can get you started. A knowledgebase is key but, more importantly, the desire and willingness to continually develop and grow will keep you one step ahead.

If you are considering a career in tech or want more information on this subject, please email me at saba@ asiansunday.co.uk

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FINANCE COLUMN

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shabab gulfraz Shabab Gulfraz is our resident financial expert who has been writing for Asian Sunday for more than six years now.

He is an experienced Chartered Financial Planner, and a Chartered MCSI (Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment) accredited Financial Adviser.

Shabab's passion within financial services is working with individuals and businesses with a view to meeting their needs and objectives. The successful professional mainly works with individuals and company directors where they need help to protect their families, managing and growing their wealth privately and within the business, specialist pension advice, maximising tax planning to ensure tax efficiency,

inheritance tax planning, as well as structuring financial planning alongside accountants and solicitors.

In addition to his work in financial services he has a sound understanding of commercial and business legal and financial management issues after qualifying as a post-graduate in law, and later attaining a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) If you have a query relating to your individual/business financial planning situation linked to the areas detailed above, then contact Shabab and he will be happy to have a complimentary discussion with you.

Please contact Shabab by emailing him at Shabab@ sgfinancial.co.uk, or via his mobile: 07494 545 007

Election Special: Party Manifestos And Their Financial Outlook There has been a wide and general consensus that the election on 12 December 2019 is really about Brexit; however, in my opinion the general election has woken up the parties to wider issues relating from Brexit, and it seems political parties are giving away more than they ever have in incentives for people to vote for them. This time round I believe this election is probably one of the most important elections in recent times and could have financial repercussions pending on who you gets your vote.

The main Party’s this week have been releasing their manifestos and will carry on outlining what they feel are their plans for the UK going forward. I guess for me if I look at the three main parties, that is Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrat, they all have financial/ tax strategies that have positive and

negative implications.

Overall, there are many reasons why you vote for a certain party. A key element for many people will be the Party’s pledges on tax, spending and possibly the national finances, and how this will affect you and your family, as well as the country at large.

So, here is what I make of it.

In summary, the Conservative manifesto includes a rise in NI threshold, which I like, as well as a social care promise, and better help for tenants, as well as employment legislation to help workers.

I like the fact that the Conservatives pledge not to increase tax, which will help families on all income levels. I think the Conservatives have been cautious, however ideally,

I would have liked more detailed information on their manifesto.

Labour have within their manifesto added a radical overhaul to tax, which for me is slightly worrying.

I think it is good that those that earn significantly higher amounts should pay more tax, but I dislike the spending patterns displayed because I do not think as a country, we can afford to have a spending spree. I also believe the socialist angle is too much, and as a country it is unsustainable, will put us in more debt, and may tip us into a longterm recession.

In terms of the Liberal Democrats, again just like the Conservatives I would like to see more information.

I like the social care tax of 1p per pound going towards helping the elderly. I dislike the fact they want to increase capital gains tax by

abolishing the tax-free element. This is because modest savers would also need to pay capital gains tax by abolishing this valuable tax allowance. I also think the 500 percent increase on council tax for second homes will impact a significant amount of people who realistically do not have significant

savings. Overall, which ever way you vote my advice would be not to follow the trend, but instead to make a decision based on what you feel is appropriate for you, and your family, as well as generally considering the implications each party will have on the economy of our country.

26

RECIPES

NORTH EAST | DECEMBER 2019

WWW.ASIANSUNDAY.CO.UK

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF ASIAN SUNDAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ABCONNEXIONS

Special Christmas Chicken Biryani

For Chicken Masala

Ingredients • 250 to 300 gm chicken (with or without bones) • 2 cup Basmati rice (or) Seeraga Samba rice (soaked in water for 20 mins) • 3 medium sized onions finely chopped • 3 tomatoes finely chopped • 2 green chilies slit • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste • 1 cup mint leaves • ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves • ¼ tsp turmeric powder • 1 tsp red chili powder • ½ tsp coriander powder (or) chicken masala powder (optional) • 1 cup whisked curd / yogurt • Salt to taste • 4 tbsp cooking oil • 3 cloves • ½ cinnamon stick • 2 to 3 bay leaves • 1 star anise • 2 green cardamom • 1 tsp lemon juice

Me od

1) Marinate chicken pieces with turmeric powder and keep aside for 10 minutes.

2) Heat 4 tbsp oil in a pan or handi.

3) Temper cloves, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf and cardamom.

4) Add ginger-garlic paste and saute a while.

5) Add 1 tbsp curd and cook for a minute on low flame.

6) Add marinated chicken and little salt.

7)Cook it covered on low flame for 10 mins. Remember to not add water, since chicken will cook in its own water.

8) Add chopped onions and green chillies. Cook for a minute.

9) Add chopped tomatoes and mash the pulp.

10) Add mint leaves and coriander leaves. Saute a while.

11) Add red chilli powder, coriander powder and remaining curd.

12) Mix well everything and let it cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer masala to another bowl.

For Rice 1) Soak rice for 20 minutes. Boil 9 cup water in a vessel. Once it starts boiling, add washed & drained rice to it.

2) Add salt to taste, 2 tsp and sprinkle lemon juice. Cook it on medium-low flame till it is half cooked (may take around 8-10 mins).

3) The rice grains will be long & firm but not hard. And the grains will be separate. At this stage, remove from the heat and drain the water completely. Keep it aside.

Simple!

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RECIPES

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Halal Turkey Me od 1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2) Take cashews and place in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until toasted. Remove from heat, and chop.

3) Then Melt 2/3 cup butter in a saucepan. Add the cumin, thyme, cinnamon and paprika. Mix in the orange juice, tangerine juice, and lemon juice. Rub the turkey inside and out with the mixture, reserving some for basting.

4) Season turkey with salt and pepper.

5) In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease. Mix in the rice. Stir in the cashews, pine nuts, raisins, 1/3 cup butter, broth, and apple juice. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

6) Continue cooking until all liquid has been absorbed. Stuff all turkey cavities with the mixture, 7) and tie in place with kitchen twine.

8) Put turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, and cover breast and thighs with aluminum foil.

9) Pour about 1/4 inch water into the bottom of the pan.

10) Roast turkey in the preheated oven 3 to 4 hours, brushing occasionally with remaining butter and juice mixture.

11) Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) during final hour of roasting, and remove foil.

12) Cook turkey to a minimum internal temperature of 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).

Recipes sponsored by www.desikitchen.co.uk

Ingredients • 1 cup cashews • 2/3 cup butter • 1/4 cup orange juice • 1/4 cup tangerine juice • 2/3 cup lemon juice • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon paprika • 1 (10 pound) whole turkey • salt and ground black pepper to taste • 1 pound ground beef • 1/4 cup chopped onion • 1 cup uncooked rice (soaked) • 1/4 cup pine nuts • 1/4 cup raisins (optional) • 1/3 cup butter • 1/2 cup chicken broth • 2 tablespoons apple juice • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

WE ARE ABC

Our mission is to connect, support, and promote the Asian and wider business communities. Looking to start a business, have an existing business or just want to talk business, we can help. We have access to a range of funding opportunities even in these austere times, and can help you potentially secure grants, loans, or even investment. Plus, as an inclusive action-orientated organisation, membership is open to everyone - you don’t have to be Asian!

Connecting

Supporting

Promoting

ABC is the first point of call for all Asian businesses and others wanting to engage with them, locally, nationally and internationally.

With our help you could find funding that is available to a whole host of businesses.

Business running efficiently?

We offer a range of services - PR and Marketing, including website and advert design, Accountancy, Legal all in association with the SME Centre of Excellence.

Receive regular invites to the in hugely popular, sell-out AB-Curry Club events, business seminars and much more.

Exclusive discounts from other member businesses.

Access to discounted business services worth thousands.

Make use of our free business health check!

ABC-Expo where businesses can showcase their services and products. advice on Expert support and ad developing your business to its full potential.

Be one of the first to hear about funding, tendering and training opportunities.

Receive PR, Advertising, Marketing and Business services worth ÂŁ500 Free when you join!

Discounted rates and exclusive opportunities for promoting your business in print, online and on air

ABC will celebrate the work ethics, achievements and cultural diversity of the Asian and wider business community. By establishing a network built upon trust and social inclusion, ABC will ensure that the representation of the Asian and wider business community is fair and equitable.

AS EASY AS ABC Membership starts at only £10 per month and includes £100’s worth of benefits - Various funding available to help your business. If you are looking to start a business or grow and existing one, we can help.

- Discounted rates on meeting rooms, conferencing and events at The SME Centre of Excellence.

- Showcase your business on radio and TV. We have hugely discounted marketing packages with Spice FM and NTV Europe that can reach millions of diverse viewers and listeners across the world.

- Meet Ministers, MP’s, Councillors and High Commissioners from across the world. Learn how Minis to do business with the Indian sub-continent first hand.

- Free initial consultation with a whole host of credible professionals including solicitors, accountants, business development coaches, tendering experts and many more.

- Feature on the hugely popular Show Business Radio show on Spice FM. - Monthly ABC Curry Clubs that are always sold-out and feature prominent and influential individuals from the business and political world.

- Free training for your workforce. Working with training providers to up-skill existing employees and delivering accredited qualifications in all sectors.

SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU!

Our website features on the first page of Google when you search for “Asian Business”. Our members and partners can feature in all of our marketing

EMAIL: info@abconnexions.org | WEB: www.abconnexions.org The Beacon, Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 9PN TEL: 01661 823234 | TWITTER: abconnexions Tune into ABC Show Business each Friday Morning between 9-11 AM - spicefm.co.uk

30

SPORTS

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The New Kids On The Block

NORTH EAST | DECEMBER 2019

By AYYAZ MALIK

ayyaz@asiansunday.co.uk

The world of sport, it has this amazing knack of stirring so many emotions and all at the same time. Tennis is no different. In the men’s game for the past decade, if not slightly longer, three names are always there or thereabout when it comes to the top honours.

Rafael Nadal, Rodger Federer and Novak Djokovic. All are past 30, but this hasn’tstopped this trio reigning supreme and dominating the Grand Slam tournaments for a sustained period of time. There was the fourth member in this elite club, a certain Andy Murray, but sadly injury has affected his career.

Maybe the Scot would return to somewhere he once was, but what counts against the three-time Grand Slam winner is his age. The 32-year old after successfully recovering from hip surgery is competing as a singles competitor on the ATP tour again, but one has to think the ability to compete at the latter stages of The Slams is some way off.

The illustrious trio we mentioned, can’t go on forever. After Stefanos Tsitiapas’ win at the season-ending ATP finals where he beat Dominic Thiem, The Sports Desk takes a look to see if this could be the end of the domination of tennis’ top three players.

Dominic Thiem Austrian Thiem, at 26 years-old is arguably getting towards the peak of his career. A

WWW.ASIANSUNDAY.CO.UK

former world number two in the junior ranks, Thiem has transferred some of that talent into the senior game.

Successive finals in the French Open (2018 and 2019, losing to Rafael Nadal in both finals), is nothing to be ashamed of. Even Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have struggled to topple the King Of Clay.

If there is an area where the Austrian needs to address, it’s sure that the 26-year old hasn’t got to the latter stages of the grass-court tournaments such as Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

The talent is there, and Dominic Thiem has most definitely shown that the man himself and his supporters will be hoping for a better season next season.

consisted of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for too long. For previous winners of the season-ending tournament, it’s not quite happened that way, but the 21year old Greek player will be hoping for better fortunes.

Alexander Zverev Zverev, the 22-year old German won the ATP finals, but sadly as far as this season is concerned, hasn’t quite been able to kick on and compete in the latter stage of tennis’ elite tournaments for whatever reason.

The talent is there, Alexander Zverev is a former world junior number one, but a quarter-final in

the 2018 and 2019 French Open’s is the best the man who now resides in Monte Carlo has on his Grand Slam record.

The hallmarks are there for Alexander Zverev, but maybe a change in mindset will be key in helping the German make the step up to regularly competing with the world’s elite.

So there you have it, our look at some of the world’s best and up and coming talent in the tennis world. These four men, will have their work cut out as the big three’s power in tennis hasn’t waned just yet, but when these men retire, we feel tennis is in good hands moving forward.

Left: Dominic Thiem Right: Roger Federer

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Image Credit: Twitter

The 21-year old Greek is the youngest in the top 10, but the 21-year old has shown promise along the way. Tsitsipas has just recently won the end of tour ATP finals tournament, a tournament where the best eight players in the world play.

Messers Nadal, Federer and Djokovic were in playing attendance, but neither of those players were to come out on top. Instead, it was 21-year old Stefanos Tsitsipas, who resides in the glamour of Monte Carlo these days.

Winning a first major tournament is a monkey off your back and hopefully, this will help propel Tsitsipas into the elite group that has

The Challengers To The Hamilton Throne

By AYYAZ MALIK

ayyaz@asiansunday.co.uk One of the youngest F1 world champion and a six-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton is edging ever closer to not only levelling but beating arguably the greatest F1 driver of all-time Micheal Schumacher’s seven world titles.

It’s argued that Hamilton doesn’t have a competitive field to compete against him, but Ferrari’s Sebastien Vettel is a four-time champion. Even the legendary Schumacher, arguably had a weak field in his era.

In the case of both, there is also a very talented field of racers on the F1 grid, where the championship pedigree of both of these men, meant that the other drivers never had the chance to be world champion, such was the sheer class of Schumacher and now Hamilton The team at Asian Sunday will assess some of the young and upcoming drivers and also the drivers who are more experienced after this season in particular and can sustain a challenge to the six-time world champion next season.

Charles Leclerc (Monaco) -Ferrari When Ferrari announced that Charles LeClerc will be joining the Italian giants, some people would have no doubt raised

eyebrows. The bosses at Ferrari knew that they were doing, out went former world champion Kimi Raikkonen and in came a youngster from Monaco who at the ripe age of 22, has outshone his more esteemed teammate Vettel.

have another driver who’s capable of challenging Lewis Hamilton for next season’s world championship.

A new kid on the block he may be, but Leclerc has won the GP3 Series championship in 2016 and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2017, so the Monaco man even at a young age does know how to win a title or two.

Just like Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen is also 22-years old and also possess a lot of talent. Verstappen, just like Vettel does have a short fuse and this has cost the young Dutchman in the past.

Maybe, a season too early to win the title next season, but if this season is anything to go by, Charles Leclerc will most definitely be a driver who will be in world champion Lewis Hamilton’s rearview mirror.

Sebastien Vettel (German) - Ferrari In the case of the four-time world champion and youngest ever world champion Vettel, here we have one of the most frustrating racing drivers in F1 today. In recent seasons, it was arguably Spain’s former two-time Fernando Alonso, but the former Red Bull racing driver Vettel’s move to Ferrari has gone far from the plan.

He makes this list because it can’t be ignored that the German has four-world titles and the talent is evident for the world to see. What the 32-year old needs to do is to cut out the errors, which has lead to penalty points. If he does that, then we

Max Verstappen (Nederlands) - Red Bull

This season, the Red Bull driver is third in the driver’s standings behind the two Mercedes of Bottas and Hamilton. Verstappen is the youngest ever F1 driver ever to compete in the sport at 17-years old, the Belgian-Dutch racing driver will be hoping he can continue his development and have a closer challenge with the Mercedes next season.

Valtteri Bottas (Finland) - Mercedes Last, but not least on our list is Valtteri Bottas.

The Fin, who was brought in to the Mercedes after Nico Hulkenberg’s shock retirement, has been seen as Lewis Hamilton’s understudy. The former Williams driver has won four races in 2019 and will be hoping to continue his improvement in the up and coming season.

The Fin, who is of course team-mate to six-time world champion Hamilton, will be looking to take advantage of the Mercedes car and put more pressure on his illustrious team-mate.

So there you have it our list for drivers who can challenge Lewis Hamilton next season.

Some of the choices may not be that surprising, but one thing is for sure is that next season has the potential to be a classic. The team at Asian Sunday will keep you up to date with all the action.

Sebastien Vettel Image Credit: Twitter

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WHAT’S ON

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WHAT’S ON IN NORTH EAST Michael Buble Fans in For A Treat as Singer Announces Outdoor Gig in North East

Yes, it’s true canadian star Michael Buble will play outdoor concert at Durham Cricket Club’s Chester-le-Street ground next summer.

He’ll be bringing his “Evening with Michael Buble” tour to the Emirates Riverside on Saturday, August 1.

It’s a welcome return to the region for Buble, who played to two packed houses at the Newcastle Utilita Arena over the weekend.

Buble has already completed six sold-out world tours, won four Grammy Awards and

sold over 60m records over the course of his career.

His Evening with Michael Buble tour - in support of his 10th album Love - has kept the singer busy for months, on the road from the US to the UK and Europe General tickets aegpresents.co.uk.

are

available

from

Hospitality Packages will be announced in due course.

Dua Lipa and Stormzy to Tour at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena Next Summer Global superstars Dua Lipa and Stormzy have both confirmed gigs in the North east on their upcoming tours.

Arena on her Future Nostalgia tour before grime artist Stormzy heads for the same venue in September.

Summer next year, 2020, will see pop superstar Dua head for Newcastle’s Utilita

Tickets for both shows are on sale with prices starting at £39.40.

Tickets: From £39.40

SUMMER NEXT YEAR, 2020

One for the Kids: PAW Patrol Live! to return to Newcastle Arena with ‘Race to the Rescue’ Paw Patrol's characters are returning to Newcastle Arena for a new adventure called Race to the Rescue.

The superhit animated series on Nickleodeon is set to come to life on stage with an action-packed, high-energy, musical adventure. In it, Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found, so it's down to the pups to save the day. Ryder, Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma, Skye and Everest will all be taking to the stage at Paw Patrol Live Race to the Rescue, for three shows at Newcastle Arena on Sunday July 5, at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm. The 4.30 performance will include British Sign Language.

Featuring a cast of everybody’s favourite PAW Patrol characters and presented by Life Like Touring, VStar

Entertainment Group and Nickelodeon, PAW Patrol Live! shows that “no job is too big, no pup is too small” and shares lessons for all ages about citizenship, social skills and problem-solving as the characters each use their unique skills and teamwork.

Classic theatrical scenery along with a high-tech video wall visually transports families to popular locations from the TV series, like Adventure Bay, The Lookout, Seal Island, Farmer Yumi’s Farm and Jake’s Mountain. During the show, the audience has the opportunity to participate in the adventure and become a part of the PAW Patrol Cheer Team.

Tickets are on sale and are available from Ticketmaster, the Utilita website.

SUNDAY JULY 5, AT 10.30AM, 1.30PM AND 4.30PM

ASIAN SUNDAY NEWSPAPER IS PUBLISHED BY RF PUBLISHING LTD. CO REG NO.9615401 HQ : 5 GREEN STREET | LITTLE GERMANY | BRADFORD | BD1 5HG T: 01274 735 657 PRINTED BY REACH PRINTING SERVICES COPYRIGHT 2019