10-Year-old Paramedic Teaches Adults Lifesaving Skills and CPR as ‘The Mini Medic’

10-yo paramedic Jack Dawson teaches lifesaving skills – SWNS

Meet the 10-year-old paramedic who teaches adults life-saving procedures as an in-demand mini-medic.

Jack Dawson was just two-years-old when it became obvious he was interested in becoming a paramedic.

His grandfather owns a first response company in Staffordshire, England, and Jack would ride along in his ambulances with the flashing blue lights. By age three, he would start “randomly performing CPR on his teddies, pumping the bear’s chest”.

“So, at the same time he was learning to speak, my husband and I decided to teach him first aid,” said his mother, Danielle. “He was like a sponge. He just picked everything up so quickly.”

Jack, quickly grasped the act of CPR, understanding the different recovery positions, and learned how to use a defibrillator.

Then, at age seven, the youngster started to lead workshop sessions of his own, overseen by his father and other trainers for their charity, Tamworth Have A Heart, which aims to make automatic defibrillators publicly accessible and train people to use them confidently.

Jack teaches both children and adults how to perform CPR and use defibrillators, while also patrolling his town centre and checking that the public defibrillators’ pads and batteries are up to date and fit for use. (Watch a demonstration at the end of the article…)

“His motto was ‘if I can save a life, then you can’,” says Danielle.

The sessions often draw 20-40 people and sometimes Jack gives presentations teaching in front of 100 people.

10-yo mini-medic Jack Dawson teaches lifesaving skills to adults – SWNS

He does step-by-step walkthroughs on how to perform CPR with practice dummies laid on the floor, informing people about the dangers—including “looking into patients airways before pumping, in case of vomit or blood”. He gives tutorials on how to operate defibrillators which are used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest.

“He absolutely loves teaching,” Danielle told SWNS news agency. “I’ve never seen him so confident before and the fact he’s helping people to save a life determines him even more.”

“People are very surprised. He gets a lot of positive feedback and even special requests to teach people.

“I think people appreciate the information coming from a child, as it makes them think that if a 10-year-old can do it, then they can.”

Under the name ‘Mini Medic’, Jack has a YouTube channel and a page on TikTok posting medical tutorials and training nights for those unable to attend.

As a result of his community work, the 10-year-old is a finalist for Children of Courage Birmingham Awards.

Looking forward, Danielle said he’s enthusiastic about going to university and being a paramedic. “It’s all he thinks about!”WATCH the video below from the news agency SWNS.com… 10-Year-old Paramedic Teaches Adults Lifesaving Skills and CPR as ‘The Mini Medic’

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AI regulation around the world

Countries and economic blocs around the world are at different stages of regulating artificial intelligence, from a relative "Wild West" in the United States to highly complex rules in the European Union.

Here are some key points about regulation in major jurisdictions, ahead of the Paris AI summit on February 10-11:

- United States -

Returning President Donald Trump last month rescinded Joe Biden's October 2023 executive order on AI oversight.

Largely voluntary, it required major AI developers like OpenAI to share safety assessments and vital information with the federal government.

Backed by major tech companies, it was aimed at protecting privacy and preventing civil rights violations, and called for safeguards on national security.

Home to top developers, the United States now has no formal AI guidelines -- although some existing privacy protections do still apply.

Under Trump, the United States has "picked up their cowboy hat again, it's a complete Wild West", said Yael Cohen-Hadria, a digital lawyer at consultancy EY.

The administration has effectively said that "we're not doing this law anymore... we're setting all our algorithms running and going for it", she added.

- China -

China's government is still developing a formal law on generative AI.

A set of "Interim Measures" requires that AI respects personal and business interests, does not use personal information without consent, signposts AI-generated images and videos, and protects users' physical and mental health.

AI must also "adhere to core socialist values" -- effectively banning AI language models from criticising the ruling Communist Party or undermining China's national security.

DeepSeek, whose frugal yet powerful R1 model shocked the world last month, is an example, resisting questions about President Xi Jinping or the 1989 crushing of pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.

While regulating businesses closely, especially foreign-owned ones, China's government will grant itself "strong exceptions" to its own rules, Cohen-Hadria predicted.

- European Union -

In contrast to both the United States and China, "the ethical philosophy of respecting citizens is at the heart of European regulation", Cohen-Hadria said.

"Everyone has their share of responsibility: the provider, whoever deploys (AI), even the final consumer."

The "AI Act" passed in March 2024 -- some of whose provisions apply from this week -- is the most comprehensive regulation in the world.

Using AI for predictive policing based on profiling and systems that use biometric information to infer an individual's race, religion or sexual orientation are banned.

The law takes a risk-based approach: if a system is high-risk, a company has a stricter set of obligations to fulfil.

EU leaders have argued that clear, comprehensive rules will make life easier for businesses.

Cohen-Hadria pointed to strong protections for intellectual property and efforts to allow data to circulate more freely while granting citizens control.

"If I can access a lot of data easily, I can create better things faster," she said.

- India -

Like China, India -- co-host of next week's summit -- has a law on personal data but no specific text governing AI.

Cases of harm originating from generative AI have been tackled with existing legislation on defamation, privacy, copyright infringement and cybercrime.

New Delhi knows the value of its high-tech sector and "if they make a law, it will be because it has some economic return", Cohen-Hadria said.

Occasional media reports and government statements about AI regulation have yet to be followed up with concrete action.

Top AI firms including Perplexity blasted the government in March 2024 when the IT ministry issued an "advisory" saying firms would require government permission before deploying "unreliable" or "under-testing" AI models.

It came days after Google's Gemini in some responses accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of implementing fascist policies.

Hastily-updated rules called only for disclaimers on AI-generated content.

- Britain -

Britain's centre-left Labour government has included AI in its agenda to boost economic growth.

The island nation boasts the world's third-largest AI sector after the United States and China.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January unveiled an "AI opportunities action plan" that called for London to chart its own path.

AI should be "tested" before it is regulated, Starmer said.

"Well-designed and implemented regulation... can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI," the action plan document read.

By contrast, "ineffective regulation could hold back adoption in crucial sectors", it added.

A consultation is under way to clarify copyright law's application to AI, aiming to protect the creative industry.

- International efforts -

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) brings together more than 40 countries, aiming to encourage responsible use of the technology.

Members will meet on Sunday "in a broader format" to lay out an "action plan for 2025", the French presidency has said.

The Council of Europe in May last year adopted the first-ever binding international treaty governing the use of AI, with the US, Britain and European Union joining the signatories.

Of 193 UN member countries, just seven belong to seven major AI governance initiatives, while 119 belong to none -- mostly in the Global South.By Tom Barfield With Afp Bureaus AI regulation around the world

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England’s Largest Bird Sanctuary Grows by 30%: ‘It’s incredible, the place just swarms with birdlife’

RSPB Geltsdale Reserve – credit: Ian Taylor CC 2.0.

The British equivalent of the Audubon Society has just announced that what was already England’s largest bird reserve will be increased by 33% after a recent land purchase.

Described as a place that “swarms” with life, the Geltsdale Reserve in the North Pennines range of Cumbria, northern England, will now cover 13,590 acres of moorland, meadows, blanket bog, and woodland.

Owned and operated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Geltsdale is one of the last places in Britain where one can see the hen harrier in its natural habitat. Birds of every description and conservation status inhabit the reserve, and it’s also a UNESCO Geopark for its unique geological formations.

“This is going to be a reserve on a different scale from many of our other sites in England,” said Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive.

“We are going to achieve an abundance of species and a size that will be unmatched for bird reserves elsewhere. It is going to demonstrate what is possible when it comes to rewilding and protecting birds.”

A hen harrier in Baltisan, Pakistan – credit Imran Shah CC 2.0.

For birdwatchers reading, Geltsdale abounds in black grouse, redshank, nightjar, snipe, whinchat, curlews, ospreys, short-eared owls, and lapwings, dispersed across a vertical rise of 650 meters from an achingly green valley bottom up stately moorland and pasture at an elevation similar to the lower-peaks of the Appalachian range.

“Geltsdale is now the biggest in England,” said Speight. “And that size makes such a difference. When you walk through the reserve during breeding season, it is incredible. The place just swarms with birdlife.”

While Geltsdale is by appearance a slice of old-fashioned and natural England, the RSPB says it has some hi-tech solutions in mind for tackling conservation challenges like vagrant livestock grazing.

Speaking with the Guardian, Dave Morris, the RSPB’s area operations manager for Cumbria and Northeast England, said that the society will work with local ranchers whose properties overlap with the reserve to implement a GPS-monitored ‘invisible’ fencing system.

Because traditional wooden fencing is actually a hazard for low-flying birds like black grouse, cattle and calves will be fitted with collars that emit a high-pitched tone if the animal comes too near a boundary line.

The closer the animal comes, the louder the tone will grow until eventually, the cattle will receive a low-level electric shock.Additionally, a lot of age-old practices such as heather burning and moorland draining have been halted to ensure the area can get back to its absolute natural best. England’s Largest Bird Sanctuary Grows by 30%: ‘It’s incredible, the place just swarms with birdlife’

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The Emotional Moment Dog was Returned to Owners 7 Years After Being Stolen

RSPCA inspector Kim Walters (left), pictured with colleague Andy Cook – credit: RSPCA, supplied

An English family has been reunited with their beloved Labrador Daisy who was stolen from their front lawn 7 years ago.

Their tireless search and advocacy for their lost family member attracted the attention of British celebrity and even helped steer a law through Parliament, but the ultimate reward for the devotion to their lost dog was the chance to see her again, elderly and slightly battered, but alive and loving.

In 2017, a truck arrived in front of Rita and Philip Potter’s Norfolk house. Two men hurriedly lept out, grabbed Daisy, and stuffed her into the back—a despicable act seen by neighbors.

Ruling out the possibility that Daisy got lost in the woods somewhere, the Potters contacted the police and urged a response. An RSPCA search in Somerset—200 miles and 7 years later—has recovered a 13-year-old Daisy, who was likely the victim of an illegal pet breeding operation.

A quick microchip scan, and Daisy was on her way home.

“We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her, and where she might be,” Mrs. Potter told the BBC. “It is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and returned her to us—where she belongs—we are so, so grateful,” said Mrs Potter.

Following Daisy’s abduction, the Potters were active in the press and social media trying to ensure anyone who might have seen the dog understood where she had come from. Tom Hardy, the A-list action star from Dark Knight Rises and Inception, shared their post on his X account.

The Potters then collected 100,000 signatures on a petition for greater government action to fight pet crime. The Pet Abduction Act changed the UK sentencing guidelines, making it a criminal offense with a prison sentence of up to 5 years. Previously, pets were considered property, and abducting them was punished under the UK’s 1986 Theft Act.

During the RSPCA’s investigation, the owner agreed to turn Daisy over to the organization, explaining they had only had her for a few years and didn’t know she could have been stolen. At their facility, a microchip scan revealed Daisy’s provenance and the call to the Potters was an emotional one.

“They were obviously shocked—but elated at the same time,” said RSPCA inspector Kim Walters. “I was a bit choked from listening to them, and clearly how much they loved her, so it was great telling them that we could get her back home soon.”Now in her golden years, and with several health issues from a half-decade of maltreatment, the Potters look forward to loving, spoiling, and caring for her. The Emotional Moment Dog was Returned to Owners 7 Years After Being Stolen

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Three Children Receive ‘the Best Christmas Present Ever’ – Bionic Arms

Colette Baker, Finley Jarvis, and Zoey Pidgeon-Hampton with their new Open Bionics arms – credit: SWNS

Three children were overjoyed after receiving ‘the best Christmas present in the world’—bionic arms.

Zoey Hampton-Pigeon, Finley Jarvis, and Colette Baker were given their new ‘life-changing’ Hero Arms on December 12th thanks to the fundraising work of a woman whose own child needed a prosthetic years ago.

Sarah Lockey saw her daughter Tilly lose both hands to meningitis. Today though, Tilly is a confident young woman who wears two Hero Arms daily, who hosts, together with her mom, a fundraising campaign every year called the Big Hero 3, which selects three random children across the UK to receive a prosthetic made by the Open Bionics Foundation.

Advanced, intuitive, robust, and light, the Hero Arm is “the world’s most affordable advanced multi-grip prosthetic arm,” according to the Foundation. The Hero Arm is available in over 801 locations across the US for below-elbow amputee adults and children aged 8 and above, and all throughout the UK where it is manufactured.

This year, the Big Hero 3 campaign raised £20,000. Two other charitable foundations, along with an anonymous donor, made up the rest of the £40,000 required, allowing Finley, Colette, and Zoey to have what will probably be the best Christmas ever.

To wit, Colette’s mom Alyse said her daughter ‘screamed’ when she found out she was not only receiving a Hero Arm, but would get one before Christmas.

“For Ettie, she’s excited about being able to do things like handstands, ride her bike without an adaption, and tying her shoes,” she said. “As parents, we are excited about these things too, but also all the other ways the Hero Arm will change Ettie’s life.”

Zoey was born with a missing limb, which the family discovered during an ultrasound in the 20th week.

“When Zoey was born she saw several specialists but there are no answers about why this happened to Zoey, it’s just one of those things,” said her father Thomas.

His daughter is an active young girl and member of a gymnastics club. She goes to swimming lessons and loves trampolining, but she’s most looking forward to being able to use a jump rope.

“A Hero Arm will make such a massive difference to her independence enabling her to do all these tasks, as well as her beloved skipping, without relying on help from others.”

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The last child is Finley Jarvis—born with no hand due to his mom being involved in a serious car accident whilst carrying him.

“Finn is a happy-go-lucky boy—he is kind, fearless, and extremely switched on,” said his father Ben. “He is now 11 and about to attend Brymore Academy secondary school—an agricultural school. With this opportunity of a Big Hero Arm the possibilities for him to excel are endless.”

MORE HERO ARM RECIPIENTS:

Lockey said she and Tilly are hoping to do another campaign next year if any donors who want to get involved to help are interested.“It is just incredible for three children to benefit and for their families all to meet and fundraise together,” Lockey said. Three Children Receive ‘the Best Christmas Present Ever’ – Bionic Arms

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Aldcroft named England captain ahead of 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Zoe Aldcroft is set to lead England at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil after being named Thursday as the team's captain for 2025.

Gloucester-Hartpury lock Aldcroft, capped 58 times by England, will skipper the Red Roses in the upcoming Women's Six Nations and the home Rugby World Cup, which starts in August.

The 28-year-old, who succeeds Marlie Packer as skipper, has previously led England on several occasions, with her first match as captain an 89-0 thrashing of the United States in November 2021.

England women's coach John Mitchell hailed Aldcroft as a "phenomenal rugby player", saying: She leads by example through her world-class actions, on and off the field, and is an integral member of our leadership group."

New Zealander Mitchell, a former All Blacks coach, said it was a difficult choice to remove the 35-year-old Packer as captain.

"As with many positions, there is intense competition for places in the back row and Marlie's ability to deliver big performances on the pitch needs to be her focus," he explained.

"Making decisions like this is never easy, but I believe it will push us to perform at our best and ultimately benefit the Red Roses."

Aldcroft was named 2021 World Rugby women's player of the year and led Gloucester-Hartpury to the last two Premiership titles.

"It's an incredible honour to be awarded the Red Roses captaincy," she said.

Saracens flanker Packer captained England to two Six Nations Grand Slams, as well as being crowned 2023 World Rugby women's player of the year.England went undefeated in 2024 and are favourites for the World Cup, where they hope to avenge agonising defeats by New Zealand in the past two finals. Aldcroft named England captain ahead of 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

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Giant Puffball Mushroom Feeds Her Family for a Week

Alissimon with the 11-pound mushroom – credit Alissimon Minnitt, released

If you’re the kind of person who likes foraging for mushrooms, you know that some edible species can be easily confused with poisonous doppelgangers.

But after first spotting a giant puffball mushroom, the thing you’re most likely to confuse it with is a football.

From England’s Buckinghamshire comes the story of a woman who has fed her family for a whole week on the meat of a single shroom, a giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea), that she found on a walk in a field near her home in North Marston.

“Around seven years ago, my dad and I went for a walk and encountered what we thought to be a football, but on closer inspection and some ­research we realised it was actually a giant puffball mushroom,” Alissimon Minnitt wrote on her Instagram next to a truly extraordinary picture.

“Today when I was visiting we were on a walk again, reminiscing about this experience out of the blue and then in the next field we spot a white dot. it couldn’t possibly be … could it? It was indeed a giant ­puffball, but not any giant puffball, an 11lb giant giant puffball. My arms are weak but my spirit is strong.

As a vegetarian, Minnitt knows the value of mushrooms in her diet. While most home cooks would struggle to make a fungus the starring role 7 nights in a row, she had learned plenty of recipes from her mother who was a “star” in preparing them while she was growing up.

Giant puffball pizza – credit Alissimon Minnitt, released

“It’s got quite a bland taste but it absorbs flavor really well. So as a bread substitute, in that case, it actually works really well,” she told The Times of London, who used it to make schnitzel, curry, pasta, and meatloaf, grilled slices like a steak, and even as the base for a pizza. “That was a really weird one, I wasn’t expecting it to be nice but it was amazing.”

After the week’s worth of meals, her family was “mushroomed out.” She put some pieces in the freezer and took the remaining 2 pounds and buried it in the soil where she found specimen.

According to the Times, the spores of Calvatia gigantea can cause a certain lung disease if inhaled, although they’re also recorded as being a folk remedy for nosebleeds. For this reason, mature specimens are to be avoided.

The giant puffball produces spores internally, and blows them out like a sponge as it begins the downward slope of its life cycle. This is in contrast to typical toadstools which release them down through their gills. Giant Puffball Mushroom Feeds Her Family for a Week

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Aldcroft named England captain ahead of 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Zoe Aldcroft is set to lead England at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil after being named Thursday as the team's captain for 2025.

Gloucester-Hartpury lock Aldcroft, capped 58 times by England, will skipper the Red Roses in the upcoming Women's Six Nations and the home Rugby World Cup, which starts in August.

The 28-year-old, who succeeds Marlie Packer as skipper, has previously led England on several occasions, with her first match as captain an 89-0 thrashing of the United States in November 2021.

England women's coach John Mitchell hailed Aldcroft as a "phenomenal rugby player", saying: She leads by example through her world-class actions, on and off the field, and is an integral member of our leadership group."

New Zealander Mitchell, a former All Blacks coach, said it was a difficult choice to remove the 35-year-old Packer as captain.

"As with many positions, there is intense competition for places in the back row and Marlie's ability to deliver big performances on the pitch needs to be her focus," he explained.

"Making decisions like this is never easy, but I believe it will push us to perform at our best and ultimately benefit the Red Roses."

Aldcroft was named 2021 World Rugby women's player of the year and led Gloucester-Hartpury to the last two Premiership titles.

"It's an incredible honour to be awarded the Red Roses captaincy," she said.

Saracens flanker Packer captained England to two Six Nations Grand Slams, as well as being crowned 2023 World Rugby women's player of the year.England went undefeated in 2024 and are favourites for the World Cup, where they hope to avenge agonising defeats by New Zealand in the past two finals. Aldcroft named England captain ahead of 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

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Stella McCartney turns fashion show into green tech marketplace

LONDON - British designer Stella McCartney took over a Paris marketplace on Monday and turned it into a showcase for new greener textiles while honouring her rock star parents' time in 1970s band Wings. Held in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, it was designed as a "market where fruits are worn instead of eaten", according to the show notes.

AFP | JULIEN DE ROSA

Some 20 stalls lined up alongside the runway showed off "cruelty-free and conscious material innovations", including several types of vegan leather, organic cotton and a seaweed-based yarn grown from regenerative kelp.

Getting these new technologies off the ground has proved difficult, however.

McCartney backed a US start-up, Bolt Threads, that was considered a leader in mushroom-based leather, but it announced in July that it was halting production after failing to gather enough investment.

As for the clothes in her spring-summer 2024 collection, some were inspired by her parents -- Paul and Linda McCartney -- during their time on tour with Wings in the 1970s, including ruffled shirts and crystal-encrusted waistcoats.

AFP | JULIEN DE ROSA

It was a highly varied collection, with a relaxed but high-end take on jeans and croptops, a sumptuous cape over a casual white tank top, and a silk gown gathered in two billowing balloon shapes around the shoulders.

McCartney said 95 percent of the outfits were made from "responsible materials".

The A-list attendees included Hollywood stars Cate Blanchett, Robert Downey and Chris Rock.

AFP | JULIEN DE ROSA

"The eclectic, ageless collection blurs the lines between genders and generations -- reinterpreting pieces from Stella's archive as well as those she borrowed from her parents, and (that) her daughters now borrow from her," the press release said.jz-er/fg Stella McCartney turns fashion show into green tech marketplace

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David Bowie's handwritten 'Starman' lyrics sell for over £200,000

LONDON - David Bowie's original handwritten lyrics for the pop classic "Starman", part of an album that catapulted him to international stardom, on Tuesday sold at auction in Britain for £203,500.

Released as a single in 1972, the song about a Starman who would "like to come and meet us but he thinks he'd blow our minds" featured on the Ziggy Stardust concept album.

The handwritten lyrics sold for five times as much as the £40,000 estimate.

The winning bidder was Olivier Varenne, director of acquisitions and alliances and collections at the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania, on behalf of a private collector.

"We had almost unprecedented interest from around the world for this historic piece of memorabilia," said Paul Fairweather of Omega Auctions.

"We’re very pleased with the incredible price achieved and are sure the lyrics will be rightly prized and treasured by the winning bidder."

The lyrics were previously on display as part of the V&A Museum's David Bowie Is collection. They had been owned by the same person since the 1980s.

The A4 page features handwritten amendments and edits by Bowie, including corrected spelling mistakes and additions.

The lyrics were sold as part of a David Bowie and glam rock sale on Tuesday.

In 2019, the first demo of Bowie singing Starman sold for 51,000 pounds after gathering dust in a loft for nearly five decades.

Bowie can be heard telling his guitarist Mick Ronson, who died in 1993, that he has not finished singing the song when he tries to end the demo.

The singer, born David Jones, died aged 69 in New York in 2016 David Bowie's handwritten 'Starman' lyrics sell for over £200,000

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Pilots Live Through Miracle Landing After Their Aircraft Crashes Into Busy Road Without Hitting Cars

Credit: Mila Vukelić / SWNS

Two men escaped without serious injury after their motor glider crashed into a road in Gloucestershire, in South West England.

The plane appeared to have skidded through a hedge during rush hour late Tuesday afternoon, and ended up on the A 419, blocking both lanes.

The pilots may have overshot the runway at Aston Down airfield, which is home to the Cotswold Gliding Club where the two occupants were members.

The Club released a statement saying they were both qualified pilots.

“They suffered some injuries and were taken by ambulance to hospital to be checked over.”

One witness said that it “looked like it stalled and nose dived into the main road”.

Credit: Mila Vukelić / SWNS

Mila Vukelić captured photos that documented the scene right in front of her car—capturing the two pilots looking shocked just after their crash landing. Pilots Live Through Miracle Landing After Their Aircraft Crashes Into Busy Road Without Hitting Cars

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Farmers Show off Mammoth Produce at County Fair Headlined by 1,300 lbs. Pumpkin

The first prize pumpkin at 1370 pounds – via SWNS

At last weekend’s Malvern Autumn Festival in the UK, growers from across the Isles showed off the truly frightening proportions that vegetables can grow to, headlined by massive pumpkins brought in on a forklift.

4th place winner Tim Saint transported his whopping 667 lbs. pumpkin in a trailer to display at the event held over the weekend in England’s Worcestershire.

Even though he needed a pallet, trailer, and industrial strapping to move the thing, his was a small fry compared to Curtis Leach’s 1st prize-winning pumpkin that arrived at weights usually reserved for cars.

At 638 kilograms, or 1,373 lbs, the gargantuan gourd was 40 kilograms more than the second-place entry, but half as heavy as the current Guinness World Record for heaviest pumpkin, which was 2,700 pounds.

“I grew a 667 lbs. pumpkin this year which I’m delighted at,” said Mr. Saint. “I’ve been growing pumpkins for 20 years and that’s the biggest I’ve ever done It’s got to be over 3ft tall at least, I’m 6ft tall myself and it’s big.”

“The secret is just plenty of water and manure, plenty of cow manure especially,” added Mr. Saint, who did take 1st prize for largest beetroot. “It takes a lot of water, I normally give it five watering cans of water a day.”

Peter Glazebrook with his 1st prize for the longest cucumber and David Robson with his 4th placed leak – via SWNS

 

Ian Stott with his cabbage – via SWNS

Lesley and Wayne Price from Hereford with their giant zucchini-like fruit known as a marrow – SWNS

One of the largest harvest festivals in the UK, there are 35 categories for giant or long vegetables, and this year 8 new world records were set, including for Largest Runner Bean Leaf, Heaviest Runner Bean, Tallest Tomatillo Plant, Longest Luffa, Heaviest Bell Pepper, Heaviest Cucumber, Heaviest Broad Bean, and Longest Broad Bean.

Ian Stott brought along a 49-pound cabbage which secured him second spot on the winner’s podium this year.

“It’s 22kg and about four-and-a-half feet wide,” he said proudly, adding that “it’s not been a good year for cabbages, it was so hot at the beginning of the season.”

“You’ve got to have the right seed and Mother Nature needs to be on your side… They weren’t that big this year. I’ve had them 6ft across and it’s a bit hard to not break leaves off him,” said Mr. Stott, who lost out on 1st prize to Annette Stone, who managed to break 54 pounds with her cabbage.

Ian Neale 80 with his 1st Place for his giant swede and 1st place for giant celery – via SWNS Farmers Show off Mammoth Produce at County Fair Headlined by 1,300 lbs. Pumpkin

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Excessive screen time can affect reasoning skills in young children

London, (IANS) Young children who spend more time using computer and other such devices are likely to have poor reasoning skills, that is crucial for learning, academic performance, and everyday problem-solving, according to a study.

The study from University of Eastern Finland found improved overall diet quality and reduced consumption of red meat, as well as increased time spent in reading and organised sports enhanced reasoning skills among children over the first two school years.

On the other hand, excessive time spent on a computer and unsupervised leisure-time physical activity were associated with poorer reasoning skills.

Screen time, active school transportation, recess physical activity, and physical activity intensity were also not associated with reasoning skills.

"Children with healthier eating habits showed greater cognitive development than other children. Specifically, better overall diet quality, lower red meat consumption, and higher low-fat dairy product intake were linked to better reasoning skills," said doctoral researcher Sehrish Naveed from the varsity.

Published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, the study examined the effects of a two-year diet and physical activity intervention on cognition among 397 Finnish elementary school children.

The associations of dietary factors, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour with cognition over two years were also studied.

The analyses considered parental education and income as well as children's body fat percentage and maturity level. "In the lives of growing children, diet and physical activity intervention is just one factor influencing lifestyle and reasoning skills. Based on our study, investing in a healthy diet and encouraging children to read are beneficial for the development of reasoning skills among children. Additionally, engaging in organised sports appears to support reasoning skills," said Eero Haapala from the varsity. Excessive screen time can affect reasoning skills in young children | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Playing Team Sports At School Helps You Get Ahead In The Workplace

New research from cricket apparel range, Maiden (www.maiden-cricket.com) has found that playing competitive sports when young has helped British workers later in life as they face the challenges of the modern-day workplace. When asked if it has made them a better team player, 69% of people thought so – that was 69% of men and 56% of women. Two-thirds (63%) of people believe that sports have helped them in the workplace, teaching them key skills of teamwork (64%), competitiveness (49%), respect (37%) and resilience (37%). 39% of British people also believe that playing sports when young instil good health and fitness habits later on in life.

Despite these positive stats and 70% of girls saying they enjoy playing sport, a third (36%)[1] are put off at school because of the limited ill-fitting sportswear available to them. A quarter (25%) of girls today say this sportswear makes them feel self-conscious, while nearly half of women (44%) say they wouldn’t wear kit if it was uncomfortable, not fit for purpose for their time of the month (35%) or if sweat marks show easily (27%).

The fact that so little attention has historically been given to girls’ sports clothing could be affecting the talent pipeline of women in the workplace. With girls dropping out of sports at an early age, they lose all the benefits that sports teach that can then be transferred to the workplace, encouraging more women at senior positions.

Suzy Levy, Author of Mind the Inclusion Gap and Managing Director at The Red Plate says: “The benefits of keeping young girls in sport last well beyond the team or the trophy. Sport develops skills which last a lifetime. Having brands like Maiden, who recognise the positive impact that sports kit purposefully designed for and by women and girls, is important for inclusion.”

In the girls’ cricket world, Honor (16) and Cat (15) Black are tackling the issue. They are fed up with having to wear uncomfortable and ill-fitting cricket clothes made solely for boys when playing their game for the last eight years so came up with Maiden Cricket Clothing which launched in March 2024. Their range aims to empower, inspire and redefine the game for young female cricketers aged eight to 18. The designs are meticulously crafted to girls’ unique needs – both in terms of function and fashion, encouraging them to feel, look and play their best.

Maiden Founder, Honor Black (16) says: “Playing Cricket was all I wanted to do at school, it’s a brilliant strategic game and team sport. It’s so motivating to hear that playing competitive sports puts you in good stead for the future. However, why do girls have to wear ill-fitting kit, feel self-conscious and distracted when really the focus should be on the game and team performance? We created Maiden to show girls that it doesn’t need to be this way; you can look good and play your best in kit that is tailored for girls. We want to encourage more young people into the sport to experience the huge benefits that it brings – creating camaraderie, teaching you resilience, and improving your mental health which is so important for young people today.

“We want to also champion girls’ cricket from when someone discovers the game at school or through their community. If we can build a bigger and stronger community, this will empower current players and others for the future. We have had an overwhelming response since we launched six weeks ago, with over 150 applications for The Maiden Rising Stars Programme, telling us their stories and why they want to be part of the Maiden Mission. Our mission is to make sure girls are seen equal to boys in schools when it comes to PE and Sports – which will then filter through to the workplace. We need to all work together to encourage the next generation of sporting heroes.”Maiden launched in March 2024 and has so far received rave reviews with many saying that a change in girls’ cricket ware hasn’t come soon enough. They have created a Rising Stars partnerships programme, celebrating up and coming cricketing talent in the UK and have received hundreds of applications – showing a real love of the sport. Playing Team Sports At School Helps You Get Ahead In The Workplace - HR News

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Digital Wallets Are Popular in the UK While Demand for A2A Payments to Be Desired Finds WorldPay

Worldpay, the global paytech, has published the findings from its Global Payments Report 2024, revealing that digital wallets are expected to comprise half of all e-commerce spending in the UK, worth £203.5billion, by 2027.

The report, analysing payment landscapes across 40 countries, also found that usage of digital wallets will likely more than double at UK point-of-sale (POS). Usage will rise from 14 per cent to 29 per cent of transaction value over the next three years. This represents £493billion total transaction value, underscoring a seismic shift in consumer behaviour.

Pete Wickes, general manager, EMEA at Worldpay said, “Consumers are not just embracing digital wallets, they are driving a revolution in the payments landscape. The combined effect of the pandemic, alongside digital wallet technology reaching a level of maturity and implementation in recent years has driven a monumental rise in adoption both globally and locally in the UK.

“It is hard to deny the ease of use and convenience digital wallets provide whether shopping in store or online. From this basis, merchants now have a huge opportunity to diversify their payments choice to meet customer needs.”

Why digital wallets?

Digital wallets emerged in the late 1990s, steadily gaining in popularity from the mid-2000s, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that provided the tipping point for adoption globally. Now established as a ‘go-to’ payment type for UK consumers, the maturity of the technology is giving consumers the confidence to try new ways to pay. Digital wallet use in the UK is providing a welcome boost to the world’s third-largest e-commerce market, which is expected to see seven per cent compound annual growth (CAGR) through 2027.

Underpinning digital wallet adoption in the UK, however, is the deep connection Britons have to traditional payment methods like credit and debit cards, which 69 per cent of consumers use to fund their wallets. Credit and debit card usage outside of digital wallets continues to be strong.

Credit and debit cards accounting for 46 per cent of e-commerce and 74 per cent of POS transaction value in 2023. The findings reveal how established payment preferences and behaviour is carrying over to new modalities, like digital wallets.

Kate Nightingale, consumer psychologist and founder of Humanising Brands

Commenting on the findings, Kate Nightingale, consumer psychologist and founder of Humanising Brands said, “Adoption of new payment methods is a complex cognitive and affective decision-making process. Outside a considered evaluation of benefits, like convenience, self-expression and brand incentives, and risks such as safety and privacy concerns, the most impactful promoter of adoption is trust.

Ensuring long-lasting usage

However, there is a difference between initial pre-adoption trust and continuation trust. Initial trust comprises the perceived integrity, benevolence and capability of a provider. Continuation trust relies on confirmation of a customer’s expectations, ongoing satisfaction levels and the perceived usefulness of a payment method.

Social factors cannot be ignored with word-of-mouth, prevalence of the payment method in a customer’s social circles, influence by authority figures as well as the impact of partnerships and sponsorships by already trusted organisations, all shaping consumer behaviour.

Those operators, merchants and financial institutions that understand how to navigate this complex behavioural matrix to drive consideration and adoption across a range of payment methods will come out on top.”

Not all tech is quickly adopted in the UK

While the UK has been a leader in adopting new payment technology, account-to-account (A2A) payments have been slow to take hold. For example, A2A accounted for just seven per cent of e-commerce transaction value in 2023 in the UK, the lowest adoption rate across Europe, lagging behind Poland (68 per cent), the Netherlands (64 per cent) and Finland (33 per cent).

A significant difference between these markets and the UK are government-backed initiatives designed to establish trust and encourage adoption, alongside supporting the development of infrastructure like real-time payments systems.

“We advocate for a varied and vibrant payments ecosystem, recognising that diversity in payment options enhances the customer experience, supports merchant growth and ultimately boosts commerce,” added Wickes. “It’s crucial for all players in the industry to come together to continue to innovate, while maintaining and building the consumer trust that has been pivotal to the seismic shift in commerce we have seen so far.” Digital Wallets Are Popular in the UK While Demand for A2A Payments to Be Desired Finds WorldPay

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Millions of UK adults may have lost money to a financial scam in the last year

12% of UK adults have admitted to losing money to a financial scam in the last year, according to new research[1] from WEALTH at work. This could potentially equate to 6.2 million adults[2] across the UK.

The research found that of those who had lost money to a financial scam, the average amount was over £1k[3].

These findings come despite almost 3 out of 4 (72%) of adults saying that they are confident in their ability to identify a financial scam.

The research also revealed the worrying impact losing money to a financial scam had on people. It found that two out of five (40%) find it difficult to trust that any financial information is legitimate, more than a quarter (27%) say it’s had a negative impact on their mental health, and almost a quarter (24%) do not feel safe investing their money. Losing money to financial scams has also meant that more than a fifth (22%) have had to change their plans for the future.

To help employees avoid falling for a financial scam, through its research, WEALTH at work has identified the common financial scams that people lost money to in the last year:

Purchase scams – 27% of those who lost money to a financial scam said it was through the sale of fake products or goods online.

Investment scam – 19%said it was through scams that encourage investing in fake opportunities or pyramid schemes.

Friends or family scam – 18%said it was through messages sent claiming to be someone they knew asking for money.

Bank account scam – 18% said it was through fake claims that their account had been compromised.

Tech support scam – 15% said it was through fake technical support services that were used to obtain personal details.

Befriending/romance scam – 14% said it was through scams where someone becomes your friend, then asks for money.

Pensions scam – 13% said it was through fake promises of guaranteed returns or early access to their pension.

Tax refund scam – 10% said it was through fake promises of tax rebates.

Lottery scam – 9% said it was through fake claims that they’ve won a prize

Jonathan Watts-Lay, Director, WEALTH at work, comments; “Financial scamming is rife and people need to be on their guard as fraudsters use many convincing techniques to persuade their victims that they are genuine. Many of these scams look completely legitimate and are not easy to spot. People often get seduced by the promise of investment returns which are too good to be true.

He adds; “Those that run scams are clever and may have been able to get hold of personal details. They often have very professional looking websites and literature which makes it hard to distinguish from the real thing. They will also use technology and try to contact individuals through various means such as social media, texts, telephone calls and emails. If someone is planning to transfer any money or make a payment, but they are not 100% sure that they are doing the right thing, they should stop and think to give themselves time to check it out. If they are feeling harassed, they should hang up the phone or delete the message. Phone companies should be able to help by blocking any offending numbers, and email providers can help block emails from specific senders. People should be aware of what they share through social media and check that their privacy settings are as secure as possible.”

Watts-Lay explains; “Unfortunately, the strain on household finances caused by rising costs could mean that some people are more vulnerable than ever, and fraudsters can take advantage of this. Those approaching retirement could also be a key target as they could have access to relatively large sums of money. I urge everyone to never rush to make a decision when it comes to their money, as anything that talks about time limited offers is likely to be a scam.”

He adds; “We would encourage people to follow the 3 step approach of the national ‘Take Five’ campaign by UK Finance, a leading industry body for financial services in the UK. The campaign urges individuals to stop and think before parting with money, challenge if something is fake, and protect their money by contacting their bank if they think they’ve fallen for a scam.”

Watts-Lay comments; “Before investing any money, people should check that the company is registered, with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) first, as if they’re not, it’s probably a scam. The FCA’s financial register can be found here https://register.fca.org.uk/s/. The FCA’s ScamSmart website also includes a warning list of companies to be aware of www.scamsmart.fca.org.uk.”

If anyone thinks that they are being scammed, they must report it to Action Fraud in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, either online or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, they should report to Police Scotland by calling 101.

He adds; “Many leading employers offer financial education, guidance and access to regulated financial advice to help people understand the warning signs when it comes to a scam so that it can be avoided. Employers play an important role in supporting the financial wellbeing of their employees and helping them to protect their money from scams throughout their career and at retirement is key. As well as this, many employers also provide employees with access to trusted savings and investment vehicles such as a Workplace ISAs or Share Plan, so the fear of being scammed should never be a barrier to saving for the future.”

[1] Research for WEALTH at work was carried out online by Opinion Matters throughout 01/05/24 – 07/05/24 amongst a panel of 2,061 UK adults (aged 18+).

[2]12% (11.6448326055313%) of people lost money to a scam multiplied by the UK adult population of 53,646,829 (ONS 2022 18+ mid year estimate) = 6,247,083 adults across the UK (rounded to 6.2 million).

[3] The research found that the mean figure of UK adults who lost money to a scam was £1111.21 which has been rounded to over £1k. Source: https://hrnews.co.uk/millions-of-uk-adults-may-have-lost-money-to-a-financial-scam-in-the-last-year/

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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls early General Election on July 4

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called an early national election for July 4. He made the announcement outside his Downing Street office, saying now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. Voters across the United Kingdom will choose all 650 members of the House of Commons for a term of up to five years. The party that commands a majority in the Commons, either alone or in coalition, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister. The announcement came the same day official figures showed inflation in the UK had fallen sharply to 2.3 percent, its lowest level in nearly three years. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls early General Election on July 4

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Future workforce on hold? 57% of employers state they are reducing graduate hires this year

57% of UK employers have stated that they are now hiring fewer graduates than last year.

This comes as recent figures from Adzuna show that graduate positions have dropped nearly a third across the UK (twice the amount of all job vacancies) – adding further to reports last year of graduate jobs contracting alongside low entry-level pay.

A recent poll by specialist recruitment firm Robert Walters reveals that as a result, over three-fifths of recent grads state that they are now struggling to find relevant professional positions.

Habiba Khatoon, Director of Robert Walters UK comments: “Graduates across the UK are experiencing considerable roadblocks when looking for jobs right now – when economic conditions get tighter, company’s graduate intakes will inevitably reduce or in some cases be put on-hold altogether.

“However – employers overlooking these professionals may be saving on headcount costs now but they will run the risk of talent bottlenecks 3-5 years on, leading to considerable premiums and competition placed on particular roles – something which we saw dominate the period of hiring directly following Covid within accountancy and legal services.”

Hiring priorities

By next year, Gen-Z will account for over a quarter (27%) of the global workforce.

Despite this – over half (57%) of UK employers have stated that they are hiring fewer graduates this year – with 26% stating a ‘little less’ and almost a third (31%) stating ‘a lot less’.

When asked why, almost two-fifths (39%) cited limited hiring budgets; a quarter, having less capacity to train or upskill and 22% shifting hiring focus towards more senior talent.

Habiba comments: “Whilst graduates coming into companies on entry-level positions need more initial training – they possess a range of sought-after skills, such as innovative thinking, adaptability and digital capabilities.

“Failing to establish a robust graduate hiring and retention strategy now can result in significant skills-gaps as well as present further challenges when senior talent opt for an early retirement and there is no one next in line to take their place.”

Job hunt struggles

On the flip side – recent graduates are equally feeling the pinch, when it comes to their job search success – over half (58%) state their job hunt has been extremely difficult – it seems only a minority (10%) are finding it somewhat easy.

When asked how long it took them to find a position, related to their field of study – 18% stated 6+ months whilst two-fifths (44%) reported that they still hadn’t found a position at all.

Habiba comments: “With the economy still sluggish, many employers are holding onto their existing workforce – but students are continuing to graduate at the same pace – leading to a consistent funnel of graduates vying over a drought of positions.

“Not only that, but when graduates do secure a position – they will most likely encounter even difficulties trying to live on their earnings – with starting salaries experiencing the lowest rates of growth in three years.”

What are employers looking for in recent graduates?

With the constant stream of grads coming out of university and into the jobs market, employers are ramping up requirements for roles – only recently, StandOutCV found that over half of entry-level roles require prior experience of an average of 2.7 years.

The Robert Walters poll also asked employers what the top quality they look for in a recent graduate. Resoundingly, a willingness to learn (72%) came out on top- prioritised over being a team player (14%), prior work experience (10%) and academic experience (3%).

Habiba comments: “With tighter hiring currently prevalent across the board, employers are confident in asking for more from those they do choose to onboard – but they cannot lose sight of the fact that graduates are the future of our workforce and with each year, they will represent more of the labour market.”

Habiba concludes: “It goes without saying, the tougher market has resulted in a lower volume of graduate positions – but we expect the scales to balance on this, over the following months.

“Whilst there isn’t one silver bullet ingredient graduates can add to their applications to get hired on the spot – there are strategies they can employ to improve their chances of securing their first professional position.”

Habiba shares her three top tips on how recent graduates can optimise their job search: 

• Leverage social media and your network – from call-outs on X (formerly Twitter), to job openings on Instagram and even reaching out to your extended personal and professional networks – there are different avenues you can extend your job search onto, to pick up opportunities you wouldn’t find through more traditional channels.
• Add value to your CV – it may seem counterintuitive since you’ve just come out of full-time education however, there are certain recession-proof skills that can ‘beef’ up your CV – for example, building up your repertoire of soft skills by committing to some hours of voluntary work or getting to grips with applications or technologies that are frequently used in the roles you’re applying for, such as Microsoft, Tableau etc.
• Do you research, know your market – keeping abreast of market trends, in-demand skills and key employers in your industry – essentially keeping a finger on the pulse of your chosen industry can help you to capitalise on any opportunities as soon as they come up.
• Prepare for all interviews – when you get an interview offer, ensure you prepare thoroughly – research the company, their core values and culture, get comfortable with the role you are going for and all of the expected skills/responsibilitiesFuture workforce on hold? 57% of employers state they are reducing graduate hires this year

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Virgin Media O2 reaches plastic waste milestone

The plastic waste removed is the equivalent weight of five double decker buses

UK mobile operator Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has announced that it has successfully removed 65 tonnes of single-use plastic from its operations and products since 2021.

The effort is part of the company’s Better Connections Plan, which broadly commits to ensuring the business operates in a sustainable and ethical way. One of the plan’s primary aims to achieve zero waste operations and products by the end of 2025.

In partnership with engineering company Technetix, VMO2 has removed almost 18 tonnes of single-use plastic from the equipment and tools used by engineers. This includes eliminating plastic bags, foam, blister packs, and plastic straps from packaging. The company has also replaced plastic ties with paper ties on cables.

Collaborating with logistics firm GXO, the company has also reduced single-use plastic from packaging containing products sent to cable customer by 94%.

Additionally, adopting plastic-free packaging for product delivery and returns has allowed the company to prevent approximately 22 tonnes of single-use plastic going to waste each year.

“GXO and Virgin Media O2 are working together to create a supply chain that is as environmentally responsible as it is efficient and reliable,” said Meagan Fitzsimmons, GXO’s Chief Compliance and ESG Officer in a press release.

“Companies have to reduce single use plastics from their supply chain to meet regulatory requirements and environmental goals. These results show what’s possible with a best-in-class partnership,” she continued.

In related news, this week it was revealed that VMO2 was one of three operators (in addition to Three and Vodafone), who had their plea for a deadline extension of the first phase of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) denied by the UK government.

Dean Creamer, the head of Building Digital UK (the government body overseeing the project) confirmed this week that the authority has denied a request by the three mobile operators to delay the first phase deadline by 18 months.

The current deadline to remove all ‘partial not-spots’ is in June. Only EE, the UK’s largest operator, met this deadline so far, doing so in January. Last October, The Telegraph reported that Vodafone and Three in particular were operators were “miles behind” in the project, according to unnamed sources, Virgin Media O2 reaches plastic waste milestone | Total Telecom

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UK SMBs could save 280m tonnes of CO2e by hitting 2030 targets

22 April 2024: This Earth Day, BT is announcing a new partnership with the UK Business Climate Hub (UKBCH) that aims to help UK small & medium businesses (SMBs) halve CO2e emissions by 2030 and empower them to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It comes as research suggests UK SMBs would stop 280 million tonnes of CO2e emissions from reaching the atmosphere if they hit this near-term goal*.

There are 5.5 million SMBs in the UK, making up more than 99% of all businesses nationwide. Collectively they account for almost half (44%**) of non-household emissions, making their role in tackling the climate crisis critical to the UK’s chances of hitting net zero by 2050.

Nine in ten (90%) of SMEs would like to address climate change at their business, but find it challenging to get started and identify the right tools to mitigate their environmental impact.*** To help them map out a path to net zero, the UKBCH, a shared endeavour between industry and government, has welcomed BT as a key industry partner and member of its Advisory Board, and has developed ‘Seven Steps to Sustainability’ to empower SMBs to get started today.

The new partnership aims to bring together BT’s expertise in supporting more than one million small business customers with the UK Business Climate Hub’s free resources to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and their energy bills. Businesses can take the first step today by checking out the available, free resources from the UKBCH on its website. They can also work towards the SME Climate Commitment, by making a pledge to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, achieve net zero emissions before 2050, and report progress on these goals annually.

Chris Sims, Managing Director, Small and Medium Business at BT, says: “BT set its first carbon reduction target more than 30 years ago, and we’ve had a strong track record of hitting our sustainability goals ever since. But we have size on our side – and from speaking to our small business customers we know that with limited resources, many of them struggle to find the time, the funding, or the guidance to help them prioritise sustainability. With the UK Business Climate Hub we are beginning our journey to reach more businesses with free tools and practical support to help them set the foundations for a greener future, and ultimately, reach Net Zero.”

Chris Taylor, Net Zero Programme Director at the Broadway Initiative – which manages the UK Business Climate Hub – adds: “We’re delighted to partner with BT and are energised about the impact we will make together. The UK Business Climate Hub works closely with the government and our industry partners to produce essential guides for SMBs across multiple sectors, with practical advice on how to reduce carbon emissions and save on energy bills. Whether it’s a tailored net zero plan for individual SMBs, free carbon footprint calculators or an online training course on cutting emissions, with our tools and support, SMBs can reduce both costs and emissions and transition to a greener economy – the ultimate win-win.”

Seven steps to Sustainability: Practical tips for all sectors

The UKBCH has charted a course for SMBs to build and achieve a greener future. The ‘Seven Steps to Sustainability’ break down key actions so that businesses can create an achievable plan. These include:

1. Understand the basics: An overview of net zero and how to reduce your business’s carbon footprint and any legal requirements on reducing carbon emissions.

2. Involve your team: Engage staff across the business to develop carbon reduction and energy saving initiatives. This could include an internal working group or hiring an external consultant.

3. Make the SME Climate Commitment: Commit to halving business emissions by 2030, reach net zero by 2050, and report yearly on progress towards these goals.

4. Make a plan: Measure current emissions from fuel consumption and electricity use. Taking stock of current business activities that contribute to overall carbon emissions will enable businesses to identify key focus areas.

5. Take action: Deploy technologies and new approaches to save energy and reduce carbon. Businesses can get sector-specific information here, and learn about specific actions that can be taken here.

6. Find finance and support: Businesses across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales can identify specific programmes or initiatives to help them to finance their sustainability journey.

7. Look beyond your business: Identify opportunities across the business’s entire value chain to reduce its impact, including creating a greener supply chain, using electric vehicles and transport, and get low carbon product labels and certifications.SMBs can visit the UKBCH website to access an entire library of free resources, tools and advice to cut carbon, reduce energy use, and chart a course to net zero: https://businessclimatehub.uk/ UK SMBs could save 280m tonnes of CO2e by hitting 2030 targets | Total Telecom

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