Asian Standard (Bradford) Issue 28 Sept - 3 Oct

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MEET THE BRADFORD ARE YOU RUNNING COUNCILLOR TURNED ON EMPTY?

BEEKEEPER WHO USES

HONEY FOR ISLAMIC HERBAL MEDICINE

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Read more on pages 6 & 7

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NEWS IN BRIEF BRADFORD COUNCIL SECURES TWO SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH COVID-19 REGULATIONS Two businesses in the Bradford district were in court on Tuesday 21 September for their failure to comply with COVID legislation during the height of the pandemic, V Lounge shisha lounge in Great Horton and the Ring O' Bells pub in Queensbury.

fixed penalty notice of £1000, which he failed to pay. He failed to attend the hearing at Bradford Magistrates Court and was found guilty in his absence.

He was ordered to pay a further £1,500 in fines, £783 in costs and a victim surcharge of £150.

Mr Waqas Hussain of V Lounge was ordered to pay almost £2,500 for failure to cease operating a business between the hours of 10pm and 5am during the emergency period. This was in contravention of The Health Protection Regulations 2020.

Bradford Council also secured a successful prosecution against Mr Leslie Bradshaw of the Ring O' Bells public house in Queensbury who also failed to cease operating whilst the same high-level restrictions were in place. Mr Bradshaw was ordered to pay £1850.

Bradford Council had received complaints of the shisha lounge operating whilst the high-level restrictions were in place and COVID numbers in the Bradford district were high and increasing.

Officers from Bradford Council's Environmental Health Department

Shisha Lounge visited the premises at 11pm on the 22 October 2020 and found the business to be open and serving 11 customers who were inside the premises smoking and sharing shisha pipes in close proximately to each other, posing a serious risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus.

Mr Hussain was initially served with a

Officers from West Yorkshire Police visited the pub on the 16 October 2020 and found that the bar was open and serving customers after 10pm when it should have been closed.

Mr Bradshaw was also initially served with a fixed penalty notice of £1000

which he failed to pay. He pleaded guilty at the hearing at Bradford Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay a further fine of £1000, costs of £750 and a victim surcharge of £100.

This successful prosecution is the second fine for Mr Bradshaw for breaking the Government's Covid-19 restrictions.

Cllr Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: "The majority of businesses across the district did the right thing and complied with the legislation, which was in place to protect the public by preventing the spread of COVID-19. These businesses were given plenty of information about how to comply with the law and chose to ignore it. They both were given fines which they chose not to pay, this left us with no alternative but to bring these cases to court and prosecute."

JOHNSON UNVEILS MISSION TO TACKLE UK'S 'NORTH-SOUTH' DIVIDE

Boris Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled plans to tackle the country's longstanding "North-South" divide, appointing former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane as chief of a Levelling Up Taskforce.

The government department in charge of the agenda was also given a new name -- the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Downing Street said that it was part of a government central mission to

level up every part of Britain in which London and the south east are seen as the wealthier regions, compared to the working class areas in the north and central England.

The initiative is also seen as Johnson's way of maintaining support for his Conservative Party in the so-called "Red Wall" areas of northern England.

In the 2019 snap election, these areas turned their backs on supporting the main opposition Labour Party, which

traditionally represents working-class families.

The taskforce has been jointly established by Johnson and Michael Gove, who was named just days ago as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up. Gove will drive cross-Whitehall efforts to deliver a program of tangible improvements in every part of Britain as the country rebuilds from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Downing Street added.

THE MG MAZE – A VISION OF FUTURE URBAN MOBILITY SAIC Design has pulled the wraps off a new MG concept to mark its third anniversary and explore a vision of future urban mobility.

The MG MAZE is aimed at the next generation of car users and explores the future of city transport, bringing the fun and pioneering spirit that has always defined MG firmly into the 21st century.

Built around the tag line of ‘Get Out & Play’, the concept brings together mobility and gaming, driven by a consumer appetite for something fresh, bold, brave and exciting.

“With MAZE we wanted to consider what the future of a car community might look

like, building from MG’s fan base and following. The move to digital is unstoppable, so we wanted to create a concept that connected this digital realm to the physical one that gives us the real joy in driving,” said Carl Gotham, Advanced Design Director.

“The concept is a reaction to our lives during recent months, where we have been met with restrictions and limitations on our ability to move around and interact.

Exploring the idea of ‘mobile gaming’, we used MAZE as platform for people to get out and rediscover their environment in a new and relevant way, opening up new

experiences with their city.”

The gaming aspect of the car reflects a desire to discover and reach new achievements, via a points-based reward system. Our car helps users to re-discover their city and their world by seeking exciting digital street art that is interacting with structures, buildings, and landmarks.

The MG MAZE is a compact urban two-seater capable of the utmost agility and functionality in busy urban environments.

Its core focuses are hightechnology and emotional design.

The exterior features a transparent shell, emulating high end gaming PC’s with

The MG Maze exposed componentry. Its outer surface is fluid and dynamic, exposing aspects of the chassis and interior design, that are otherwise hidden from view.

Inside, floating seats and UX/UI technology have been

developed, enhancing the gaming aspect by giving a fun and enjoyable driving experience, while the steering is controlled not by a steering wheel but by the driver’s smartphone.

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GOOGLE ROLLS OUT NEW FEATURES THAT ALLOW USERS TO CONTROL PHONES WITH FACE GESTURES American tech giant Google has rolled out two new features for people with speech or physical disabilities. Through the recently-released features, users can now operate their Android-powered smartphones hands-free.

As per TechCrunch, 'Project Activate' and 'Camera Switches' let users perform tasks like speaking a custom phrase or navigating using a switch interface, through facial gestures alone.

'Camera Switches' is a feature for the existing Switch Access that now lets users operate Android with just their face.

Camera Switches will allow users to set a facial gesture (looking left, right, or up; smiling, raising your eyebrows, or opening your

mouth) to a specific action.

People can customise how sensitive the trigger for each gesture is to make sure it only happens when you want it to and assign functions like scrolling forward or backward, navigating home or back, or even simple things like long-pressing.

Users can also augment it with Switch Access's existing support for physical switches. Ultimately, the combination sounds like users should be able to use their phone entirely using nothing but their face. No touching, external hardware or fine motor control is required. It will likely take longer to do the same things, though.

'Project Activate' is Google's other new feature, and it's kind of similar, allowing you to use the same facial gestures that

Camera Switches uses, but you'll be able to activate more complicated pre-set actions, like having your phone say a phrase or make a call. It's a standalone app that was just published to the Play Store. That means rather than toting around a complicated or expensive speech-generating device, you might be able to simply use your phone to trigger a handful of common phrases. That could cover a range from complicated multi-word messages to even just something as simple as having a fast way to say "yes" or "no."

On top of these two new features, Google's also rolling out some changes to its Lookout app for those with impaired vision. In case you aren't familiar,

Google activate the app lets you point your phone at stuff and have your phone describe it, covering a range from reading physical documents to describing food labels so you can tell jars apart in the pantry. Now it will also be able to read handwritten documents, including things

like post-it notes or birthday cards -- first for Latin-based languages, but others are planned. Currency mode can also now recognise Euros and Rupees. The new features rely on the smartphone's frontfacing camera, which can watch the user's face in real-time.

MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MURDER IN SABINA NESSA CASE A 36-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Sunday (26 Sept) morning on suspicion of murdering teacher Sabina Nessa.

He was arrested at around 3am at an address in East Sussex and taken into custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: ‘Sabina’s family have been informed of this significant development and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.’

It comes after investigators released CCTV images of a man, they urgently wished to speak to on Thursday evening, and one of a silver car they believed he had access to.

It is unclear if the man they were hunting is the man that has been arrested.

Police said on Saturday evening that the balding man is believed to have been carrying a reflective red object that he may have been trying to conceal up his sleeve.

He was seen on CCTV as he walked

Primary School, had been walking to meet a friend at a pub near her London home when she was attacked in Cator Park, Kidbrooke, in Greenwich, on September 17.

Her body was reportedly discovered by a member of the public the next day, having been

Sabina Nessa through Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, where Ms Nessa was thought to have been heading for a first date on the evening she died.

Sabina, a Year 1 teacher at Rushey Green

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hidden under a pile of leaves.

Two men were separately arrested on suspicion of her murder but were subsequently released under investigation.

The case has provoked an outpouring of grief and anger at women and girls’ safety.

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HOUSING PLAN REFUSED

BY CHRIS YOUNG Controversial plans by a major housing developer to build on a field in Clayton have been refused by a planning committee.

When asked to decide on an application for 69 homes on land off Westminster Drive, members of Bradford Council’s Regulator and Appeals Committee went against the advice of their own officers and voted against the plans following a two-and-a-halfhour debate.

Submitted by Barratt Homes, the plans were for a site next to another Barratt development.

The application originally went before the committee in August, but a decision was postponed after objectors claimed a report into flooding in the area they had commissioned highlighted serious issues with the proposals.

At that meeting planning officers recommended the committee approve the development.

And when the plan came back to the committee on Thursday, officers had not changed their mind, despite having read through that report.

They claimed the independent report contained a number of inaccuracies, and said neither Council flood officers nor Yorkshire Water had objected to the plans.

There had been over 240 objections to the plans, with many objectors raising issues about existing flooding on this field and neighbouring sites.

One objectors had even claimed “palms had been greased” at the Council, and that the development would be approved.

At the meeting residents, local ward Councillors and representatives of Clayton Parish Council spoke against the plans, showing a slide show of flooding on and around the site.

Westminster Drive site

Cllr Doreen Lee The Council’s planning and flood officers told members they felt measures proposed by the developers – including the creation of an on site flood attenuation tank and drainage system that would see water diverted into a nearby beck, was adequate.

They argued that the development would not make flooding in the area any worse than it was now.

Mark Jones of Barratt told the committee that the neighbouring development had been hugely popular, with many of the new residents having moved there from within Clayton or neighbouring areas of Queensbury and Thornton.

But committee members referred to concerns that residents had made about springs on the field. Officers said there were likely to be springs on the site, but they were not included on any maps.

They felt conditions that could be placed on the developers would adequately deal with the possibility of onsite springs.

Referring to the flood report commissioned by the objectors, Councillor Russell Brown (Cons, Worth Valley) said: “Residents are in one camp and officers are in another camp. It is up to us as a committee to figure out the real story.

“Just because a development isn’t increasing the risk of

flooding, it doesn’t mean it’s a good place to build houses.”

Councillor Doreen Lee (Lab, Keighley East) said she had experience of developers building on fields prone to flooding, which had then gone on to cause problems for neighbouring areas. She said: “I don’t have any faith in what’s been said will be done. I don’t want to pass something that could pass on issues to residents.

“We need to plant trees round here, never mind building houses. Whatever conditions we put on this, we can’t stop rain coming out of the sky.

“I’m sick to the back teeth of builders coming in and saying ‘but we need houses.’ It is very rare for me to refuse an application like this, but the issue is going to get worse and worse until developers like Barratts stop looking to build in areas where it floods.”

Councillor Matt Edwards (Green, Tong) said: “There

Green Party Cllr Matt Edwards is anecdotal evidence there are springs on the site. The development next to it is called Spring Valley View.”

The committee voted to refuse the plans, arguing the developer had failed to provide adequate information regarding on site springs and how they would mitigate localised flooding.

This article is by the local Democracy Reporting Service

Nominations Open For

Asian Standard' Most Influential

The Asian Standard annual search for the most influential South Asian of Bradford has begun.

Help us find the most influential people from the South Asian community in Bradford

Entries close

SUNDAY19 DECEMBER MIDNIGHT

Influential "Someone or something that has an impact on or shapes how people act or how things occur.

A person who convinces others to listen and do what he/she suggests."

If you think you fit this definition or know someone else who does, then we want to hear about you/ them to help compile our annual most influential list for 2021.

To nominate simply email influentiallist@asianstandard.co.uk with as much information as you can about yourself or your nominee. Don't forget to include your contact name and number so we can call you if we need further information.

If you prefer you can also write to us at Asian Standard Newspaper, 5 Green Street, Little Germany, Bradford, BD1 5HG Closing date for entries is 19th December 2021 midnight. No further entries will be accepted after this date and the Editor's decision will be final.

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MEET THE BRADFORD COUNCILLOR TURNED BEEKEEPER WHO USES HONEY FOR ISLAMIC HERBAL MEDICINE Cllr Kausar Mukhtar has been keeping Honeybees in her back garden for three years now

BY SHAWNA HEALEY Councillor for Tong, Bradford, Kausar Mukhtar has been keeping bees in her back garden for the past three years. With a passion for bees spanning a good part of her life, it wasn’t until she completed an Islamic herbal medicine course that ramped up her interest in keeping them herself.

Cllr Mukhtar, 44, decided to take a beekeeping course from the Leeds Beekeeping Association at Temple Newsam Farm in Leeds in 2018 after using honey in a lot of her natural home remedies.

She said: “It is a really nice and therapeutic hobby. It is a lot of work, but I enjoy it. Honey is used a lot in Islamic herbal medicine, and I decided that instead of buying honey from the supermarket to put in my remedies that I would create my own through beekeeping.

“Off-the-shelf honey is heated up and processed so that it is uniform, tastes the same, and will last on the shelf. However, in this process, all the good stuff is lost. Honey that is made through independent hives use local pollen that changes the flavour of honey throughout the year through the types of flowers used and the time of year when it was pollinated.”

Leeds Beekeeping Association runs several courses throughout the year, including winter and summer sessions that teach both theory and practical

Kauser Mukhtar decided to cultivate her own honey after using supermarket products in her home remedies lessons on beekeeping.

The theory of beekeeping includes education on colony composition, swarm control, hive types, buying bees, apiary locations, and establishing a colony. The practical lessons include tutoring on how to inspect the colony.

People enrolled on the course will also automatically become a member of the Leeds Beekeepers Association and the British Beekeepers Association, with social meetups every Wednesday from April for people who “just want to talk bees.”

Raw honey contains a good source of antioxidants which help to protect the body from cell damage. It also contains antibacterial and antifungal

Image: Arwin Neil Baichoo

Honey has been used for thousands of years properties, it can help digestive issues, and soothe sore throats amongst other things.

Research by charity The International Bee Research Association which was founded in 1949 for the promotion of the value of bees and providing information on bee science and beekeeping worldwide, suggests that there is of honey being stored in pots around 2500BC in Southern England,

Image: Bianca Ackermann

Cllr Mukhtar got into beekeeping three years ago

although It is difficult to know when honey became recognised as more than a welcome food supplement, a treat, or something used for special religious ceremonies.

The oldest written record is a prescription written on a clay tablet from Nippur, the religious centre of the Sumerians in the Euphrates valley in Western Asia circa 2000BC. Cllr Mukhtar cultivates honey from her hives sparingly, only taking what she needs throughout the year. She said: “I leave most of the honey for the bees so that they can benefit from the medicinal properties of the honey themselves and so that I don’t need to supplement their diet with sugar.”

Starting with just one hive three years ago, Cllr Mukhtar has recently invested in a second apiary. “Keeping bees is hard work”, she said. “It takes me about an hour to inspect both hives one a week. With this hobby, you wouldn’t be able to go on a two-week holiday because you need to check on the bees every few days. It probably takes more experienced beekeepers ten minutes to check on their hives though”.

The mum-of-two doesn’t just indulge in her passion alone, her daughter who is now 16, also shares her enthusiasm for bees. Cllr Mukhtar said: “My daughter was 13 at the time when I completed the course in Leeds. She loves the outdoors so every so often she would come to the afternoon classes with me. She still enjoys being outdoors and helps with the bees now and again. She is also now enrolled on a level two horticulture course in Harrogate.”

While beekeeping is a therapeutic hobby for Cllr Mukhtar, it is also an expensive one. Depending on what suit you buy, and the type and amount of equipment acquired, it can easily set you back £200, plus the price of the course. At Leeds Beekeeping Association, a taster session that teaches the inner working of a beehive and what beekeeping is all about costs £20, with the winter “How to a beekeeper course” starting at £100 for an adult and £75 for a child for 10 sessions spread across seven months. “You are unlikely to make back the price you spent on the equipment in honey”, Cllr

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Image: Pass the Honey

The course from Leeds Beekeeping Association will set you back £100 Mukhtar said. “However, it is worthwhile if you genuinely love the hobby as I do.”

Keeping bees is important not just because of the honey they produce, but because they contribute to pollination. Bees are needed because they are perfectly adapted to pollinate, helping plants grow, breed, and produce food. They do so by transferring pollen between flowering plants and therefore keeping the cycle of life turning.

Most plants we need for food rely on pollination, especially

by bees: from almonds and vanilla to apples and squash.

Bees also pollinate around 80% of wildflowers in Europe, so the countryside would be far less interesting and beautiful without them.

Not all bees are the same, however. There are over 20,000 known species of bee globally and around 270 species of bee have been recorded in the UK. Only one of these species is the Honeybee.

Most Honeybees are kept by beekeepers in colonies of

managed hives. The rest of our bees are wild, including 25 bumblebee species and more than 220 types of solitary bees.

Promoting the environmental importance of bees, both Honeybees and wild bees are important to Cllr Mukhtar. She said: “Bees and insects are so important to our environment.

There are few foods out there that don’t require pollination from these creatures.

“Bees love dandelions but in the summer, people rip them from their gardens because it is considered a weed, but just because it is not useful to use it doesn’t mean it is not important to the environment.

“Bees have been dying locally to me because of pesticide.

People don’t realise that pesticide is killing wild bees.

People need to be aware of this and realise that our rights to have beautiful gardens don’t come before the rights of bees and the environment.”

Bradford is a good place for bees Cllr Mukhtar says, because of all the green space and plants that are available for them to pollinate.

People can support local bees by planting bee-friendly

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plants and supporting local beekeepers. Cllr Mukhtar said: “One way people can support local bees is by contacting the local beekeeper’s association and asking if anyone is selling honey, and someone usually is.

“Local beekeepers will often sell honey in glass jars and depending on your interaction with the keeper, you can ask them to refill the jars for you when you have finished, creating less waste to landfill.”

Bee-friendly plants, shrubs and trees include lavender,

rosemary, bluebells, apple trees, honeysuckle, ivy, mahonia, and perennial wallflower.

Cllr Mukhtar also touched on the fact that there is a lack of diversity within the hobby and that more people from the South Asian community specifically need to join in.

She said: “Schools should be doing a lot more to get South Asian people into beekeeping.

They should organise visits so that kids can get hands-on experience with beekeeping.”

Image: Damien Tupinier

Bradford has plenty of green space which makes it easy for bees to pollinate

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BRADFORD BORN WOMEN TO SHARE THEIR CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF GROWING UP IN THE CITY IN THE 70S THROUGH SERIES OF WORKSHOPS Author Abda Khan and poet Sharena Lee Satti will be delivering a series of workshops and two events exploring what it was like growing up in Bradford in the 1970s

BY SHAWNA HEALEY Two Bradford-born creatives have been awarded money from the council’s new Large Grants scheme that gives projects up to £15,000 to promote art, history, and culture across the district.

Lawyer and author Abda Khan, 52, who was born in Bradford but now lives in the Midlands has teamed up with local poet Sharena Lee Satti, who is in her thirties, to deliver a digital five-week creative writing scheme that will explore childhood memories of Bradford from the 70s which will culminate in both a digital and in-person event where the creatives will get to perform their projects live.

The project will begin in midOctober and will be delivered via Zoom. The two writers are still in the final process of selecting writing from across Bradford to take part. The final events are set

Author Abda Khan

to be performed before Christmas this year, with the live event being primed for the Kala Sangam building, although nothing has been finalised yet.

Ms Khan said: “Sharena and I have worked with each other for a while.

Over lockdown, we organised a series of open mic nights together, but we actually haven’t met in person yet, so this is going to be our first time.

“Jumping the Middings came about after a conversation with Sharena about our childhood.

She mentioned that there was funding available from the council so we decided to apply for it to be able to deliver sessions that will be able to explore memories of the seventies, both happy and nostalgic memories, and more difficult ones.”

The project has been named after one of Ms Khan’s favourite childhood memories, where she and her friends would jump over the back of coal sheds along terraced houses, something that is colloquially known as “Jumping the middings”. Ms Khan said: “In the 70s, jumping along the back of the coal sheds in between terraced houses was our entertainment, some were taller than others which made it exciting. This is worlds apart from the experience that young people have today.”

The project is important to Ms Khan and Ms Satti because it provides an opportunity for other creatives to document and preserve childhood memories of Bradford and gives people who are fifty and over a chance to be involved in live art, a demographic of people who are “often overlooked when it comes to

Image: Thought Catalog

It is important for people from the South Asian community to access these opportunities

Image: Rob Ford

Kala Sangam building

Poet Sharena Lee Satti creative writing and live art”, says Ms Khan, She went on to say: “This project will give people who are my age and older the ability to be involved in the creative sector in Bradford. People who are over fifty are often overlooked when it comes to funding and providing opportunities for their artwork to be shown. We are going to change that with this project.

“We are going to explore all types of memories of growing up in Bradford in the 70s. Some will be happy, some might be difficult, but young people need to know what it was like because the world has changed massively since then.”

Ms Khan who has worked as a lawyer for over two-and-a-half decades recently got into writing around six years ago, with her first novel, Stained, published in 2016.

The book is a psychological thriller about a British-Pakistani woman called Selina who was raped by a family friend and must deal with

issues of dishonour and shame, a sensitive topic within the South Asian and Muslim communities.

She said: “Of course, the cultural norms of today are not the same cultural norms that we had back then. It is not just the experience of being South Asian that has changed, but just generally as a woman.

“Women weren’t expected to have careers as men did. They would work to pay the bills, but we were not expected to have careers. We were expected to settle down and have children.”

Ms Satti who grew up in the 90s but is using her expertise in poetry and presenting live reading performances to deliver this project. She said: “This project is an opportunity for us to hear and document other people’s stories of growing up.

“We don’t usually hear these types of stories which is why it is very important that we get people’s voices out there.”

Promoting South Asian voices is a particular concern to Ms Satti she says “a lot of people in the South Asian community do not get these types of opportunities, or do not think that they are for them.

Through this project, Abda and I can be role models for people in the community as it shows people in the community that they can seize these opportunities.”

Giving advice to young people who want to enter the creative industry, Ms Satti said: “You need to be authentic to yourself and to your art. You need to share it out with the world.”

During lockdown at the start of the year, Ms Satti and fellow Keighley-based poet Simon Pickles set up Spoke, a non-profit community-based organisation

that brings together emerging and established poets and performance artists to reach new people and places with poetry and spoken word. They deliver spoken word workshops in various settings across education, rehabilitation, and corporate sectors. They also host poetry and spoken word events throughout the year, in literary festivals and events such as World Book Day and National Poetry Day. Bradford Council’s Large Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant Fund, which can award up to £15,000 of funding per project, has been designed following the launch of Bradford’s new cultural strategy, ‘Culture is Our Plan’.

This is the first of two opportunities to apply for the new funds which will support new projects, events and other cultural activities that will engage communities from across the whole of the district and promote the district to wider audiences.

The programme is open twice a year with the second opportunity closing on 26 January 2022.

The award for this round is a total of £51,500 to eight projects that will deliver initiatives across the Bradford district over the next 6 months.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the latest round of successful bids for funding from our grants programme.

“Bradford district has such a vivid and diverse creative sector which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, so it’s great that we are able to support these cultural projects to engage local communities from across the whole of the district.”

Author Abda Khan

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te

UPDATE TO COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES AT TRINITY SECURE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST (SELT) POINTS The last year and a half have been a challenge for many organisations as we have all adapted to new ways of working. Trinity College London has worked hard during this time to make sure that all our test centres were Covid safe by following all government guidelines in relation to wearing masks, strict social distancing, and regular deep cleaning of all items in each centre. The safety of our candidates, examiners and staff has always been at the heart of everything we do.

We continue to be committed to ensuring that every candidate who comes to take their Secure English Language Test (SELT) does so in a safe and supportive environment.

As government guidance on Covid-19 continues to change across the four home nations and restrictions begin to ease, Trinity SELT has decided to continue to operate our SELT test centres under the current guidelines, to ensure the continued safety of everyone. Whilst the easing of restrictions means that some safety measures will no longer be a legal requirement, we acknowledge that many people will be cautious about the lifting of restrictions.

Face coverings Although the legal requirement to wear a face covering in England ended on 19 July, the government recommends that people continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces. We strongly encourage all candidates to continue to use masks within our centres.

For our candidates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, face coverings remain mandatory at the time of writing unless exempt, as set out in government guidance.

provide hand sanitiser at the entrance to centres, there will be screens at our registration desks and cleaning of surfaces and materials will take place between each exam.

Enhanced cleaning and safety measures

Exam format

All current measures with regards to cleaning and social distancing will remain in place. We will continue to

To minimise face to face contact SELT exams have been undertaken via one-to-one video conferencing with an examiner. Exams will continue

to run in this format.

We look forward to continuing to support all our candidates on their English language journey, as they navigate the next steps and move forward with their life here in the UK. If anyone is concerned about any aspect of the exam experience please do contact our Customer Care team on 0333 358 3183, who will do everything they can to support you.

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KEIGHLEY COMMUNITY SUPPORT AWARDS CELEBRATES THE BEST OF BRITISH BANGLADESHIS The award ceremony showcased the very best of British Bangladeshis from across Britain with community workers to council leaders recognised.

BY SHAWNA HEALEY Tuesday marks the official Keighley Community Support award ceremony that honours and showcases the best of British Bangladeshis who have made huge contributions in their communities.

The awards are there to recognise the positive impact and groundbreaking achievements made by individuals that will serve to motivate other people in the British Bangladeshi community.

The event was put on by Councillor Ashraf Miah and Fulzar Ahmed. Mr Miah said: “The event went fantastic. It felt like it was something from London with it being a black-tie event. The event was invite-only and had over 100 of the best of the best in attendance.

Fourteen awards were given out to people from across Britain including the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Councillor Habib Rahman, who was the first South Asian mayor of the city in its 800-year history as well as local people from Bradford and Keighley.

The ceremony was introduced by co-hosts Eyarun Nessa and Ash Alom with a welcome speech

by Councillor and Keighley Town Mayor Julie Adam. Former MP of Keighley John Grogan appeared as a guest speaker as well as Sergeant Major Mark Hill MBE. Saniya Ahmed who was

Dr Manoj Joshi Deputy Lieutenant representing the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

Humayun Islam awarded at the Keighley Community Support Awards introduced as a young guest speaker also made a speech.

Representing the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Manoj Joshi Deputy Lieutenant and Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe presented Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE deputy leader of Manchester City Council with the first award of the night. Cllr Rahman OBE started his political career in May 2008 when he became the first person of Bengali origin to be elected as a councillor on Manchester City Council and in 2011, was given the ‘Community Champion of the Year award’ at the Local Government Information Unit.

Cllr Rahman OBE said: “I have been really humbled and privileged to be considered among the list of very distinguished individuals who have achieved so much, with some of them, most of them actually, being incredible role models for me.

“I look up to them, I’ve got lots to learn from them and hopefully during my course of service to the community of Manchester, I will be meeting many of you over and over again, being able to learn from you regularly.”

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “It is wonderful what you have achieved so far, and it sounds like you are going further still, I wish you all the best in that. It is an honour to present this award with Dr Manoj Joshi to provide you with this award this evening.”

After a sit-down dinner kindly provided by supporters of the event and entertainment from Sanjoy Dey and Bollywood dancing, awards for commitment

and support were handed out to business sponsors.

Business sponsors included Abdul Kuddus director of Aire Valley Frozen Foods, Saleh Ahmed from restaurant and takeaway Bollywood Cottage, Fatima Patel, editor and managing director of Asian Standard newspaper, Ala Uddin owner of Mastab’s restaurant, Abdul Motlib Choudhury of restaurant Sylhet Brasserie, Imamul Hoque of Huddersfield restaurant Raj Of India, Ansar Ali owner of travel agents AA travels, Nazrul Islam, Rahim Ali of Ababil Hospitality, Rozi’s, a tandoori house in Prestatyn, Anwar Miah of Menston Spice and Lukman Hussain, of West Lane MOT centre.

Our Editor Fatima Patel, was also a guest speaker at the event. She said: It’s great to see so many

Cllr for Bingley Council Ashraf Miah was awarded for his commitment to local govt youth and community development.

achievers in one room from the Bangladeshi community. Well, done to Keighley Community Support for celebrating the achievements of people of Bangladeshi heritage from across the country. Asian Standard are extremely proud to be sponsoring such events that platform and highlight positive contributions from the diaspora.”

Other guest speakers at the event included Bradford community leader Shaukat Ahmed OBE known affectionately as “Mr Manningham” for his work as an engineer, entrepreneur, politician, and senior project manager at Leeds City Council, and Conservative MP for Keighley who has been in office since 2019, Robbie Moore.

Two sets of awards were given out during the ceremony, recognising people nationally and locally. Four people from across Bradford and Keighley were awarded for their dedication to the community.

One of the local recipients was Eyarun Nessa, who has worked in the community for several years and developed projects to tackle social and health inequality and steering positive changes. She has previously worked in legal, mental health, banking, social and welfare, faith and education sectors.

Prominent community activist Azad Uddin was also recognised for his work. He has been involved with many voluntary and charitable organisations including Greater Sylhet Development and Welfare Council in the UK. Mr Uddin is also a successful businessman in the catering industry in Wales.

Councillor Ashraf Miah was given an award at the ceremony for his work as the first British Bangladeshi Councillor for Bingley Council who also serves as the vice-chair of finance and general purposes committee. Mr Miah has been involved in the field of youth and community development for the past thirty years serving the people of Keighley and Bradford.

Former Keighley Town Mayor between 2018 and 2019, Fulzar Ahmed became the first British Bangladeshi mayor to be elected in Yorkshire. He has spent the last decade and beyond championing

the needs of his communities and has made a significant difference in encouraging a generation to play an active role in the community and take on public service roles. In February 2019, he successfully led a delegation team to Bangladesh, visiting the Rohingya camps to provide aid.

Restauranteur Sufu Miah, Humayun Islam, and Nilima Rahman were all recognised for their recent British Empire Medal (BEM) awards that were given to them on behalf of the Queen for their services in their respective communities.

Mr Islam BEM who has worked in a number of different fields ranging from mental health, supporting accommodation, male domestic abuse and working as the chief executive of BEAP Community said: “It has been a wonderful event provided by Keighley Community Support. A massive thank you to the organisers who have not only brought the Keighley community together but the whole community together.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here and I am ever so grateful to everyone who has supported me with my work at BEAP.” British Bangladeshi council members and MPs were also recognised for their contribution to society with Muzahid Khan, Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Greater Manchester given an award, alongside Councillor Ali Ahmed, Deputy Mayor of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Abdul Khan, chairman of Conwy Borough Council (Wales), Foysol Choudhury MBE Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Lothian, and Councillor Habib Rahman, the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

The award ceremony was in special memory of the late former Lord Mayor Councillor Abid Hussain Jammati who was Labour councillor for Keighley Central and Lord Mayor of Bradford in 2017-18.

Mr Hussain Jammati was 61 when he died due to the Coronavirus on Christmas Eve last year. Mr Hussain was born in Pakistan in 1959 and came with his family to the UK in 1971, aged 12. During his time as Lord Mayor, he raised thousands of pounds for charity.

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ASIAN STANDARD / BRADFORD

OPINION

Unfiltered with Aunty Razia Razia Bibi, aka Aunty Razia is our resident 80-year-old columnist. She wants to give a voice to a whole generation of women who feel their views are seldom heard.

Like so many first generation South Asian women of her era, Aunty Razia has a very powerful life story of her own. So many of these stories go untold and, as time goes by, there are fewer people around to ensure this part of history is kept alive. Aunty Razia, who lives in Bradford, speaks Punjabi, Urdu, Swahili, Gujarati and English and in her own style, every week will share her views on life. Sometimes you may not like her straight talk, but who said life was a bed of roses and our Aunty Razia's life most certainly wasn't. Over to you Aunty Razia.

A TALE OF TWO TIMES

When the logical method was deemed futile other irrational garbage floated on the surfaces of my South Asian relatives’ mind because of course a peer sahib and baba Bengali had supernatural powers that were more effective than medications but none of it worked.

Scribed in the gospel of all Desi mothers is the cure for all diseases which lies on a spectrum that ranges from taking a dip in a vat of Vicks Balm to popping panadols like candies. Throw in some hot haldi wala dudh, a cup of daar cheeni wala kehwa and

by God even the reaper will shy away from your invincibility. All of these concoctions and yet each one focused on nourishing one’s physical health while their mental health remains in the shadows, obscured by stigmas and acidic comments.

As someone who has seen the deterioration of a beautiful mind due to untreated mental health issues, I am a firm advocate of highlighting the specificities attached to dealing with these issues. I am not particularly fond of Charles Dickens, yet I will recount this tale of two times and how a very traumatic past often rears its ugly head in a very beautiful present.

Rewinding to the summer of

1967 on a beautiful farm in Kenya where I lived with my first husband and 5 lovely children. Everything seemed to be working as smoothly as a well-oiled machine until fate decided to take apart the parts one by one. I vividly remember the first time I noticed my other half’s quaint behaviour when he took 3 of our children to the fish market 2/3 miles away from our farm. He purchased the fish and when he arrived home, to my astonishment he returned with only 2 of the children!

Panicked, I confronted him about the absence of Farzana and he had the audacity to argue with me stating that he never took Farzana to the market. I knew then some cog in his mind had dangerously shifted and instead of dwelling much on verbal wars; shouted for Ali. I had trained 75 cockerels on the land to keep watch on the farm and the children and I had one I was especially fond of; a marvellous brown and carmine cockerel I lovingly called Ali. I remember my shouts echoing in the house, “Ali jaldi kar, ja machi

@ASIANSTANDARD market!” and the alerted cockerel went cra cra craing to the market, his beady eyes spotting Farzana and tugging at the hem of her kurta perhaps to soothe her and tell her not to worry.

Another instance arrived with the dawn when I awoke to find my husband gone from the house, upon enquiring with the farm workers I was told that he had gone to the seaside. Puzzled I went searching for him and beheld the most terrifying scene ever, straight out of a classic horror movie. He stood in the middle of the sea, the foam of the water lacing his shirt collar as the waves reached his shoulders and a string of Arabic verses spilled from his lips. He was reciting Surah Yasin which is a prayer in the holy Quran and in his madness kept treading water.

Tremors shook my body, but I gathered the last slivers of courage within me and dived into the water, I used to be a good swimmer and forcibly dragged him out of the sea. Once on land I assumed he would fall to my knees in gratitude and honestly a thank you would have sufficed too but with the disease rotting his cognitive functions, the man grabbed me by the throat.

I can still feel those wet, strong fingers choking me, the sky and the sea dissolved to a soft blue as I began losing consciousness but fortunately the fishermen ambling around came to the rescue; that day would have been my last had it not been for the fishermen. For nearly two weeks I was in agonising pain and unable to speak at all but eventually I recuperated with the prescribed medicines yet none were prescribed to the one who actually needed them.

Life became akin to some blazing inferno that ceaselessly singed me and taking care of my mentally ill husband consequently took a toll on my own mental health to such an extent that one day I overdosed and tried to end my own life. Fortunately, the farm staff found me and rushed me to the hospital where I relayed the reason behind my suicide attempt and soon the hospital staff diagnosed my husband with a mental health condition and sectioned him.

Sectioning too came with its fair share of troubles as he routinely used to escape from the hospital window covering up with some half-baked excuse like wanting to see his wife and children.

Despite being threatened to be handed over to the authorities, my husband was past caring and reckless in all his impulses.

Although he was on medication that was very effective in his treatment, he actively avoided taking it and completely spiralled to rock bottom.

When the logical method was

deemed futile other irrational garbage floated on the surfaces of my South Asian relatives’ mind because of course a peer sahib and baba Bengali had supernatural powers that were more effective than medications but none of it worked.

During the entirety of these traumatic incidences, my in-laws were as silent as the dead but when my husband was sectioned, all 5 of his brothers and 5 of his sisters practically teleported to my farm like ants to sugar. Cherry on top of the cake was my motherin-law who believed I was the sole cause of her son’s illness and constantly criticised me on my decision to section him. These Starplus mother-in-laws honestly have this talent to get under your skin and on your nerves because the things she used to say acted like salt on a bleeding wound.

Call it my folly or love that I still stayed, hooked on the hope of an iridescent future where everything is normal but in the end, I suffered the brunt of it as my in-laws threw me out. 10 years of patience and persistence dissolved in a matter of seconds and to say it broke my spirit was an understatement. I was devastated.

To this day, I suffer from PTSD and even my GP often comments how my traumatic early life adversely impacted me and the ill-health I suffer from has a direct link to it. I am living proof of how terrible these conditions can get and not only affect yourself but your relationships with those around you. Kehne ko “It is all in your mind” but why do we forget that the mind is our most important organ which ensures we function properly, ab wahi organ malfunction krega then error 404 is bound to occur haina?

Our community should dispel the myths and the stigma surrounding sectioning and mental health diseases and engage in healthy discourses regarding it instead of making it a taboo topic. Stop this ‘sharam’ nonsense and let logic prevail over the fabricated ideologies fed to you by a silly society. Also, sincerely if you are really concerned about black magic, do refer to the Quran and Sunnah instead of going to maulvis and peers who simply loot your money and gold and in the end blow bad breath all over you deeming it as a safety shield from evil. What are you, the green lantern? This is real life and not a fictional movie so please act accordingly.

Spread mental health awareness so the younger generation doesn’t have to suffer like we did. These issues are real and prevalent, and we must join together to either eradicate the root of these issues or become, softer and more understanding adults to help deal with those suffering.

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ASIAN STANDARD / NORTH EAST

YORKSHIRE ASIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT OCTOBER 2021

Become a YABA member now.

Find out more at www.yabauk.com

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ASIAN STANDARD /Ostober NORTH EAST Business Supplement 2021

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YABA

introduction from SHARON JANDU

W

elcome to the newest edition of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association business supplement! Here at YABA we encourage the growth of the Asian business community in Yorkshire and across the nation. We recognise the massive impact that the Asian Businesses have had on the U.K economy and provide a voice to them.

We are united by our passion for business and providing value to our members. We provide monthly E -newsletters, cultivate a growing business community, host business to business networking events and much more! This is to help our members grow their business and achieve their objectives. We take great pride in supporting our community so it can be the best it can possibly be.

This business supplement is the first of many bi-monthly supplement releases that will feature our members and future events, this was created as a way to keep our members up to date with each other's amazing progress and highlight British Asian excellence across Yorkshire.

YABA is continuously growing and developing. In order to better assist our members in reaching their goals, we have a dedicated team to look after our members and all their needs, be that social media or business connections and so on. We also have been increasing our impact on the local community with exciting upcoming charitable projects that you can read more about in this supplement. Another aspect we are building on is our trade links with India, through Northern Asian Power, and our upcoming launch of the Northern Asian Powerlist more information will be released about this in the next few months so keep your eyes peeled. Northern Asian Power has also been releasing interviews with Future Leaders, read more about this further on in this supplement.

In our supplement we will showcase Asian voices across yorkshire and their business’ in aims of creating a community of empowering companies, that can rise to any challenges that come our way and weather any storm. We want to create a culture of kindness that pushes us all forward together.

If you wish to be included in future, please email info@ yabateam.co.uk for more information.

@ASIANSTANDARD

MOVING ON FROM COVID-19 WITH THE FSB

T

he FSB has been behind you every step of the way during COVID-19.

Over the past 12 months, FSB has supported record numbers of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. We secured over £100 billion in much-needed financial support, answered 147,000 legal advice line calls, hosted 2,600 online events, connected 65,000 small business owners, offered one-to-one support – and so much more.

As we enter the next phase, we’re here to support all small business owners through business recovery and growth.

With challenges like the end of furlough, managing cash flow and rising costs on the horizon, our new Recovery Ready hub is home to free resources and guides designed to help you thrive and grow.

Turn your passion for small businesses into uncapped earnings and make a difference Are you an entrepreneur at heart? Do you want financial freedom and flexibility? Are you always going the extra mile? If you’re driven, competitive and want to be your own boss, we want to hear from you. Find out more on our website or call our team on 01253 361112.

their ambitions. We are proud to be the leading voice of 5.9 million small businesses and self-employed people across the UK, working to promote and protect your interests.

We offer our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in local, UK-wide and devolved governments across the country.

How can FSB help your business?

If you run your own business, chances are you picked an industry you know and are passionate about. But what happens when you need to deal with something outside your field of expertise? The good news is, joining FSB, means having someone on your side who does have the legal, tax or HR expertise needed.

What's included in membership?

Right from the outset, FSB members have access to a range of services designed to make your life easier, including: ∙ Legal and tax protection scheme and legal costs insurance

∙ 24/7 legal advice line

Thank you for reading, we can’t wait to hear from you.

ABOUT FSB

SHARON JANDU Business Editor YABA Business Supplement

At FSB, our mission is to help smaller businesses achieve

∙ An extensive online legal hub with over 1,300 documents, guides, templates and factsheets ∙ 24/7 employment advice, and fully customisable

documents from the legal hub ∙ Wide range of online events including networking, training and webinars ∙ Free business banking (subject to status) ∙ Insurance advice ∙ Cyber protection insurance ∙ Debt recovery service We can help your business grow by leaving you free to do what you’re best at: running your business.

Join FSB today and take advantage of the £30* discount. For more information or to join now, please call 0808 2020 888 quoting the code ASBS30.

Terms and conditions: This promotion is provided by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). *FSB Business Essentials Membership start from £147 per annum with a £30 registration fee in the first year. This rate is applicable to businesses with zero employees. Rates increase depending on your number of employees. Please see the website for full details of subscription rate bands. Until 15 March 2022, the registration fee will be waived for all new full FSB Business Essentials Members joining and quoting the code ASBS30. Code must be quoting during the joining process. Registered Office: National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses Limited, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool, FY4 2FE. Registered in England No. 1263540.

Become a YABA member now.

Find out more at www.yabauk.com

ASIAN STANDARD / ONORTH EAST Business Supplement stober 2021

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SHARE YOUR BUSINESS BURDEN FOR FREE WITH ‘PEER NETWORKS’

R

unning a business can sometimes feel lonely, especially when you are an SME and with unprecedented disruptions to business caused by the global pandemic the burden can often weigh you down.

If you are one of those businesses’, then you might want to consider joining Peer Networks.

Peer Networks is delivered locally by University of Leeds on behalf of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) The programme is specifically designed for SME business leaders that want to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, improve productivity, grow, and develop their business for future success.

The programme brings together small cohort groups of individual business leaders to collaboratively work through common issues. Through interactive action learning, Peer Networks enables businesses to discuss their own challenges, gain and reflect on valuable feedback and implement practical

solutions to overcome them. From finance and HR to sales, marketing and more, Peer Networks expert facilitators give business owners the flexibility to create a trusted support network that works for them, helping them to build and strengthen their business and improve its overall performance.

The cohort groups are followed up by 1:1 coaching with an experienced business coach to assist business owners to develop their ideas into a practical plan of action.

Sarah Underwood, Professor in Entrepreneurial Practice at Leeds University Business School is a facilitator for peer Networks. She said: “One of the great things about running the Peer Network programme has been to allow business owners that opportunity to come together in a space where they can be open about the fact that they don’t have all the right answers for how they should be running their business at the moment.”

She added: “It’s been an amazing opportunity for them to be able to relieve

some of the burden and to be open about how stressful it’s been over the past few months.

“And that shared understanding across the group has really helped to add a level of resilience to the business owners, that really wasn’t there before.”

The Programme is: • Open to SME businesses, between five and 50 employees.

• Trading in the Leeds City Region (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield).

• Trading for a minimum of 12 months, with turnover £100k+.

• You will be expected to commit to six, three-hour sessions, over the course of 12 weeks – various sessions are available to suit you.

• You will remain in your non-competitive cohort group throughout the programme, allowing you to develop a trusted support network with likeminded business leaders.

• Completely free of charge (commercial value of £2,500).

Image: Maurice Keyworth University of Leeds

Leeds University Business School

YABA is pleased to be supporting Northern Asian Power, in their recognition of empowering and inspiring Asian talent across the North of England. The Future Leaders interview series on youtube highlights successful british asain business men and women, and delve into their personal journeys, from the humble beginnings up until now, and their future aims, ambitions and hopes.

There are many benefits to the programme. Businesses that seek external advice or undertake formal training are more likely to improve their overall performance, but many prefer to take advice from trusted sources, such as their peers, when presented with external challenges and opportunities.

Peer Networks enables you to make

With guests such as Fatima Patel, Zeb Pervais and Omar Bahadur they have interviews with leaders across a diverse spectrum of business’. These videos highlight the range of asian trailblazing currently taking place in the UK today, and these interviewees tell their stories of their motivations and inspiration and the values that they live by. YABA

Sarah Underwood connections that go far beyond networking.

The programme facilitators say that by completing Peer Networks, you will: • Overcome business challenges and recognise and act on new opportunities • Build a trusted network of connections to support you now and in the future • Improve your long-term personal and business performance To apply directly with Leeds University Business School visit: https://business.leeds.ac.uk/ executive-education/doc/sme-peernetwork-programme For any specific questions, businesses can book a 10 minute initial call to find out more, to do so, please contact Anne Salisbury at the University of Leeds on a.salisbury@leeds.ac.uk

is proud to see so much Asian excellence getting the recognition that they so rightly deserve.

These videos have also been graciously supported by both the Bradford Metropolitan Council and Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council

Become a YABA member now.

Find out more at www.yabauk.com

ASIAN STANDARD /Ostober NORTH EAST Business Supplement 2021

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@ASIANSTANDARD

AES ENERGY

A

vrenim Energy Services (AES) are a North West based specialist Energy Services business that support a wide range of clients across the public, private and corporate sectors.

Working with residential, commercial and industrial energy consumers, our service’s span, consultancy, engineering, design, project development, construction, operations, maintenance, asset management and 24/7 helpdesk services.

We have brought together experts from across the conventional power, low carbon and renewable energy sector to deliver optimised energy solutions for a broad range of consumers. The technologies we support consist of commercial gas plant rooms, low carbon energy centres, boiler

houses, district energy/heating, combined heat & power, heat pumps, LED lighting, biomass, energy from waste, solar carports, solar photovoltaic, electric vehicle charging solutions, energy storage (gas/thermal/ battery) and onshore wind.

Our expertise allows us to install, operate, maintain and optimise your existing energy centres/power plants/boiler houses/ plant rooms throughout their lifecycle and achieve optimum performance levels consistently. Outside of your ongoing energy management obligations we can support at a strategic level to develop decarbonisation strategies, roadmaps and deliver efficiency programmes to achieve your net zero carbon ambitions.

We offer a nationwide coverage, 24/7/365

operation, plus a remote monitoring facility for asset optimisation and lifecycle management and guarantee to introduce environmental benefits, carbon reduction plus significant cost savings to your business.

upgrades and new builds, ensuring statutory compliance and ultimately achieving service excellence as it contributes to a profitable and sustainable future for our customers, their businesses and the communities we serve.

Our passion and continual focus is on delivering cost effective energy solutions that combines energy procurement, energy management, asset and system optimisation, delivering energy efficiency

Given the continual rise in energy costs and focus on climate change, sustainability, decarbonisation and net zero we are well placed to support and future proof your businesses.

You can contact us on info@avrenimenergyservices.co.uk or by calling 0151 305 1655

www.avrenimenergyservices.co.uk Consultancy | Engineering | Design | Project Development | Construction | Operations & Maintenance | Asset Management | Helpdesk Services – Your Trusted Energy Services Partner

YABA in the Community (YABCA) T he community is one of our main focuses, giving back to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity, the future is something we can start making a difference to now, and our team at YABA is helping to do exactly that!

There are more than 11 million young people in the UK, they make up a fifth of the population and they represent Britain's future, therefore we are teaming up with the leading UK charity, UkYouth working on their new 2025 strategy “Unlocking Youth Work” as part of a catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. With this great opportunity, we are working towards implementing a social change

by creating a society that understands, cares and delivers amazing youth work all over the country. By hosting workshops with our young people, to cover critical subjects related to their health and wellbeing as well as their confidence and self-esteem, we have also created a range of great activities for our young people to participate in that help to utilise their critical thinking skills. All of which will help the present generation venture into a better and brighter future. After all the youth are the future.

Teaming up with UkYouth has given the opportunity for our young people to participate in the Youth Achievement awards, a great way to engage a range of

young people and help the youth feel a part of something more, a goal to reach towards and one that we will be there to support every step of the way and help them unleash their full potential.

We have been fortunate enough to team up with Carlton Bowling Academy in Bradford for the opportunity to talk to some of their students. We have a great team of inspirational people and mental health specialists to help inspire and support the bright minds of today!

We are very excited to go on this journey and see the difference it makes in these young people’s lives and in the community.

Another project we worked on was the BAME hesitancy project, YABCA changed

the Covid-19 vaccine misconceptions by reaching out to members of the BAME community who are resisting the vaccine by reinforcing the message that by working together we can bring the infection down, bring deaths down and return back to normal. We worked in partnership to deliver this in Kirklees and Bradford Council.

If you would like to partner with us and get involved in community projects, then please contact:

info@yabateam.co.uk

Become a YABA member now.

Find out more at www.yabauk.com

ASIAN STANDARD / ONORTH EAST Business Supplement stober 2021

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UK SPOUSE VISA APPLICATIONS Key Requirements

I

am delighted to be a corporate member of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association who have partnered with Asian Standard to provide professionals such as myself a platform to reach out to thousands of readers and provide useful and accurate information.

In my forthcoming articles I intend to focus on immigration matters common within the South Asian community.

requirement. Combined income, prospective income and savings can also be considered. Your solicitor will assess your case and advise you on the best possible way to satisfy this requirement, so do not panic if your income is below the required amount.

In this article I will provide an overview regarding spouse visas for the UK. I cannot stress how important it is to ensure that a professional specialising in immigration law is instructed when dealing with such applications to ensure minimal risk of rejection.

It is important that you submit the correct supporting evidence with the application to ensure high chances of your application being accepted.

KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR A SPOUSE VISA

I am a solicitor with over ten years of experience with UK immigration law matters. One of the many areas that I specialise in is family migration.

• You must have met your spouse.

• You must be lawfully married.

• You must intend to live with one another permanently in the UK. • Financial requirements must be met.

• Availability of accommodation in the UK for your spouse.

• Your spouse must satisfy the English language requirements and obtain a TB clearance Certificate if applicable.

The South Asian community is known for its proud and strong cultural links with their motherland, and overseas marriages continue to take place in vast numbers.

I often see client’s on a daily basis who

have fallen victim of immigration abuse and as a result, simple applications are refused resulting in the married couple being separated for months (sometimes years) until a final decision is made in their favour.

You must be earning at least £18,600.00 gross per annum to sponsor your spouse. Additional income is required if children are sponsored at the same time. An additional gross annual income of £3,800 is required for the first child and additional £2,400 for each further child.

Henry Hyams Solicitors

There are various ways to meet the financial

At Henry Hyams we guide our client’s throughout their application process. We complete the necessary paperwork, advice on the supporting documents and also submit the same for consideration by the Entry Clearance Officer/Home Office.

For further information please contact our immigration team. Henry Hyams has a highly experienced immigration team to guide you at every stage of your application. We have been providing legal advice for over 80 years to clients nationally and internationally.

The information provided in this Article does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice please contact our expert immigration team on: a.hanif@henryhyams.com https://henryhyams.com/news/team-member/asifhanif/ 0113 3837639 https://www.reviewsolicitors.co.uk /99695771/asif-hanif

Asif Hanif Immigration Solicitor at Henry Hyams Solicitors, Oxford House, Oxford Row, Leeds, LS1 3BE

BUBUL CHECKED

C

ustomer experience isn’t just about service – it’s about behaving the way your customers expect you to, and you set their expectations through your brand, marketing, staff training, website, premises and products as well as service.

Take Amazon as an example…

companies. In simple terms, they didn’t always behave in the way that they had led customers to expect they would.

When they launched, Amazon focused on customer service and quickly gained a reputation for keen pricing and excellent service, becoming known as reliable and trustworthy.

When you think about your own business, look at it as a customer. How would you expect it to behave – not just when you buy something or use a service, but what about when something goes wrong.

How would you expect it to treat the employees? What promises does it make – not just explicit ones such as 24-hour delivery, but implied promises such as quality service. What does quality service

But then it became clear that they had structured the company in such a way as to (legally) avoid paying tax in the UK, and that the way they treated and monitored employees was not as ethical as some

This led to a lot of negative Press and their overall customer satisfaction reduced significantly – even though their service was as good as ever!

mean to a customer? It could be how quickly something is done, how well it is done, how well it is communicated, how responsive you are to individual circumstances etc.

And that’s why we’re passionate about the whole customer experience, not just service – because it takes into account everything the customer sees, feels and touches and is the most powerful tool any business has to grow quickly and profitably!

You can get more business advice like this from BuBul – access 70 subject matter experts for just £9.99 a month at https://www.bubulexpert.com/ existing-sme/.

Become a YABA member now.

Find out more at www.yabauk.com

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@ASIANSTANDARD

WOMEN IN INNOVATION – Claire Robinson

W

omen in Innovation is a programme consisting of funding competitions and events to encourage female-led innovation. It is run by the UK’s innovation agency Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and it is open to women with exciting, innovative ideas who will inspire others. Those interested can apply for a £50,000 grant and a bespoke package of business support with mentoring and coaching. Around 20 Women in Innovation Awards are given to winning female entrepreneurs across the UK. Innovate UK conducted research in 2016 before the first competition launched and found: • only 1 in 7 applications for Innovate UK support came from women • access to funding and finance was the biggest challenge • a third of respondents felt their gender negatively impacted their career • a lack of visible and relatable role models • a lack of access to the right networks and the value of mentors

winners and in 2019, they installed plaques at schools across the UK to inspire future generations.

The competition strives to get more women innovating in UK businesses. Over the years Innovate UK has shown growing commitment to promoting greater diversity and inclusion in business innovation. Since 2016 the number of women applying for grants has increased by 71%.

Claire Robinson And so, the first competition was launched followed by the second in 2018 which supported nine female entrepreneurs tackling society’s biggest challenges: clean growth, the future of mobility, an ageing society, and AI and the data driven economy.

Since its launch Innovate UK has been tackling the lack of female role models by celebrating and promoting competition

KTN which delivers Women in Innovation has held Building Success events supported by Innovate UK EDGE that are designed to provide inspiration, practical advice, tools, and highlight opportunities for innovation support. Furthermore in 2019 the Women in Innovation online community was launched to foster networks in the UK and overseas further.

The aim of this competition is to find women (and those who self-identify as a woman) with exciting, innovative ideas and ambitious plans that will inspire others.

Women that apply must be confident, with the support of an award, that they

can make a significant contribution to a pressing societal, environmental, or economic challenge through their innovative project.

Innovate UK is especially looking to hear from women who: • have the potential, capability, experience, and personal drive to become leaders in business innovation • want to be a role model for others, including in their region, sector and to young people • have a clear vision for their business • are looking to develop a game changing novel idea or business innovation • know what they are hoping to achieve from the award and how to measure success If you are a woman with an exciting, innovative idea who will inspire others you can apply for a £50,000 grant, including bespoke business growth support from Innovate UK EDGE through the Women In Innovation Competition 2021/22

CHALLENGES FACING DIRECTORS OF LIMITED COMPANIES ARISING FROM LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND HMRC’S POSITION FOLLOWING THE COVID PANDEMIC

O

n 9 September 2021 the Government announced that the temporary restrictions imposed on creditors issuing Statutory Demands and Winding Up Petitions against limited companies, introduced under the provisions of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020, would be removed with effect from 1 October 2021.

In an attempt to provide some protection for companies from creditors insisting on repayment of relatively small debts, the replacement legislation will temporarily raise the minimum outstanding balance required in order for a debt to be the basis of a Winding Up Petition to £10,000. In addition, creditors will be required to demonstrate that they have sought proposals for payment from a debtor

company allowing that company 21 days to respond before they can proceed with a Winding Up Petition. These measures will be in force until 22 March 2022.

Protection from Winding Up Petitions in respect of commercial rents outstanding will also remain in place until 22 March 2022 and the Government has signalled its intention to implement a rent arbitration scheme to deal with specifically those rent arrears accrued during the pandemic.

However, the reduction in protection from creditor enforcement action outlined above, together with the ending on 30 September 2021 of assistance provided to companies under the furlough scheme (Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme), has increased concerns for company

directors with regard to the future viability of businesses where turnover has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

HMRC have recently announced that they intend to recommence action for recovery of outstanding tax debts.

They have also advised the authorising bodies for insolvency practitioners that they expect their members to investigate how directors have used monies obtained from Bounce Back Loans and, where applicable, to issue claims against directors. In addition, new legislation will shortly be introduced outlawing the striking-off of a limited company where there is an outstanding Bounce Back loan.

HMRC’s position has been further enhanced by the provisions in the Finance Act 2020 which, with effect

from 1 December 2020, granted HMRC the status of secondary preferential creditors for VAT, PAYE, CIS and employees’ NIC in the event of the insolvency of a business. Accordingly, after a period of 18 months when many companies have deferred the payment of significant amounts of VAT, if any of those companies now enter insolvency, non-preferential trade creditors are likely to recover much less. In addition, banks and finance companies who are reliant upon floating charge securities will now also rank behind HMRC for payment. This change in priority is leading to many banks and finance companies reviewing both their future lending criteria and the terms of existing finance facilities and potentially looking to the enforcement of personal guarantees given by directors.

If directors wish to discuss the options available to address challenges of the nature outlined above, please contact Michael Chamberlain or Colin Saville at Chamberlain & Co, business recovery professionals on 0113-2420808 or visit https://www.chamberlain-co.co.uk for a free initial consultation.

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ASIAN STANDARD / ONORTH EAST Business Supplement stober 2021

9

WOMEN IN BUSINESS YABA is proud to support businesses

are all done on a voluntary basis.

founded, led and supported by powerful and impactful women and we want to take this time to recognise some of them here.

Inspirational Women Foundation was then formed to sustain the support and services, the foundation's principal role became the platform to support, empower and help influence women in business as well in the workplace, at home and in our communities.

they host are where the change really happens.

Lastly, if you are an organisation wanting to use your power for good, you can partner with Northern Power Women. They are all about collaborating with forward thinking organisations to further gender equality and social mobility in alignment with your goals and values.

Power of Women – International (January 2021)

Inspirational Women Foundation – Fatima Patel Fatima is the founder and Chief Executive of the Inspirational Women’s Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation to platform and lobby for women’s equality.

Bradford’s Inspirational Women Awards (BIWA), was founded by Fatima, editor of the UK’s first FREE Sunday newspaper. BIWA held its first inaugural awards on 30 March 2012 at Bradford Hotel, this event had countless celebrities, politicians and delegates from across the country.

The aim of BIWA was to use the event as a platform to celebrate and recognise women’s achievements, the profits that were made at this event was also put back into female led causes or issues such as women who have suffered sexual harassment in the workplace, domestic abuse and helping women with jobs and business.

BIWA' main focus is to help tackle issues of sexual harassment, domestic abuse, helping with career prospects to employment tribunals and discrimination. Solving these issues

Northern Power Women – Simone Roche Simone Roche, CEO and founder of Northern Power Women (NPW), a campaign to accelerate gender diversity from the North of England, has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday honours list 2018 for her services to gender equality.

Northern Power Women are a catalyst for driving real change by paying it forward, uniting businesses and individuals. It is a community of over 70,000 individuals that uses their power for good. Dedicated to accelerating gender equality and social mobility from the North of England.

They also host thought leading events, start conversations, and provide a range of mentoring and networking programmes for women to get involved in. If you are ever interested, you can take a look at what they have coming up on their site and find out how to get involved. As their events that

The heart of Power of Women is focusing on how women can help each other to step forward into influential positions and leadership roles, irrespective of party affiliation. Power of Women recognizes the barriers that women face in business, in professions and in public life, and believe that women empowering women is the best way to bypass these barriers. Whilst it is disheartening that women still face hurdles in these areas, women empowering women to be the best they can be is not only incredibly inspiring, it is the best way to widen participation for all. The goal is to give women skills that will help grow their own journey across a diverse range of communities into leadership also uplifts the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups.

Power of Women launched the BAME Women’s Resource Centre at Global Diversity Hub on Friday 13 March 2021.

This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 – to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls and goal 17 – a partnership to achieve these goals.

Whilst achieving total equality can seem daunting at times, Power of Women works tirelessly to help as many women as they can achieve their full potential and take another step towards their inspiring aims of equality.

SheBuisness - Paula Grizzard Finally, our last woman in business is Paula Grizzard, the inspiring founder of SheBusiness, a business built up on the simple principle that people need people, and that female business owners are often generous networkers having a passion for getting together to share their experiences, key issues, give back and of course do business.

Paula created SheBusiness to support women to eventually scale their business, or to progress more quickly in the workplace, they also have a number of opportunities available such as growth hubs, 1-2-1 support sessions and different support activities.

With a background in management and consultancy and having built her own practice working across the UK and internationally. Also being a government advisor working on investment, development and skills strategies. SheBusiness was established as a space for female entrepreneurs and professional women to support their personal and business growth. Paula delivers, networking, business events, business consultancy and coaching and more innovative support programmes.

Become a YABA member now.

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ASIAN STANDARD /Ostober NORTH EAST Business Supplement 2021

8 10

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CELEBRATING EID EVENT

Y

orkshire Asian Business Association hosted a spectacular Eid Event on Thursday 29th July 2021 at Bradford Cedar Court Hotel. This event was to celebrate Eid al-Fitr an Islamic holiday which celebrates Ibrahim’s (Abraham) complete obedience to the will of God.

We then had some inspiring talks from Deputy Lieutenant Dr Manoj N L Joshi, Imam Qari Asim MBE, Mr Ibrar Hussain Khan Consul General, Consulate of Pakistan, Alison Lowe the Deputy Mayor and Tony Baxter Director of East Region Northern Railway, who were appointed one by one by our MCs for the night to each give a speech. They all went on to express their generosity towards Eid and the impact that we all have on each other. We also welcomed our wonderful event sponsors, Bradford Cedar Court, Schofield Sweeny, The BAME Committee and WNYCC to say a few words. YABA’s corporate members were also presented to say a few words and they expressed their thankfulness towards YABA and how delightful it was to enjoy the presence of other people and be able to communicate and enjoy the success of others. Due to COVID YABA were unable to host an event in 2020 so this was YABA’s first social engagement in over a year and the atmosphere was incredible.

YABA is a company that is all about helping other businesses find their voice whether they are a regional, national and international business. They will support them no matter what size or sector they are. YABA has a growing list of corporate partners/members who were all invited to come and celebrate the growth of YABA and other businesses.

This event was sponsored by Bradford Cedar Court Hotel, Schofield Sweeny and Asian Standard/Sunday, with remarkable food catered by the one and only My Lahore. It had over 100 attendees that enjoyed talks from YABA’s special guests, sponsors and corporate partners.

Breaking down the Eid event, there was a registration upon arrival and this was managed by the YABA interns who were in charge of making sure the guests felt welcomed as they were directed to the waiting room where they can meet and greet other business members, guests and browse the stands that were ready and set up for our incredible corporate partners, who are the likes of: Bradford College, Bradford Council, Currencies Direct, BuBul, SELT-Trinity College, City Fibre and more.

Fatima Patel of Asian Sunday had also produced a supplement for YABA which was available on a stand for the attendees

Also YABA are pleased to announce that we will be hosting another incredible event which will be celebrating Diwali that will take place on Thursday 25th November with the help of Squire Patton Boggs who will be sponsoring the Diwali event! to pick up and take a copy to read, this was paired with these amazing tiffin’s that were made in the style of a newsletter to celebrate Asian Sunday turning 10. As guests were waiting and mingling a bar was available for all attendees to have any drinks on arrival and canapes made by My

Lahore were given to the attendees to indulge in. Once all guests had arrived, they were directed towards the main hall where we had tables set out for our corporate partners, members, sponsors and other attendees.

The event was then kicked off by our incredible MC Tommy Sandhu who created laughter all around with the help of Lucqman Rashid who made the attendees feel comfortable with his charismatic humour. Tommy Sandhu started off by presenting the Chairman Amarjit Singh of YABA to say a few words around the event and the chairman spoke about how honoured he was to have such an amazing turnout; we also got a few words from the Founder of YABA, Sharon Jandu who introduced the importance of celebrating Eid and its growing business.

Become a YABA Corporate Member Corporate Partners enjoy numerous benefits of being a strategic partner of YABA including special access to our members and more.

You can be involved in creating a growing business community, business engagement with our members and access to all our events and activities or effect changes in government policy.

We will help and support you with exclusive networking events aimed at achieving set business criteria and objectives as well as look at international opportunities including investment in yorkshire.

To learn more please go to www.yabauk.com or contact info@yabateam.co.uk

Become a YABA member now.

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ASIAN STANDARD / BRADFORD

14

AS AUTUMN APPROACHES HERE’S WHY WE SEE MORE SPIDERS IN OUR HOUSES AND WHY WASPS ARE DESPERATE FOR SUGAR

BY ELIZABETH DUNCAN Associate Professor of Zoology, University of Leeds & THOMAS DALLY Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Leeds The tell-tale signs that autumn is here are clear to us; the days are getting shorter and the temperature is decreasing. We take this as a sign to pull out our winter woollies and think about turning on the radiators. But how do insects know that winter is coming? And what do they do to prepare?

Folklore has suggested over the years that insects and other invertebrates can predict the weather and that, for example, we could start to see bigger spider webs if the weather is going to get colder.

The evidence for those bigger webs ahead of bad weather is weak.

But there certainly are changes in insect behaviour we can see at this time of year, and it shows they are predicting changes they need to make as the weather changes.

Insects are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment and change in light is the main cue that insects use to signal the change in seasons. Insects, like humans, detect light with their eyes. But unlike humans insects have more than two eyes. In addition to the two big compound eyes that they have on the front of their heads most

insects also have three smaller eyes on the top of their heads called ocelli. Light information is passed from their eyes to the brain and interpreted by an internal clock to detect the changing seasons, which may also be important in humans and other primates.

Responding to the changing seasons is really important for insects as they are cold blooded and can’t regulate their own body temperature.

But insects have different ways of coping with the oncoming cold weather. Some, like the painted lady butterfly, leave the UK in autumn heading to north Africa where they breed. Others produce their own “antifreeze” proteins that allow them to cope with winter temperatures. However, the majority of insects undergo a slowing down process called diapause, where they essentially sleep for the winter.

At this time of year, these insects, and other arthropods like spiders, are looking for a sheltered place to spend the winter – and this is why we see more spiders in our houses at this time of year. You may also notice groups of insects, like ladybirds, huddled on windowsills and under rocks. These insects will stay protected over the winter and reawaken in spring.

Because of migration, diapause and the natural death of some

insects at the end of the summer, you may generally feel there are fewer insects around than just a few weeks ago. But there are some new ones emerging that we didn’t see earlier in the summer. In the south you might spot the beautiful ivy bee which is only active when the ivy is in blossom. Autumn also brings the mass emergence of crane flies, which, although they look a bit like mosquitos, are actually harmless.

You also might notice more wasps visiting flowers to drink the sugary nectar - at this time of year they become very hungry for sugar. Wasps don’t really care where they get their sugar fix from and are just as likely to try and steal our sugary drinks as we are enjoying the last of the summer in our gardens or enjoying a walk. Their craving for sugar is actually really beneficial as their visits flower-to-flower, trying to satisfy their insatiable craving, lead them to pollinate flowers just like bees.

For me the most striking sign of autumn is the appearance of a lot of very large bumblebees out

visiting the last flowers of the season.

These large bees are next year’s queens. After being born late in the summer season they mate and stock up on energy before finding a place to hibernate for the winter. When we see them again it’ll be an indicator that spring is on its way when the queens emerge from their sleep and make new nests.

This response to changing seasons and the fact that insects have been shown to change their behaviours, like mating, in response to impending rain leads to the assumption that insects are weather forecasters, predicting that rain is coming.

However, it is more likely that they are just responding to the changes in weather, like people taking an umbrella with them when the skies are grey.

But there is a lot of variation in how insects do respond to the weather and I, for one, will be sticking to the Met Office for my weather forecasts.

This article originally appeared in The Conversation

15

ASIAN STANDARD / BRADFORD

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OVER 11 MILLION BRITISH HOUSEHOLDS WILL SEE A 12% INCREASE IN GAS AND ELECTRICITY PRICES Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has said that utility prices have gone from ‘dire’ to ‘worse’

BY SHAWNA HEALEY The global increase in gas prices means that over 11 million British households are going to see an increase in their utility prices over this coming autumn and winter.

The rising price in natural gas reflects an increased demand across the world as economies around the world reopens from the Covid-19 pandemic. As Britain imports more than two-thirds of its gas it is subject to global price fluctuation making prices more volatile and likely to rise.

The National Grid which delivers electricity to homes and businesses up and down Britain is powered by fossil fuels, renewable energy, pumped storage, and nuclear energy. Of this supply, gas makes up 40%, the highest biggest source of energy meaning that electricity prices are going to increase as well.

High demand from Asia, low supply from Russia, and a fire affecting imported French electricity have added to the problem. A large fire at a key substation in the UK has forced the shutdown of one of the most important power cables that import electricity from France. National Grid said staff were evacuated from the IFA interconnector site in Sellindge, which imports electricity from France to a converter station in Kent.

The cable is currently out of service and following an initial review and will be unavailable until 27 March 2022.

The average wholesale gas price has risen from 48.29p per unit six months ago in February to 83.26pm now. This increase is passed on to consumers through rising energy bills as wholesale gas accounts for around a household’s energy bill.

Image: Unsplash

Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis said: “Bills have risen to an unprecedented level, and we have never seen anything like what is happening now, it is an absolute coincidence of loads of negative factors that are increasing the wholesale prices. Wholesale prices have gone up four times compared to nearly 20 months ago and that is going to feed into domestic prices.

“To put it into perspective, the cheapest tariffs today are 40% more than the cheapest tariffs available a year ago so anyone coming off a cheap fixed deal you are going to pay substantially more you were before and it is about choosing what you do at this point.

“The other big thing you need to know is the price cap. This is the default rate that the big providers can charge on their standard rates if you never switch or those that

Image: Jason Blackeye for Unsplash

you go to once your cheap fix has ended. On 12 October this is going to increase by 12%. The annual cost of a standard variable tariff will go from £1,138.18 to £1,277.38.”

Whether households notice the spike in gas prices will depend on the tariff contract and who the supplier is, as many energy suppliers purchase much of their wholesale supplies many months in advance, giving protection to them and their customers from short-term price rises.

The government says that it is working closely with energy stakeholders to discuss the impact of the increased wholesale gas prices, but consumers should not worry about their energy supply.

The government has also said: “No matter who your supplier is you can rest assured that even if they leave the market, there is an established process in place to ensure that your electricity and gas will stay on. It means the energy regulator Ofgem will find another supplier to provide you with energy and your credit balance will move with you.

“If this happens, you are advised to not try and switch to a new supplier until you are contacted by whoever Ofgem appoints to take over your account. You will have a new arrangement with your new supplier but can speak to them about negotiating a new fixed rate tariff.”

So far this year nine energy suppliers have gone bust, seven of them being in the past seven

weeks alone. Martin Lewis speculates that 30 more could go under by the end of the year.

Currently, the “big six” make up 70% of the market. These are: British Gas, EDF Energy, E. ON, npower, Scottish Power, and SSE. The energy price cap is a safety net in place to protect millions of customers in England, Wales, and Scotland from the sudden increases in global gas prices this winter.

The government also offers help to people with low income and fuel poor households with energy bills in several ways, including: • the Warm Home Discount, providing eligible households with a one-off £140 discount on their energy bill for winter 2021 to 2022.

Customers should contact their supplier to ask for it. If you qualify, even if you are moved to a new supplier, they are expected to still provide you with this discount.

This will rise to £150 from next year and help an extra 780,000 pensioners and low-income families, with the money being paid automatically • Winter Fuel Payments, worth between £100 and £300 are paid automatically to those in receipt of State Pension or other social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit) • Cold Weather Payments, which is a £25 payment for vulnerable households on qualifying benefits when the weather has been, or is forecasted to be, unusually cold.

It is paid to eligible households for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March If customers are in financial distress during this time, energy suppliers may be able to help by reassessing, reducing, or pausing payments. Emergency measures have been agreed between government and energy suppliers to support those most in need during the disruption caused by Covid-19, and this agreement remains in place this winter.

Letter notification of fuel price changes

Image: Rohan Makhecha for Unsplash

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ASIAN STANDARD / BRADFORD

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INSPECTOR OVERTURNS TEA DECISION

BY CHRIS YOUNG A government planning inspector has overturned a decision to refuse plans for a cafe at a busy Bradford junction.

In February an application to build a cafe on a car park at the junction of Beckside Road and Spencer Road came before Bradford Council’s Bradford Planning Panel.

Although planning officers had recommended the plans be approved, members of the panel disagreed, claiming it would cause traffic problems at an already busy junction.

Members referred to highways problems around other similar businesses in the city, problems that included customers parking on double yellow lines or on pavements.

The plans were refused, and shortly after applicant Raheel Munir appealed the decision.

Since then the business, Tea Factory, has opened without planning permission.

A Government appointed planning inspector looked at the case, and they have now overturned Bradford Council’s decision and granted planning permission.

Tea Factory granted planning permission on busy junction of Beckside Road They dismissed the highways concerns, and claimed it was “unlikely” that customers would park on double yellow lines around the site.

They also said the fact that the business opened without planning permission had “limited weight” when it came to making their decision.

The nuisance to residents will be massive, we see problems at other outlets like this.

People will just park their car on Beckside Road, run in and get a coffee then run out.

Councillor Mohammed Amran

At February’s meeting Highways officers said they had no concerns about the plans, and said the presence of double yellow lines would mean that customers would use the on site car park, and not park on the street.

But Councillor Mohammed Amran (Lab, Heaton), said: “The nuisance to residents will be massive, we see problems at other outlets like this.

“People will just park their car on Beckside Road, run in and get a coffee then run out.”

But in overturning this decision, Planning inspector A M Nilsson dismissed members’ concerns.

Cllr Mohammed Umran

They said: ”I observed on my mid-afternoon site visit that there was a high volume of traffic using the roundabout junction. Whilst this was highly

noticeable and resulting in some queues of traffic leading up to the roundabout, at the time of my visit it did not appear to be causing harm to highway safety.

“In terms of the development, it no doubt results in a small increase in traffic on the surrounding highway.

However, given the size of the development and the established commercial nature of the site, I do not consider that the traffic that is generated causes harm.

“I have given weight to the provision of a car park and turning area within the appeal site including the presence of double yellow lines surrounding the appeal site.

“Collectively, these features mean that on-street parking associated with the

development is unlikely, or not within the approaches to the junction.

“Objections refer to the fact that the development has been carried out without planning permission. I acknowledge that this may cause vexation for those opposed to the development, it is not however a reason to dismiss the appeal which is determined on its planning merits. It is therefore a matter of limited weight.

“Concerns are also raised that the development may become a takeaway in future. This is not, however, the development before me and I find no reason to dismiss the appeal due to potential future uses which in any event may require separate planning consent.”

One condition of the approval is that the cafe can only open between 7am and 11pm.

This article is by the local Democracy Reporting Service

Asian Sunday

Celebrates

10

Glorious Years To mark our milestone occasion we have 10 special edition Tiffins to give away.

Each Tiffin will come packed with a 3 course meal delivered directly to your door.

To win one all you have to do is answer this question.

What is the name of Asian Sunday’s YouTube talk show?

A. Ghap Shap

B. Let’s Talk

C. Mirch Masala

Send your answers to competitions@asiansunday.co.uk or post them to Asian Sunday Online, 5 Green Street, Little Germany, Bradford, BD1 5HG. Competition closes 24th September midnight. Winners will be picked at random. Terms and conditions apply. For a full list of T’s & C’s email policymanager@asiansunday.co.uk

GOOD LUCK!

www.asiansunday.co.uk

19

CROSSWORDS AND PUZZLES

CROSSWORD Across 1. Aviator (6) 4. Sumptuous meals (6) 8. Carved brooch (5) 9. Day of rest and worship (7) 10. Stream (7) 11. Asparagus shoot (5) 12. Small fast warship (9) 17. Wrath (5) 19. Piffle (7) 21. Mocked (7) 22. Structure supporting power cables (5) 23. Profoundly (6) 24. Maiden in distress (6)

Spot the

5

differences

Down 1. Pact (6) 2. Taken away (7) 3. Ring-shaped coral reef (5) 5. Official residence of an ambassador (7) 6. Digging tool (5) 7. Vast desert of North Africa (6) 9. Soaked (9) 13. Fruit-filled Austrian pastry (7) 14. Puzzling questions (7) 15. Extolled (6) 16. Dog-house (6) 18. Ravine (5) 20. First Greek letter (5)

CODEWORD

Sonakshi Sinha at a music launch Image Pallav Paliwal

ANSWERS

CODEWORD ANSWERS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Wedding | Corporate | Event Catering

Ever� Da� Al� Da� Breakfas� Ful� Englis� Breakfas�

Des� Breakfas�

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21

ASIAN STANDARD / BRADFORD

@ASIANSTANDARD

RECIPE

YOU WILL LOVE THIS SUPREMELY SWEET MANGO AND PEACH PIE These Filipino mango & peach pies are wickedly good. Sweet mangoes & slightly tart peaches cooked with sugar, cinnamon and butter come together beautifully within a flaky, crunchy crust.

INGREDIENTS Filling: 1 tbsp butter 1 cup finely chopped mango 1 cup finely chopped peach ¼ cup sugar 1 tsp Supreme Cinnamon Powder Pinch of salt 1 tbsp water + 1 tbsp cornflour, mixed together Other Ingredients: 2 sheets ready rolled shortcrust pastry 1 tbsp cornflour 2 tbsp water Oil to deep fry

METHOD Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped mango, peaches and sugar. Stir and cook until the sugar dissolves. And salt, cinnamon powder and the cornflour mix. Stir until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Unroll the sheets of pastry and cut each sheet into 12 squares. Add a heaped teaspoon of mixture in the middle and fold over and seal the washes with a fork. Place the pies on a lined baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Heat enough oil to deep fry over medium heat. In a bowl mix together the water and cornflour. Take the chilled pies out of the freezer and lightly brush with the cornflour mixture.

Once the oil is hot enough, gently fry in batches until golden. Drain on kitchen paper and cool a little before serving.

Purchase your Supreme Ingredients from https://www.supreme-ingredients.com/ stockists/

Recipe in partnership with Supreme ingredients.

For more recipes visit www.supreme-ingredients.com

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INDIA TO PLAY A TEST AGAINST ENGLAND IN SUMMER OF 2022: REPORTS England and India have confirmed plans to play a Test in England, in the summer of 2022.

It has not been confirmed at this stage whether the match will be a standalone game or complete the series started in August, but it will avert the majority of financial losses incurred by the ECB due to the abandonment of the Manchester Test earlier this

month, as per ESPNcricinfo.

The fifth Test match between England and India was cancelled in Manchester. The BCCI and ECB held several rounds of discussion to find a way to play the Test match, however, the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Indian team contingent forced the decision of calling off the game.

As of now, the Indian men’s

team will tour England in the summer of 2022 for white-ball matches. A three-match IT20 series against India will begin at Emirates Old Trafford on July 1 before matches at Trent Bridge (July 3) and the Ageas Bowl (July 6). A three-match Royal London series follows with matches at Edgbaston (July 9), the Kia Oval (July 12) and Lord’s (July 14).

UEFA OUTLINES FOUR ‘REAL DANGERS’ WITH FIFA’S PROPOSAL FOR BIENNIAL WORLD CUP The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has pinpointed four ‘real dangers’ associated with FIFA’s proposal for organising Men’s and Women’s World Cup every two years.

In May 2021, the FIFA Congress mandated the FIFA administration to conduct a study into the feasibility of a Men’s and Women’s World Cup every two years. While waiting

mentioned the below points.

The dilution of the value of the No.1 world football event, whose quadrennial occurrence gives it a mystique that generations of fans have grown up with; The erosion of sporting opportunities for the weaker national teams by replacing regular matches with final tournaments; The risk to sustainability for players, forced to engage in summer

to learn the detailed results of the study commissioned by the FIFA Congress, UEFA acknowledged that FIFA has presented a proposal entailing a doubling of World Cup final tournaments as of 2028 as well as Confederations’ final tournaments as of 2025, combined with a massive restructuring of the dates reserved by the international match calendar for the matches regularly played by all 211 FIFA member associations.

“We are grateful for the attention reserved to the UEFA

high intensity competitions every year instead of longer recuperation breaks in alternate years; The risk for the future of women’s tournaments, deprived of exclusive slots and overshadowed by the proximity of top men’s events.

On September 14, UEFA and its 55 member associations asked FIFA to organise a special meeting with them to be able to voice their concerns on the impact of such plans. UEFA and its 55 member associations have to date not yet received a reply from FIFA on this request.

European Championship, with the proposed double frequency of its final event, but we prefer to address such a sensitive matter with a comprehensive rather than speculative approach,” UEFA in an official

UEFA stated that it is disappointed with the methodology adopted, which has so far led to radical reform projects being communicated and openly promoted before having been given, together

statement said.

with other stakeholders, the

chance to participate in any consultation meeting.

The European organisation mentioned the real dangers of the biennial World Cup plan.

“There are real dangers associated with this plan,” the statement added and

SPORTS

LIVERPOOL READY TO START EXPANDING ANFIELD CAPACITY TO MORE THAN 61,000 The proposed expansion of Liverpool FC’s Anfield Road Stand will move forward, the Premier League club has confirmed.

The project, which has been undergoing enabling works throughout the off-season in anticipation, will begin in earnest with an official ground-breaking ceremony planned for next week. The redevelopment of the stand will see 7,000 more seats added to Anfield, taking its overall capacity to more than

same way as the redeveloped Main Stand, with the build taking place throughout the season while matches continue to be played throughout.

Andy Hughes, managing director of Liverpool FC, said “We have been clear from the beginning that in order for this expansion to go ahead we needed the co-operation of local residents and the community, to successfully navigate the complex planning landscape,

Following two stages of public consultation and invaluable feedback on the initial plans, Anfield Road’s expansion project will reroute Anfield Road itself around the footprint of the new stand. The project was given planning permission

by Liverpool City Council in June 2021, with the club also awarded permission to hold up to six concerts and major events at the stadium for a period of five seasons. When complete,

61,000. The construction of the stand will work in the

and to ensure the project is financially viable.”

the expanded Anfield Road Stand is expected to create

BOXING GREAT MANNY PACQUIAO TO RUN FOR PHILIPPINES PRESIDENCY IN 2022

Manny Pacquiao

Philippine boxing legend and politician Manny Pacquiao has announced his plans to run for president in the May 2022 election.

Pacquiao announced his candidacy during a meeting of a rival faction of President Rodrigo

Duterte’s ruling PDP-Laban party in Quezon City. The only eight-division world boxing champion has been a senator since 2016. He previously served two terms in the House of Representatives.

“I am a fighter and I will always be a fighter inside

and outside the ring,” Pacquiao was quoted

by ABS-CBN News as saying after accepting nominations from around 20 PDP-Laban chapter leaders, as per Kyodo News.

Pacquiao later confirmed the news on his Twitter as he wrote “I boldly accept the challenge of running as PRESIDENT of the Philippines. We need progress. We need to win against poverty.

We need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency. The time is now. I am ready to rise to the challenge of leadership.”

The 42-year-old was last seen in a professional fight against Yordenis Ugas of Cuba in Las Vegas, last month. In that match, Ugas defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision to retain his WBA welterweight title.

Image: Wikipedia

in stand

Anfield Stadium with ma

around 400 matchday roles in addition to the 2,200 people currently employed in various operations at each home game, of which 95 per cent are known to live in the Liverpool City Region.

The redeveloped Anfield Road Stand is anticipated to be ready for the 2023-24 season and its design will see the lower tier retained and refurbished with a new upper tier built above it.

CRISTIANO RONALDO TOPPLES LIONEL MESSI AS FORBES’ HIGHEST-EARNING FOOTBALLER Cristiano Ronaldo’s big-money move to Manchester United saw him replacing Lionel Messi as the highestpaid footballer in the world, according to the latest rankings released

by Forbes. Ronaldo is set to earn $125 million before taxes in the 2021-22 season, with $70 million coming from salary and bonus for his return to United.

The 36-year-old is set to earn an estimated $55m (£40.31m) from commercial deals, only three other active athletes make more commercially Roger Federer ($90 million), LeBron James ($65 million) and Tiger Woods ($60 million). His longtime and arch-rival, Lionel Messi will earn $110m (£80.63m) this season, with $75m (£50m) of that figure coming from his

Image: Wikipedia

Cristiano Ronaldo

salary and bonuses at the Parc des Princes, as per Forbes.

The former Barcelona star will pad his PSG paycheck with an estimated $35 million in endorsements. PSG now claims three of the world’s five highest-paid players, including the 29-year-old Neymar,

who lands at No. 3 once again with $95 million, and the 22-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who is No. 4 with $43 million. In total, the 10 highest-paid footballers are set to collect pretax earnings of around $585m (£428m) this season, up from last year’s total of around $570m (£471m).

SPORTS

27 SEPTEMBER - 3 OCTOBER 2021

INDIA TO PLAY A TEST AGAINST ENGLAND IN SUMMER OF 2022: REPORTS

Page 23

LIVERPOOL READY TO START EXPANDING ANFIELD CAPACITY TO MORE THAN 61,000 Page 24

CAN JOSHUA MAKE A COMEBACK AFTER A DISASTROUS DEFEAT TO USYK? After much hype, it was all over for Anthony Joshua, who was outclassed by Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The former undisputed cruiserweight champion put on a boxing masterclass against AJ last Saturday to claim the unified heavyweight titles.

Joshua lost in his own back yard, while Usyk the outsider, came in with a brilliant display of poise and precision.

This is not the first time Joshua has been defeated, but the defeat to Usyk seems worse than his defeat with Andy Ruiz Jr’s upset win in 2019.

Joshua seemed out of his depth against Usyk, who was smart and menacing with his tight punches.

To add to Joshua’s woes the Ukranian even claimed that his trainer advised him not to knock the champion out.

There are plans now for a rematch with his fellow London 2012 Olympian.

This will be Joshua’s second major rebuild of his career and the climb ahead is not going to be easy.

However, you have to give credit to Joshua in how he handled the defeat. His response offered no excuses for the result.

After the fight AJ said: “What went wrong?

“I just took a loss, I could not see from the 9th round, my eye was shut but it was a good experience.

“In adversity, you have to learn to control yourself, it was the first

Anthony Joshua

time it had happened to me, I was only looking out of one eye.

“I want it 100 per cent it was a good 12 rounder and it will help me get better.”

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn believes the former two-time unified heavyweight champ has to grasp the opportunity to reclaim the belts with both hands.

He said: “If he does not take the immediate rematch, he might never get a chance to fight for them again.

“I don’t see another option, he will not want a 10 rounder at the O2 and he should be commended for that.

“That’s what he does, he wants to be remembered as that kind of fighter.”

AJ’s defeat will also have an impact on the dream all-British undisputed title fight against Tyson Fury. While the fight might Screen Image: it not quite the same canGrab still happen but without the added glory of each man having unknown flaws. Joshua’s shortcomings are

now on the table.

But that is what has always made him such a compelling fighter.

Joshua is relatable and human and even more so during the tough times.

He will get a rematch - it should be reiterated that lesser champions might have found a way to swerve an obviously-dangerous mandatory challenger like Usyk, knowing that the Fury fight was on the horizon. Joshua embraced the danger and staged a mega-event which the 60,000 onlookers will

never forget. His legacy in this respect is secure.

Ukraine’s Usyk was undisputed at cruiserweight and is now only the third boxer to also win a heavyweight belt.

His haul of the IBF, WBA and WBO titles puts him alongside his great countrymen, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, who ruled the division for so long.

As for Joshua, well the 31-year-old needs to get back to focusing on building his power as he has a challenging mountain to climb.