Jul262017

Blindness from diabetes halves in Wales, new research shows

Welsh Government

The research, conducted by the diabetic research unit at Swansea University, analysed new certifications for sight loss, and blindness in Wales due to diabetic eye disease between 2007 and 2015.

The research shows:

  • There were 339 fewer new certifications for all levels of sight loss from any cause combined  in 2014-15, compared with 2007-08
  • There were 22 fewer people with known diabetes with sight loss due specifically to their diabetes. There was a 49% fall in new certifications for severe sight impairment, from 31.3 to 15.8 per 100,000 people
  • During this observation period, 52,229 (40%) more people were diagnosed with diabetes in Wales.

Welcoming the research, Public Health Minister, Rebecca Evans said:

“Thanks to our national diabetic retinopathy screening programme, we are now successfully intervening at an early stage to prevent people with diabetes from losing their sight. 

“The research shows us that earlier diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy since the introduction of screening has played a significant role, alongside other measures, such as improved diabetes management with timely onward referral and newer treatments.

“I’d like to pay tribute to all those within the NHS in Wales who have worked so hard in making this possible. This is another fine example of the Welsh NHS making a real difference to people’s lives.”

Dr Quentin Sandifer, Executive Director of Public Health Services and Medical Director of Public Health Wales said:

“We are delighted that this study shows there is such clear benefit for our population in Wales living with diabetes to take up their offer of eye screening. 

“Diabetic Eye Screening Wales invites patients registered with diabetes who are aged 12 and older for annual eye screening. We would encourage people living with diabetes to take up the offer when they receive their invitation.

“This is a great example of the NHS working together to improve outcomes for our population and is especially impressive as sight loss has reduced even through the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in Wales has increased over this time.”

Prof David Owens from the Diabetes Research Unit Cymru at Swansea University said:

“It is very rewarding indeed to see, after many years of dedicated research to determine the best method of screening for the presence of diabetic eye disease, that the main objective of reducing the number of new certifications for severe sight loss (blindness) by almost half has been achieved.

“Clearly, early detection and improved treatment for sight threatening diabetic retinopathy has been an essential element in this success, reaffirming the need for all persons with diabetes – from the age of 12 years onwards – to have regular screening.”

Jul262017

Press release: Pubs Code Adjudicator data reveals significant activity in first year of new law

HM Government

Paul Newby, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, today marked the Pubs Code’s major milestone by releasing first year data.

Mr Newby said the detailed figures revealed significant activity in the first year of new rights and protections for tied pub tenants.

He announced that in the first 12 months since the Pubs Code became law, the PCA has accepted 156 cases for arbitration.

Of the 156 cases, 131 relate to the Market Rent Only (MRO) option, the process by which tied tenants can request an option from their pub-owning business to go free of tie. Other issues covered by the cases include compliant rent assessment proposals and Independent Assessor determinations of market rent. The Adjudicator has now made awards in 48 cases.

With such significant numbers the PCA is now able to provide further information on the proportion of disputes relating to different pub-owning businesses without the risk of identifying individual cases.

Of the 156 arbitration cases accepted by the PCA, the breakdown is as follows:

Pub-owning business Accepted cases
Admiral Taverns 0
Marston’s 1-10
Punch Taverns 11-20
Star Pubs and Bars 11-20
Greene King 21-30
Ei Group >30

Of the 131 MRO cases the breakdown is:

Pub-owning business MRO cases
Admiral Taverns 0
Marston’s 1-10
Star Pubs and Bars 1-10
Punch Taverns 11-20
Greene King 21-30
Ei Group >30

Mr Newby said: “These figures reveal a very significant level of activity. They demonstrate that tied pub tenants are aware of their rights and are taking up those rights. As might have been expected, they also show that the largest pub-owning businesses are involved in the most cases.

“I have now made awards in 48 cases and this shows that cases are progressing through the arbitration process. I am aware that concerns have been voiced about this progress being slow. However, both tenants and pub-owning businesses are testing the new law robustly.

“Parties in a dispute are entitled to a proper opportunity to put their case and rebut that of the other party. In my role as arbitrator I seek to ensure that this happens, especially where there is an imbalance between the parties. This is one of the reasons why more cases have not yet completed the process.

“But as cases are completed and principles published I fully expect to see progress over the coming year.

“I am also awaiting the results of the fact-finding exercise on access to the Market Rent Only option. This will provide evidence on how the Code is working in practice and how effective it is proving in delivering its core principles. When I have those results I will decide what action is appropriate.”

Business Minister Margot James said: “The Pubs Code is an important piece of legislation that is helping pub tenants get a fairer deal. It is encouraging to see people are aware of their rights under the Code and are contacting the Enquiry Line for more information.

“I would encourage both tenants and pub-owning companies to continue working with the Pubs Code Adjudicator, to make sure the Code works for the whole industry.”

To mark the first anniversary the PCA is also launching a series of six short videos featuring the Adjudicator on 26 July. These explain key Code processes such as requesting a MRO option or appointing an Independent Assessor. The videos can be accessed via the PCA website

Mr Newby said: “From day one I have made it a priority to engage with tenants and raise awareness of the new rights under the Code across the community. The PCA Enquiry Line staffed by dedicated caseworkers has received more than 550 enquiries over the past year, and our factsheets and flowcharts guide tenants and pub-owning businesses through the relevant processes.

“I want to ensure that I reach as many tenants as possible to inform them of their rights and these videos are designed to reach a wider audience. I know tenants have very busy working lives but I hope they can spend a few minutes checking how these rights can help them make the best decisions for their businesses.”

For further information contact Sheree Dodd on office@pca.gsi.gov.uk

Jul262017

BCC comments on GDP for Q2 2017

British Chambers of Commerce

Head of Economics Suren Thiru comments on the first estimate of GDP for Q2 2017.

“While GDP growth in Q2 was a slight improvement on the previous quarter, it was still less than half the pace of growth recorded at the end of 2016, and provides further evidence that the UK economy is treading water.

“UK economic growth remains unbalanced, with the service sector accounting for all of the growth recorded in Q2, while the industrial production and construction sectors were a drag on growth in the quarter.

“The pick-up in growth in Q2 could prove to be a high point for the UK economy this year. Inflation is likely to resume its upward trajectory in the coming months and this could trigger a sharper economic slowdown by increasing the squeeze on consumer spending – a major driver of UK economic growth. Rising inflation together with continued uncertainty over the longer-term impacts of Brexit is also likely to stifle investment intentions.

“The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey confirms that domestic business activity remains subdued with firms facing significant cost pressures. Overall, the UK economy remains on track to grow by 1.5% this year, which if realised would be the weakest rate of growth since 2012.

“With UK economic conditions becoming more challenging it is vital that as well as reaching a comprehensive agreement with the EU, longstanding domestic issues, including the multitude of upfront business costs that continue to undermine the UK’s long-term growth prospects, are addressed.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Senior Press Manager

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Jul262017

Farmer spots footprints of rare tiger

East Asia

Footprints left by a wild Siberian tiger have been discovered in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/people.cn]

Footprints left by a wild Siberian tiger have been discovered in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, further evidence of the species’ presence in the region.

Xu Jinxue, who lives in Hulin’s Zhenbaodao Township, stumbled upon the footprints when he was tending his paddy field.

“The footprints were larger than my palm and were shaped like those of cats,” Xu said. He took pictures of the prints and sent them to the local authority. The footprints were later identified by wildlife experts as belonging to a Siberian tiger.

“From the footprints we concluded that the tiger had been walking slowly and was quite heavy,” said Zhou Haixiang of the Chinese National Committee for Man and the Biosphere Program.

Evidence of wild Siberian tigers has been confirmed several times this year by Raohe County and Dongfanghong forestry bureau, close to Hulin, meaning it is highly possible that the big cats live in the area. The footprints also prove that there are adults and cubs among the tigers.

China has strengthened ecological protection in recent years, resulting in the gradual increase of wildlife living in areas near the Russian border.

Siberian tigers are one of the world’s most endangered species.

They predominantly live in northeast China and eastern Russia.

Jul262017

Traffic jam eased in most Chinese cities in Q2

East Asia

Mobikes are lined up on a street in Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province. [Photo/China Daily]

Nearly 80 percent of Chinese cities saw an easing in traffic jams in the second quarter of the year, mainly thanks to an online car-hailing service and shared bicycle service, according to a report released yesterday.

The report was released by Amap, a major mapping and navigation platform, along with China Academy of Transportation Sciences, the Research Center for Sustainable Transportation set up by Tsinghua University and Daimler, Alibaba Cloud and Ofo.

It showed that, in the quarter, the number of traffic jams in many Chinese cities dropped sharply.

Fifteen cities recorded a drop of more than 8 percent in terms of traffic easing, with Tianjin, Qingdao and Wuhan taking the top three spots. It was the first time such statistics had shown a downward trend since Amap started to survey traffic flows in 2014.

Among the 100 cities in the report, 77 percent witnessed significant traffic easing, especially among first and second tier cities. Even Beijing, notoriously for “forever jam,” recorded a drop of more than five percent in the index on a year-on-year basis.

However, the remaining 23 percent of Chinese cities surveyed saw the worse traffic jams. Most are third or fourth tier cities. The top three cities with the largest rise in traffic jams are Qingyuan, Zhaoqing and Hong Kong. Qingyuan’s traffic jam situation index rose by 12.9 percent.

The report said less traffic jam in most cities is due to new policies involving an online car-hailing services and shared bicycle services, as well as improvement in the urban road networks and efficient internet-aided traffic management.