The 23-year-old male arrived at the Park on 9 August 2023 and has spent his first few days meeting his new keepers and settling into his new home...
British businesses will be able to access brand new advice and support to reduce their energy bills while cutting their carbon emissions..
We’re celebrating the life of libraries over 150 years in the city to mark the 10th anniversary of the Library of Birmingham. Throughout September and October, visitors to the iconic building will be able to look back at some of the highlights of the last 10 years through an exhibition in the lobby; from Malala’s opening ‘Brummies’ speech, to the building being lit up in remembrance and celebration; from showcasing some of the city’s cultural treasures to being one of the centrepieces of the Commonwealth Games.
Saturday 2 September will see the Library of Birmingham filled with performance, music and activities as part of the Everything to Everybody Family Day.
Inspired by Birmingham’s historic Shakespeare Library and particularly the ‘Everything to Everybody’ ethos that inspired it, the day will be delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham and local performers. With a strong emphasis on fun, engagement and participation, the event will tell visitors about the long history of public libraries in Birmingham and how they continue to inspire, support, and empower people today.
Cllr Saima Suleman, cabinet member for digital, culture, heritage and
tourism, said: “Libraries are brilliant; open to everyone, they are a space where communities can connect with learning, creativity and culture as well as the sheer joy of reading. Did you know about libraries in Birmingham…
• Offer free activities to more than 50,000 children every year.
• The Shakespeare Collection has more than 100,000 publications in nearly 100 languages – from Amharic to Zulu.
• Every year, more than 5,000 people in choirs, bands, and orchestras loan sheet music from the Library of Birmingham.
• The Map Room on the 4th floor of the Library of Birmingham includes highlights from more than 50,000 historic maps.
• 15 Warm Welcome hubs have been set up at libraries around the city. Between December and March 150,000 people visited those libraries, 30% more than usual.
• There are more than 12,000 books with information and advice on health and wellbeing in libraries across Birmingham.
• Library of Birmingham’s distinctive façade of has a total of 5,357 interlocking circles. The large black circles are 5.4 metres in diameter, the smaller silver circles are 1.8 metres in diameter.
“I do hope as many people as possible can come down to the family day and learn all about the amazing things libraries do and the services they provide, it may surprise you!”
The largest local authority in the nation, Birmingham City Council, has formally declared bankruptcy after filing a section 114 notice, indicating that it lacks the funds to balance its budget. Council leaders cited a £760 million bill for equal pay claims, issues implementing a new IT system, and £1 billion in government budget cuts over the past ten years as the reasons for the notice, which forbids anything other than essential spending to maintain core services. The council claimed that “it does not have the resources” to cover its equal pay obligation and that there is an £87 million shortfall in its current budget.
John Cotton and Sharon Thompson, the council’s leader and deputy leader, said in a statement: “Like local authorities across the country, it is clear that Birmingham city council faces unprecedented financial challenges – from huge increases in adult social care demand and dramatic reductions in business rates income, to the impact of rampant inflation, it is clear that local government is facing a perfect storm.” Downing Street recognised that it would be “concerning” for the residents if the council declared itself to be experiencing an economic crisis.
The official spokeswoman for the prime minister declared: “The government, for its part, has stepped in to provide support, an additional £5.1bn to councils in 23-24, which is more than a 9% increase for Birmingham city council.”
The government has expressed worry about “their governance arrangements and has requested assurances from the leader of the council about the best use of
In 2022-23, day-to-day spending on NHS, local government, schools, police and public health in England amounted to more than £245 billion, equivalent to £4,310 per person. This is a huge sum, which makes it vital that this funding is allocated effectively and fairly between places. The level of funding for public services varies widely across the country,but the amount of funding different areas need to deliver the same level of services also varies, due to differences in demand for services and in the costs of providing them.
towards estimated spending needs, with two-thirds of areas receiving a share of funding within 5% of their share of estimated needs. This reflects the fact that NHS funding is allocated based on relatively up-to-date assessments of needs.
taxpayers’ money,” he continued, adding that “clearly it’s for locally elected councils to manage their own budgets.”
He claimed government had “commissioned an independent governance review which will report in the coming weeks” and recognised Birmingham had a “particular issue around equal pay settlements”.
Prior to the forthcoming of the Commonwealth Games, which were held in Birmingham last summer, the council produced a financial plan last year dubbed a “bold budget” with the goal of “maximise the potential of a golden decade for the city.” Robert Alden, the head of the opposition Conservative party, accused the council of “lying to the people of Birmingham” during a meeting on Tuesday 5th September.
There are substantial differences between the share of funding areas receive, and the share they would receive if funding was allocated in line with their different levels of need. This is particularly stark for local government, following repeated delays to plans to reform the funding system. For instance, Wokingham received 45% more local government funding in 2022–23 than it would if total funding were allocated in proportion to need, while Hounslow received 31% less. This is only partly explained by them setting different council tax levels.
Other key findings of the report are:
Total funding for the NHS, schools, local government, police and public health varies from an estimated £3,640 per person in York to £5,650 per person in Blackpool (55% more). Funding per person is highest in inner London boroughs and relatively deprived urban areas in the North, including parts of Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Teesside. Relatively affluent rural areas receive the least funding per person.
NHS funding is relatively well-targeted
The system funding local government, accounting for the needs and revenueraising capacity of different areas, has broken down. Even if all areas set the same council tax rates, the South East would still receive a share of funding that is 9% higher than its share of estimated spending needs, and the North East 5% lower. This means there is inconsistent funding across the country for services such as social care, housing, transport, leisure centres and libraries.
The vast majority of areas receive a lower share of funding than their share of estimated spending needs for some services, and a higher share of funding for some other services. But a small number of areas receive a significantly lower share of funding than their share of spending needs across multiple services. Dudley in the West Midlands receives £127 per capita less for the NHS, £122 less for local government and £47 less for police services than if the nationally-available funding were allocated in line with estimated relative spending needs.
Summing up across the NHS, local government, police and public health, areas in the West Midlands receive £126 per capita (3%) less funding on average than if funding for each service was allocated in line with relative spending needs. Areas in the North West receive slightly more funding than their share of estimated needs for all services (by 1% overall) but this conceals some big gaps for specific
The pub, which has been empty for over a decade, is in a bad state of repair and the Council is pushing for the building to be demolished and redeveloped.
“ The Brown Jug is one of many sites across Willenhall that has been abandoned and left to rot. The owners need to work with the Council and the local community to bring this site forward for redevelopment. We are supporting the campaign, led by Short Heath Councillors, to rid the community of this eyesore. Enough is enough and we will, as we are in other parts of Willenhall and the wider Borough, use the powers of the Council to resolve this issue and bring the site back into economic use as a priority.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration
Walsall Council
The former pub, which has previously been at the centre of unsuccessful redevelopment plans, came into the spotlight again recently when Walsall Council’s derelict sites working group identified it as a site for redevelopment.
A big part of the borough’s ongoing regeneration and transformation will involve gaining ownership of derelict buildings and brownfield sites to bring them back into sustainable use and help protect the Greenbelt.
Walsall is undergoing a £1.5billion transformation and the Council is attracting funding and inward investment to regenerate the borough, creating jobs and opportunities for residents and businesses and developing more much-needed housing .
A decision on the court case is expected in December.
areas. Manchester receives 23% less local government funding per capita and Cumbria 26% less public health funding per capita than their share of estimated needs. The most deprived fifth of areas receive a share of total funding that is 3% lower than their share of estimated needs, while the least deprived fifth of areas receive 3% more. This pattern is driven almost entirely by local government funding, where the gaps are much starker (-9% for the most deprived and +15% for the least deprived).
Much could be done to improve how funding for public services is allocated between areas. The government’s estimates of the relative needs of different areas for spending on local government, police and public health have not been updated for a decade, and rely on data from even longer ago. The government should update these estimates, and use them in a fair and transparent way when allocating funding to different areas. Alongside the report, researchers have launched an interactive online tool which allows users to see estimates of funding and relative spending needs – and the gaps between them – in each area of England.
Kate Ogden, a Senior Research Economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and an author of the report said:
“Funding systems for public services are trying to balance a range of different aims. But if one of the aims is for people to be able to access consistent public services across the country, then the current systems are not fit for purpose. Differences in levels of funding for local government, police and public health services across England do not reflect today’s patterns of need as they are based on data that are now years out-of-date.
Addressing this issue will take several years at least and will create losers as well as winners, which will be particularly obvious when overall funding is constrained. But, the government should commit to – and set out a time frame for –the necessary reforms if it is serious about making funding systems fit for the future and aligning funding for public services with its goals for ‘levelling up’.”
Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation said:
“The funding local government receives is critical for the building blocks of good health, such as secure housing, good education and green spaces. There must be marked improvement in funding allocation, transparency, and support for local areas to address specific needs. Without this, we will not see reductions in the inequalities across the country that all our policymakers, regardless of party, have committed to tackling.”
The 23-year-old male arrived at the Park on 9 August 2023 and has spent his first few days meeting his new keepers and settling into his new home.
Coco was identified as a suitable match for the Park’s female elephant, Five, and keepers hope that the pair will successfully breed in the future, supporting the EEP (EAZA Ex-situ Programme) for African elephant conservation. His arrival follows the departure of Five’s son, Sutton, who moved to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in May, to join a bachelor herd of elephants.
Andy Plumb, Head Keeper of Elephants said, “The team are very excited to welcome Coco to the Park. Having recently moved Sutton to another zoo, to continue his path to adulthood, Coco will be a great companion for Five, our 31-year-old female, and we hope they form a strong bond.
“The move went very smoothly and the arrival of an experienced male like Coco at the Park, will hopefully enable us to achieve our goals of becoming a successful breeding group in the future. We’re looking forward to introducing him to all our guests.”
Coco has already sired calves, both at his previous home in the UK and at Cabarceno Zoo Obregon, in Spain,
where he was born on 14 June 2000. The next step for Coco is to continue to introduce him to his new habitat, including outdoor pools, mud wallows, state-of-the-art elephant house, dust baths and feeding areas. As a member of BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquar-
iums, West Midland Safari Park adheres to the highest standards in the world when caring for elephants. When Coco is fully settled, he will then be slowly introduced to Five, by allowing them to meet in neighbouring outdoor paddocks. African elephants face an uncertain
future and are listed as ‘endangered’ by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), with the wild population declining due to poaching for their ivory and loss of habitat.
Therefore, it’s ever more important for wildlife collections to work to-
gether to ensure the preservation of endangered species such as African elephants, alongside providing the best standards of animal welfare.
West Midland Safari Park is partnered with the charity Tusk, which supports ‘in the field’ conservation through the Mali Elephant Project. This project protects a unique population of 550 sub-desert elephants and the Park annually fundraises, donates and raises awareness for this cause.
Coco can be seen in the four-mile safari drive-through, which is included in the admission charge and the best prices can be booked online in advance. Children under the age of three are free.
Adventure Theme Park rides are charged extra. Admission includes a Free Return to visit again within six months, only when booking online in advance.
Further information about West Midland Safari Park is available from the Park’s website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114. Find out more on the Safari Park’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ WestMidSafari.
Operations have been launched as part of a coordinated response by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), West Midlands Police (WMP), Birmingham City Council, and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner to recent incidents that have resulted in deaths and serious injuries.
Targeted enforcement is being carried out by police at known hot spots in a show of intent by the region’s authorities that anti-social driving will not be tolerated.
A high-profile awareness campaign has also been launched today on billboards and social media across the wider West Midlands, featuring hard-hitting messages warning of the tragic consequences of reckless behaviour behind the wheel.
A number of joint actions to improve safety on the region’s roads were agreed by authorities following several hitand-run incidents and other cases of dangerous driving over recent weeks. It follows a summit chaired by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and attended by Craig Guildford, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police; Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council; Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner; Anne Shaw, executive director of TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Mayor’s walking and cycling commissioner, Adam Tranter, alongside other local representatives.
The Mayor said: “Any death on our roads is a tragedy and in recent weeks we’ve seen too many lives lost, families heartbroken, and communities outraged. That’s why we must all work together and remain focussed on taking sustained action that can make our roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. It’s going to require a huge effort – and we’re already turning words into action.
“Alongside enforcement that has started today, TfWM has also launched a campaign with our partners to appeal to the consciences of drivers by alerting them to the dire and tragic consequences that can result from bad driving. We’re refreshing our region’s road safety strategy with a more ambitious target for no road deaths and, at the same time, we continue to invest heavily in safer cycling and walking routes right across the West Midlands.”
Superintendent Gareth Mason, head of roads policing in the West Midlands, added: “Road safety is a key issue for WMP and we continue to carry out daily activity, but we cannot do this work alone which is why we are working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, TfWM, and local groups. “We know that by working together with our partners and local communities we can make significant progress in creating safer roads.
“We continue to urge all motorists to prioritise road safety, obey speed limits and remain vigilant while driving. Your actions can make a significant difference in preventing accidents and protecting lives.”
As part of the coordinated crackdown, police have pledged an increase in around-the-clock, intelligence-led and hot spot enforcement operations to
crackdown on anti-social driving and speeding, and to make it even easier for local people to report and provide evidence of dangerous behaviour on the roads.
As a further deterrent to speeding, partners will work together to lower speed limits, increase the number of average speed cameras on the region’s most dangerous roads, and use Safer Streets 5 funding to tackle anti-social driving. Plans for a segregated cycle lane on the A45 in Birmingham will also be accelerated with the aim of having spades in the ground for the first phase by this winter.
All of these immediate actions will be supported by longer-term plans to develop and deliver schemes which support active travel and improve the safety of vulnerable road users.
In September, TfWM will launch a revised Road Safety Strategy with the goal of a 50 per cent reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on West Midlands roads by the end of 2030 and the ultimate target of Vision Zero for no deaths.
This will align with Birmingham City Council’s own road safety strategy which will be published later this year.
Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council, said: “For far too long we have given priority to cars and other motor vehicles, and this must change. We have set out in our transport plan how we want Birmingham to be a place to live and be, not drive and park, with people making better use of public transport, walking and cycling. In changing our priorities we can achieve a change in attitude and behaviour – after all, we all want safer roads.
“Everyone can play their part, whether authorities, charities, campaigners or members of the public. We have an ambitious but vital goal and together we can, and must, achieve it because we cannot tolerate dangerous driving that causes so many deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”
Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “People being tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads is unacceptable.
“That’s why I am holding West Midlands Police to account, to prevent, tackle and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on our roads.
“The force has agreed to crackdown on rule breakers on our roads, set up two new police teams to bring dangerous drivers to justice and make it easier for you to report dangerous driving. Keeping people safe on our roads must remain a top priority.”
Adam Tranter, the Mayor’s cycling and walking commissioner, said: “The recent tragic collisions have made it clear that we need to do more to tackle dangerous and anti-social driving. I’m really thankful to the Mayor and our colleagues at West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council and TfWM who got around the table, took the challenge and worked quickly together to try to change things.
“Reaching Vision Zero is a big task and is only possible if we all work together and have a relentless focus on enforcement, safer infrastructure and education.”
Through the scheme, which will launch in the East and West Midlands, any offender who poses a threat to a former partner or their children can now be forced to wear an electronic tag, protecting victims from further trauma.
Offenders who are tagged can be banned from going within a certain distance of a victim’s home, with the tags monitoring their whereabouts or making them abide by a strict curfew. Offenders who breach these rules face being returned to prison.
Up to 500 prison leavers will, for the first time, be made to wear a GPS or curfew tag as part of an initial pilot which is expected to be rolled out across England and Wales next year.
The government has also announced today that over 2,700 victims have been protected from further harassment from their imprisoned abusers thanks to a Prison Service scheme launched last summer.
The Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service ensures offenders are unable to dial a victim’s number from prison phones or send out threatening letters to their address. Its relaunch last year through a simple online form and greater publicity has spared thousands from threats and abuse.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk, said: Survivors of domestic abuse show great strength and bravery in coming forward, and it is right that every tool is used to protect them from further harm.
The tagging of prison leavers at risk of committing further domestic abuse is a further protection we are introducing to help victims rebuild their lives and feel safe in their communities.
Louise, a survivor of domestic violence, said:
The thought of my abuser trying to make contact – either from behind bars or once released – was one that left me feeling anxious and powerless. These measures provide reassurance that we as survivors are being better protected from these efforts to intimidate and terrorise us.
More than 3,000 reports have been made to the Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service since its relaunch in June 2022 – representing a 4,779% increase
compared to the old offline scheme. Of the 2,700 unique users who have filed reports, 93% are female with many being victims of domestic violence. The service has also been used to disrupt criminal activity, such as the use and possession of illicit mobile phones by prisoners from behind bars. A recent case saw a prisoner’s sentence extended by 30 months, as a result of intelligence submitted via the online portal.
Crucially, the scheme allows domestic violence charities and other support services to file reports on behalf of the victims, saving them from having to think about their abuser.
The introduction of the domestic abuse tagging pilot is part of the government’s wider monitoring programme which was extended in 2021 to include two world-first projects, tagging thieves, burglars and robbers using location data to pin them to the scenes of further crimes and imposing alcohol monitoring tags on offenders post-custody.
Should an individual breach their licence conditions, such as entering an exclusion zone or breaching a curfew, then the offender faces going back behind bars.
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, says:
I welcome announcements from government today to tackle perpetrators of domestic abuse. The domestic abuse electronic tags pilot is a positive step forwards in protecting victims. By blocking perpetrators from contacting victims, the Unwanted Pris-
oner Contact scheme sets an important standard that the criminal justice system will not be used to further domestic abuse, making a difference for survivor’s safety, recovery, and freedom from abuse.
For too long, the onus has been on victims of domestic abuse to protect themselves from harm. I will continue to work with government to ensure a whole suite of measures is in place to protect victims and prevent domestic abuse, including improving probation practice and the use of evidence-based perpetrator interventions.
Valerie Wise, National Domestic Abuse Lead at the charity Victim Support said:
Unwanted contact from offenders is frightening and stressful – it is often used to intimidate survivors and continue campaigns of abuse.
Early indications that survivors are making use of this service is positive news. We hope it will continue to make it easier and quicker to stop this behaviour, so that survivors can move on and rebuild their lives.
These measures build on the government’s intention to end violence against women and girls, building on the landmark Domestic Abuse Act which introduced a range of measures to protect victims. This includes the introduction of new offences for nonfatal strangulation and image-based abuse and banning the cross-examination by abusers in the family courts. The government has also quadrupled funding for victim services and recruiting hundreds more Independent Domestic Violence Advisers.
DOMESTIC
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has hailed plans for tackling road casualties and reckless driving that West Midlands Mayor, laid out today, but warns more must be done to effectively remedy the situation.
The Birmingham-based accident prevention charity is deeply concerned with the recent spate of fatalities and irresponsible driving that have made the headlines recently, with yesterday seeing reports of an e-bike rider killed in a collision with a driver in the city’s Yardley area, as well as a fatal crash in the Jewellery Quarter which saw a man and a woman arrested for dangerous driving.
David Walker, Head of Road and Leisure Safety at RoSPA, said:
“We welcome the announcement of the Mayor, pledging to reduce the current spike in violent road incidents in the Birmingham area by the focus on education and enforcement, but as a accident prevention charity, there are still concerns we would like to see addressed.
Having previously written to the Mayor about our concerns, his statement today made no mention of infrastructure
changes required and without the expedition of these projects on Birmingham’s roads, the current proposals will only partially address the city’s road troubles.
We welcome some of the previous packages of work, however, these infrastructure changes are critical to achieving the vision of a safer Birmimgham and are the measures that will protect everyone, all the time, as we have seen in other world-leading cities.
Given that exceeding the speed limit and travelling at an inappropriate speed contributes to 27 per cent of fatal collisions, we welcome the commitment to consult on reducing speed limits from 40mph to 30mph. However, as a number of these incidents have taken place on 30mph roads, a wider review of speed limits is needed.
“We ask Andy Street and the decisionmakers within West Midlands Combined Authority to listen to our concerns, announce their intention to speed-up the rollout of safer infrastructure, and faithfully commit to their mission to bring down the road casualty rate in the second city.”
One of Birmingham’s biggest parks will celebrate its 150th anniversary by stepping back into the Victorian era this month.
A free, family event will be staged in Cannon Hill Park on Saturday 9 September to celebrate how philanthropist Louisa Ryland’s gift of 57 acres of meadowland has created one of the city’s most popular parks. A range of performances and activities will take place across the day, linked to key events in the 1870s, including tightrope workshops, inspired by Charles Blondin’s spectacular feat of crossing Edgbaston Reservoir.
Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Birmingham has more than 600 parks and green spaces, with Cannon Hill Park being one of the most
popular with our city’s residents and visitors.
“This anniversary shows how integral this park is to the local community for their health and wellbeing and recreation – we must thank Louisa Ryland for having the foresight in donating land which has become so much more to Birmingham over the past 150 years.”
The park was created over a century-and-a-half ago after Louisa Ryland donated much of her family home’s land (57 acres) to Birmingham Corporation, which resulted in the park being opened to the public on 1 September 1873.
On that day every visitor received a card stating that Cannon Hill Park was for the use of the people of Birmingham for ‘healthful recreation’ who will ‘aid the protection and
preservation of what is now their own’.
Commemorative cards will be gifted to visitors to the event from 11am –4.30pm. There will be an opportunity for the public to get involved with the Friends of Cannon Hill Park community group initiated by Birmingham Open Spaces Forum. Cannon Hill Park was designed by Mr T J Gibson, who also created Battersea Park in London. In fact, many of the seeds and plants used in the creation of the ornamental gardens were supplied by Kew Gardens. The city council’s gold-medal Chelsea Flower Show display – which celebrates Birmingham’s parks – will be officially reopened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal, to mark the park’s 150th anniversary.
In a momentous recognition of her exceptional leadership and achievements, Penny Appeal’s Ridwana Wallace-Laher has been awarded the prestigious title of CEO of the Year at the inaugural edition of The 1st British Asian Professional Awards 2023. The awards ceremony, organised by Oceanic Consulting, was held on Friday, September 1st, at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre.
The British Asian Professional Awards 2023 stand as a tribute to the remarkable contributions of British Asian professionals who have made a significant impact across various industries including law, accounting and finance, entrepreneurialism, the media and arts, third sector and across the width and breadth of professional fields in the United Kingdom. The event aims to spotlight the exceptional accomplishments of individuals who have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also played a vital role in advancing diversity and inclusion within the British professional landscape.
Ridwana Wallace-Laher’s recognition as CEO of the Year and recipient of the main award of the ceremony, re-
flects her outstanding leadership and dedication in a competitive business environment, she is the first Muslim female to head an international humanitarian charity. Ridwana’s accomplishments serve as a testament to her vision, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Since taking office as CEO of Penny Appeal, some of her achievements include: Personally leading the charity’s Qurbani distribution providing over 4 million people with meat rich meals on the blessed days of Eid on the ground in India, leading Penny Appeal’s emergency response to the increasingly concerning humanitarian calamity in Lebanon, advocated on behalf of the poorest and most vulnerable at 10 Downing Street and in parliament and Ridwana also authored an editorial in the prestigious Bond Magazine.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the CEO of the Year award at the 2023 British Asian Professional Awards,” said Ridwana Wallace-Laher. “This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a celebration of the collective efforts of my team and our commitment to driving positive change, the small change, big differ-
ence way. I am proud to be part of a community that values diversity and inclusion, and I am committed to continuing our journey toward success and empowerment.”
The 1st British Asian Professional
Awards 2023 provided a platform for professionals to come together and celebrate their achievements while inspiring the next generation of leaders. The event reinforces the significance of recognizing diversity and fostering
inclusivity within the British professional landscape.
Birmingham’s clean air zone (CAZ) has reduced the levels of nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2) – an air pollutant which adversely affects people’s health, a new study reveals.
University of Birmingham scientists used an innovative technique to discover that during the CAZ’s first seven months of operation, after correction for weather and seasonal effects, it resulted in ‘modest, but significant’ reductions in NO2 of up to 7.3%.
The new techniques produce a more accurate quantification of the clean air interventions– applying a method called – ‘random forest machine learning’ to strip out the effects of weather on air pollution levels, and then comparing the ‘de-weathered’ air pollution data in the Birmingham CAZ with those from cities with no CAZ, to quantify the ‘causal’ impact from the initial operation of the Birmingham zone.
Our work provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, an internationally significant policy to improve urban air quality in the UK’s second city. As predicted, Birmingham’s CAZ reduced NO2 pollution, but it has no detectable impact in the concentrations of fine particles, PM2.5 – the air pollutant with greatest health effects.
Their work, which is funded by Natural Environment Research Council and
supported by Research England under the Policy Support funding stream, is
This month, around 150,000 NHS doctors will start to receive a pay rise after the government accepted the recommendations of the Independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration’s (DDRB).
As part of the award, doctors covered by the review body, which includes doctors in training, consultants, specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors and dentists, will receive their pay rise backdated to April. This pay rise balances the need to keep inflation in check while giving staff significant pay increases.
First year doctors in training will receive a 10.3% uplift. This means basic pay for a first year junior doctor will increase from £29,300 to £32,300. For a junior doctor in core training with 3 years’ experience, it will increase from £40,200 to £43,900.
Pay scales for consultants are also increasing by 6%, meaning starting basic full-time pay will rise to £93,600. Taken together with on-call payments and other activities, the average consultant’s NHS earnings will increase to £134,000 a year. This is in addition to their 4.5% pay rise last year and significant pension reforms, which saw the annual allowance for tax-free pension saving increasing by 50% to £60,000 and removing the £1 million lifetime cap.
Some staff will also benefit from per-
formance pay, overtime, pay progression and pay rises from promotion, alongside the pay uplift.
Health and Social Care Secretary
Steve Barclay said:
I hugely value the work of NHS staff, and we’re giving junior doctors, consultants and senior NHS staff a fair pay rise as recommended by the independent pay review bodies – which is above what most in the public and private sectors are receiving.
We have worked at speed to ensure they will start receiving this in their pay packets this month. I’ve been clear this pay award is final and I urge the British Medical Association (BMA) to
end its callous and calculated strike action – these are only serving to lengthen waiting lists, harm patients and put more pressure on their colleagues.
The government is funding this pay award through prioritisation within existing departmental budgets, with frontline services being protected. More borrowing would add pressures on inflation at exactly the wrong time, risking higher interest rates and higher mortgage rates.
More widely, and alongside the pension tax reforms announced at budget, the government is implementing new retirement flexibilities to help retain experienced doctors, while making it easier and attractive for retired staff to return.
From 1 April 2023, restrictions were lifted on the amount of work that staff can do if they return to service after retirement, and allowed staff who retire and return to re-join the scheme and build more pension. From 1 October 2023, a further partial retirement option for staff will be introduced, which will allow them to claim a portion of their pension benefits but continue working and building further pension. This means more clinicians to provide appointments, ease winter pressures and deliver care to patients, as well as the retention of crucial knowledge and experience to ensure patients are receiving first-class care.
part of the WM-Air project. The study provides a blueprint for cities across the UK and beyond – such as London, Glasgow, Munich, Milan, and Amsterdam – to analyse the effectiveness of their own Clean Air interventions. Publishing their findings in Environmental & Resource Economics, the researchers reveal that, over the first seven months following the CAZ launch in June 2021, the biggest reductions in NO2 are at busy roadside locations within the CAZ with, as expected, no significant changes at the urban background site located outside the CAZ. They also found reductions in NO2 levels on roads outside the CAZ –suggesting that rather than displacing traffic to areas outside the CAZ, there could be positive effects, such as behavioural changes that contribute to reduced air pollution in surrounding areas, beyond the area of the CAZ itself.
Lead author Dr Bowen Liu, an assistant professor from the University of Birmingham, commented: “Our work provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, an internationally significant policy to improve urban air quality in the UK’s second city. As predicted, Birmingham’s CAZ reduced NO2 pollution, but it has no detectable impact in the concentrations of fine particles, PM2.5 – the air pollutant with greatest health effects.”
Professor Zongbo Shi, a senior author who oversaw this work, added: “PM2.5 at monitoring sites in Birmingham still regularly exceed WHO air quality guideline levels, at which health impacts occur with significant health implications, including hun-
dreds of premature deaths every year. More rigorous policy interventions – such as further local measures to reduce wood burning and agricultural emissions and nationally coordinated actions to mitigate secondary PM2.5 pollution – are needed to address nonvehicle sources of PM2.5 as quickly as possible.”
Air pollution is one of the largest risks to the health of urban populations, with short- and long-term exposure shown to increase the risk of acute and chronic disease outcomes and reduce life expectancy. Improving air quality reduces healthcare costs, including to the NHS, and boosts economic productivity with lower levels of pollution-related illness.”
The study unites the work of University of Birmingham atmospheric researchers and environmental economists. The novel approach combines the ‘de-weathering’ approach with economic science approaches – the causal inference method which won the 2021 Nobel Prize in economic sciences. Professor Shi and his team have successfully applied this approach to air pollution studies in China and the UK.
Co-authors Professors Rob Elliott and John Bryson commented: “Tackling the air pollution challenge facing us requires an interdisciplinary approach, of which this research is an excellent example – drawing contributions from social, medical, and environmental sciences. Such an approach can also be used to inform the design and modification of existing or even proposed policy solutions.”
People and businesses are being invited to share their views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures – including Botox, laser hair removal and dermal fillers – safer as thousands complain of ‘botched’ procedures.
The government’s first-ever consultation on treatments – also known as aesthetic procedures – will be used to shape a new licensing scheme for practitioners and cosmetic businesses which operate in England. This could include age limits and restrictions for high-risk procedures, including those involving injecting fillers into intimate parts of the body – including the breasts and buttocks.
Any new licensing scheme would protect patients from potential harm associated with poorly performed procedures. This will provide reassurance to people that wherever they go to get their treatments, they will receive the same high standards of practice.
The beauty industry is hugely important for the UK economy and is largely made up of female-owned, small and medium sized businesses, with the nonsurgical cosmetic industry previously
being valued at an estimated £3.6 billion in the UK.
New regulations will support businesses by introducing high standards across the sector, raising the reputation and professionalism of the industry.
Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said: Whether it’s Botox, dermal fillers or even a chemical peel, we have heard too many stories of people who’ve had bad experiences from getting a cosmetic procedure from someone who is inexperienced or underqualified.
There’s no doubt that the popularity of cosmetic procedures is increasing, so it’s our role to ensure consistent standards for consumers and a level playing field for businesses and practitioners. We want to make sure we get this right for everyone, which is why we want to hear your opinions and experiences through our new consultation.
An estimated 900,000 Botox injections are carried out in the UK each year. Save Face – a government approved register of accredited practitioners – received almost 3,000 complaints in 2022, with over two-thirds of those
Ashton Collins, Director, Save Face said:
Whilst we appreciate that we are still at very early stages of any potential licensing scheme being implemented in England, we are delighted to have been invited by the government to contribute our thoughts and ideas ahead of the release of this public consultation. Being involved in the process has enabled Save Face to actively contribute to roundtable discussions with ministers, policy makers and key stakeholders.
As the largest and longest established Professional Standards Authority accredited register, we are able to provide a unique level of insight based on 10 years of gathering data from practitioner and clinic audits as well as patient reported complaints, adverse reactions, and complications. This will enable us to help develop a fit for purpose scheme that has public safety as its primary focus. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government and key stakeholders during the next stages of the process.
around aesthetic procedures as a key part of this. Having worked with the government to achieve the ban on injectables for under 18s in 2021, we are delighted that they have continued this momentum with the commitment to introduce a licensing scheme covering a raft of higher-risk aesthetic treatments, many of which are largely unregulated.
Those seeking treatments deserve to do so with confidence that their practitioner is properly qualified in the service they’re offering, to the appropriate level of government approved educational standards. The Council has worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to get to this point, so we look forward to seeing the outcome of the consultation and helping to shape the regulatory framework as it progresses.
The consultation will run for 8 weeks and will close on Saturday 28 October 2023.
Churchill Retirement Living is delighted to announce it has raised a total of £504.56 for midland-based charities through a number of fundraising events over the past few months. Through these initiatives, the retirement developer continues to demonstrate its commitment in giving back to the local communities in which it builds.
The developments across the midlands organised three events which saw the involvement of Owners, employees, and local community members, all coming together to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The recent charity events hosted by Churchill Retirement Living include: Bower Lodge Shirley – In support of the Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group, Churchill Retirement Living successfully raised £200 St Nicolas Lodge Kings Norton – A
charity event was held in aid of Birmingham Hospice, where the lodge and the local community raised an impressive £142.56
Eleanor Lodge Knowle – In a heartwarming gesture, Churchill Retirement Living organised a charity event in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The initiative raised a significant amount of £162
The money raised included match funding through Churchill’s own charity, the Churchill Foundation, doubling the support provided to the charities.
Bernadette Hennelly, Regional Marketing Manager at Churchill Retirement Living Midlands expressed great pride in the company’s efforts to contribute positively to the Midlands community. She said: “At Churchill Retirement Living, we firmly believe in the importance of giving back to the
local community. Through our recent charity events, we have witnessed the incredible generosity and compassion of our Owners and staff. It is heartening to see how our collective efforts are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. We remain committed to supporting such important causes and will continue to organise initiatives that foster a spirit of unity and care within our communities.”
Churchill Retirement Living remains dedicated to enriching the lives of its residents and creating a positive impact on society. With a firm belief in the value of community engagement, the company will continue to explore opportunities to contribute to charitable causes and support the well-being of locals.
Professor David Sines CBE, Chair of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, said:
I warmly welcome the government’s decision to consult on this new, proposed licensing scheme. It will help to ensure that people who undergo nonsurgical cosmetic procedures receive treatment from practitioners who are properly trained and qualified, have the necessary insurance cover and operate from premises that are safe and hygienic.
I would urge everybody to seize the opportunity provided by this consultation and support the move towards sensible and proportionate regulation in this important sector.
Victoria Brownlie, Chief Policy Officer at the British Beauty Council: Since its inception, the British Beauty Council has been working to raise the reputation of the beauty industry and we see greater checks and balances
It follows the passing of the Health and Care Act in April 2022, which gave the Health and Social Care Secretary the power to introduce a licensing regime. Under the proposed scheme, which will be operated by local authorities in England, practitioners will need to be licensed to perform specific procedures, and the premises from which they operate will also need to be licensed.
The government has already made it illegal for under 18s to access Botox and filler treatments for cosmetic purposes and banned TV and social media adverts targeting under 18s with cosmetic procedures.
Anyone considering a cosmetic procedure should reflect fully on the possible impact of the procedure on both their physical and mental health and, if they decide to go ahead, take the time to find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner.
With the announcement that the first asylum seekers have been moved onto the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, opinions about the likely efficacy of this approach to address the asylum accommodation crisis are divided.
The Government claim it will act as a deterrent to asylum seekers considering coming to the UK. The implication is that somehow asylum seekers can access extensive information about asylum systems and living conditions in advance of leaving their country of origin, when that information is simply not available. Furthermore, hotel accommodation is portrayed as a “luxury” despite clear evidence from our study with Doctors of the World, and work by Refugee Action and the Refugee Council, which highlights extremely poor living conditions in hotels undermining asylum seekers’ physical and mental health.
It also suggests the provision of alternatives to hotel accommodation is the only way of saving money. Whereas the NGOs, Reclaim the Seas, and One Life to
Live, estimate that the cost savings will be a maximum of £10 per person per day. The longterm costs of using this kind of accommodation are likely to be extensive in human terms. The policy means essentially imprisoning extremely traumatised individuals for months or years, which causes harm to health and wellbeing, from which the asylum seekers may never recover.
The hotel accommodation cost crisis is one of the Government’s own making. The “crisis” can be addressed more cheaply and humanely by giving asylum seekers permission to work and thus allowing them to contribute to their own costs and speeding up asylum claim processing. The collapse of the system under the current Government is the real cause of this “crisis”. Using barges will
not address the scale of asylum seeker housing needed. To rehouse the 50000 asylum seekers living in hotels would require 100 barges and ports prepared to host them. In reality, the provision of such accommodation is just an empty and characteristically cruel gesture by a government that has failed in its duty to provide protection to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Dr Komal Aryal has been supporting mountain tribal communities in Taiwan after a typhoon hit the country, causing US$15m of damage
He has been working with various groups to aid civil disaster relief
Typhoon Khanun caused debris flows, floods and landslides that blocked transport links affecting thousands of farmers and hundreds of tourists.
Aston University crisis management expert Dr Komal Aryal has been helping a humanitarian effort in Asia following a typhoon.
Dr Aryal was touching down in Taiwan as part of his holiday when heavy rain, in the wake of Typhoon Khanun, hit the mountainous areas of the country on Saturday 5 August 2023.
The typhoon caused debris flows, floods and landslides that blocked transport links affecting over 22,000 mountain farmers and left hundreds of tourists stranded. It’s estimated around US$15m worth of damage has been done following the disaster.
Dr Aryal has been working with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) to manage a local humanitarian support camp based at the Wugong Village Puli Township and aid Taiwan’s civil disaster relief. He called on his expertise in
crisis and disaster management to begin coordinating the humanitarian response to the typhoon, before meeting with the Taiwanese president, Tsai Ing-wen, through the PCT at the local humanitarian response site. He has also helped in the clean-up at houses that have been affected by the typhoon-induced debris flow.
Dr Aryal said:
“As I was landing in Taiwan on Saturday night, a typhoon hit the country.
“The initial disaster incident report came to Taipei from a remote mountain location and my colleagues from PCT informed me about it, so I offered my help for the initial local humanitarian repose coordination and spontaneous volunteers management.
“Since then, I have helped to provided technical assistance to set up a local crisis/disaster/ humanitarian coordination office and humanitarian logistic management system for immediate crisis response.
“It has provided me a great opportunity to transfer Aston University’s crisis and disaster management knowledge to real crisis and disaster situation to help mountain tribe communities in Taiwan.”
Dr Aryal has now returned to Taipei after handing over all the technical coordination to local experts.
This money will aid in the coordination of humanitarian assistance provided by the Government of Bangladesh, donors, the UN, and NGOs prior to, during, and after disaster events. It will also ensure that this help reaches the most vulnerable people with the most essential relief supplies.
Furthermore, it will assist the Government of Bangladesh in developing a new risk assessment and contingency plan for earthquakes, as well as expand its work on anticipatory actions and early warning systems to assist people in taking precautions to protect their lives before disasters strike.
UK Development Director and Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Matt Cannell, said
“The devastating flooding in Sylhet last year and Chittagong Division this year demonstrate Bangladesh’s vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change.
“The UK is proud to partner with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to support greater disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Bangladesh. I am pleased to announce this during the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP’s Disaster Resilience Week.
“This will help guarantee that disaster responses are coordinated and well-informed, and that more preparations are made ahead of disasters, limiting their impact and saving lives.
“This builds on the UK’s historic support for humanitarian response in Bangladesh and complements the Government of
The UK will provide a multi-million pound boost to support healthcare staff recruitment and retention in 3 African countries – Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana – supporting resilience against global health challenges.
could worsen worldwide health inequalities.
Bangladesh’s remarkable work on disaster resilience and response to date.”
Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, said “The partnership with the UK will enhance coordination across the UN and NGOs in Bangladesh, and as a result strengthen support to the government of Bangladesh, and most importantly to the people most affected by natural disasters. The impact of climate change and the resulting intensity of disasters means this work is more important than ever. Our efforts are focused on better early warning systems, anticipatory action and a quick and timely response to emergencies and disasters.”
Fifteen million pounds from the ringfenced Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2022 to 2025 will be committed to optimise, build and strengthen the health workforce in the 3 African countries. Recognising the importance of the health workforce in lower and middle-income countries in improving health outcomes and achieving universal health coverage, the funding will give people in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana access to the full range of health services they need, when they need it.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for the UK to co-operate closely with international partners to tackle global health threats, which put considerable pressure on the NHS. The pandemic also resulted in workforce retention pressures around the world, while the demand for healthcare staff has increased. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a shortage of 10 million health workers globally by 2030, which threatens achieving global universal health coverage and
Addressing critical workforce challenges is key to strengthening health systems and building global resilience against future pandemics so people across the world – including in the UK – can be protected.
Health Minister Will Quince said:
Highly skilled, resilient staff are the backbone of a strong health service, so I’m delighted we can support the training, recruitment and retention of skilled health workforces in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.
This funding aims to make a real difference in strengthening the performance of health systems in each of the participating countries, which will have a knock-on effect on boosting global pandemic preparedness and reducing health inequalities.
Six million pounds from the ODA funding pledge will support WHO to deliver health workforce planning and capacity-building work – such as improved administration systems, and training and retention opportunities – in collaboration with local governments and health system stakeholders.
As part of this package, the Department of Health and Social Care will also run a £9 million 2-year competitive grant
scheme for a not-for-profit organisation to co-ordinate delivery of partnership work in participating countries. The partnership programmes for the health workforce include linking UK institutions with local health systems, promoting skills exchanges, and improving the curriculum, regulation and guidance in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. The delivery co-ordinator will be responsible for setting up, funding and overseeing this work to drive improvement in quality and retention of healthcare staff in the 3 countries, and ultimately help to ensure better outcomes for patients.
The funding builds on £5 million previously committed as part of the Building the Future International Workforce ODA programme in Ghana, Uganda and Somaliland, which aims to improve health workforce planning and management, provide training opportunities for refugees and displaced people, and link NHS institutions with country health institutions. Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana were chosen for the ODA award as they showed a clear need for workforce support, evidenced by high population mortality rates and low staff numbers, as well as unemployment among their trained health workers.
The funding will allow the Yorkshire bed and mattress manufacturer to increase its wholly UK-made exports to more than 15 overseas markets including USA, Canada and the UAE
Jay-Be previously won the 2023 British Furniture Manufacturers ‘Future of Furniture Excellence in Sustainability Award’; this funding will help trailblazing UK exports reach new international buyers
The UK government has secured a £2.5m funding package alongside Santander UK to help Dewsbury furniture manufacturer Jay-Be fuel its export growth.
UK Export Finance (UKEF), a government department which exists to help UK firms win, deliver and get paid for export contracts, provided support for the bed and mattress specialist by issuing a General Export Facility (GEF) loan guarantee. This allows Jay-Be to access a £2.5m funding package from Santander UK.
The GEF is a game-changing product for existing or prospective UK exporters, allowing smaller firms to access up to £25m in trade finance without a specific export contract.
Already a supplier to high street names like John Lewis, Bensons for Beds and Next, Jay-Be began exporting in 2012 and now serves customers in more than 15 countries. With this foothold, it will now be able to use UKEF support to ramp up its international sales and bring a Yorkshire export to more people than
ever.
Based in Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, JayBe designs and makes all of its products in the UK. Further expansion overseas will help to support jobs within the UK manufacturing sector.
The newly announced UK government guarantee means that Jay-Be can continue its export growth by extending its next-day delivery service to overseas regions where it operates. The extra £2.5m will allow it to invest in overseas facilities where it can keep local stocks, mak-
ing it possible for the Dewsbury firm to deliver to customers all over the world within a single day.
This is the latest instance of UKEF helping small and medium-sized enterprises across the country access trade funding from the private sector. Four in every five companies which the export credit agency supported in the last year were small-to-medium-sized companies and based outside London.
This deal is also a step forwards for sustainable UK manufacturing, which will
help this country’s innovative exports reach a wider international audience than ever. Jay-Be uses materials like sustainably sourced wood and recycled plastic. In 2023, it won the British Furniture Manufacturers ‘Future of Furniture Excellence in Sustainability Award’.
Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, said:
Our General Export Facility means that UK businesses can access up to £25 million in trade finance without tying it to one specific contract; this deal with award-winning Yorkshire manufacturer Jay-Be shows the difference which this can make for existing exporters who dream of accessing more global markets.
I wish Jay-Be the very best success in its growth plans.
Alissia Deane, UKEF Export Finance Manager for West Yorkshire, added: UKEF exists to help businesses nationwide win and deliver export contracts, offering free, impartial advice through its regional Export Finance Managers as a starting point. This announcement of our support for Jay-Be shows the value which we, working alongside financial institutions like Santander UK, can bring to innovative companies looking to grow their global presence.
Roger Durrans, CEO of Jay-Be, said: We are extremely appreciative of Santander UK and UK Export Finance for this support. Our journey into international markets over the past few years
has presented its share of challenges, but achieving the export of our beds and mattresses overseas is an accomplishment of which we are very proud.
Now that we have successfully established a presence in multiple countries, this export loan facility is pivotal. It will enable us to maintain stock in each export market, enhancing our ability to provide an improved local service, which will significantly accelerate our global expansion strategy and ultimately contribute to creating more employment opportunities in our local area.
Simon Dunn, Trade & Supplier Finance Director at Santander UK, said:
We are pleased to build on the funding we provided our client Jay-Be last year with this latest funding package to support it to grow internationally. Given our extensive international network and overseas trade expertise, we are well placed to assist Jay-Be to grow. Santander UK is proud to support businesses such as Jay-Be that are manufacturing innovative products that minimise impact on the environment.
Mark Ling, Head of Trade Finance & Supplier Finance at Santander UK said: We are delighted to continue supporting Jay-Be’s export journey alongside the support from UKEF. The General Export Facility, which was developed in collaboration with UKEF and UK banks, is really helping the vital growth of exports from the UK.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a leading cause of death in the countries where it is practised, with over 44,000 additional women and young girls dying each year, a new study reveals.
FGM accounts for more deaths in these countries than any cause other than enteric infections – usually resulting from consuming contaminated food or water – respiratory infections, or malaria and remains legal in five of the 28 countries where it is most practiced.
Researchers are calling for FGM to be made illegal Mali, Malawi, Chad, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, given that legal change can lead to cultural change. They also say that efforts must be stepped up to eliminate FGM in countries where it is practiced.
Publishing their findings in Nature Scientific Reports, researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Exeter analysed the numbers of girls subjected to FGM in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania. They discovered that a 50% increase in the number of girls undergoing FGM increases their five-year mortality rate and leads to estimated 44,320 excess deaths per year across countries where the practice takes place.
Co-author Professor James Rockey, from the University of Birmingham, commented: “Our findings show that FGM is a leading cause of death amongst girls and young women in countries where it is
Professor James Rockey University of Birminghampractised, but lasting change requires changing attitudes towards FGM in these communities.
“There is cause for optimism, as work on non-communicable diseases shows effective interventions are possible, but change in patriarchal attitudes often lags other societal change – an important first step would be for FGM to be made ille-
gal in the countries where it is within the law, given that legal change can lead to cultural change.”
Globally, over 200 million women and girls have been subjected to FGM – a practice which often happens in unsanitary conditions and without clinical supervision with consequent severe pain, bleeding, and infection. It is known to lead to obstetric complications, reductions in sexual function, and other longterm physical health problems, as well as
mental health problems.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates the aggregate cost of medical treatment for girls and women after FGM was $1.4 billion in 2018. However, until now, there has been no systematic evidence about the role of FGM in the global epidemiology of child mortality – reflecting difficulties in measuring the practice.
A key social dimension of FGM is how it impacts on marriage, for example, the
practice influences women’s marriage opportunities in Western Africa – due to patriarchal culture and institutions.
t“Our research suggests that decisions about FGM may reflect trade-offs between perceived disadvantages of FGM, such as pain and illegality, and expected benefits such reduced social sanctions and a higher bride-price – people may factor in an increased risk of death as part of that calculation,” added Professor Rockey.
Our findings show that FGM is a leading cause of death amongst girls and young women in countries where it is practised, but lasting change requires changing attitudes towards FGM in these communities.
An Aston University PhD researcher has been shortlisted for Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (GBYPY) award.
Fahmida Choudhury, a Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) PhD researcher and insight producer at Punch Records, has been nominated in the Creative Arts and Culture category.
Her PhD is in collaboration with Punch Records where she explores how positive social change is promoted to reflect the social reality of ethnic minority communities engaged in the creative and cultural industries at a regional level. Fahmida’s study is designed to improve socio-economic prosperity in Birmingham and bridge the gap between ethnic minority academic research and business practice. The GBYPY awards form part of the Future Faces division of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
The overall winner from the sector categories will be crowned the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2023 and will be awarded a fully funded MBA from Aston University. There is also a bonus category, Future Faces President’s Award, chosen by the Future Faces division’s president, Kasim Choudhry.
“My study is driven by my personal interest in the challenges experienced by minority groups in sectors that advocate inclusivity. I aim to influence real-world practice, providing a sophisticated understanding of how grassroots support is influenced by wider institutional, social, and political landscapes. These academic insights are critical to promoting change in our sector. My work essentially bridges academia and the arts in a practical manner, bringing rigour and professionalism to the creative sector.”
Sophie Poduval-Morrell, Future Faces manager, said:
“We have had a record number of applications for the awards this year. It is the most applications we have ever had for the young professionals division of the Chamber.”
Over 60 young professionals across Greater Birmingham have been shortlisted for this years’ awards, spanning a wide range of sectors and professions.
The winners will be announced at the annual dinner and awards, taking place on Friday 22 September at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.
You can see the full list of nominees here.
About the Centre for Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME)
CREME was established in 2004 as a joint venture between a regional development agency (East Midlands Development Agency) with a passion for promoting enterprise amongst all communities, and a group of researchers committed to making a difference at ground level.
Fahmida said:
“I am delighted to be nominated.
“My work entails optimising data collection processes, adding professionalism that enhances the impact of our artistic projects. Beyond assessing impact, I study contemporary innovations revolutionising the creative sector. The insights I gather contribute to practical strategies helping Punch to be proactive and pioneering in an increasingly dynamic creative landscape.
It delivers leading expertise on business support for ethnic minority entrepreneurs, and has transformed perceptions by working with business policy-makers and influential organisations to engage collaboratively with overlooked or disregarded business communities. Headed by Professor Monder Ram OBE, CREME has built up a reputation regionally, nationally and internationally for its pioneering research and business engagement activities, promoting diversity and enterprise.
About Punch Records
Punch Records was founded in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham in 1997 by Ammo Talwar MBE. The agency began as an Black music record store, and quickly became a major hub for artists and DJ culture, pioneering sales for vinyl and mixtapes of various genres such as UK Garage – tapes like Sun City, La cos Nostra and Harmony were very popular in the late 90’s
A new research project has been launched to help businesses understand and improve their cyber security and streamline access to targeted support. Experts from the University of Nottingham’s School of Computer Science have been awarded almost £700,000 funding from EPSRC to lead a project to enhance understanding of SMEs’ cyber security support needs and their ability to address them.
The research aims to establish pilot Cyber Security Communities of Support (CyCOS), bringing together SMEs and advisory sources for practical help and support. The UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey indicates that half of small and a third of micro businesses experienced breaches or attacks in the last year. Whilst they do seek external guidance in relation to cyber security, they do so via a huge range of sources, and often find themselves overwhelmed with information and unable to understand the advice.
The research team includes Dr Maria Bada from Queen Mary University of London and Dr Jason Nurse from the University of Kent and is led by Steven Furnell, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Nottingham.
The research will investigate the support needs of small businesses, to establish their current understanding and confidence around cyber security, and their awareness and perceptions of available support. The investigation will seek to determine the scenarios in which cyber security advice is sought (e.g. during product evaluation, at point of purchase, in response to threats and incidents), and whether it is deemed effective.
The project will also analyse support routes available to these businesses, focusing on the coverage and consistency of advice, as well as the confidence and capacity of those providing it.
Research findings will be used to establish three pilot CyCOS which will include the creation of an online Support Broker, enabling the SMEs to identify support needs and contact advisory sources positioned to help them (which, as the community develops and grows in experience, may include peer support from other SMEs). The project offers upskilling opportunities for advisors and interested SMEs, via foundational cyber security certification to increase their related knowledge and capability.
The research is supported by strong industry collaboration, with partners including the Home Office, (ISC)2, IASME, the Chartered Institute of Information Security, the Centre for the New Midlands, and three regional Cyber Resilience
Businesses know there is a need to protect themselves from cyber attacks, but knowing just how to do this and where to go for trusted help can be a minefield. We want to make the process of accessing help easier and more targeted. Our research will improve understanding of SME needs and the perspective of those that they turn to for support. We will then use these insights as a foundation for the design and evaluation of a new and more accessible model for support with the Communities of Support pilots.
Steven Furnell, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Nottingham
Centres.
Professor Furnell adds: “This project is an exciting opportunity to plug a gap that exists in cyber security for SME’s. We hope that if successful the CyCOS model could be rolled out nationally and become a vital tool in the fight against cyber attacks.”
British businesses will be able to access brand new advice and support to reduce their energy bills while cutting their carbon emissions.
The UK Business Climate Hub launched in August includes a free carbon calculator and a suite of new tools to help businesses measure, track and report on their emissions and save money by using less energy. It offers detailed advice on everything from sourcing products from green suppliers and reducing emissions from freight and logistics to the most costeffective ways of installing solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Research shows that such measures can significantly save companies on their overheads. For example:
switching to EVs can not only cut running costs but also lower servicing and maintenance costs by around 40% compared to petrol or diesel cars with up to half of companies’ overall electricity bill coming from lighting, making changes such as switching to LED bulbs can help shave up to 40% off bills giving drivers fuel efficiency training can help save companies an average of 15% on fuel use and carbon emissions in transporting goods
The new support is aimed particularly at 5.5 million small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK, with business and industry accounting for around 25% of emissions. Research shows that 90% of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, but find it difficult to know how or where to start to find the right solutions
to reduce their carbon footprint.
Studies also show 85% of consumers are more likely to buy from a business with a reputation for sustainability, meaning going green can help grow the economy.
Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, said:
The UK has cut its emissions more than any other major economy in the world.
More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we’re determined to empower them to do so.
The new UK Business Climate Hub is a one-stop-shop for businesses to find practical advice to reduce their carbon footprint and save on their energy bills.
Whether it’s fitting a low-carbon heat
pump, generating energy with solar panels, or reducing the emissions from shipping goods, the new support will ensure businesses can drive towards net zero.
The new UK Business Climate Hub serves as a one-stop-shop for businesses who have yet to start making changes, as well as those who are already taking action to reduce emissions but want to take things to the next level. As well as helping bosses measure and report on their emissions, the site provides advice and support on an array of things, including:
• switching employee modes of transport and paying less for company EVs
• getting business grants, green loans and financing for a retrofit
• getting an air source heat pump
• generating green energy with a wind turbine and selling it back to the grid
• reducing emissions from farming and land use
• buying credible carbon offsets
• getting low-carbon product labels and certifications
• reducing waste and recycling more National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, Martin McTague, said:
We are pleased to have contributed to the new UK Business Climate Hub that will provide businesses with trusted tools and information to help them navigate the net zero transition.
SMEs recognise their role in net zero but many still find it challenging to access the relevant support and resources to play their part. This new official platform for advice and support will really help.
In addition to helping small firms become more energy and resource efficient, the hub also has the opportunity to empower small firms to take ambitious steps towards net zero, ultimately ensuring that they also benefit from the economic opportunities created in a net zero economy. The new site is endorsed by business leaders and ministers on the new Net Zero Council and comes as the organisation calls on business representative organisations across the country to take concerted action to plan to reduce their members’ emissions.
The group, comprising CEOs from leading companies including Co-op, HSBC,
Siemens and Cemex, have developed a new business roadmap framework to help empower businesses to work with others in their sector to create tailored action plans for their own industry to decarbonise.
These sector roadmaps would help companies the length and breadth of the country, from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth, and Penzance to Peterborough, to transition to net zero.
Co-Chair of the Net Zero Council, Co-op Group Chief Executive Shirine Khoury-Haq, said:
None of us will get to net zero without all of us getting to net zero, so ensuring that every business and every sector has a clear plan for delivering this non-negotiable target is key. I hope the UK Business Climate Hub will be a valuable tool for business leaders looking for guidance and support in this vital endeavour.
The framework, which has been endorsed by the Net Zero Council and that is being published today, is designed to support organisations working to articulate a credible roadmap to net zero on a sector by sector basis.
In 2020 the UK was estimated to already have over 400,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains across the country, with turnover at £41.6 billion. Over 80,000 green jobs are currently being supported or are in the pipeline because of new government policies since 2020, with that expected to increase to as many as nearly half a million by 2030.
A student “annoyed” at wasteful plastic hotel toothbrushes launched a business providing recyclable bamboo products as part of their MSc in Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School.
This was just one example of how students who want to turn their ‘eureka’ moment into a successful business need to embrace innovation, find a problem that needs solving and then create customer value.
The success story was recalled by Jocelyne Fleming, the course director of Aston Business School’s MSc in Entrepreneurship.
Mrs Fleming, a senior teaching fellow in economics, finance and entrepreneurship, was speaking in the latest episode of the ‘Aston means business’ podcast series, presented by journalist Steve Dyson.
She said she defined an entrepreneur as someone who sets up a business and wants to take a financial risk for the hope of profit.
She recalled one such student who was very interested in sustainable products for hotels after becoming “annoyed” at all the “throwaway” products.
Mrs Fleming said: “Even before he’d graduated, he had secured several contracts of hotels who said: ‘Yes, we want sustainable products,’ and he hadn’t even fully sourced them then. He subsequently has won a contract with a leading chain to sell bamboo toothbrushes.”
Another success story she referenced
were two alumni who met during their MSc and started an educational consultancy that develops “bespoke training programmes” for large businesses.
She said there were two types of entrepreneur: “We have people who have a real passion to try and make things better, or try to improve on existing products or services, and then you have another type of person who really is interested in creating new things we haven’t experienced before.”
She said an example of innovation was Airbnb, which was “a take on hotels and visiting places”. And when Blockbuster collapsed, Netflix sold videos, adding: “It’s really that idea of how you can improve an existing service.”
“But anybody can be an entrepreneur,” she added, “if you are using eBay, you’re setting up on Vinted, or you are managing your car-boot items on a Sunday. There could be a bit of entrepreneurship in all of us really.”
Mrs Fleming said Aston University’s MSc in Entrepreneurship was a mixture of core modules relating to business venturing, entrepreneurial strategies, innovation and emerging economies, and a module where students have to run a business throughout the term to see if they can make a profit.
In term three, they start their main project, which could be starting up an idea for a business or studying in another country with one of Aston’s partnering
universities.
There were also placement opportunities, an “incubation space” for students to think about their business, mentors, and specialised academics with vast experience of start-up businesses. “We also have innovation vouchers which is an opportunity for students to apply for funding to help start up their business.”
She added that Aston University was “completely committed to entrepreneurial activity”, adding that they won Entrepreneurial University of the Year in 2021.
“Aston loves everything entrepreneur, so you get support from a whole host of areas.”
She said the MSc course had a “very high pass rate” with around 65 to 70 per cent of graduates ending up either starting a business or undertaking entrepreneurial developments back in their existing business.
Mrs Fleming’s top tips for prospective students began with having a plan and being “passionate about something that you’ve noticed, this gap or problem you think you can solve.” And then to test it. She said there was no point in having an idea, or ‘eureka’ moment, that no-one was interested in. Students also needed to “embrace innovation” as everything was changing, while her last tip was creating value. “Is there something, an idea that you have, that can make a difference to somebody? Then it’s worth pursuing.”
“NOT
The Muslim Panto is thrilled to announce its captivating new production for the 2023/24 season, a mesmerising adaptation of the timeless classic, “Beauty and the Beast.” Titled “Beauty and the Balaah,” this humorous and enchanting tale reimagines the original story with a touch of cultural richness and symbolism that promises to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
“Beauty and the Balaah” takes inspiration from the beloved Disney classic and seamlessly integrates cultural nuances from the Muslim world, creating a unique blend of tradition and progress. Set in a picturesque village where the threads of tradition and modernity intertwine, the story introduces audiences to a spirited young Hijabi girl named Aisha, played by the talented Iman Akhtar from Glasgow. The storyline follows a young prince,
Balaah, who is transformed into a hideous creature by the benevolent Fairy Noor after succumbing to cruelty and greed under the influence of an evil wizard. To break the curse and regain his human form, Balaah must learn to love and be loved in return. When Aisha courageously enters his enchanted castle, she discovers the goodness that lies beneath his monstrous exterior. The Muslim Panto is proud to present an exceptional cast for “Beauty and the Balaah.” Joining Iman Akhtar as Aisha are Sabrina Nabi from Birmingham, Shehzad Ali Hussain from Luton, Noor Waheed from Staffordshire, Usman Farooqi from Manchester, and comedian Prince Abdi from Brixton. The production is written and produced by the renowned actor and writer Abdullah Afzal, known for his work on “Citizen Khan.”
The Muslim Panto’s performances hold a purpose beyond entertainment. All performances of “Beauty and the Balaah” are in aid of Penny Appeal’s Winter Aid, a charitable initiative aimed at providing essential support to those in need in areas including Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The eagerly anticipated “Beauty and the Balaah” will embark on a nationwide tour starting in early December, with up to 60 performances across the UK through January. Following the enormous success of the previous production, “Cinder’Aliyah,” which sold out within 48 hours of ticket sales opening, this new production is poised to captivate audiences with its unique blend of comedy, enchantment, and cultural resonance. For more information, tickets, and tour dates, please visit www.pennyappeal.org
August the 22nd sees the launch of The Dressing Rooms Bridal’s fantastic new photoshoot images highlighting its stance on inclusivity by directing a photoshoot involving beautiful models from all walks of life united by being a bride for the day!
One of the UK’s biggest bridal boutiques, TDR Bridal based near Birmingham has staged the UK’s best bridal photoshoot to highlight diversity within the industry and to reflect the wide range of customers the boutique welcomes through its doors.
Looking to portray just how inclusive they are, offering a bridal styling service that is accepting and open, TDR Bridal maintains that it is open to everyone, whichever community they belong to or perceived differences they have, with the slogan #ONESIZEDOESNOTFITALL
Owner of TDR and one of the wedding industry’s best-known personalities, Rebecca Baddeley explained: “I have known for some time that I wanted to do something, needed to do something, to address the elephant in the bridal world room. I remember around eight years ago question-
ing why there were no black models at a trade show. Don’t get me wrong, things are improving but the diversity shown in the aesthetic we offer out to the world of engaged couples is seriously lacking and, as uncomfortable as it may be, we the collective bridal industry, need to take a long hard look in the mirror, and see what we are portraying. At the moment, that looks like a world where only straight, young, white, able-bodied females, buy wedding dresses. This isn’t real life and I am sometimes ashamed of this stereotypical, somewhat archaic representation of brides.”
Speaking about the shoot itself, Rebecca goes on to say:“On shoot day, the moment the first model came out of the changing area, I knew that this would be something special… It is my hope that people’s perception of what a bride should look like is challenged and may be changed, so that we can all as a collective, ensure that diversity in all its forms is represented in the bridal industry.“
TDR’s shoot brought together some of the wedding industry’s most revered professionals, including TDR Bridal
Birmingham @tdrbridalbirmingham
Bohemian Rose Photography @bohemianrosephotography Through the Lens With Marvin Marius @ throughthelensmm Eyes to Pixels @ eyestopixels The Wedding House Droitwich @theweddinghouse_droit-
wich Bridal By Artists @bridalbyartists
THE MODELS: Alison @alisonwilliams4617 Betti @bettidooley Katie @katieknowles1 Lena @lenamcallister Cassie @cassie.faye.x Liam @ liammark95 Maariyah @maari.yah
Nadia @godessdiamonds88 Amy @a_marren
Arti @officialartishar Faye @faye_adams_ Keziah @keziahnkounkou Poppy @popular_vipfuturestar Sherrill @cloudysherrill Elena @elenaevripidou_ Alison @alisonwilliams4617
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is returning to perform with local artists and performing groups in Wembley Park this September, as Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey becomes a reality. Three free-to-attend familyfriendly performances of music, dance, poetry and carnival arts will take place in unique urban locations in London’s most exciting new neighbourhood, Wembley Park, on Sunday 3rd September 2023. Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey follows the story of Anglo-Saxon traveller Wemba, who, in 825ad, journeyed to settle on the clearing in the forest (‘lea’ in Anglo-Saxon) that would be named Wemba’s Lea (or Wembley). Wemba’s journey was the first of a multitude, with people travelling from across the world to the heart of Brent. The performance looks at how we all take our own journeys, which shape our lives in unexpected ways with hope, anticipation, joy, sadness, self-discovery, and new perspectives that change how we see the world. It celebrates the resilience of those who cross oceans and continents to find a place to call home, overcoming barriers and struggles to find freedom and tell their stories through art.
The original performance of Wemba’s Dream took place in 2021; the second had been planned for 2022 but was postponed due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. This second instalment, Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey, on 3rd September 2023, will feature a 50+-piece orchestra along with performers from St Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra, Mahogany Carnival, Word Up and the Sujata Banerjee Dance Company, together with the RPO. The show will begin in The Undercroft, the newly created performance space lo-
cated under the Olympic Steps leading up to Wembley Stadium, before journeying to the multi-purpose space at Green Parking, a short walk away. Notting Hill Carnival costume legends, Mahogany Carnival Arts, will lead the audience in a procession from The Undercroft to Green Parking as part of the event.
Three performances of Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey will take place, at 1.15pm, 2.30pm and 3.45pm on 3rd September, with a total audience capacity of 1,500 people. Tickets are free and must be booked in advance, at wembleypark. com/wembas-dream.
Rising star Dani Howard, The Times 2022 Breakthrough Artist of the Year
nominee and 2022 South Bank Sky Arts Awards Classical Music Category nominee, is behind the composition of Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey. The 30-year-old contemporary composer is known for her fresh approach, reaching new audiences, and breaking down barriers to classical music. Howard has worked collaboratively with RPO musicians, and the Brent-based performers to create new scores and reimagined arrangements.
“Teaming up with these exceptionally talented local artists from Brent has been a truly inspiring experience. I’ve found immense joy in championing their creative spirit and aiding in the creation of
new works, which I am confident audiences will love. The spectacle of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra sharing the stage with our local talents promises to be a unique and electrifying live event. I’m beyond thrilled that we’re bringing this show to fruition in Wembley Park this September.”
Dani Howard, Composer
The free performance experience comes ahead of the RPO moving its headquarters to Wembley Park in 2025 and is the realisation of its long-held ambition to imbed the Orchestra in a diverse community, in line with its mission to be a truly inclusive and contemporary international orchestra for the modern age.
Wembley Park is the ideal acoustic and artistic backdrop for exciting new performances and as the second most culturally diverse borough in the UK, Brent is the ideal setting.
“We are delighted to mark the enduring partnership between Wembley Park and the RPO through this creative event, aimed at highlighting Brent’s finest talents and celebrating our local heritage. Wemba’s Dream, with its innovative and fresh take on orchestral music, is a jewel in our calendar of annual events here at Wembley Park. The fact that it’s returning this year thrills us immensely. With the rich and diverse creative talent in Brent and the RPO, we’re certain Wemba’s Dream will strike a chord with our local audiences.”
Josh McNorton, Cultural Director, Wembley Park
“Our vision is to ensure that everyone, everywhere can experience the thrill and excitement of live orchestral music. Community engagement and inclusion play a central role in that. We want everyone to feel welcome, from our current audiences to those who have never before experienced the power and the beauty of live classical music. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is on a journey to build an inclusive, relevant and exciting orchestra for the modern age, where musicians from all backgrounds have equal opportunities based on merit. Our projects in Wembley Park are perfectly aligned with that vision and we are delighted to be reaching new and diverse audiences this September with Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey.”
James Williams, Managing Director, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Shah Rukh Khan switches on the party mood! Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya song from Jawan is OUT NOW! The recent #AskSRK session took Shah Rukh Khan’s fans by surprise as the superstar revealed a glimpse of the next song from his highly anticipated film, Jawan. Building up the anticipation, the makers then released additional glimpses of the third song through a teaser, leaving the audience eagerly waiting for its release. Finally, the wait is over as the ‘Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya’ song is here and ready to make the nation groove.
The ‘Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya’ song has certainly lived up to its promise of delivering a heart-thumping party number. With its recent release, it has cast a spell on us, captivating us with SRK’s magical charm and infectious energy. This trendsetter dance moves in the song are simply irresistible, making us want to hit the dance floor. Furthermore, the song has been released in three different languages, ensuring that the party vibes are kept intact.
In its Hindi version, “Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya” is composed by the prolific Anirudh Ravichander, with lyrics penned by the very popular lyricist Kumaar, who has a string of latest hits to his credit. The talented trio of Anirudh Ravichander, Vishal Dadlani, and Shilpa Rao have lent their voices to this mesmerizing song, beautifully choreographed by
Vaibhavi Merchant.The Telugu version, also titled “Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya,” features Anirudh Ravichander’s composition, with lyrics penned by the acclaimed Oscar winning lyricist,Chandrabose. Sreerama
Chandra, Rakshita Suresh, and Anirudh Ravichander have added their vocals to this energetic party number, choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.
Furthermore, the Tamil version, named “Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya,” is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with lyrics
penned by the very popular lyricist Vivek, who has a string of latest hits to his credit. Anirudh Ravichander, Sreerama Chandra, and Rakshita Suresh have lent their charming voices to this song, which is beautifully choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.
‘Jawan’ is a Red Chillies Entertainment presentation directed by Atlee, produced by Gauri Khan, and co-produced by Gaurav Verma. The film will release worldwide in theatres on September 7th, 2023, in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages.
Gadar 2, the latest Indian film sensation, is rewriting history with its unprecedented achievements. Boasting an impressive collection of over Rs 300 crores within its first week, this action-packed movie has left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. Its compelling storyline, high-octane action, and soul-stirring music have captivated hearts once again, proving its unstoppable success.
A noteworthy aspect of Gadar 2’s triumph is its simultaneous screening on 10 screens at Star Cinemas, AL Ghurair Centre, Dubai – a feat never
before achieved by an Indian film in the UAE. The Consulate General of India in Dubai proudly hosted a success celebration for Gadar 2, underlining its widespread acclaim.
Sunny Deol, the superstar of Gadar 2, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are deeply honored by the Consulate General of India in Dubai hosting the success celebration for Gadar 2. Tara Singh’s universal journey and family love crossing borders is a monumental triumph in itself.”
Filmmaker Karan Johar’s latest directorial, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles, has crossed $15 million in key overseas territories. Since its release on 28th July, the Dharma Productions-Viacom18 Studios co-production, distributed overseas by Moviegoers Entertainment, has crossed $7 million in North America; £1.45 million in the UK; A$1.5 million in Australia; $3.5 million in UAE; with the balance accrued across rest of the world. The overseas collections for the family entertainer have now surpassed those of previous blockbuster releases, Bajirao Mastani ($15 million); Ae Dil Hai Mushkil ($12.27 million); Brahmastra ($14.2 million); Gully Boy ($10 million); Simmba ($13.5 million); and War ($14 million). By Wednesday 16th August, the film crossed £1.49 million in the UK, surpassing Karan Johar’s previous directorial, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and Pakistani blockbuster, The Legend Of Maula Jatt.
Marching towards $17 million as the film approaches its 4th weekend, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has truly connected with audiences and found its value at the Box Office. Its impressive numbers can also be attributed to overseas distributor, Moviegoers Entertainment, that has continued to secure screens for the film while up against major Hollywood releases in the form of Barbie and Oppenheimer and despite other major Indian releases, Gadar 2, Jailer and OMG2.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has proved a hit with diaspora audiences as a quintessential Karan Johar entertainer with a social message, combined with stellar performances by its star leads, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, alongside veteran actors, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi.
Viacom18 Studios and Dharma Productions’ Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta, is in cinemas now.
grim messages about death and disease on the outside with the best advice about how to quit on the inside. They will help deliver not just the smokefree 2030 ambition, but also the major conditions strategy, as smoking is responsible for all 6 major conditions from cancer to cardiovascular and respiratory disease, as well as dementia, mental ill health and musculoskeletal disorders. The consultation launch comes as the government publishes an initial report on its major conditions strategy – which covers the 6 groups of conditions accounting for 60% of all ill-health and early death in England.
One in 4 people in England live with 2 or more major long-term conditions, and the initial report sets out the direction for the strategy to tackle these groups of conditions – cancers, cardiovascular diseases (including stroke and diabetes), musculoskeletal disorders, mental ill health, dementia and chronic respiratory conditions. This includes by addressing key risk factors and lifestyle drivers of ill-health and disease, including smoking, which is a direct contributor to all 6 groups of conditions covered by the strategy. For example, it is the biggest cause of cancer, with one in every 5 cancer deaths in Eng-
land connected to smoking. A world leader in reducing smoking rates, UK levels are currently at their lowest on record at 13.3%. But across the UK, 1 in 7 adults still smoke – around 6.6 million people – and the impacts on the NHS and economy are significant. Tobacco also costs the economy in England an estimated £14 billion in lost productivity every year, due to lost earnings, unemployment and early deaths. The average smoker stands to save approximately £2,000 per year from giving up their habit.
The government will seek views on adding pack inserts into tobacco products to encourage more smokers to quit as it launches a new consultation today.
Placed inside the packaging of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, they would contain positive messages to encourage people to quit and signpost them to advice and support. The messages set out the health benefits of quitting – for example, improvements to breathing within a matter of days and a 50% reduction in the risk of heart attack within a year – as well as showing smokers how much money they stand to save by giving up, with the average person likely to save over £2,000 per year if they quit.
Smoking remains the single leading preventable cause of illness and mortality in the UK. It results in nearly 4% of all hospital admissions each year – equivalent to almost 450,000 admissions. Tobaccorelated harms are also estimated to cost taxpayers an estimated £21 billion every year, including over £2 billion in costs to the NHS.
Although smoking rates in the UK are at an all-time low, by taking further action, the government will seek to cut waiting lists and reduce the burden on the NHS. Introducing pack inserts into all tobacco products in the UK could lead to an additional 30,000 smokers giving up their habit – delivering health benefits worth £1.6 billion.
The consultation – which opens today (14 August 2023) – will seek views on the introduction and design of pack inserts.
Pack inserts are already used in other countries – including Canada and Israel, with Australia also announcing its intention to introduce them – and there is evidence that they can be an effective means of encouraging smokers to quit.
An evaluation of the policy’s impact in Canada found that almost 1 in 3 smokers had read the inserts at least once in the past month, and that those who were exposed to the inserts multiple times were significantly more likely to try to give up smoking.
The consultation builds on a recent package of measures designed to drive the government’s ambition to be smokefree by 2030 – which means reducing smoking rates to 5% or less.
These measures include: funding a new national ‘swap to stop’ scheme – the first of its kind in the world – to offer a million smokers across England a free vaping starter kit, alongside expert support launching a financial incentive
Steve Barclay said:
Smoking places a huge burden on the NHS, economy and individuals. It directly causes a whole host of health problems –including cancers and cardiovascular disease – and costs the economy billions every year in lost productivity. By taking action to reduce smoking rates and pursuing our ambition to be smokefree by 2030, we will reduce the pressure on the NHS and help people to live healthier lives.
scheme – in the form of vouchers alongside behavioural support – to support pregnant women to stop smoking, with an aim to reach all pregnant smokers by the end of next year a new strategy to combat illicit tobacco, which will outline efforts to catch and punish those involved in the illegal market
Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: Smoking is very addictive, and it takes smokers on average 30 attempts before they succeed in stopping, so encouraging them to keep on trying is vital.
Pack inserts do this by backing up the
Cooking food thoroughly and avoiding some types of vegetables and salad during a course of antibiotic treatment could potentially reduce antibiotic resistance, by preventing bacteria carrying resistance genes getting into the gut, according to a new study.
New research from the University of Nottingham has modelled how antibiotic resistance genes build-up through lifetime exposure from food intake and antibiotic treatment. The research published today in PLOS ONE gives new insights into long term increase in resistance genes in gut bacteria and how this could be prevented.
Antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections represent one of the most serious contemporary global healthcare crises. Acquisition and spread of resistant infections can occur through community, hospitals, food, water or bacteria that lives inside us or that we may be exposed to – like E. coli.
The research modelled data from a previous study that found antibiotic gene diversity in gut microbiota is age related.
The Nottingham study shows that the long-term increase in resistance in human gut microbiomes can be substantially lowered by reducing exposure to resistance genes found in food and water, alongside reduced medical antibiotic use. The research suggests that reducing intake of resistance genes is particularly effective during periods of antibiotic treatment where there is an increased risk of the retainment of genes. The researchers suggest that dietary advice should be given to those undergoing antibiotic treatment to avoid products at higher risk of carrying ARGs, (even on otherwise harmless bacteria), as well as ensuring that all food consumed during treatment is fully
When you’re taking antibiotics is exactly when you are most susceptible to creating longer term problems due to drug resistant bacteria from food. If you eat something that has bacteria on it that doesn’t cause you any harm, but which contains some drug resistant genes and you happen to be taking antibiotics when you eat it then those resistances could become established in your gut ecosystem so next time you need antibiotics they may not work effectively
Dov Stekel, Professor of Computational Biology at the University of Nottinghamcooked.
The study also demonstrates other factors that can reduce the long-term acquisition and retainment of genes providing resistance to different classes of antibiotics. As genes build up over a lifetime the less exposure to these the better so a conservative approach to antibiotic availability and dosing guidelines, as already implemented in many countries, and as advocated in much of literature on antibiotic resistance, would be a practical approach to reducing the long-term number of acquired resistances.
Reducing the number of acquired genes over a lifetime could also be achieved by policy and practice changes in the food supply chain, including agriculture and
post-harvest food production. Research from Nottingham Vet School is looking into this using artificial intelligence to monitor the gut microbiome in livestock. Professor Stekel adds: “The level of benefit to be gained from alterations in medical treatment and dietary changes is highly dependent upon the level of antibiotic use, which varies greatly between countries. While our general model demonstrates benefit across all levels of prescribing, a more nuanced approach that considers region- and country-specific practices, along with specific details of antibiotic classes and associated resistance genes, would provide a better means of quantifying the potential advantages of these changes.”
Does a day dedicated to all things BURGER sound like a bit of you? Then we have the perfect date for your diaries, Thursday 24th August aka National Burger Day! Clear your schedules as it’s time to grab your best patty pals, mount your burger thrones and slide a Fat Hippo feast into your plans. Your favourite burger joint Fat Hippo have been celebrating this sacred holiday for well over a decade now so you know, they know how to throw a patty party! Their celebrations this ‘Christmas Day of burgers’ start with a limited edition special guaranteed to get juices flowing!
Meat the Re-Born Slippy! Pimped to perfection, this brand new special edition burger has a heart of – well, butter, as handmade chipotle bacon butter sits in the centre, oozing with every bite, creating new levels of moist richness. Paired with tender, braised pork rib meat, the perfect juicy balance of flavour has been unlocked. And not just one, but two tantalising cheeses: smoked cheddar, offering that distinct mature note, and classic American that melts in that perfect way you like. And
Website: fathippo.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/fathippofood
it’s not just BBQ, it’s Alabama white BBQ, sweet, tangy, spicy and significantly cooler than its red counterpart. All topped off with pink pickled onions, pretty to look at and even prettier on your palette.
Available 21st August through to 15th September at all locations, restaurants and concessions alike. The limited edition
Instagram: instagram.com/fathippofood
TikTok: tiktok.com/@fathippofood
special will also be available for Click+Collect on their in-house app, as well as on their delivery platforms, Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat. Festivities continue with their ‘Hunt The Hippo’ event, a nationwide treasure hunt creating fun for all the family! Exclusively on Thursday 24th, Golden Hippos will be hidden
at iconic spots and famous landmarks in each Fat Hippo city, ready to be found by keen Hippo Hunters! Those successful will be rewarded with a Fat Hippo feast (in the form of a £50 Fat Hippo gift card!) Keep your eyes peeled on their social media channels for pictures and clues, a little hippo also tells us that exclusive tips and tricks
will be sent via email so be sure to sign up to their mailing list prior!
What better excuse do you need to celebrate this epic holiday in style! To find out more about Fat Hippo’s latest special, please visit their website and social channels for further details.
Women across England are being encouraged to help shape future reproductive health policy by sharing their experiences of a range of issues, as the government launches a new landmark survey.
Delivering on a key commitment in the Women’s Health Strategy, the Women’s Reproductive Health Survey will seek women’s views across England on issues including periods, contraception, fertility, pregnancy and the menopause. Findings from the survey will then be used to better understand women’s reproductive health experiences over time. The vital information gathered about the lives and experiences of women will inform current and future government decisionmaking and health policy. There are currently disparities in women’s health across the country, and far too many cases where women’s voices are not being heard. Along with the strategy, the new survey will play a key part in changing this.
Minister for Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said:
Women and girls deserve the best healthcare at every stage of their lives, but we simply can’t deliver that without listening to their lived experiences and concerns. Women should always have a say in their own healthcare, whether that’s in managing pregnancy and fertility or dealing with the challenges of the menopause in the workplace.
I would encourage every woman to complete the survey on reproductive health as soon as they’re able and ensure their voice is heard.
Women’s Health Ambassador, Professor Dame Lesley Regan: We need to make healthcare work for women and girls – and for it to fit around their lives. There’s no point bolstering services if they can’t be accessed, or the support available doesn’t work for them and meet their needs.
That’s why we’re asking women and girls to share their experience, whether it’s about periods, menopause or endometriosis. We need your voice to shape a new system of healthcare that gives women what they need.
Dr Rebecca French, Associate Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Research at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: For most women, it can be nearly 40 years from their first period to menopause. Throughout this time, women should be able to make informed decisions about their own reproductive health and wellbeing, such as if and when to get pregnant and where to access appropriate support and treatment.
Women have previously described difficulties accessing reproductive health services, for example, to get contraceptive supplies, to access fertility treatment or to obtain an appointment with a gynaecologist. Often health services are not ‘joined up’, leading to multiple visits and appointment delays.
We know that poor reproductive health not only has a negative effect on health in general but can also impact women’s mental health, relationships and finances. Further research is needed to better un-
derstand inequalities across England so that women and people described as female at birth are able to make the choices they need for their own reproductive health and wellbeing.
The Women’s Reproductive Health Survey provides an opportunity to better understand what support is needed and how these issues can best be addressed.
The survey is open to all women in England aged 16-55 years and will run for six weeks from Thursday 7 September 2023. It is being delivered by the London
School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Questions women are being asked to answer include: how much pain they experience during their periods; how they prefer to access contraceptive services; and how satisfied they were with any support they received for menopausal symptoms.
Just over a year on from the launch of the Women’s Health Strategy, over 300,000
more women have accessed cheaper hormone replacement therapy, new women’s health hubs are opening across the country in every integrated care board and a dedicated women’s health area has been added to the NHS website.
Further measures being introduced include:
A new artificial intelligence tool to identify early risks in maternity units £25 million will be distributed across England so every area can create a women’s health hub
A new IVF tool on GOV.UK so people can look up information about NHSfunded IVF treatments
A new network of women’s health champions led by the Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Professor Dame Lesley Regan
A Menopause Employment Champion has also been appointed – recruitment and employability expert Helen Tomlinson – to improve support for menopause in the workplace. Helen is working with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to create an online repository of menopause resources for employers, on GOV.UK. The Menopause Taskforce met in June to discuss menopause in the workplace.
The government has also awarded grant funding to charities across England to help employers make changes to their workplace to support women’s reproductive health, which includes menopause.
Proposed measures could mean varying the levels of grants that are made available, depending on the customer’s property type or existing fuel source.
This would make heat pump installations more affordable for even more households and small businesses, enabling them to benefit from low-cost and low-carbon heating.
Households could also save time and money through a simplified approach to qualifying for a heat pump grant by removing the need to install loft or cavity wall insulation first.
These changes will help more homes and businesses move away from costly foreign fossil fuels and onto cleaner, cheaper homegrown energy – forming part of the government’s drive to decarbonise the nation’s heating, with more than £81 million in vouchers already issued to customers under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Today’s new proposals also provide an additional option to help consumers install new biomass boilers that also work as an oven, helping more households access the latest in cutting-edge, green technology.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:
Heat pumps are a vital tool in cutting the carbon emissions from people heating their homes, while also helping to drive down costs and boosting our energy security. While a heat pump can be installed for a similar price to installing a gas boiler, the support we’ve put in place means it is an option for more and more households.
Today’s changes go even further and will mean even more people could benefit from making the switch, offering them the option for a low-emission, low-cost form of heating their homes.
A heat pump takes heat at a low temperature from the air or ground, increases it to a higher
temperature, before transferring the heat into homes for heating and hot water. This technology is significantly more efficient than traditional boilers and uses cleaner electricity rather than fossil fuels – helping to reduce the carbon footprint of a home.
The government’s £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme was recently extended until 2028 and offers grants of £5,000 towards the installation of an air source heat pump; £6,000 off a ground source heat pump; and £5,000 off a biomass boiler. Consumers can also receive a zero VAT rate on installations.
Consumer satisfaction is also high, with 92% of surveyed heat
pump owners saying they were highly satisfied with the technology after 2 winters, in an evaluation of the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, which was replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Heat pump installers, manufactures, suppliers, and the wider industry are now being invited to
offer their views on the government’s proposed changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with the consultation open on GOV.UK until 12 October.
This comes alongside a government commitment to the Future Homes Standard coming into force in 2025. The Building Regulations will continue to set
a performance-based standard rather than mandating or banning the use of any technologies.
However, to make sure that new homes are zero carbon ready we plan to set the performance standard of the Future Homes Standard at a level which will effectively preclude new homes being built with fossil fuel heating.
A group of bioenergy experts have welcomed the Government’s new UK Biomass Strategy, but say urgent action is now vital to shape its ambitions into deliverable policies.
Researchers at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub – led by Aston University – worked closely with government departments to provide scientific evidence to inform the strategy, which outlines the role biomass will play in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero and how this will be achieved.
Professor Patricia Thornley, who leads the Hub, says: “This is a comprehensive and considered biomass strategy that, rightly, places sustainability at the heart of UK bioenergy development.
The challenge is now to produce actions that can deliver the sustainable system of biomass required to achieve net zero.”
Sustainability is a major theme within the new strategy. It includes a review of how existing sustainability policies could be improved, as well as a commitment to developing a cross-sectoral sustainability framework (subject to consultation) to ensure sustainability across the many different applications of biomass.
This follows previous work led by Dr Mirjam Rӧder, Systems Topic Group Lead in the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, calling for harmonised sustainability standards across different biomass applications, which is referenced in the strategy.
Dr Rӧder says: “We need rigorous approaches to sustainability governance that go beyond emissions. Considering wider environmental, social and economic trade-offs is essential for true sustainability and building trust in bioenergy projects.”
The strategy considers the amount of biomass resource that might be available to the UK in the future, highlighting the importance of both imported and domestically produced biomass resources. Professor Thornley comments: “It is important that the strategy recognises the potential of imported as well as indigenous biomass in achieving global greenhouse gas reductions. Sustainable systems
should grow, convert and use biomass in the locations where they can deliver most impact, ensuring we take account of all supply chain emissions. We shouldn’t shy away from imports where the source is sustainable and the overall system makes environmental, economic and social sense.”
The strategy also considers how biomass should be prioritised across a variety of applications to best support the transition to net zero. Biomass applications ranging from transport fuels and hydrogen to domestic and industrial heating are recognised as important, but in the medium to long term the focus is on integration of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).
BECCS is an emerging technology where the CO2 that may be released during the production and use of electricity, fuels or products derived from biomass is captured and stored, potentially resulting in negative emissions. Professor Thornley comments: “The priority use framework outlined in the Biomass Strategy makes eminent sense. The UK (and the global energy system) needs carbon dioxide removals to deliver net zero. BECCS has an absolutely key role to play, as reflected in the strategy. Again, while this is encouraging to see, we must not underestimate the
challenges of moving towards such a radically different system at scale.”
“Relying on future BECCS deployment alone to counterbalance the current excess of greenhouse gas emissions would not enable the full potential and benefits of BECCS. BECCS should be deployed alongside measures to transition away from the use of fossil fuels, not instead of them,” adds Dr Joanna Sparks, Biomass Policy Fellow at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, who engaged closely with government departments as they developed the strategy.
Dr Sparks led an extensive policy engagement and knowledge transfer process to ensure that those developing the strategy had full access to the breadth and depth of UK scientific and engineering academic expertise, ensuring a robust, independent scientific base.
Professor Thornley believes continued engagement between policymakers, academics and the wider sector is vital in achieving the next steps in the delivery of the Government’s strategy. She says: “The key to successful longterm results is a close partnership between academia, industry and policy stakeholders so that we can anticipate problems and plan the pathways to success.”
With September fast approaching, new international research from Censuswide reveals London has trumped New York, Barcelona and Athens, to be named one of the most culturally appealing cities to potential visitors.
The research, commissioned by the lastminute.com London Eye, surveyed over 2,000 respondents from the UK, US, France and Germany, and revealed 44% of tourists had London at the very top of their holiday bucket list.
London can expect to continue welcoming tourists from the USA – as half (50%) confessed England’s capital city is the apple of their eyes and the city they most wanted to visit.
Over a third (35%) of UK, US, German and French tourists confessed it is London’s iconic landmarks that draws them to visit, alongside its rich history (42%) and plethora of museums (29%).
Big Ben was the most popular historical landmark to visit, with over two thirds stating it would be a key activity for them (67%), while the London Eye ranked highest out of the capital’s more modern activities, with half of the international respondents (50%) stat-
ing they would visit to enjoy its unrivalled 360 views of the city.
Holiday makers were also asked what else they looked for when choosing a city to visit. Food topped the list for UK, US and German respondents, however, the French were most interested in ‘historical monuments’.
A strong selfie proved important to the Germans, as they placed ‘Instagrammable locations’ the highest up their priority list when choosing a city to visit.
‘Friendly people’ was most important for the US, with half of respondents saying it was a key factor (46%), while it was the least meaningful for the French – with only 16% stating it mattered for them.
Rose Wangen-Jones, Managing Director at Visit London, the city’s official visitor guide, said: “zLondon is one of the oldest cities in the world: it’s fascinating history and vibrant culture sets it apart from other leading destinations. We welcome visitors from around the globe to come and uncover top iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye, plus surprising hidden gems and unique experiences.
Alongside its sprawling history, one of the best things about London is how innovative the city is: there’s always something new to discover with each visit.”
Imran Tauqir, General Manager at the lastminute.com London Eye, said: “It’s no wonder London ranked so highly – our city is full of culture, iconic for its skylines and remarkable landmarks. Those visiting this bank holiday, the last long weekend of the summer, have so much on offer whether coming for a staycation or a longer break.
We’re proud to have been recognised as one of the ‘must do’s’ in a visit to our capital city – and can’t wait to welcome visitors from all over the world, offer then unparalleled views of the city, and play a small part in their holiday memories.”
At 135m, the lastminute.com London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel and welcomes millions of visitors each year offering unrivalled views across London. Tickets are available on the London Eye website starting from £30.50
LONDON TRUMPS NEW YORK, BERLIN AND BARCELONA AS ONE OF THE MOST CULTURALLY APPEALING CITIES TO VISIT
The Concours of Elegance, presented by A. Lange & Söhne, is delighted to welcome an exquisite array of the rarest and most desirable Bugattis to Hampton Court Palace in west London, UK on September 1-3, 2023.
These cars from the thoroughbred French marque – considered to be ‘le pur-sang des automobiles’ – will grace the 11th annual Concours of Elegance in an homage to the legacy of the master of style and innovation, Ettore Bugatti. He founded his eponymous company in 1909, yet his genius stretched back even further, to the twin-engined racing tricycle he created while a teenage apprentice with Italian company Prinetti & Stucchi. Having masterminded what remain to this day some of the world’s most highend, sought-after models, Automobiles Ettore Bugatti’s golden era came to an end in 1952, but the name was resurrected as Bugatti Automobili SpA in 1987 by Italian businessman Romano Artioli, resulting in the introduction of the astounding EB110 GT hypercar. The story continued with the Volkswagen Group’s acquisition of the brand in 1998 – and each of the marque’s chapters will be represented at the Concours of Elegance. Here are just some of the Bugattis that will grace the Royal lawns of Hampton Court Palace.
the time, setting the tone for the many incredible cars and motor sport victories that would follow for Ettore.
1934 BUGATTI
system. The even more powerful, trackfocused Super Sport variant kicked out a then-stupendous 602bhp.
Artioli’s revival of the Bugatti name was ultimately short-lived, however. Financial difficulties eventually forced the firm’s closure in 1995, after just 139 EB110s had left the Campogalliano factory in Modena – including one bought by Michael Schumacher. The example on show at the Concours of Elegance, chassis 39065, is one of the 84 road-biased GT variants built. From new it was finished in Grigio Chiaro with a dualtone grey leather interior, and fitted with the Super Sport’s lightweight wheels and carbonfibre front bumper.
1897
This unlikely-looking steed is in fact a highly significant and historic vehicle, for it was this tuned-up period racing machine that set a teenaged Ettore Bugatti on the path to iconic automotive status. The then-apprentice’s employer Prinetti & Stucchi produced licenced DeDion tricycles, and at the behest of the Automobile Club of Italy young Ettore was charged with developing a twin-engined racing version. This he did, with astounding success. Exhibiting innovation and mechanical skill beyond his tender years, his Bugatti Type 1 went on to win its first race in the 1899 Reggio Emili, against very stiff competition indeed. In doing so, it established a world-record average speed of 64kp/h over 90km – a remarkable feat at
The 1934 Type 59 – part of Switzerland’s Pearl Collection – was developed in answer to increasing motor sport competition from the likes of MercedesBenz and Alfa Romeo. It was, and still is, considered to be both a technical marvel and a masterpiece of industrial art, with remarkable ‘piano-wire’ wheels, dropped body – and thus lower centre of gravity – longer wheelbase and supercharged straight-eight. As Bugatti’s final GP machine, the T59 is widely held to be the most elegant pre-war competition machine of all. Just six were built, and this particular example went on to take third at the Monaco Grand Prix and overall victory in Belgium.
Its chassis and bodywork were subsequently heavily revised, its supercharger removed and a dry-sump gearbox installed, in preparation for sports car racing. A series of successes saw it become France’s fastest sports car, and it even
spent some time in the stable of King Leopold III of Belgium. Presented in very original condition, this endlessly fascinating, historic and singular machine embodies the Bugatti marque’s ineffable magic.
1935 BUGATTI TYPE 57 STELVIO
Bugatti’s Type 57 grand tourer was in production from 1934 until 1940 and the Second World War. It was a brand-new design by Jean Bugatti, Ettore’s son, who by now worked for the company. It shared its 3.3-litre engine with the Type 59 GP cars, but as was typical of the marque, the T57 underwent various technical evolutions throughout its lifetime, and was made available in numerous bodystyles both with and without a roof – many of them bespoke.
The T57 had a relatively high production run of 710, in both original and lowered (Surbaissé) T57S and SC (Compresseur – supercharged) guises. It is the Stelvio cabriolet – named for a pass in the Eastern Alps – that will be on show at Hampton Court Palace.
1936 BUGATTI TYPE 57S
One of only 17 Bugatti Type 57S models built wearing two-seater Atalante coupé coachwork, chassis no. 57502 was delivered new to Earl Howe – co-founder of the British Racing Drivers’ Club – via UK Bugatti agent Sorel of London. The car then changed hands several times before being bought by a Dr Harold Carr from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1955. He put the 57S into storage in 1960, and there it remained, untouched, until his death in 2007. It was then rediscovered and fully restored, before joining the Pearl Collection, where it has remained ever since.
1994 BUGATTI EB110 GT Romano Artioli had a dream – and with the help of former Lamborghini Miura engineers, as well as automotive luminaries such as Paolo Stanzani and Nicola Materazzi, the ambitious Italian entrepreneur achieved it. For several years in the 1990s, his all-new EB110 GT hypercar project sat atop the supercar tree, thanks to its remarkable 553bhp quadturbo 3.5-litre V12 and four-wheel-drive
Upon Bugatti’s 110th anniversary in 2019 the venerable French marque, by now owned by Volkswagen Group, created a limited-edition machine to celebrate this landmark in its history of exceptional performance and design. The Centodieci went into production in 2022. The Pearl Collection’s example – one of only ten to be built – represents the apex of modern-day Bugatti, and took inspiration from its EB110 forebear. Its 1577bhp 8.0-litre W16 engine enables it accelerate from 0-62mph in 2.4 seconds and reach a (limited) top speed of 236mph; virtually peerless performance. Many cars from Bugatti’s history represented the limits of what was technologically possible at the time they were built, so it’s fitting that the marque’s newest model showcased at the Concours of Elegance does just the same thing. These exquisite Bugattis will sit alongside yet more exciting machinery at September’s Concours of Elegance, with an array of rare and spectacular concours vehicles and special features including further exhibits from Switzerland’s Pearl Collection, Thirty Under 30, the all-female Levitt Concours and Junior Concours. In addition to the main displays, the event will assemble around 1000 additional vehicles in a series of glamorous features.
As 14 million children and adults prepare to kick off the grassroots football season¹ and excitement is still high following this summer’s tournament, hopes are high for the footballing future of the home nations but a new report from M&S Food today shows that changes will need to be made to grow on current success. The new report commissioned by M&S Food inspired by its Eat Well, Play Well partnerships with the home nation’s FAs, reveals a growing division between the health and fitness of our footballing heroes and the public.
While professional footballers have the ability to run up to 14 kilometres per match over a 60-game season, public health paints a very different picture: 26% of English adults are obese and 38% are overweight². Poor nutrition is also having an impact on the development of children, British five-year-olds are up to seven centimetres shorter than children the same age across Europe³, while height differences are also notable between affluent and deprived areas of the country.
To explore the issues, new research was commissioned alongside interviews with current and former footballers, elite football nutritionists and chefs, with the aim of levelling the playing field by using the power of football to create a healthier future for UK families. The ‘M&S Eat Well, Play Well Report’ reveals that only one in five (20%) feel they have a consistently healthy relationship with food and 19% admit they lack the confidence in their
knowledge to make healthy and balanced food choices.
Challenging food habits?
This lack of knowledge has contributed to unstructured eating habits, with more than a quarter of UK adults (26%) admitting they skip lunch and a fifth (22%) skipping breakfast at least once a month. Fast food is another issue – a fifth of those surveyed (20%) say their household requests a takeaway at least once a week, and nearly two in five (38%) also request other unhealthy foods in the same time period. Research shows we find it hardest to eat well in the evening, with dinner (23%) and evening snacks (18%) the most common periods in which people consume unhealthy food.
Cooking skills are also varied and are hindering the ability of some families to eat well. While the average person in the UK knows how to cook an impressive 14 meals at home, more than one in twenty (6%) say they never cook at home at all. The majority (61%) of those who do cook, make just one meal for their household per week, with over half (53%) stating their diet is influenced by others’ dietary requirements or fussy preferences. When trying to make healthy food choices, 42% check for sugar levels on food labelling, 37% check the fat content while three in 10 (31%) admit to not checking labelling at all. Almost one in three (32%) say they are seeking easier-to-understand food labelling, highlighting the confusion for consumers with current nutritional
information on packs.
With the cost of living affecting us all, it’s unsurprising that more than one in four (27%) say it is too expensive to buy healthy food all the time and 15% find it difficult to find healthy food on their budgets.
Fuelling success
It’s not all bad news. Two-thirds (66%) of the nation believe they eat a healthy and balanced diet, with those from the East Midlands most likely to believe they do so (75%) compared to those from North East (54%) who believe they are the least likely. The research also revealed an appreciation and understanding of the positive impact of healthy foods and drinks on sporting performance. However, just one in five (19%) say they eat a healthy balanced meal before exercise, with that number rising to 27% for those who play football.
Those playing football are more likely to opt for a ‘cheat meal’ post-match (20%) compared to those exercising in general (9%). Interestingly, when it comes to varying portion sizes depending on how active their lifestyle is, men seem to be less flexible, with 17% changing their diet more often than once a week, compared to 22% of women.
The research also revealed that almost nine in ten (89%) believe exercise has at least some positive impact on their mental health. Eating a healthy and balanced diet seems to have a positive effect on a person’s general energy levels (43%), improves mood
(35%), raises self-esteem (22%) and even increases productivity at work (16%). A better relationship with family and children was cited by one in ten (10%) whilst 8% said a healthier diet helped increase their libido. And, similarly, the majority recognise that being physically active (88%) and eating well (92%) improves their physical health.
Jermaine Jenas, former England international, broadcaster and football pundit noted: “When I was growing up, all I wanted to do was play football. I didn’t want to sit at the dinner table and somehow I survived on four bowls of cereal a day in between playing football with my friends. But as my career progressed and as football nutrition became a focus, I quickly learned how eating well was the key to playing well. There’s a real connection between plate and pitch. And it’s not just about your performance in a match, it’s about living a healthier and fulfilling life. The new report by M&S Food shows that people have the desire to eat healthier but not necessarily all the information or support to do so. Through the power of football, hopefully we can inspire the nation to make healthier choices, one meal at a time.”
As part of its commitment to creating a healthier world for the next generation, M&S Food are pledging to help families make healthier, more affordable nutrition choices through five key steps:
1. Supporting Those in Need: Utilising M&S stores, brands, and partnerships to promote services such as the Government Healthy Start Vouchers and Scotland’s Best Start and encourage sign-ups. Through our partnership with the local giving platform, Neighbourly, we are continuing to help food banks to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to lower income families who struggle to afford healthy food.
2. Education: Utilising M&S nutrition experts, partners, and football figures to educate and inspire the nation. This includes monthly takeovers by our Nutritionists on social media and creating content with football personalities to demonstrate simple healthy swaps.
3. Outreach and Stadium Initiatives: Taking healthy messages and snacks directly to grassroots clubs, schools, and stores via the M&S Eat Well truck. The company also collaborated with Wembley stadium toopen two Foodhalls on Level 2 to offer fans more choices when attending games and concerts.
4. Expanding the Eat Well Range: Making healthy and delicious choices widely accessible, aiming for 70% of sales from healthier products by 2025. M&S is also increasing the number of new Eat Well products in its 1,800+ range.
5. Staying Ahead: Continuing M&S’ commitment to consumer concerns by focusing on additives, animal welfare, and worker conditions. The company pledges to remain at the forefront of these efforts, sourcing cleaner and healthier ingredients while maintaining high animal welfare standards.
Sophia Linn, M&S Eat Well Nutritionist and co-author of the report, added: “Families face so many challenges today when it comes to making healthy choices – busy schedules, convenience foods, and conflicting information can make it difficult to prioritise nutrition.
We recognise there is a need for everyone to have the knowledge to consume a nutrient-rich diet which helps us to thrive and perform at our best whether we are heading to school, to work or on the pitch. We’re here to help families get the nutrients they need through our campaign, where we have hints and tips perfect for every day which includes food from our Eat Well range in store – making it easier to spot while out shopping. All you have to do is follow the flower on pack for healthier choices.”
The University of Birmingham is welcoming blind and partially sighted athletes from around the world to its UK campus as it hosts the 2023 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Games.
Around 1,150 athletes from more than 70 countries – including Brazil, China, India, United States and Canada – are attending the World Games, which take place from 18 to 27 August, and it is the first time the World Games have been held in the UK.
The University is hosting five of the Games’ 11 sports – Judo, Blind Football, Showdown, Archery, and Chess – across it’s leafy Edgbaston campus, whilst Cricket, Powerlifting, Goalball, Tennis, Partiallysighted Football, and Ten Pin Bowling will take place at venues across the West Midlands.
IBSA’s first World Games village will allow competitors to stay, socialise and dine during the tournament. The Athletes’ Village will be based at the University’s student accommodation, just as it was at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Spectators will have opportunity to browse the stands of organisations and companies involved in research or providing services to blind and visually impaired people.
British Blind Sport, the host fed-
eration for the 2023 IBSA World Games, is also hosting a “havea-go” Activation Zone at University of Birmingham’s Chancellor’s Court between 21-25 August, featuring sporting activity taster sessions for blind and partially sighted people of all ages and abilities.
University of Birmingham ViceChancellor & Principal Professor Adam Tickell commented: “The University of Birmingham is a civic university with a global outlook enjoying deep and wide-ranging research and education links to many countries around the world – notably Brazil, China, India, United States and Canada.
India women’s Blind Football team and coaching staff standing in front of goal cheering and holding up the flag of India
India women’s Blind Football team
“Sport is truly a unifying force, and I’m delighted to welcome blind and partially sighted athletes from around the world to Birmingham. I wish every competitor a successful and enjoyable Games, and I’m sure that the many spectators joining us will find the Games an exciting sporting experience.”
The World Games occur every four years and are organised by the International Blind Sports Federation. The first games took place in Madrid, Spain 1998, and have since taken place in Quebec (2003), Sao
Professor Adam Tickell – University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor & Principal saidThe University of Birmingham is a civic university with a global outlook enjoying deep and wide-ranging research and education links to many countries around the world –notably Brazil, China, India, United States and Canada.
Paulo (2007), Antalya (2011), Seoul (2015), and Fort Wayne in USA (2019).
The group stages of this year’s Blind Football competitions began before the official Opening Ceremony at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall (18 Aug).
Taking part in the Games is a really proud moment for us – our team has only been playing together for around two years and our players are gaining wonderful experience in Birmingham as we continue our football journey together. I’m very
excited, but also a little nervous, as we look forward to our next match against Germany, which will be a tough game.
Kanchan Patel, goalkeeper – India Women’s Blind Football team Speaking after opening games winning against Austria, but subsequently losing to Argentina, goalkeeper Kanchan Patel, from the India Women’s Blind Football team, commented: “Taking part in the Games is a really proud moment for us – our team has only been playing together for around two years
and our players are gaining wonderful experience in Birmingham as we continue our football journey together. I’m very excited, but also a little nervous, as we look forward to our next match against Germany, which will be a tough game.”
A group photo of the India and Argentina women’s Blind Football team and coaching staff India and Argentina women’s Blind Football team after their match Sallie Barker is the Chair at British Blind Sport – the host federation for this year’s IBSA World Games –whose lead sponsor is RNIB. Sallie said: “The University of Birmingham played a key role in Birmingham’s successful hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, so we are honoured to be able to use their top-class sporting facilities for the 2023 IBSA World Games.
“The World Games is about showcasing the talents of those with sight loss, whilst planting the seed in blind and partially sighted people’s minds that sport is accessible to everybody – and we are grateful to the support provided by the University of Birmingham and other regional venues in helping us to achieve this.”
Several events this summer are qualifying competitions for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, for Goalball, Blind Football and Judo.
