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17/12/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Government Clampdown On Alternative Pet Remedies
Alternative remedies which could be dangerous to pets are being targeted by the Government in a major drive to improve animal health and welfare. Some herbal and homeopathic products are claiming medicinal benefits without scientific proof, meaning they may not properly treat or prevent serious diseases, leaving pets at risk. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s (VMD) Director of Operations, John FitzGerald, said: “Some of these products are claiming to be effective and safe when no scientific evidence has been presented to us to show they are. Animal owners have a right to know if a product does what it claims. The products claim to treat diseases which can cause serious welfare problems and in some circumstances kill animals if not properly treated. So in some cases owners are giving remedies to their pets which don’t treat the problem.” A number of unauthorised products are being targeted, which include homeopathic ‘nosodes’ - which are derived from diseased animal tissues, animal food supplements - known as neutraceuticals, and herbal liquids, powders and pellets - sold as herbal wormers. From now on, the VMD will be contacting manufacturers to ensure that they demonstrate the products are safe and provide the benefits which they claim to. If this is not the case the manufacturers will be required to re-brand the products to make it clear they are not medicinal.
Medical Students Support No Up-Front Tuition Fees
Following the publication of the Green Paper 'Building a Smarter Future' the British Medical Association’s Scottish Medical Student’s Committee have aired their views. The paper sets out a range of options for the future of Scotland's universities, including funding solutions which maintain the tradition of the state being the primary provider by maximising income to higher education. Tuition fees for Scottish students remain off the table and other solutions are being brought forward for discussion. Commenting on the publication of the Scottish Government’s Green Paper on the future of higher education in Scotland, Dima Nassif, Co-Chair of the BMA’s Scottish Medical Student’s Committee, said: “The Green Paper looks at a wide range of options for sustaining and improving the Scottish higher education sector and the BMA will be scrutinising these before formally responding. It is clear that urgent action is required to ensure that Scottish higher education does not suffer because of the huge funding cuts being planned for universities in England. However, it is vital that Scotland does not follow the English model of introducing a financial burden on graduates so high that many will be left with enormous student loans which they will never be able to repay. Entry to medical school should be based on aptitude not wealth, and students from less well off backgrounds must not be deterred from studying medicine by the prospect of huge debts.” Miss Nassif, a third year medical student at Edinburgh University, added: “The Browne Review recognised that there are priority courses such as medicine that are important to the wellbeing of society and to the economy and highlighted that there would remain a vital role for public investment to support priority courses and the wider benefits they create. It is important that there is the same recognition in Scotland.”
Plumbers Sentenced For Carrying Out Illegal Gas Work
Two plumbers from Hertfordshire who put people at risk by illegally working on domestic gas appliances have been sentenced. Paul Fromet, from Cheshunt, and Michael Wright, from Waltham Cross, were asked to fit a boiler in a house in Hargrave Road, Chevington, Suffolk that was due to be rented out by the landlord. Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court heard that a complaint had been made about the installation to Gas Safe which was then passed to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and an investigation followed. Neither plumber was registered with Gas Safe, the compulsory registration scheme for gas engineers. The boiler had not been adjusted to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which supplied the property. As a result of this failure, tests on the boiler during operation showed that it was producing exceptionally high levels of carbon monoxide – more than 200 times the manufacturers’ specification. Both men admitted breaching gas safety regulations. Mr Fromet and Mr Wright received a two-year conditional discharge and were ordered to pay costs of £250 each.
(BMcN/GK)
Alternative remedies which could be dangerous to pets are being targeted by the Government in a major drive to improve animal health and welfare. Some herbal and homeopathic products are claiming medicinal benefits without scientific proof, meaning they may not properly treat or prevent serious diseases, leaving pets at risk. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s (VMD) Director of Operations, John FitzGerald, said: “Some of these products are claiming to be effective and safe when no scientific evidence has been presented to us to show they are. Animal owners have a right to know if a product does what it claims. The products claim to treat diseases which can cause serious welfare problems and in some circumstances kill animals if not properly treated. So in some cases owners are giving remedies to their pets which don’t treat the problem.” A number of unauthorised products are being targeted, which include homeopathic ‘nosodes’ - which are derived from diseased animal tissues, animal food supplements - known as neutraceuticals, and herbal liquids, powders and pellets - sold as herbal wormers. From now on, the VMD will be contacting manufacturers to ensure that they demonstrate the products are safe and provide the benefits which they claim to. If this is not the case the manufacturers will be required to re-brand the products to make it clear they are not medicinal.
Medical Students Support No Up-Front Tuition Fees
Following the publication of the Green Paper 'Building a Smarter Future' the British Medical Association’s Scottish Medical Student’s Committee have aired their views. The paper sets out a range of options for the future of Scotland's universities, including funding solutions which maintain the tradition of the state being the primary provider by maximising income to higher education. Tuition fees for Scottish students remain off the table and other solutions are being brought forward for discussion. Commenting on the publication of the Scottish Government’s Green Paper on the future of higher education in Scotland, Dima Nassif, Co-Chair of the BMA’s Scottish Medical Student’s Committee, said: “The Green Paper looks at a wide range of options for sustaining and improving the Scottish higher education sector and the BMA will be scrutinising these before formally responding. It is clear that urgent action is required to ensure that Scottish higher education does not suffer because of the huge funding cuts being planned for universities in England. However, it is vital that Scotland does not follow the English model of introducing a financial burden on graduates so high that many will be left with enormous student loans which they will never be able to repay. Entry to medical school should be based on aptitude not wealth, and students from less well off backgrounds must not be deterred from studying medicine by the prospect of huge debts.” Miss Nassif, a third year medical student at Edinburgh University, added: “The Browne Review recognised that there are priority courses such as medicine that are important to the wellbeing of society and to the economy and highlighted that there would remain a vital role for public investment to support priority courses and the wider benefits they create. It is important that there is the same recognition in Scotland.”
Plumbers Sentenced For Carrying Out Illegal Gas Work
Two plumbers from Hertfordshire who put people at risk by illegally working on domestic gas appliances have been sentenced. Paul Fromet, from Cheshunt, and Michael Wright, from Waltham Cross, were asked to fit a boiler in a house in Hargrave Road, Chevington, Suffolk that was due to be rented out by the landlord. Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court heard that a complaint had been made about the installation to Gas Safe which was then passed to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and an investigation followed. Neither plumber was registered with Gas Safe, the compulsory registration scheme for gas engineers. The boiler had not been adjusted to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which supplied the property. As a result of this failure, tests on the boiler during operation showed that it was producing exceptionally high levels of carbon monoxide – more than 200 times the manufacturers’ specification. Both men admitted breaching gas safety regulations. Mr Fromet and Mr Wright received a two-year conditional discharge and were ordered to pay costs of £250 each.
(BMcN/GK)
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08 October 2010
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
26 August 2014
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
31 July 2008
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
04 February 2010
Energy Supplier Slashes Gas Price
British Gas has today cut its standard gas prices by an average 7%. The price cut, which will benefit 8 million households, takes effect immediately and makes British Gas, on average, the cheapest supplier of standard gas and electricity right across Britain - no matter which way customers choose to pay.
Energy Supplier Slashes Gas Price
British Gas has today cut its standard gas prices by an average 7%. The price cut, which will benefit 8 million households, takes effect immediately and makes British Gas, on average, the cheapest supplier of standard gas and electricity right across Britain - no matter which way customers choose to pay.
13 February 2009
New Offshore Gas Storage Opportunities To Open Up
A proposed new licensing scheme will open up an area of up to 200 miles around the UK for offshore gas storage and importation projects. The scheme will create a regulatory environment that will encourage investment in new gas supply infrastructure, including gas storage.
New Offshore Gas Storage Opportunities To Open Up
A proposed new licensing scheme will open up an area of up to 200 miles around the UK for offshore gas storage and importation projects. The scheme will create a regulatory environment that will encourage investment in new gas supply infrastructure, including gas storage.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
