Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire, Wales) based online gift-shop “Wisdom Wares” removed socks carrying images of Hindu Lord...
The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving...
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European Heavyweight Champion Boxer Kash Ali and Tyson Fury/Anthony Joshua’s sparring partner Richard Towers visited the residence of UK Global Youth Ambassador and Crimestoppers Chair Zaf. Another person who was present alongside Zaf’s son was Zaf’s brother in law Shazad Khan. Shazad has been fairly active in the community recently and has always been available to talk to vulnerable youths who are on the verge of turning to crime.
Shazad has a big passion working out and always volunteers if anyone needs any guidance at the gym. The Boxers spoke about their experience in the sport and generally how they have engaged with the community through giving time to others. Richard Towers spoke about his experience in prison and how that made him a stronger person. “I had to fight to survive and being a big guy people thought they can put me down but i learnt the hard way that you have to fight to survive. I used all the negativity which was surrounded around me and became a better person. Now I can tell my story to everyone and it’s a pleasure talking to students earlier today at South and City College.” Kash Ali” I love talking to youths and it’s always pleasing when people recognise you for giving something back to the community.”
Proposals to deliver much-needed family housing have taken a step forward today after a variation to planning permission was granted for new homes at the Perry Barr Residential Scheme (PBRS).
As a result of the decision taken back in 2020 to progress directly to the legacy use of the first phase of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme, the project team were able to reflect upon the most suitable way forward for the site plots where work had not yet commenced.
Under the plans approved today by the council’s Planning Committee, the site’s three plots that were always earmarked for family housing will now be delivered in a way which will provide a more diverse range of homes for people.
The total number of homes on the three plots has been increased from 58 to 84, helping meet the city’s clearly-established demand for quality family housing.
Instead of building predominantly four-bedroomed properties, the changes mean the council, as the project developer, will now deliver a more balanced mix of two, three, four and five-bed homes.
Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “It’s great to see the progress that has been made to improve Perry Barr in recent years. As someone born and brought up in the area, I know how much this investment was needed and how it will massively benefit local communities.
“We’ve listened to feedback and will now deliver a more relevant and diverse mix of homes as part of the ongoing regeneration of the area.
“Coupled with the other improvements, such as upgraded public transport links and the stunning redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium, Perry Barr is an area that people are increasingly proud to live in and is quickly becoming a destination people want to relocate to and visit.”
The variation to the planning permis-
sion also covers a tweak to homes that will be built in the coming years at another plot on the site.
The site in question (known as Plot 10) will see a reduction from 209 to 183 homes, but there will now be a greater variety of apartments (ranging from one to five bedrooms instead of the initially planned one and two-bed apartments).
Overall, the number of homes across the entirety of phase one remains unchanged at 1,414, with further minor amends to other undeveloped plots ensuring the overall scheme adheres to the wider planning consent.
And in recognition of the need for more larger family homes, the council’s leadership has previously stated its intention to deliver and enable the supply of more such properties as part of subsequent phases of the wider generation of Perry Barr, as per the Perry Barr 2040 Masterplan.
Cllr Jayne Francis, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, added: “The need for high-quality housing is well-documented in Birmingham and across the country.
“Thanks to our bold ambition in successfully bidding to host the Commonwealth Games, we were able to attract investment and support that boosted our efforts to deliver new homes in north-west Birmingham.
“It’s really encouraging that our team working on this ambitious scheme has been able to look at how we can be creative and reshape aspects of the initial plans to ensure we are providing a mixture of homes that are more relevant for the people of city. I can’t wait to see these homes developed and for Perry Barr to thrive in the years to come.”
The new planning permission comes just weeks after the first 968 homes at PBRS were formally completed, ahead of the first properties being occupied later this year.
To find out more about the recentlycompleted homes, visit: www.perrybarrresidential.co.uk
Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the 6th largest jewellery retailer globally, has launched their new showroom in the UK in East Shopping Centre, London. This marks the global jewellery brand’s expansion into its 11th country of operation and its first foray into the European continent. Malabar Gold & Diamonds currently has an extensive retail presence of 320 showrooms in India, the UAE, the KSA, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, the USA & the UK.
The inauguration of the new showroom was conducted by Ms. Lyn Brown, Member of Parliament for West Ham and Shadow Minister for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs , in the presence of Mr. Abdul Salam K P, Vice Chairman of Malabar Group, Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, International Operations Managing Director of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Mr. Faisal A K, Head of Manufacturing at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Mr. Mohammed Ziad, UK & Europe Operations Head, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Mr. Febin Hakkeem, Assistant Branch Head, Malabar Gold & Diamonds Mr. Unmesh Desai, Member of London Assembly, Mr. James Asser, Deputy Mayor of New Ham, other senior Malabar Gold & Diamonds management team members, customers and well-wishers.
“We are immensely proud to launch our inaugural showroom in Europe, in London. What began as a single jewellery showroom in 1993 has now grown into an expansive global enterprise spanning 11 countries. Our dedication to delivering an exceptional jewellery shopping experience, encompassing top-quality products and exemplary service, has been the driving force behind our ascent as the premier Indian international jewelry retailer. As we mark the 30th anniversary of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, we are one step closer to our dream of being crowned as the world’s largest jewellery retailer. We express heartfelt appreciation to our customers, shareholders, team members, and associates for their invaluable support throughout the years, as they have been an integral part of our journey.”, commented Mr. M.P Ahammed, Chairman
of Malabar Group.
The showroom in London, which is in the East shopping centre on Green Street, will house a wide collection of gold, diamond and precious gem jewellery in addition to exclusive brands and collections curated by Malabar Gold & Diamonds from over 15 countries. The new store will also showcase an extensive collection of bridal jewelry, alongside a wide range of options for occasional wear, daily wear & office wear.
“The new showroom in London not only marks a significant milestone for Malabar Gold & Diamonds but also carries immense importance of being the cornerstone for our growth aspirations in the region and play a pivotal role in shaping our future endeavors and fostering growth throughout the European continent. Over the years, we have catered to the needs of customers residing in the UK and Europe through our diverse array of stores located in India and the Middle East. The persistent demand from our customers for a physical presence in Europe has led us to establish our presence in the region as a priority. In addition to crafting a unique experience for jewellery lovers in London, we also aim to leverage our experience of adorning over 10 million brides to redefine and make bridal jewellery shopping more accessible and convenient in Europe.”, commented Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, Managing Director – International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds.
“Upholding the motto of ‘Make in India; Market to the world’, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has been instrumental in the proliferation of Indian jewellery at the global stage; crafting, promoting, and selling jewellery that is an intersection of Indian art, heritage, culture and tradition to a global audience. Our expansion into the United Kingdom signifies a significant step in this direction. The ambitious and exciting plans that we have laid out for the future include strengthening our retail presence in existing markets, as well as expansion into new markets such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, Egypt, Bangladesh, Turkey and New Zealand,”, commented Mr. Abdul Salam
K.P, Vice-Chairman of Malabar Group. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has consistently demonstrated a commitment to adapt its operations and practices to the evolving technological and business landscape. To enhance overall efficiency and provide exceptional and differentiated service to our customers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has embarked on a journey of technological advancement, transforming into a technologydriven organization with omnichannel retail capability. To achieve this, they have formed strategic partnerships with renowned global technology giants such as Microsoft, IBM, Accenture, E&Y, and Deloitte.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds is renowned globally for offering an unparalleled jewellery buying experience with convenience, and customer-friendly policies along with the ‘Malabar Promise’ of incomparable quality and service assurance. Malabar Promise includes a transparent price tag indicating stone weight, net weight and stone charge of the jewellery, assured lifetime maintenance from any of the showrooms across 11 countries, guaranteed buyback, IGI and GIA-certified diamonds ensuring 28-point quality check of global standards, 100% value on gold exchange, 100% value on diamond exchange, jewellery exchange within 15 days, 100% UK hallmarked jewellery, responsible sourcing, fair price policy, and fair labour practices.
ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) has been a primary commitment of Malabar Group since its inception in 1993, setting 5% of its net profits towards such causes in every region of operation. The group operates on the strong belief that the most successful companies are the ones that integrate responsibility and sustainability into their core business. The key focus areas of Malabar Group’s ESG initiatives are Health, Housing, Hunger Eradication, Education, Environment & Women empowerment. The group periodically strengthens its ESG goals to remain a socially conscious and responsible organization.
The money was raised in partnership with Hayward and Cook – a local scrap metal merchant that removed materials from the council’s Montague Street waste depot as part of the transfer of services to the new Atlas Works depot, opened earlier this month.
And the idea of donating to the hospital was suggested by Street Scene Service Manager Wayne Chivers – whose nine-year-oldgranddaughter Penny was a patient there, having had a kidney transplant.
The funds will go towards Birmingham Children Hospital Charity’s £1.5million iMRI Appeal, to bring intraoperative MRI technology to the hospital, which will transform life-changing brain surgery.
Currently the hospital’s neurosurgeons rely on pre-operative images to identify tumours in a patient’s brain. During surgery the brain, which is soft, will change shape. This means, very quickly, the pre-operative information becomes outdated, making it less reliable. With iMRI technology, an MRI scanner is moved directly to a patient on an operating table, or a patient to the scanner, to ensure surgeons can obtain ‘live’ and up-to-date information about the position of the tumour.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital is the only major paediatric neurosurgical centre in the UK without an iMRI scanner. The £1.5million iMRI Appeal will bring this state-of-theart technology to patients for the first time.
Stuart Powell, father of Penny, said: “As a family, we’ve done a bit of fundraising over the years for the Children’s Hospital, so when her grandfather suggested this through his work contacts, we thought it was an amazing idea and a wonderful gesture from all concerned.
Approximately 120 tonnes of metal was recycled by Haywood and Cook – who topped up the amount generated from the materials to the round figure of £5,000.
Spencer Bailey, the firm’s director, said: “It’s a great cause and when we were asked to help with the removal of materials from the council’s old depot, this charitable donation was something we were delighted to assist with.”
The funds were ceremonially handed over during a cheque presentation ceremony at the hospital on Tuesday (May 30).
Will Graves, regional fundraiser at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to the council, Haywood and Cook, as well as Wayne, Stephen and Penny for raising funds for our hospital and, in particular, for our iMRI Appeal.
“The need for state-of-the-art intraoperative MRI technology is simple. It allows our neurosurgeons to accurately and confidently identify, during a surgical procedure, whether they have removed all the tumour, right when they need the information the most. It will make a massive difference to so many of our young patients with tumours and epilepsy, as well as their families, who so often have to wait longer than they should to find out if the surgery has been successful.”
Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment at Birmingham City Council, was also on hand for the ceremony. He added: “It’s great that the council has been able to support such a worthy cause in this way.
“The opening of our new super-depot at Atlas Works is all about delivering the best possible street scene services for the people of Birmingham – but we are always looking at how such projects can deliver a wider community benefit.
“This donation is a great example of how we can enable positive things for our valued partners such as the NHS.”
Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire, Wales) based online gift-shop “Wisdom Wares” removed socks carrying images of Hindu deity Lord Ganesha; after Hindus protested calling these “highly inappropriate”.
“Hop Hare Bamboo Socks –Ganesha”, which were earlier selling at £7.95, were absent from “Wisdom Wares” website when searched today. “No results found for “Ganesha””, it pointed out.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked “Wisdom Wares” for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which felt that such a product was insensitive. We were, however, still waiting for the formal apology from “Wisdom Wares”, he added.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, had said that Lord Ganesha was highly revered
in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to adorn one’s legs/feet/ankles/ calves or absorb sweat. Inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devo-
tees.
Online retailers should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of the immensely venerated Lord Ganesha to be treated like this; Rajan Zed had emphasized.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed had noted.
Rajan Zed had stated that Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers.
“Wisdom Wares”, whose tagline is “Gifts from around the world, Handmade with love.”, had mentioned that “Our socks refer to mysticism, beliefs, traditions and experiences.”
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
t More than 2 in 3 (68%) UK drivers said their hay fever has impacted their driving. And almost 1 in 5 (17%) said they were caught in an accident or near miss, research reveals.
● Drivers who suffer from hay fever see their allergy peak during the summer
● Almost 1 in 4 (24%) of those surveyed find their hay fever impacts their vision while driving
● More than 4 in 5 (85%) of those involved in an accident saw further impact, including an increase to their insurance costs or motoring convictions
● Piriton proves most popular antihistamine among those surveyed to keep allergy symptoms at bay –but the medication used in this this could be risky for those behind the wheel
● Louise Thomas, Confused.com motor insurance expert helps drivers understand the impact of medication on drug driving laws
r many Brits, hay fever is a sign of the beginning of sunny weather –although a less welcome side effect, sure. But it’s also one that could be putting motorists at risk of an accident, new research reveals.
A survey by Confused.com of 1,500 UK motorists with hay fever found that it caused more than 2 in 3 (68%) to have a negative impact on their driving. And for many, this has led to a potentially dangerous situation, as almost 1 in 5 (17%) have experienced an accident or near-miss as a result.
Hay fever affects almost 1 in 2 people at some point in their life(1) and can make them feel unwell during the most enjoyable seasons of the year. In fact, almost half (49%) of those surveyed see their symptoms peak during the summer months. And for most, these symptoms come in the form of sneezing (72%), itchy or watery eyes (68%) or a running or blocked nose (63%).
But some motorists have also reported side effects of the allergy that are more concerning, especially while driving. Of those surveyed who saw a negative impact on their driving ability, almost 1 in 4 (23%) said that sneezing and coughing impacted their vision. One in 5 (21%) also reported a lack of concentration while driving, and a further 17% have felt dizziness or lightheadedness.
While these are all uncomfortable at the best of times, trying to tackle this while driving can be tricky. Of those who’ve had an accident or near miss due to hay fever, the most cases (37%) were losing control of the car from coughing or sneezing.
known to cause drowsiness, it’s no surprise that more than a quarter (27%) also found their reactions and coordination delayed. And so understanding how to keep the symptoms at bay would certainly be beneficial. For many, the most popular way to do this is choosing medication to keep their symptoms at bay.
However, this can be risky, especially when choosing stronger medication. While most off-the-shelf or over-the-counter options are safe, some also have a sedating effect. And these should be avoided if you’re driving. Diphenhydramine and Chlorphenamine(2) are among the most common types that could have this effect, with chlorphenamine being the main medicine found in Piriton. So it’s worrying that this is the most popular brand used by the allergy sufferers, with 39% having taken it before driving.
With many people choosing this medication, it’s perhaps no surprise that they found their driving ability to be compromised. And experts urge motorists to choose non-drowsy alternatives if they’re getting behind the wheel. If you’re seen to be impacted by medication, this could lead to a conviction for drug driving if found to be driving dangerously. Confused.com’s experts have outlined drug driving laws, including which prescription medication should be avoided if you’re driving.
Being involved in an accident or near-miss can be a distressing time, especially when it’s considered out of your control. But more than 4 in 5 (85%) saw further consequences to the incident. Almost a third (32%) said their insurance costs increased, perhaps as a result of needing to make a claim. And almost 1 in 3 (30%) had points on their licence, or a fine (23%). It’s clear that this allergy is causing some financial impact on drivers, especially during a challenging economic time.
Taking measures to keep hay fever symptoms at bay not only makes it more comfortable for sufferers, but could keep them safe while driving too. But a sneeze or cough can’t be helped. If drivers find their symptoms too severe, then stopping until they pass will make sure they’re not in a dangerous situation.
“Sneezing or coughing behind the wheel can cause you to swerve or lose control of the car, and this can be unavoidable. But if you feel a sneeze of cough coming, try to slow down and be aware of any traffic or hazards ahead of you.
“But the other risk is taking certain medications before you drive. This can have a sedating effect, which could land you in trouble with the law if it impacts your driving ability. Always read the label or speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure if your usual medication is considered to be unsafe for driving. They should point you to an alternative.
“Hay fever can’t be avoided, and it’s a real pain for those who suffer. But taking the right measures before driving can keep you safe while on the road.”
In the last three years, 465 incidents of road worker abuse have been reported in Birmingham.
That’s why organisations and companies that work to improve Birmingham’s roads are launching their new campaign
Expect Respect – to urge the public to respect its road workers.
The incidents include residents threatening road workers with weapons, such as machetes, crossbows and dogs. A driver threatened to chop off an operative’s head with an electric handsaw unless he was allowed through a closed road. One worker was shot at with a pellet gun, while another regularly receives homophobic abuse.
Road workers are there to do a critical job to improve the roads and environment for communities living in the city, and every single person deserves to go home to their families safe and well at the end of each shift.
One in 4 (25%) also found they lost control because their vision was compromised. As hay fever is
comments:
Louise Thomas, Confused.com motor insurance expert“We’re not at the peak time of year where hay fever sufferers are hit hard with their symptoms, and these are uncomfortable at the best of times. However, it’s clear that this is also impacting them while driving, with consequences like an accident or near-miss a common occurrence for many.
Kier Highways site supervisor, Paul, said: “The people I work with are not confrontational. They are good people, there to do a job that they have been instructed to do. Yet they have been threatened with machetes, shot at, driven at, had things thrown at them.
“And what for? Just because somebody wants to drive down the road that must be closed for safety reasons?
“Road workers are there to do a job and earn a living. We should respect that and afford the people in these jobs the right to earn that living.”
Expect Respect features stories from five different operatives who work across Birmingham. They each tell their lived experience of abuse and call on the public to make a change to their behaviour.
The campaign has been launched by the Integrated Programme Alliance (IPA), which delivers vital network improvement works across the city and was established by Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Highways Ltd, together with Kier, Arcadis, Tarmac, Highway Traffic Management (HTM) and WJ Group.
It is also supported by Councillor Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council.
Cllr Clements said: “Everyone working on our highways network is doing an important job – and all of their tasks are carried out for the people of our city and those using our roads.
“That is why it is totally unacceptable that they are subject to any form of abuse. Some of the incidents that have been reported are shocking and horrific, which is exactly why I back this campaign.”
Birmingham Highways Ltd (BHL) manages and maintains the roads in the city.
To support road workers and to provide the police with better evidence, BHL has
invested in CCTV towers, body cameras and warning systems to alert workers when people or vehicles enter a live work site.
Dave Pugh, Technical Director at Birmingham Highways Limited, added:
“Over 800 people across our IPA teams are working hard to improve the standards of the roads in Birmingham, and they deserve our respect. The work they do is vital to the safety and efficiency of our roads, and we hope that the proud people of Birmingham will support our workers and call out any incidences of abuse or assault to collectively help stamp out this shocking behaviour.”
Road workers on the contract receive regular training on public interactions and how to keep these positive, as well as incident reporting training and these messages are being reinforced throughout the campaign. Should a resident wish to raise an incident about a road worker and their conduct, they should do so via the website.
A digital NHS Health Check that will deliver one million checks is to be rolled out across England from next spring, the government has announced.
The current NHS Health Check has helped to prevent heart attacks and strokes and is currently a face to face check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. Commissioned by local authorities and largely delivered through GP surgeries, it can help spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.
Around 1.3 million health checks are delivered each year, identifying 315,000 people living with obesity and 33,000 cases of hypertension, and preventing over 400 heart attacks and strokes.
From spring 2024 the new digital check will operate alongside the existing inperson NHS Health Check – and is expected to deliver an additional one million checks over 4 years, while easing pressure on GP surgeries.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:
Thousands of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented every year through simple health checks, which would save lives and ease pressure on the NHS. This new digital check-up will mean people can do simple tests and get tailored advice from homes while reducing pres-
sure on GP services.
This programme is the latest example of how we are using technology to cut waiting times, one of the government’s 5 priorities, improve diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiovascular disease is the second biggest killer in England and affects around 6.4 million people. The new digital check will help to identify 200,000 people who could benefit from the use of statins, 30,000 cases of hypertension – persistently high blood pressure – and prevent around 400 heart attacks and strokes over the first 4 years.
Each digital check could save an estimated 20 minutes of NHS time – potentially freeing up hundreds of thousands of ap-
pointments in primary care and helping cut NHS waiting times.
Patients will be able to access the digital health check via a mobile phone, tablet or computer. They will complete an online questionnaire, enter height, weight and blood pressure measurements, and the results of a blood test.
The results will be available online and direct people to personalised advice to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, as well as advice to stop smoking and weight management support where appropriate. Referrals to GPs will only be made if further tests and treatment are needed – helping to reduce demand on GP services.
The rollout builds on the other technological initiatives the government is exploring. These include the pilot of the Better Health: Rewards app in Wolverhampton which incentivises people to eat better and move more. The results from the NHS Digital Health Check trial in Cornwall will inform next spring’s rollout.
Ahead of the NHS’s 75th birthday next week the announcement forms part of plans to equip the NHS with the latest tools to keep people healthier for longer, save staff time and ease pressures on services.
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:
Millions of people in England are living with conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol that, if left untreated, significantly increase the risk of a potentially deadly heart attack or stroke. This initiative will help to reach more people and encourage them to get their blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked so that, where necessary, healthcare professionals can work with them to manage their condition. This could play an important role in helping people live healthier for longer and saving lives in the coming years, while reducing pressure on the NHS.
The commitment to deliver a digital check follows a recommendation from the 2021 NHS Health Check review, led by Professor John Deanfield CBE, who in March this year was appointed by the Secretary of State as the first Government Champion for Personalised Prevention. In his new role, Professor Deanfield is developing an ambitious new personalised prevention vision to empower people to manage their heart health, helping them to stay healthy and well throughout their life.
Juliet Bouverie OBE, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said: Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and one of the biggest killers. We welcome this new digital means of checking and managing your risk of stroke, alongside the option of in-person NHS Health Checks.
High blood pressure contributes to around half of all strokes, and 500,000 people are living with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation – both conditions that are treatable.
Blood pressure checks and pulse checks are essential parts of the NHS Health Check, to accurately detect, treat and manage stroke risk in those age 40 to 74, and stop these conditions leading to a life-changing stroke.
THE MENOPAUSE ETHNICITY GAP: ONE IN TWO WOMEN FROM ETHNIC MINORITY BACKGROUNDS DO NOT FEEL PART OF THE MENOPAUSE CONVERSATION
• – 26 per cent of women from minority ethnic backgrounds say support not for them –
• – Holland & Barrett launches multilanguage support service for menopause –
New research reveals inequality in menopause support with 51 per cent of women from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds saying that current advice is not representative and too focussed on the experience of white women. A quarter of women (26 per cent) from minority ethnic communities say they find it difficult to access menopause support relevant to their specific backgrounds.
In response to this research, Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, is continuing its menopause campaign work to make “every menopause matter”. Alongside support from Olympian and menopause campaigner, Michelle Griffith Robinson and expert, Meera Bhogal, the retailer is launching several new initiatives to make its information and support on menopause more inclusive by offering more diverse and personalised advice and content, tailored to different needs.
Almost a third (31 per cent) believe being able to speak to a female healthcare professional of the same ethnicity as them would have made a difference to their menopause experience. Fifteen per cent go as far as saying that communicating in their native language would have made a positive difference.
Based on these findings, Holland and
Barrett is the first retailer to launch a free, multi-language menopause online consultation service. The service will see trained H&B menopause advisors offering guidance and symptom support in multiple languages, starting with Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati and Punjabi.
Cross-cultural research shows a person’s race and cultural background may impact how a woman may feel about menopause, the severity of their symptoms, when the symptoms might start, and even how long they will last, for example – on average, black women start menopause two years earlier than their white European counterparts and will typically reach menopause aged 49. A SWAN study found that for black women, symptoms
such as hot flushes and night sweats are more often severe and last longer than those in white, European women. The symptoms in Asian women are different again.
Recognising the need for a more tailored approach, all 4,000 H&B colleagues have also had extended training to help better advise on menopause symptoms and solutions.
Lina Chan, Director of Women’s Health at H&B, comments: “We have long supported women’s wellness and while a lot of work has taken place to break the taboo surrounding menopause, our customers have told us there’s still much more to do to represent every woman’s experience. That’s why we’ve worked
with our colleagues, and leading campaigners such as Menopause Mandate and Wellbeing of Women to look at simple ways we can help all women to be heard and supported, both through H&B and out in the communities we serve. We know there is more to do to make the menopause conversation truly inclusive of all experiences, and this is our next step on that journey.”
Menopause expert, Meera Bhogal, says: “In the South Asian community, women’s health isn’t talked about generally, so when I started experiencing perimenopausal symptoms at 40, I had no clue what was happening to me. I wish I had been equipped with the right information, which is why I really welcome the
steps H&B is taking. I really want to help remove the stigma of the menopause and open-up conversations and help women from all communities be able to access the advice and support they need.”
As part of H&B’s Every Menopause Matters campaign, customers will find menopause content online in different languages, and in a pilot, its ad campaign will be translated in Punjabi to reach and support a wider community of women for whom language may be a barrier.
The retailer has also partnered with leading women’s health charity, Wellbeing of Women, to launch ‘The Women’s Health Community Fund’ which will provide resources to individuals and groups in under-served communities with a specific focus on those from lower income families, ethnically diverse communities, those with disabilities and LGBTQ+, to raise awareness and provide information on menopause in the way that best reaches and serves the needs of their community.
Janet Lindsay, CEO, Wellbeing of Women, said: “We are excited to be working with Holland & Barrett to launch the Women’s Health Community Fund. By providing grants to people from underserved groups, we hope it will give them the resources needed to help improve awareness, education and support on the menopause in their communities. “There are stark inequalities for women and people when accessing menopause information and care which are generally not designed to meet the particular needs of Black, Asian or other ethnic minority groups, as well as those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities and LGBTQ+. We look forward to collaborating with communities throughout the UK to help ensure no woman or person is left behind when it comes to the menopause.”
The UK is committed to working with Bangladesh to create a trade and investment relationship that will create jobs and grow both economies. The total trade in goods and services between the UK and Bangladesh reached a record £4.7 billion at the end of 2022.
Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston said
“The UK has a strong and enduring relationship with Bangladesh, and our trade with the country has grown significantly over the past year.
This new package of UK support will provide food, water, and sanitation to Rohingya refugees, and child protection services to refugees and neighbouring host communities. It will also provide support to communities across Bangladesh affected by major natural disasters, such as floods and cyclones, if they occur.
Implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and START Fund Bangladesh, this support responds to ongoing needs in the Rohingya camps and host communities, and the potential for disasters to severely impact people across Bangladesh.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, announced this UK support during her first visit to Cox’s Bazar as High Commissioner, and said:
“The UK stands with Rohingya refugees and all communities affected by disasters across Bangladesh.
I am pleased to announce this new package of £11.6 million of UK support to respond to humanitarian needs across the country.
“The UK thanks Bangladesh for its continued hosting of Rohingya refugees and remains committed to supporting the Government to find a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis. In the interim, we are providing vital humanitarian
services through this support, including £8m of food support following the deeply concerning ration cuts in the camps earlier this year.
“This new package of support will also help Bangladeshi communities across the country respond to the impact of natural disasters, which can devastate wellbeing and livelihoods. This builds on the Government of Bangladesh’s impressive work in this area, and the UK’s longstanding support to disaster preparedness and response in Bangladesh.”
This new UK support includes:
£8m to WFP to provide food to 546,100 Rohingya refugees this year.
£2m to UNICEF to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene services to 46,000 Rohingya refugees, and child protection services to 5,700 refugees and host communities this year.
£1.6m to START Fund
Bangladesh to provide humanitarian support to people affected by disasters across Bangladesh over the next two years, if they occur. This is expected to reach around 53,000 people, subject to impact of any disasters.
Since 2017, the UK has provided £362 million of humanitarian support to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
“My first visit here demonstrates the UK’s strong ambition to work with Bangladesh to achieve an enhanced trade and investment relationship. I look forward to working with the Government of Bangladesh on increasing mutual prosperity by addressing barriers to market access and trade.”
Minister Huddleston will meet Salman F Rahman MP, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Honourable Prime Min-
ister Sheikh Hasina. They will discuss the Aviation Trade and Investment Partnership, signed by the UK and Bangladesh in May 2023, which will strengthen Bangladesh’s aviation sector and create jobs in both countries.
The Minister will also meet Tipu Munshi MP, Honourable Commerce Minister, to discuss the UK’s world-leading Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which came into force last month, and makes it easier for Bangladesh to trade with the UK. Bangladeshi exporters now
benefit from simpler and more generous Rules of Origin, which means that they are able to produce goods using components from many more countries and still export these with zero tariffs to the UK. Following the joint communique on Aviation Trade & Investment Partnership, Minister Huddleston will meet Mahbub Ali MP, Honourable State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism. Discussions will focus on the UK’s offer to helping Bangladesh realise its ambition of becoming the next aviation hub in South Asia.
The Minister will meet His Highness
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, to build upon the recent UK-UAE Strategic Dialogue in London last month, engage on shared priorities ahead of COP28, and to discuss cooperation on shared regional security issues including Iran and Syria.
Lord Ahmad will also visit the Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith complex in Abu Dhabi which houses the St Francis Church, Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, as part of his longstanding work on freedom of religion and belief.
Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Lord Ahmad said: I am delighted to be in the UAE – my first visit to the country as Minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa – to strengthen the UK and UAE’s partnership.
I look forward to meeting with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to build upon our shared priorities, including the recent inaugural UKUAE Strategic Dialogue, the ambitious Partnership of the Future, COP28 and
The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has recommended putting a new trade remedy measure in place to protect the UK’s optical fibre cable industry from harm caused by low-priced imports from China.
Optical fibre cable is used in the delivery of broadband services to homes and businesses. The TRA has been investigating whether imports of these products are being dumped in the UK at prices below what they would sell for in their home country.
The TRA’s initial conclusions are published on its public file in a Statement of Essential Facts (SEF). Interested parties to the case can register to comment on the findings and submit any additional evidence. The TRA will then assess any additional information and submit its final recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business & Trade for a decision.
regional issues.
The UAE has a crucial role to play on the world stage – including as a key partner for the UK through its membership of the UN Security Council and as hosts of COP28 later this year. It is vital that we continue to build momentum and strengthen collaboration in important areas including education, climate and development, life sciences and tackling illicit finance.
I also look forward to visiting the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. The interfaith complex, which houses the Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque, St Francis Church and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, is a reminder that we must never be complacent on protecting freedom of religion and belief.
Around 5.7 million fibre kilometres of optical fibre cable was sold in the UK in 2021, including UK producer sales and imported goods and the UK market is expected to grow over the next five years. This rise is expected to be driven by network upgrades as demand for broadband increases as well as the Government’s investment in broadband infrastructure, such as Project Gigabit – a £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access faster broadband. The TRA has estimated that UK-produced optical fibre accounts for around half of all UK consumption, with the rest of the market supplied by imports from China, India, the US, Poland and Germany. During its investigation, the TRA determined that there is already damage to the UK industry, having found clear evidence of price undercutting, indicating that UK
businesses are struggling to compete with the dumped imports. The TRA therefore recommended that the Secretary of State for International Trade put in place a provisional measure on these imports while it completes its investigation.
TRA Chief Executive Oliver Griffiths said:
“Optical fibre cable provides higher speeds and bandwidth and as such plays an important role in meeting the UK’s internet needs. The interim measures the TRA has recommended will ensure UK producers are able to compete with imports and are able to continue supplying this vital growth industry.”
The investigation was carried out in response to an application from a UK manufacturer and information was gathered from interested parties to establish whether imports had been dumped in the UK at prices below their normal value and whether this was harming the UK industry. The TRA also carried out an Economic Interest Test (EIT) to assess if it would be in the UK’s economic interest to put in place a trade remedy measure in the form of a tariff at the border, to mitigate any injury from the imports.
Under the new provisional measure, importers will need to provide a guarantee (in the form of cash, bond or bank guarantee) to HM Revenue and Customs that shows they can pay the duty that they may ultimately be required to pay on imports of these goods. This will help make sure UK businesses that make similar goods don’t suffer further damage from these imports while the TRA completes its investigation.
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomes the Crown Prince of Bahrain HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to 10 Downing Street.
The Prime Minister hosted Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, at Downing Street for a bilateral meeting.
The leaders welcomed the signing of a new Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership today between the UK and Bahrain. The agreement aims to facilitate additional investment of more than £1 billion into the UK, support the diversification of Bahrain’s economy and drive greater cooperation between our countries in clean technology, business services and
manufacturing.
The Prime Minister said the agreement marks the next chapter the historic and close relationship between the UK and Bahrain, which spans security, defence and trade.
The leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, noting the threat to international stability and norms posed by Russia’s invasion, and agreed on the importance of a strong united stance in the face of Iran’s destabilising regional activity.
The Prime Minister also welcomed progress on domestic reforms in Bahrain, particularly in relation to the judiciary and legal process, and looked forward to working closely with the Crown Prince on our shared priorities going forward.
UK government backing has enabled a financing package of €422 million – equivalent to £373 million – for transformational infrastructure projects driven by UK exporters across Zanzibar, Tanzania. The financing was underwritten by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency, and enables two major projects: a historic upgrade to Pemba Airport – the smaller of two airports on the Zanzibar archipelago – and improvements to 103km of roads which will support connectivity and prosperity across Pemba and Unguja islands.
UKEF worked with Citi to unlock €180 million in loans for the airport upgrade and with Deutsche Bank to enable €242 million in loans for the road improvements. These projects will be completed through strategic joint ventures, with Propav Infraestructuras leading and collaborating with Mecco Ltd.
The terms of UKEF’s backing mean that these major projects are expected to create over £100 million in export opportunities for UK companies. This is a significant
achievement in the context of UK exports to the whole of Tanzania, which totaled £275 million last year. This development will be a boost for the UK’s construction sector in particular, supporting this government’s priority of growing the economy.
The deal also comes following the introduction last month of the UK’s new post-Brexit Develop-
ing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The Scheme removes or reduces tariffs on UK trade with 65 countries that are home to over 3.3 billion people, including Tanzania. This allows developing countries greater access to the UK market than was possible under previous, EU-led regulatory frameworks.
High Commissioner Charles Hay and Minister Tengku Zafrul on the stage.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay hosted a grand reception to mark His Majesty King Charles III’s 75th birthday and celebrating the longstanding UK-Malaysia relationship. The guest of honour representing the Malaysian Government was Tengku Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry.
In previous years, the UK Mission hosted The Queen’s Birthday Party annually to engage and thank key stakeholders in Malaysia. Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death last September and King Charles III’s Coronation in May, the UK Mission is celebrating, for the first time in Malaysia, The King’s birthday. The event was attended by approximately 1,000 guests including members of the Malaysian royalty, senior government officials and the business community. It kicked off with Minister Tengku Zafrul leading a toast to the good health and wellbeing of His Majesty King Charles III. High Commissioner Hay then reciprocated with a toast to DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
In his speech, Hay said that public duties and service are not new to King Charles III. The new British monarch has served as The Prince of Wales for 64 years before this. He is now taking on most of the 600 charity patronages previously held by
The Late Queen. Hay said: This tradition of service continues, and in this ever-changing world, the British Monarch continues to be an important source of stability and strength for the UK, the Commonwealth and beyond.
Hay also spoke about the close relationship between His Majesty’s Government and the Malaysian Government. He said: The UK and Malaysia relations have reached a new height. The UK has become a dialogue partner with
ASEAN and has launched a strategic dialogue with Malaysia. The UK’s commitment to partnership continues, especially in the areas of economic transformation, climate and sustainability, clean growth, education and technology.
According to Hay, bilateral trade currently totals £5.6 billion and the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will open up new business opportunities, market access and talent mobility especially with Malaysia. Hay, who is coming to the end of his 4-year posting in Malaysia, concluded his speech with a Malay pantun, and acknowledged the warmth and hospitality of the people of Malaysia. Hay also thanked major sponsors for the event including YTL Corporation, EcoWorld, Orando Holdings, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Sime Darby Motors, L1 Bank and Pickenham Estate English Wines.
Guests who attended the reception were treated to the best of British food, a showcase of British culture, performances by the Great British Circus. Also on display were handdrawn portraits of King Charles III by Malaysian pencil artiste Hakim Abdullah.
The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 63,000 workers out of pocket.
Companies being named today range from major high street brands to small businesses and sole traders, in a clear message from government that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.
he businesses named in today’s list have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties.
The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2017 and 2019.
The employers named today previously underpaid workers in the following ways:
» 39% of employers deducted pay from workers’ wages.
» 39% of employers failed to pay workers correctly for their working time.
» 21% of employers paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate.
» Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, there is no excuse for underpaying workers.
Guidance for employers on pay is available on GOV.UK, and today the government has published additional advice about breaches and the steps employers should take to make sure they pay their workers correctly.
Bryan Sanderson Chair of the Low Pay Commission said:
The minimum wage acts as a guarantee to ensure all workers without exception receive a decent minimum standard of
pay. Where employers break the law, they not only do a disservice to their staff but also undermine fair competition between businesses.
Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.
The government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that robust enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.
National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme R19 Educational Bulletin (PDF, 210 KB, 8 pages)
Since 2015, the budget for minimum wage enforcement has doubled with the government having ordered employers to repay over £100 million to 1 million workers.
The government is determined to ensure workers are paid for their hard work, having increased the National Living Wage by a record amount in April 2023. This led to the lowest paid workers in the UK seeing a rise of 9.7%, keeping the government on track to achieve its manifesto commitment for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, provided economic conditions allow.
The first-ever recipients of the Made in the UK, Sold to the World awards have been announced, celebrating the exporting success of small businesses across the UK.
Exporters support jobs, pay higher wages and help deliver on the government’s priority to grow our economy, and these inaugural awards highlight the vital contribution small businesses make to the UK.
Winners include Little Moons who produce colourful ice cream bites wrapped in ‘mochi’ dough which have become a mainstay of major supermarkets in the UK. Awarded in the agriculture, food and drink category, the business exports to 28 countries including Australia, the Middle East and mainland Europe. Marco Forgione, Director General of the Institute of Export & International Trade:
Kemi Badenoch said:
We’re proud of our British exporters and these Awards rightly highlight some fantastic businesses punching above their weight and selling UK-made products around the world. I hope they serve as inspiration to others looking to get onto the exporting ladder. The winning businesses have been drawn from seven sectors: consumer goods, education, agriculture, food and drink, creative, financial and professional services, digital and manufacturing. In the consumer award category, ScotlandShop were recognised for their highquality tartan clothing, fabrics and home accessories, made to order. The business has grown from start-up to £2.4m sales in 2022 and employs 20 people in the UK and 2 in the USA.
Awardees also include those at the cuttingedge of technology, such as Scanning Pens, which won the education award. The company promotes and distributes the most innovative, award-winning assistive reading technology on the market. Their pens are being sold in over 100 countries, including Australia, Canada, United States, Asia and Europe. Within each category three additional businesses were also awarded highly commended status for their inspiring business stories and exporting prowess.
A high number of winning and highly commended businesses are also DBT Export Champions, who help to promote the benefits of exporting and encourage other companies across the UK to consider selling to overseas markets.
It is a great honour for IOE&IT to partner with DBT in this exciting new award programme. As a judge of the inaugural Made in the UK, Sold to the World awards, I had the pleasure to see the depth of talent, entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding business success which this year’s competition showcased. It was very difficult to choose just one winner in each category. This competition is further proof that international trade is a force for good, and that British goods and services are hugely valued overseas. The ingenuity of these winners should act as a catalyst to encourage more British businesses to explore new export markets. We look forward to welcoming all the winners and highly commended businesses in this year’s awards as members of the Institute of Export & International Trade and we will continue to work closely with DBT to champion the amazing work being undertaken by British businesses trading across the world.
In 2021, DBT launched the ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ campaign to celebrate exporting success from across the UK and tell businesses’ stories. The new awards programme will build on this to further recognise and celebrate the global trading success of SMEs from across the UK.
Winning businesses will receive a digital badge and physical certificate and have promotional activity across DBT channels, including individual profiles to share their export success. They will also be visited by a DBT official and receive an Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) complimentary business membership for one year.
Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.
Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.
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Kevin Hollinrake said:
With anxiety being the central theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week (15th to the 21st May), it’s important to be aware of what anxiety is and how it can impact your daily life. In 2021/2 anxiety contributed to 51% of all work-related ill health cases.
[1] Whilst this is a concerning figure, it highlights that raising awareness of how to manage anxiety should be a top priority in every workplace, as on average, we spend 36 hours a week working.
Anxiety can be defined as a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Experiencing anxiety is a normal part of life and can naturally occur at work in scenarios such as preparing for a job interview or presentation.
To raise awareness of the importance of mental health at work, the learning experts at online training provider High Speed Training have shared some tips to help identify and effectively manage anxiety in the workplace. Take breaks when you need to Stepping away from your work and the workplace environment to clear your head can help to refresh your mindset and help you to refocus. Try using deep-breathing techniques, go for a walk (preferably in nature), or consider using some holiday time for a proper break.
Open up
Dr Anderson continues: “Understandably, asking for help at work can feel difficult. Many cases of ill mental health aren’t reported to HR or managers and therefore can go under the radar.
“Discussing your anxiety with someone you trust at work and having someone who understands what you’re experiencing can be comforting and help ease some of its symptoms.”
Adopt healthy habits
“Self care is essential to managing anxiety, as not looking after yourself can compound your symptoms. Getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and exercising are proven to have a hugely positive impact on the mind as well as improving physical health.”
Plan your work
Take time to plan out the upcoming week so that you know what’s coming in terms of workload. This will help to give you a sense of control over your time which can ease feelings of anxiety. Additionally, breaking tasks down into smaller chunks can make them seem less overwhelming and more easily managed.
Dr Anderson concludes: “The more we understand about anxiety, the better we will be at tackling its symptoms. Being aware of how, when, and where your
Whilst anxiety at work can sometimes feel unmanageable, its symptoms can be effectively controlled. It’s important to manage your anxiety as, if left untreated, it can have a huge impact on you and your career.
mental health might suffer is vital to being able to manage your own anxiety, and provide effective support for others experiencing it.”
If you’re struggling with anxiety or are concerned about your mental health, please reach out to a medical professional.For more information on managing anxiety and mental health, please visit the High Speed Training Hub, containing hundreds of articles and resources created by their learning experts.
The first step in managing your anxiety is to start tracking the moments in your work day that cause the most anxiety, as this will help you discover what your triggers are. Being able to put a name to the feelings you’re experiencing can often be a great help in discovering treatments to help manage your symptoms.
Students and teachers in all eligible secondary schools will now have access to life-saving equipment to use in an emergency thanks to the delivery of 5,435 defibrillators, backed by £19 million of government support.
This means that the government has met its commitment to ensure that all state-funded schools in England have access to this life-saving equipment by the end of the academic year.
Secondary schools were prioritised for deliveries due to the risk of cardiac arrest increasing with age but the roll out to all primary and special schools is well underway and is expected to be complete before the end of the summer term.
The government’s roll out follows campaigning from the Oliver King Foundation and its founder Mark King, who has been raising awareness about the need for defibrillators in schools since he tragically lost his son at the age of 12 to cardiac arrest while swimming at school. The government has continued to speak with Mark King
and the Foundation throughout the roll out of the programme.
Last year, the government committed to supplying almost 18,000 statefunded schools across England with these devices to make sure there is one in every school, as defibrillators drastically increase the likelihood of surviving a cardiac arrest.
All secondary schools in England now have access to at least 2 defibrillators. This will ensure that schools can place their devices strategically to maximise access and will allow devices to be placed in areas where an incident may occur, such as sports facilities.
Pupils are taught how to use the lifesaving defibrillators in case of cardiac arrest as part of their first aid lessons.
The school curriculum teaches pupils life-saving techniques such as CPR and the purpose of defibrillators.
Schools Systems Minister Baroness
Barran said: We have heard of too many tragic cases where lives were lost because of a lack of access to this vital equipment at
a crucial moment.
These devices save lives and it’s been a privilege to work with the Oliver King Foundation to reach this significant milestone which will give parents, pupils and teachers confidence that they will never be far from a defibrillator in an emergency.
Founder of the Oliver King Foundation Mark King said:
I am delighted that through years of hard work, determination and passion we have reached this monumental
milestone in raising awareness and ensuring all schools have access to a lifesaving defibrillator. With help from the Department for Education and public support Oliver’s memory lives on. We as a foundation will continue to strive for change so no other family has to suffer like we did.
Hampstead Norreys CE Primary School in Thatcham received a defibrillator and said:
Our 2 schools benefited from the priority AED delivery from the DfE.
We currently have a pupil on roll with a serious heart condition. Following an incident that required paramedic intervention, we realised that it was vital for us to have an AED in close proximity. Having devices on site has put our minds, and that of the pupil’s family, at rest should the worst happen. We are very grateful for the rapid response from the DfE and would urge other schools to get in touch with them if they are in a similar situation.
The AEDs guidance includes advice for schools on how to make their defibrillator available to the community, should they wish to do so. The government is also encouraging schools to register their defibrillator on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network. This follows the announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care last year of a £1 million fund to increase the number of defibrillators in communities most in need – providing an estimated 1,000 new defibrillators in community spaces across England.
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Get ready as Penny Appeal announces this year’s highly anticipated Big Muslim Variety Show, which returns for its latest instalment. This year’s show, set to kick off on Friday, 21st July 2023, promises to captivate audiences with a diverse lineup of artists from across Britian and the Netherlands. With 16 incredible acts gracing the stage, this year’s variety show is set to be the biggest yet!
Showcasing some of the best “Confidently Muslim, Comfortably British” talent, the Big Muslim Variety Show brings together a dynamic range of performers, from beatboxers to poets, Nasheed
artists to stand-up comedians. The organisers have carefully curated a lineup that represents the very best in the business, featuring established artists as well as upcoming stars. Prepare to be dazzled by the comedic brilliance of Prince Abdi, whose hilarious performances have won the hearts of audiences worldwide. His unique style and impeccable timing guarantee a laughter-filled experience that will leave you in stitches.
Joining us on stage is the talented singer-songwriter Safe Adam, whose soulful voice and captivating melodies have garnered acclaim from music lovers everywhere. With heartfelt lyrics and mesmerising performances, Safe Adam’s presence is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Penny Appeal, the charity behind the tour, is thrilled to announce that Waqas, lead singer and founder of the internationally acclaimed band Outlandish, will be gracing stages during the tour. The visionary founder has entertained millions throughout his career with his powerful music and thought-provoking lyrics. Prepare for a captivating performance that transcends boundaries and resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.
Adding to the stellar lineup is the extraordinary Pakistani singer Sajal. Born in Italy, Sajal’s enchanting voice and captivating stage presence have made her a standout performer. Many know her as the lead in the hit pantomime Cinder’Aliyah, where she effortlessly showcased her talent and won the hearts of audiences.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there!
The Big Muslim Variety Show will be travelling across Britain, bringing this incredible event to audiences far and wide. From London, Birmingham, Leicester, Bristol, Bradford, Blackburn, Sheffield, Manchester to Glasgow, and many more, the charity will be spreading the magic of this show to communities across the country.
More than just a remarkable evening of entertainment, The Big Muslim Variety Show aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by the devastating Turkey/ Syria earthquakes. By attending this exceptional event, audiences will not only be treated to an unforgettable experience but also provide crucial support to the victims of the earthquake who are currently enduring the aftermath of the catastrophic events.
All proceeds from the show will be directed towards the Turkey/Syria Earthquake Appeal, enabling Penny Appeal to deliver life-saving aid to those who need it most.
1. What impact did this series have on you while filming?
Count Abdulla was my first comedy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So often as a young, Middle Eastern actor I’m playing inside theemotional and political jungle of our narratives and culture, asperceived by a western audience. It was so freeing to be able todiscard that and focus on the human that is Shafi.
2. What is it like to be a part of a series directed by Asim Abbasi and collaborate with him?
Asim tells you exactly what he thinks, which is such a crucial yet underestimated part of what a Director is supposed to do! He doesn’t sugar coat, he doesn’t pander and he doesn’t lie. We had many great,insightful conversations, both before and during filming, about the essence of Shafi. When a director is honest with you, it’s easy to be honest back, and I loved working honestly with Asim.
3. What about your character in Count Abdulla inspired you the most?
Shafi is Abdulla’s older cousin, and I happen to be an older brother myself. I think when you have that kind of relationship with someone, it’s natural to want to guide and protect them, which is what Shafi is trying to do for Abs at every turn. It’s easy to see the characterand think of him as a roadman, a cartoon, or an idiot, but his underlying intentions and how much effort he puts into everything is most inspiring to me.
4. Were there any difficulties on set while filming?
TIME! Well, a lack thereof. When you have such a rich, beautiful tapestry to weave, you need as much time and money as possible to realise the collective vision. It’s tough when you can’t shoot a particular scene
or shot that you love, or have to change the plan on the fly. Fortunately our team was sharp enough to do so.
5. What was the series best scene in your opinion?
For me, either Kathy’s flat or Cafe Sanguine. Partly because Jaime Winstone is such a presence on screen and partly since our production designer Elena and her entire department created both the sets from scratch! Aesthetically sublime. When you see Kathy’s flat, hunt for as many details as you can find.
6. What does this valuable British Asian/Muslim comedy mean to you and your community?
It means an opportunity to present ourselves to the world not as just a “culture”, but as a people. Not a collection of intricate outfits and stereotypes, nor a narrative intending to teach you our traditions. Real humans, with real fears, hopes, hate and love. It means a fresh start for our community on screen.
7. To whom would you recommend the series?
Everyone. Count Abdulla is not a display of multi-cultural references and by-the-way social lessons. Shafi is not a cartoon thug. Bushra brings new life to the typical “humourless mother” stereotype. Abdulla is not a typically pathetic nerdy protagonist. Kathy is definitely not a typically grumpy Vampire either. It’s not imposing, and the audience isn’t expected to understand or evennotice every piece of cultural back and forth. It’s a story about some outsiders. Who doesn’t relate to that?
Students are one step closer to the British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE being taught in schools, as the government launches a 12-week consultation on the content of the new qualification.
The qualification will include students being taught to communicate effectively with other signers for use in work, social and academic settings, providing them with valuable life skills welcomed by employers.
The Department for Education (DfE) has been working closely with subject experts, stakeholders and schools to develop proposed content to ensure that this new GCSE is internationally recognised and accepted in school and college performance tables. In line all qualifications, the GCSE will be knowledgerich, diverse and as challenging as any other GCSE.
Views on the new qualification, including the language skills to be studied and the role of history, are being sought from teachers, employers and the deaf and hearing communities. The government aims to introduce this for first teaching from September 2025.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:
It is fantastic that British Sign Language will soon be taught in schools up and down the country.
Good communication is essential both inside and outside the workplace and this historic GCSE will give students a vital life skill valued by employers. This new qualification will break down barriers, advance equality of opportunity, and celebrate the history and rich culture of British Sign Language.
Ofqual Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton said:
At their best, qualifications increase opportunities and break down barriers. This GCSE in British Sign Language will do that by encouraging more people to study the language, so I’m delighted to be launching our consultation on how students should be assessed in this exciting new GCSE.
The proposals reflect our judgements about how the Department for Education’s subject content should be assessed to best allow students to demonstrate their performance in this
subject. We want anyone with an interest in this new GCSE subject to tell us what they think about our proposals and whether these allow students the best opportunity to show how well they understand and can use British Sign Language.
Susan Daniels OBE, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:
We’re delighted that a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) is now a step closer.
BSL is a native British language used by tens of thousands of people, so it’s only fair and right that BSL users should have the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in their own, legally recognised language. This qualification will help to breakdown communication barriers between deaf and hearing people and educate more people about the deaf community and culture.
We know there are incredibly high levels of support for a BSL GCSE among both deaf and hearing students, as well as from their parents. Our recent survey also found teachers overwhelmingly believe sign language would be a useful skill for both deaf and hearing students to learn.
Tasha Ghouri, influencer and activist for the deaf community said:
As lots of you will know, being deaf is my ‘superpower’. But as someone who has had a cochlear implant since 5 years old and relies on lip-reading – going to school had its challenges.
Being included and made to feel equal means everything to me and I’ve been on a personal mission to raise awareness of the challenges facing deaf children. That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that today, the government has announced it will soon
be launching a brand new GCSE in British Sign Language which will be available to all pupils.
Ian Morgan, Chief Executive, Eduqas, said:
As one of England’s largest exam boards, Eduqas is committed to supporting the development of a new GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL); this builds on exciting work already underway in Wales to design a new GCSE BSL for WJEC students by September 2026. Equality and inclusion matter to us, and we’re confident that this pioneering new GCSE will boost the profile of the language and play an important role in increasing the number of speakers from all communities.
We look forward to working closely with teachers, learners and subject experts to create a qualification that is engaging, relevant, and fit for the future.
Lindsay Foster, Executive Director at Signature said:
It’s great to get the public consultation out there, so that the public can see what a GCSE in BSL could look like.
We have been working towards a BSL GCSE for over 12 years now, so this feels like a milestone moment. What is important now is that people have their say on subject content and we look forward to seeing the outcome of that.
From the secondary schools we have spoken with, around 60% have told us that they would like to offer this as part of their curriculum. We really hope that over the years to come we see this in as many schools as possible.
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:
The British Sign Language (BSL) Act is helping make our
society more accessible, opening doors to better communication for more Deaf people.
A BSL GCSE is a fantastic step in the right direction, encouraging more students to learn BSL to help increase the number of BSL users that Deaf people can speak with, making the UK an even more inclusive society.
The recently published special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) improvement plan set out how all children and young people, including those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment, will get the support they need to succeed in their education.
British Sign Language was recognised in law as a language of
Great Britain in the BSL Act (2022) and the new GCSE will be key to advancing inclusivity within education.
The study of BSL will enable students to develop ways of expressing and negotiating meaning through visual spatial language, communication and visual memory skills that will be an advantage to them for the rest of their lives.
As well as learning how to sign effectively, the GCSE will also give students an understanding of the history of sign language in the UK. This will provide a solid foundation for students’ understanding of how the language has reached its current form.
New interim analysis from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that excess deaths in England associated with flu infection were higher (14,500) than the average figure (13,500) for the 5 years before the pandemic.
This is the highest figure since the 2017 to 2018 season, when there were 22,500 excess deaths associated with flu.
The report also shows that the season started relatively early in the winter, but peaked quickly. Hospitalisations across all ages were higher than average, although some of this may be attributed to increased testing by the NHS compared to previous winters.
There are likely multiple reasons for the above average number of deaths and hospitalisations, but the impact will have been influenced by the dominant circulating strain. Influenza A(H3N2), which was the predominant subtype in 2022 to 2023, is known to be more severe in older age groups.
In addition, there is evidence to
suggest that lower population immunity due to reduced flu circulation from social distancing measures during the pandemic meant that, overall, the population was more susceptible to catching flu than usual, contributing to the timing, shape and scale of the influenza season. The vaccines were well matched to the predominant circulating strain. Vaccine effectiveness against being hospitalised by flu was analysed by looking at patients who were tested for influenza, and was consistent with analysis from previous seasons. The analysis found that getting vaccinated cuts the risk of being hospitalised by flu by a quarter in adults aged 65 years and older, a third in other adults and reduces the risk two-thirds in children. This is on top of the collective protection we all get from the vaccines reducing flu transmission. This indicates that flu vaccination again this season had an important role preventing serious illness and keeping people out of hospital.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist, UKHSA, said: Flu returned at scale last winter after being locked out by COVID-19 control measures. Lower population immunity following flu’s absence played a part in the season starting relatively early and led to lots of people catching flu in a short timeframe. Many people needed advice from NHS 111 services and there were high numbers of severe flu episodes that required hospital care, placing pressure on the heath system.
The best protection against getting seriously ill and needing hospitalisation is to get the flu vaccine ahead of winter. We have clear evidence that the protection from last season’s vaccine programme helped prevent a much worse winter.
Plans for the delivery of this winter’s flu vaccine programme are well underway and we strongly advise all those eligible to take up the offer of vaccination this autumn.
Two groups of student food entrepreneurs from the University of Nottingham have won through to the UK final of the annual Ecotrophelia competition which turns the spotlight on eco-innovative food products.
Experts at the university’s Food Innovation Centre signposted the two student teams to local companies who could support them in developing their product ideas, first devised as part of the new product development module on the Food Science degree.
Nottingham-based Origin Kitchen, which produces plant-based sweet and savoury pots and spreads out of a unit at Southglade Food Park, advised Hey Pesto! – super seed pesto products that can be eaten either as a spread on bread or crackers, or stirred into pasta.
Food ingredients, blends and raw materials company, Healy Group, based near Coalville in Leicestershire, helped PlanEat, who developed a breaded snacking product featuring meal worms. Both PlanEat and Hey Pesto! have now been selected for the UK Ecotrophelia final and both also won accolades at a recent showcase event held at the university’s Sutton Bonington Campus.
PlanEat was named best in the showcase according to the official judges, who were representatives from the food industry and also honorary professors from the food sector, while Hey Pesto! won the People’s Prize.
The Ecotrophelia Competition challenges students to develop a sustainable and innovative food product from concept to market. It promotes eco-design and sustainability, with the aim of inspiring future food entrepreneurs to create products that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
Senior food innovation advisor at the Food Innovation Centre, Alice Jones, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that PlanEat and Hey Pesto! have both been picked as UK finalists in the annual Ecotrophelia contest which shines a spotlight on new product development created by students for the food and drink sector.
“We want to thank Origin Kitchen and Healy Group for their support of the students to get this far. Both have been interacting with the students throughout the NPD project module, from ensuring they started with a market-relevant brief to challenging them throughout the development
process to ensure the products they came up with will be suitable for commercial development and launch in the future. The process has given the students real-life technologist experience of working on a science-based development project whilst managing interactions with the other functions within a company.
“It has been great experience for the students to get this exposure to commercial businesses during their Food Science degree courses and I am sure no accident that the close contact with the companies really brings them along and prepares them for the questioning by the food industry ‘dragons’ which they’ll experience at the UK Ecotrophelia finals on 7th June.”
Hey Pesto! chose to develop a seed mix pesto that was optimised to be highly nutritious and avoids the allergen issues that pestos with nuts would pose. PlanEat focused on the idea that insects
can be used as a more sustainable alternative protein source to conventional meats, and the team worked hard to create snacks in a format that was tasty and convenient, even using a 3D printer to make their own moulds to shape the products in. There are seven UK finalists in the 11th edition of the Ecotrophelia UK Competition, which is organised jointly by the Institute of Food Science & Technology and Campden BRI. The competition is open to teams of students registered at a university or other establishment of scientific/ technical higher education and turns the spotlight on eco-innovativefood products for the retail or food service sector, with special consideration for eco-innovation in terms of ingredients, packaging, process or distribution.
Leah Brown, co-founder and head of operations at Origin Kitchen, said: “We were delighted to work with the students and see how well they
progressed during the project.”
The Food Innovation Centre, based at the Bioenergy and Brewing Science building at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus, offers free support to eligible small and mediumsized food and drink manufacturers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire under the Driving Research and Innovation project – a three-year project that runs until the end of June 2023. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the D2N2 LEP, the project is run by the Food Innovation Centre at the University of Nottingham School of Biosciences, in conjunction with the Chemistry Innovation Laboratory in the School of Chemistry and Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and in association with the Midlands Engine. It is a unique collaboration project that provides free specialist innovation support to small and medium-sized businesses.
Ingredients:
» 750g / 1.5 lb beef tri tips , sirloin steak tips or other steak cut.
» 3 capsicum / bell peppers (red, yellow green)
» 1 large red onion
» 16 small mushrooms , 3.25cm / 1.3” wide
MARINADE:
» 1 tsp minced garlic (2 large garlic clove)
» 1 tsp onion powder (or sub with garlic powder)
» 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce (Note 2)
» 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
» 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
» 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or other neutral flavoured oil)
» 1/4 tsp black pepper
COOKING:
» 16 flat metal skewers , 25 - 30cm / 10 - 12” (Note 3)
» Olive oil , for drizzling and cooking
» Finely chopped parsley , garnish (optional)
Instruction:
» Cut the beef into 3.25cm / 1.3” wide cubes.
» Mix Marinade in a bowl. Add beef. Marinate for 1 - 24 hours, minimum 20 minutes.
» Cut capsicum and onion into 3.25cm / 1.3” wide squares.
» Thread beef (reserve Marinade), vegetables and mushrooms on each skewer. I use 2 pieces of vegetables between each piece of beef. Thread loosely - don’t smush together tightly (helps even cooking).
» Brush kebabs lightly with Reserved Marinade (including vegetables), then drizzle with olive oil.
» Heat BBQ or large skillet over high heat. Add 1 tbsp
oil, then when smoking, cook kebabs in batches for 2 minutes on each side until slightly charred (4 sides = 8 minutes in total), basting with Reserved Marinade as you go.
» Transfer to plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 3 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired. See note for pictured Pink Dipping Sauce.
UK Cyber Sector annual revenues now top £10.5 billion as of 2023.
A record number of people are looking to embark on a new career in cyber this year through applications to the government’s Upskill in Cyber programme.
Of the more than 3,600 applications received, almost half have been submitted by women with more than 50% coming from people based outside London and the South East, demonstrating the diverse pool of talent waiting to be unlocked across the UK.
Aimed at people from a non-cyber background and delivered in partnership with the SANS Institute, the scheme is the latest in a series of ambitious programmes delivered through the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy.
This is all part of the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology’s plans to build a thriving tech workforce and secure the resilience of the future digital economy while supporting the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy and creating better paid jobs.
Minister for AI and Intellectual Property, Viscount Camrose, said:
The UK’s cyber sector is growing exponentially. In just 12 months we’ve seen our 58,000 strong workforce jump by 10%, and ensuring we can maintain a steady supply of diverse, highlyskilled professionals is vital to meet the needs of our growing digital economy.
It’s encouraging to see record numbers from a wide range of backgrounds and communities coming forward for this year’s Upskill in Cyber Programme. However, this is ultimately just one piece of the puzzle.
We must continue our work with industry and education to improve tech skills across the economy, and we are continuing to invest in the potential of our brightest minds at all levels to unlock opportunity for people right across the country. With government-backed schemes such as Cyber Explorers and Cyber First already up and running and inspiring under-25s to consider a career in cyber, Upskill in Cyber focuses on giving opportunities to those already in the workforce by offering 14week training programmes to equip people with the skills and knowledge they need to embark on new careers in the sector.
Cyber skills are in huge demand across the economy. Last year’s cyber security skills in the UK labour market report found that 51% of businesses have a basic cyber skills gap, with an average of 21,600 new recruits needed every year to meet demand in the cyber sector. To meet this growing demand, the government has already acted on its science and technology superpower ambitions to equip future generations with vital skills from an early age.
One of the ways this is being achieved is through the Cyber Explorers programme. Launched in 2022, the scheme teaches essential skills to 11 to 14-yearolds through a free online learning platform, including key security concepts such as opensource intelligence and digital forensics. Ensuring students of all ethnicities and those from socially deprived backgrounds can realise the programme’s benefits has been a central aspect of its design, with a series of local business-led events in Wales, Yorkshire, Birmingham, and Inverclyde offering vital support to unlock talent across the UK. Over 22,000 young people and 2,000 schools signed up for the
programme in its first phase and the government is aiming to exceed 45,000 students this year.
The National Cyber Security Centre’s CyberFirst programme is another example of the huge strides the government is taking to boost the UK’s digital skills and encourage passionate students to follow careers in cyber. Including comprehensive bursary schemes for undergraduate study, a girls’ only competition, and thousands of free course places at UK universities and colleges, the scheme nurtures talent at all ages from secondary school through to further education.
Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said:
Cyber security is an exciting and rapidly growing industry with opportunities in a wide range of areas. To meet this, we must build a sustainable – and crucially diverse – pipeline of talent. Collaboration across the industry will be key to filling the skills gap, including through initiatives like CyberFirst. We want to empower tomorrow’s cyber experts with the tools they need to keep the UK secure and resilient online. Global tech leaders have also started following the government’s lead to bridge the digital skills gap with new in-house initiatives. In May, Google launched a new Cybersecurity Career Cer-
tificate programme as a platform to develop the skills to fill critical cybersecurity roles, with students able to complete the scheme in under six months through parttime study.
The Science and Technology Framework and the National Cyber Strategy established the government’s commitment to enhancing and expanding the nation’s cyber skills at every level. Programmes such as Upskill in Cyber, Cyber First, and Cyber Explorers continue to play a vital role in that mission as builds a digital workforce to unleash innovation, unlock opportunity, and secure the UK’s digital economy.
This is the first round of investment from the UK Space Agency’s Enabling Technologies Programme, part of the National Space Innovation Programme dedicated to supporting UK companies breaking ground in technologies to enhance spaceflight capabilities.
The £2.1 million total is divided between 9 projects and will be followed by a series of funding rounds open to commercial businesses, academia and not-forprofit organisations promising cutting-edge technologies that will take UK space capabilities to new heights.
Craig Brown, UK Space Agency Director of Investment, said: These projects showcase the diversity of skills in space-related science and engineering that are growing all over the UK. By supporting innovations in emerging and new areas of space technology, such as space-based solar power, extreme ultraviolet Integral Field Spectroscopy, electrothermal propulsion and more, we ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of global advances in space, generating more business opportunities and inspiring more people about the many career options that this thriving sector offers.
Recipients include Wales-based Space Forge’s Project Helios, which is developing a retractable solar array, in partnership with Microlink Devices, to power returnable spacecraft and enable inorbit servicing to prolong the life of other satellites in space.
A team at Durham University will also receive support for the development of the image slicer technology for a world-first integral field spectrograph in the extreme ultraviolet, which will transform
our observations of the Sun and high energy astrophysics.
Growing the UK space sector and wider economy by supporting experts and organisations across the country is a National Space Strategy priority.
The UK Space Agency last year committed £71 million to back new technologies, helping smaller businesses develop new ideas and products that will reduce reliance on non-European nations for space capabilities while supporting emerging areas, such as space-based solar power. The projects
» Lancaster University (£240,000)
» E-band travelling wave tubes for high throughput satellites –Design and creation of a high power, compact, low-cost Eband travelling wave tube amplifier to enable 5G and 6G high data transmission.
» Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey (£250,000)
» Plasma torch rocket electrothermal thruster for space logistics (PLATOR) – Development of a new electro-thermal propulsion system to enhance in-orbit servicing, manufacturing and spacecraft manoeuvring.
» Swansea University (£250,000)
» Levitated opto-mechanical technologies in space (LOTIS)
– This project develops key technologies, including nanoparticle sourcing, conditioning, and optical trapping, to enable levitated opto-mechanics for large mass fundamental quantum mechanics experiments and inertial and space environment sensing.
» University of Strathclyde (£250,000)
» Micro LEDs for satellite quantum key distribution – Development integration of UV
micro-LEDs to enable compact, low-power, robust sources for satellite quantum key distribution, which will support technology for encrypted communications.
» Durham University (£250,000)
» Advancing metal optics technology for space systems – This project aims to develop metal optics, enabling higher performance, more compact, instrument concepts for Earth Observation and for exploration missions.
» Durham University (£190,000)
» Looking up image slicers optimum capabilities in the extreme ultraviolet for space (LUCES) –Exploring image slicer technology in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) to develop the first ever EUV integral field spectrograph that could enable observations of the Sun and advance high energy astrophysics.
» University of Southampton (£240,000)
» Silicon photonic beam pointing for free space optical communications – Development of a novel beam steering chip for free-space optical communications, enabling fully solid-state communications.
» Space Forge (£230,000)
» Project Helios solar array – Development of a deployable and retractable solar array for use within a returnable spacecraft and to enable in-orbit servicing.
» Imperial College London (£200,000)
» Cold spray manufacturing for space (COSMOS) – Development of a cold spray metal additive to help in-orbit servicing, manufacturing and exploration missions.
By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)
Riyadh Air’s B787-9 Dreamliner flew over its home city on June 12th. Highnesses, excellencies, and official dignitaries attended the momentous unveiling of the aircraft at King Khaled International Airport, which created a moment in history. The plane flew on low attitude over many important Riyadh skyline icons, including KAFD, Boulevard City, and the famous main towers, delighting locals with a sight of their new airline and inspiring pride at the arrival of the kingdom’s new national carrier.
Riyadh Air received “RX” as its IATA code at the 79th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM). This code shows the objectives to offer cuttingedge, digital technologies.
Tony Douglas CEO of Riyadh
Air said, “We can’t wait for our guests to use our code on their bag tags, digital services, and booking documents to go to more than 100 destinations.”
Vice Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud expressed her joy over the development and commended the airline’s rapid progress. She remarked, “Our ambition is reflected in the speed with which we were able to launch an aircraft.”
Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser Minister of Transport & Logistics said, “In the aviation industry, a new era has just begun. This is only the first of many steps to come.”
The warmth and generosity of the kingdom as well as the
beautiful lavender hues that cover the desert in spring are the inspiration for Riyadh Air’s modern and forwardthinking theme, which is reflected in the airline. The carrier’s logo on the tail and engines, as well as the enormous, bold white letters reading “Riyadh Air” across the fuselage, are among the aircraft’s most appealing features. A plane’s logo representing the airline’s mission to serve as “Saudi Arabia’s window to the world.” The letter “R” in the window is intended to resemble a bird’s wing in flight. Moreover, their slogan for their global campaign is “The Future Takes Flight.”
As the UK is reported to have a very hot summer is year, drivers are urged to take extra care on the roads. Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar comments:
“With the sunnier months on the way, there are some unique rules for the road that drivers may not know, which could leave them at risk of fines. Here are some of the top things for drivers to stay aware of when getting around this summer:
Wearing flip flops: It’s important to make considered choices with driving shoes, as loose footwear can be dangerous if they slip off and potentially jam pedals. Whilst it’s not illegal to
drive in flip flops, the DVSA states that drivers should be able to remain in control at the wheel, and advise they wear suitable footwear when driving.
Hay fever medication: The increased pollen counts will mean many drivers turn to medication to help with allergies which can make them tired. Some medications which include chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine and promethazine, are known to cause drowsiness. If drivers notice themselves feeling tired or unwell at any point whilst driving, they should pull over in a safe place and take a break.
Overloading the car: Whether heading on a staycation or driving overseas,
it often means packing the car up with everything needed whilst being away. However, it’s important to stay aware of the amount being packed, with rule 98 of the Highway Code stating that drivers should not overload their vehicle with a weight greater than the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Sun glare: Low sunsets and gleams off the dashboard can mean drivers can get dazzled by sunlight, making it hard to see clearly. Drivers are advised to wear sunglasses or get proper shielding from the sun to avoid distraction. Rule 237 of the Highway Code advises drivers to slow down or stop if they’re dazzled by bright sunlight. Whilst these are not illegal, they are
dependent on the drivers’ ability to operate the vehicle safely for themselves and other road users. If drivers don’t stick to these guidelines, they risk being stopped by police, and could even receive fines from £100 and 3 points on their licence if they’re considered to be driving without due care. Other things to watch out for which could land drivers an even heftier fine include:
Obstructed numberplate: With summer travel plans, many will be loading the car with their bicycles, or even adding a cargo carrier onto the car. But be careful, as it’s a legal requirement for drivers to make sure their number plate is always in clear view, according
to the DVLA. Drivers could be fined up to £1,000 and an MOT fail for incorrectly displaying number plates.
Pets in cars: Drivers are warned that whenever travelling with pets they should make sure they’re properly restrained for the safety of all road users. And with temperatures getting warmer, it’s important to never leave pets unattended in a vehicle. If caught driving without pets correctly restrained, drivers could face fines up to £5,000.
Our guide on driving in hot weather will give an overview of how to stay cool, avoid break downs and keep safe whilst driving throughout the summer.”
British Pakistani actor Shah Hussain, known for his roles in popular productions such as Netflix’s “Red Notice,” SKY AMC’s “Gangs of London,” and Apple TV’s “Slow Horses,” has added another feather to his cap with his latest project, “Morris Men.” In the movie, Hussain plays the role of Huss Ellis, a key member of the Assassins guild fighting crime alongside his colleagues.
But Hussain’s involvement in “Morris Men” extends beyond acting. Due to his extensive knowledge of martial arts, he was also actively involved behind the camera in putting together the movie’s fight choreography. This comes as no surprise given that Hussain is a lifelong martial artist and is widely considered to be the true pioneer of MMA in Pakistan and beyond. He was the world’s first professional Pakistani Mixed Mar-
tial Arts fighter in the early 2000s when the sport was unheard of in the country.
After a successful career spanning 14 years and 26 professional bouts, Hussain retired from active professional competition in 2018. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Fast forward four years, and Hussain is now making a name for himself in the acting world, bringing his talents to the big screen with his impressive performances. In his upcoming project, “Last Respects,” Hussain will play a key role alongside an impressive cast of actors, including Peter Andre, Sean Cronin and Mark Peg.The movie follows the story of three gangsters who pay their last respects to their dying boss, only to realise that it’s a test of their loyalty.
With his diverse skill set and impressive resume, it’s no wonder that Shah Hussain is quickly becoming one of the most soughtafter actors in the industry. His contribution to the martial arts world and the film industry is a testament to his hard work and dedication. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.
Coinciding with Volunteers’ Week 2023 the Commonwealth Games Legacy Charity, United By 2022, has launched its volunteering legacy with the Volunteers Collective and a report on Event Volunteering.
The Volunteers Collective is a new digital match-making service that coordinates people looking for volunteering opportunities with organisations looking for volunteers, supported by Spirit of 2012. This is a moment to celebrate the contribution that volunteers make and offer new opportunities for people that want to volunteer.
At every moment and in every location, the award winning 14,000-strong Commonwealth Collective of volunteers, in their stand-out Balti Orange uniforms, were the beating heart of Birmingham 2022. The new platform will support them to continue being part of an amazing volunteering team until at least 2025. Initial invitations will go to 22,000 people.
The new Volunteers Collective portal will start by matching Games volunteers with the new events coming to the region in the wake of the Games. A report published today, the Future of Event Volunteering in West Midlands, considers the demand for volunteers and how organisers can engage and retain an inclusive volunteer workforce. Hosted by the United By 2022 Legacy Charity, the portal will help event organisers and regional organisations,
from local charities to youth sports clubs, to connect with the West Midlands’ talented volunteers. After an initial period during which Games volunteers will be given the first chance to sign up, it will then act as an open door for new entrants to volunteering, including near-miss applicants and young people who weren’t old enough to be part of the Commonwealth Collective in 2022, as well as opening up opportunities for people inspired to volunteer during the Games.
The Volunteers Collective was developed with an initial investment from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, a development grant from Spirit of 2012, the London 2012 Olympics legacy charity, and technical development support from Rosterfy, Birmingham 2022’s volunteer management software partner.
United By 2022 Chair, Sir David Thompson QPM DL said “We set out to deliver more legacy for more people in the region and this new volunteering portal is the start of a series of announcements the charity will be making over the summer. We are delighted that our first portal partnership will be with Birmingham City Council whose exciting calendar of events is a perfect reason to get the Games Volunteers back together again.”
Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “There were many stars of the show during Birmingham 2022, but none bigger than the Commonwealth Collective. These people, many of them from our city, showed the world the brilliance of Birmingham. They also developed skills, qualities and experience that
can now be used for the good of our region in the future. This new platform will enable them and others to play their part in supporting a wide range of projects, further strengthening the legacy of our Commonwealth Games.”
Nicola Turner MBE, Executive Director for the Legacy Charity said:We were all blown away last summer by the enthusiasm of the thousands of volunteers that worked on the Games. Their pride and can do attitude ensured that the event was a success. Unusually for a global sporting event of this kind, many of the Commonwealth Collective were first-time Gamers, with a high proportion from Birmingham and the West Midlands.”
Ruth Hollis, CEO, Spirit said: “We know that events can be a fantastic way to get people into and keeping on volunteering, and we’re delighted that this platform will build on the evidence from what works from previous events, to deliver opportunities for the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands.”
HM Lord-Lieutenant Sir John Crabtree OBE CStJ said “The volunteers at Birmingham 2022 became
the very definition of our ‘Games for Everyone’ vision, helping us across the Games landscape to reach as many people as possible. Their dedication and enthusiasm brought us all together, helping us to forge new friendships and working relationships that have already outlasted those 11 glorious days of sport. This report and the new Volunteering platform are a welcome addition for our region, cementing our ambitions to grow and maintain a long-term pool of passionate and committed volunteers.”
Post-Games market testing highlighted a demand from Games Volunteers looking for further volunteering op-
portunities. But there is a clear gap in the City and Region for a service that matches events looking for a volunteer workforce with West Midlands based volunteers.
Designed to dovetail with well-established local voluntary organisations like BVSC, One Walsall and Voluntary Action Coventry, the platform aims to link up the whole region, connecting existing opportunities and support services to the many thousands of people who stepped forward to play a part in the Games.
For those organisations who rely on volunteers, capturing this enthusiasm in the wake of the Games is essential, and for local organisations, including West Midlands Police and the Canal and Rivers Trust, attracting a new crop of volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds, was the top legacy priority.
The Games brought forward a whole new generation of volunteers, representative of local communities and from many backgrounds and age groups. From this pool of talent there is also the opportunity to grow other important volunteer groups such as the Cadets and Special Constables. Growing the region’s volunteering capacity will help to deliver the ambition to win another eight major events over the next decade and become a major event city. The new platform will support these goals to become a major event city. It is a clear demonstration of the region’s talent and readiness to serve again as a world class host city.
