Tag: UK

Survey: 22% of UK employees report discrimination in workplace

More than 22 per cent of the UK employees have said they faced discrimination in the workplaces because of their identities.

But the figure was lower than in the U.S. and other European countries, according to new research released on Tuesday.

People from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as those belonging to the LGBT+ community were more likely to have experienced such issues, the survey suggested.

Some 4,973 people from the US, UK, France, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands were surveyed online in May and June this year by data and market research company Savanta.

It said about 1,523 who were based in the UK, 22 per cent said they had experienced discrimination at work due to an aspect of their identity.

This was below the 28 per cent average across the six countries, with people appearing to be worst affected in the U.S. (33 per cent) and Sweden (32 per cent).

But the findings for people in the UK among under-represented groups suggested more experiences of discrimination.

It has a figure of 45 per cent for Black people and 41 per cent for people from an Asian background.

A third (33 per cent) of people from the LGBT+ community said they have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

Some 42 per cent of UK employees surveyed agreed there were inequalities in pay and promotion within their organisation just below the 45per cent average across all countries.

Black employees were more than twice as likely as the UK average to agree that they have been passed over for a promotion, at 58 per cent compared with 24 per cent.

Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of UK employees reported they had left a role or were considering a move in the near future because they did not feel comfortable expressing their views.

Sadia Corey, vice president of client development at Savanta, said.

“it’s worrying to learn that such a high number of employees have felt discriminated against in their place of work with many under-represented groups having similar experiences.

“While much discriminations come as a result of unconscious bias among workers, managers and company policy, there is clearly more to be done to ensure that the workplace is a safe space for everyone.’’

But the research also suggested some positives, with 84 per cent of people in the UK whose employer has a diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) task force.

They felt it has been effective at implementing change, and 70 per cent agreeing that such training has been effective.

Just over half (51 per cent) of UK employees reported that their employer addresses important social issues as they arise through holding meetings and webinars and sending out newsletters.

47 per cent of them said their employer validated all gender identities by for example encouraging workers to put their pronouns in their email signatures.

Almost two thirds (62 per cent) agreed that their employer creates an environment where all religious beliefs and identities are respected, the research found.

Corey added, “the good news is that there looks to be some progress among UK employers.

“Employees recognise that most employers are working hard to resolve these issues, and while there is still work to do.

“Senior leaders should be relieved that their DE&I diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are starting to make a difference.’’

August 9, 2023
JUST IN: UK steps up action against illegal migrants

The UK government has disclosed stepping up action to tackle illegal migrants by setting up The Professional Enablers Taskforce which will work to support industry action and prosecutions of crooked lawyers who help illegal migrants game the system.

Rogue immigration lawyers who help illegal migrants make false asylum claims should expect to be prosecuted, according to a statement published on the UK government website.

The statement reads: “A government clampdown on crooked lawyers who coach illegal migrants to lie will see a dedicated taskforce work with industry bodies and law enforcement to build stronger evidence bases to support prosecutions.

“The vast majority of lawyers act with professionalism and integrity but, as recent media reports have demonstrated, a small minority have been helping illegal migrants stay in the UK by encouraging them to make false claims.

“The Professional Enablers Taskforce is bringing together regulatory bodies, law enforcement teams and government departments to increase enforcement action against lawyers who help migrants exploit the immigration system.

“The taskforce has been up and carrying out preliminary work over the past few months, working with partners to tackle immigration abuse in the legal sector by improving how intelligence and information is shared by regulators. Today marks its official launch.

“Law enforcement are also working to bring fresh prosecutions against corrupt immigration lawyers who could face up to life in prison for assisting illegal migrants to remain in the country by deception”.

According to the statement, the task force has also developed a new training package for frontline staff who work in the immigration system to help them identify and report suspect activity so they can support law enforcement to prosecute crooked immigration lawyers”.

“Working with industry bodies, the taskforce will disrupt the business models of firms that are enabling abuse of the immigration system. Their work is aimed at supporting enforcement action against corrupt lawyers by building stronger evidence and improving intelligence sharing, which is then passed on to industry bodies to investigate and bring to law enforcement for prosecution if necessary.

“Referrals to law enforcement have also been made where criminal activity is suspected. For example, the taskforce has uncovered a case in which an immigration firm is linked to one of the most wanted human traffickers, which has now been referred to the police,” the statement reads.

It adds: “Lawyers found to be coaching migrants on how to remain in the country by fraudulent means could be prosecuted under the Immigration Act 1971, Section 25, for ‘Assisting unlawful immigration to the UK’ and face a sentence of up to life imprisonment.

“Tackling the minority of lawyers who exploit the immigration system is a focus across government. Last week, the independent Legal Services Board announced it was consulting on increasing the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s fining powers and exploring other ways to enhance regulators’ powers to ensure rogue legal professionals are punished.

“The Professional Enablers Taskforce is currently focusing on abuse in the legal sector, however there are plans to expand to other ‘professional enablers’ – such as doctors, accountants and employers – who use their expertise to facilitate illegal migration”.

August 8, 2023
Alleged loot: UK set to confiscate $129m seized from Ibori; risks 10-yr jail term [SEE DETAILS]

…Ibori vows to fight till touchline

…as final verdict maybe pronounced today (Friday)

A state prosecutor has asked a London court to order the confiscation of more than 100 million pounds ($129 million) from Nigerian politician and ex-Delta State governor, James Ibori.

The popular Ex-Governor had earlier been convicted for fraud in the United Kingdom and the spent years in prison in Britain.

Ibori was extradited in 2011 from Dubai to London, where he was charged with laundering a “corruptly acquired fortune”.

He pleaded guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money laundering and received a 13-year jail sentence, an outcome hailed by Britain as a landmark in the struggle against corruption.

With its highly developed financial and legal services and lucrative property market, Britain is a global money-laundering hub, but it is rare for the foreign kleptocrats it attracts to be prosecuted and Ibori’s case remains an outlier.

After more than a decade of legal wrangling and court delays, attempts by prosecutors to confiscate funds considered to be the benefits of Ibori’s fraudulent activities now appear close to conclusion.

Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court has made factual findings regarding the funds.

At a hearing last Thursday, both sides made competing arguments about how the confiscation figure should be calculated, taking into account the judge’s findings.

He is expected to finalise and formally issue his order on Friday or shortly afterward.

Lead prosecution counsel, Jonathan Kinnear, told the court that the total amount that should be confiscated from Ibori was 101.5 million pounds and that if he did not pay up he should be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison.

Having served half of his prison sentence in pre- and post-trial detention, as is common, Ibori returned to Nigeria in 2017 and did not attend last Thursday’s hearing.

He told Reuters by text message he planned to appeal against the confiscation order.

Ibori remains influential and well-connected in Nigerian politics. President Bola Tinubu, who was inaugurated in May, has hosted Ibori twice at the presidential villa, along with other former governors.

Britain has pledged to return any money recovered from Ibori to Nigeria. In 2021, it returned 4.2 million pounds that had been confiscated from Ibori’s ex-wife and his sister, who also served jail time for helping him launder money.

But reacting to Thursday’s proceeding on his Facebook page, the former Delta government said his hope was “rapidly fading” for a fair hearing.

He also announced plans to seek redress and fight for justice in the highest courts in UK.

He said, “Finally, the shenanigans in the Southwark Crown Court are drawing to a close. Judge Tomlinson is due to make a confiscation order which should be both realisable and not punitive.

“However, after what transpired in court today my hopes are rapidly fading for any degree of fairness.

“In the 2 years it has taken to write this judgment it seems apparent that he has forgotten many of the salient points and is prioritising expediency over justice.

“The next step will be to take my fight for justice to the highest courts in the UK.”

July 21, 2023
BREAKING: President Bola Tinubu arrives Lagos from UK [VIDEO]

President Bola Tinubu arrived Lagos state on Tuesday after a personal visit to the United Kingdom on Saturday.

Tinubu was received on arrival by Gov. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, his deputy Femi Hamzat as well as some top government and security chiefs.

He was also welcomed by jubilating residents who were at the Airport early in the morning for the arrival of their “son”.

Tinubu left for UK after attending the two days New Global Financing Pact in France, which was organised by President Emmanuel Macron of France.

The summit was an avenue for the president to meet with other world leaders and to discuss the way forward for Nigeria especially after the removal of the fuel subsidy and the streamlining of the dual exchange rates.

Tinubu, who is coming to Lagos as president for the first time, is expected to participate in the Eid-el-Kabir celebration on Wednesday in Lagos and meet with key stakeholders in the state.

Some state governors, members of the state and national assembly as well as business associates of the president are also expected to pay courtesy visit to the president while in Lagos state

See video below:

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June 27, 2023
Speaker Abbas advocates UK pay standard for Nigerian workers

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has advocated review of salary for workers in the country.

Abbas said this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi in Abuja on Monday.

He said it was imperative to take a look at what an average worker would need to be paid as salary in view of the current economic reality.

He said there was need to come up with a living wage that would take care of the basics of a person such that he would not have to look outside his lawful income.

Abbas urged government to take example of UK experiment and the Western world, adding that, “fundamentally, what they did was to sit down and look at what an average worker will need to be paid as salary.

“Today, if you are a labourer in London, you will be paid enough for you to go and pay your rent, take care of your basics and still be able to have a fairly good living.

“With that kind of incentive, you don’t need to go and borrow, you don’t need to go and beg, you don’t need to go and steal.”

He said the current Nigerian situation was such that an average worker earned less than what somebody could use to buy fuel to fill his car tank.

The Speaker further said that such individual with such burden would not be honest and transparent.

“For us to wage a war on corruption, we need to create an enabling environment where each and every one of us will be able to operate transparently.

This, according to him, is without having to steal, intimidate and having to go and beg or to borrow and that is the beginning of the reform.

“If we can get the rule of law working, we will be able to work on the reforms necessary for fighting corruption.

“In fighting corruption, we also need to create an enabling environment where an average worker should be able to earn enough to live with his family,” he said.

June 26, 2023
British envoy explains new UK visa policy on Nigerian students

British High Commissioner to Nigeria Richard Montgomery says the UK government’s new policy on the restriction of foreign student visas is aimed at managing the pressure on social services for scholars.

Montgomery, who said this during an interview with NAN in Abuja, explained that the policy was not targeted aimed at discouraging Nigerian students studying in the UK.

According to him, at the moment in the UK, Nigerians desiring to study in the UK have 97 percent visa approval rate.

He urged Nigerians to see the new visa regime in the UK in a bigger context, a thing which he said is “really a positive for Nigeria and the United Kingdom”.

“Three years ago, there were 20,000 Nigerian students in British higher education institutions, and last year, the number increased to 127,000.

“So, we had a five-fold increase in the number of students from Nigeria coming to UK universities.

“We are delighted that UK universities continue to attract the best and brightest from Nigeria.

“And in the wider context, last year, the UK granted three million new UK visas of various types including students and other visitors.

“Nigerians alone received 325,000 of those 3 million visas.

“So more than 10 percent of the visas from the UK are to Nigerian citizens which is fantastic.

“It goes back to the fact that the UK and Nigeria have strong people-to-people links.

“The policy change is about people who are doing non-research degrees coming to the UK as undergraduates, or for a one-year master’s degree programme, and who decide to bring their dependents.

“We have had a very significant rise in the number of people coming from all around the world, not just from Nigeria.

“This has caused some strain on the UK.

“Sometimes it is difficult to find good accommodation as a student and there is real pressure on housing and social services for students.

“If you looked at it three years ago, only 1,500 dependants of students were coming to the UK from Nigeria, but now it was 52,000 last year.

“I am just trying to put it in proper context, that this is an adjustment.

“The words that are being used in the media to describe the situation are misrepresenting. We are making an adjustment that enables us to manage the demands on services in university towns and elsewhere.

“Nigerians are very successful in acquiring visas. We have a 97 per cent approval rate and so that is the big context,” Montgomery said.

He expressed the UK’s pride in its research institutes and higher education which, he said, were listed among the top hundred universities in the world.

The higher institutions, he said, are very open to students going to study in the UK.

He expressed the belief that Nigerians stand to gain massively from the international exposure and international networks offered by studying in the UK.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UK Home Office in May announced that from Jan. 2024, undergraduate and master’s students would no longer be allowed to take their dependents along with them to the UK.

The restriction does not apply to students in research programmes.

June 25, 2023
UK to support Nigeria in boosting off-grid clean energy infrastructure

The United Kingdom (UK) has pledged to support Nigeria through the provision of a 10-million-pound concessional aid on climate action, to boost off-grid clean energy infrastructure.

Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria and UK Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said this at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum, on Thursday in Abuja.

Montgomery, who featured at the flagship interview platform of the NAN Forum, spoke against the backdrop of UK’s 2022 announcement of concessional aid for Nigeria to scale-up domestic financing for the infrastructure.

According to him, King Charles III is not just passionate about climate change and environment, also about Nigeria and had followed Nigeria’s challenges broadly on climate and environment for decades.

“In the UK, we have gone through a real shift and he has been a huge leader on this; the UK is now a much greener public debate and population than it was even five to 10 years ago.

“The UK’s Presidency of COPP 26 helped with that. I am also passionate about climate action because when the UK was President of COPP 26, I was the UK’s representative at the World Bank Board.

“We need to promote climate transition, greener growth in urban and rural areas, in manufacturing and agriculture, so it is a huge agenda.

“Now the progress is very specific to a much wider challenge that we do want to work more on with our Nigerian partners, an attempt to show that how off-grid energy is possible and can reach more people.

“The 10-million pounds is fully committed, where it is going to be spent and with which companies; the first project building off-grid energy would be launched by DARWAY Coast in August, 2023.”

The envoy explained that the off-grid energy was designed to provide energy for 1,000 people, adding that such a development shows that the project is commercially viable.

Also, seed financing commercial companies showed they could run off-grid energy, service people and small businesses, and make profit doing so, which should be cheap for Nigerians, because they do not have to buy Diesel.

“Kenya has done this and I am sorry to say Kenya is ahead of Nigeria on this. So Kenya has developed these off-grids, mini grids, and green energy solutions for small communities and neighborhoods.

“I am hugely optimistic that Nigeria can have a big boost in greener energy, including off grid solutions, but I also need to say that it does not solve some of the bigger energy constraints.

“If you are running a big mega city or you are running a big industry that is important for people’s jobs, then you need more energy, and you need it to be more reliable, and you need it to be cheaper.

“This is why we have a Nigeria infrastructure advisory facility to help the government reform the energy sector more broadly, improve regulation and provide technical assistance that unblocks difficulties in the sector.

“If Nigeria is to get green again, power sector reform is really important and we fully back what many of the champions of change in Nigeria are talking about getting the power sector going again.”

He advised that for Nigeria to develop its energy sector and beat Kenya in such regard, there is the need for energy reforms and proper investment, in terms of private and not just public.

“I think there was a move some years ago to boost partnership, so that there would be independent power producers like the zero power in Edo State.
“We have a lot of independent power producers but the whole system is not yet working for them and they are

not entirely enabled to grow their businesses and become commercially viable.
“We need to make sure these public-private partnerships work in the future. The change in the foreign exchange regime will attract more investment in the energy sector.

“This potentially is another big upside to big economic reforms being taken now. Yes we understand times are tough and there is the need to debate about palliatives, to cushion economic pressures.

“In the medium term, we are really convinced that these big reforms and decisions that this government is taking will attract more investment, including into the energy sector.”

Montgomery, who had worked in different parts of the world including previously in Nigeria, took over from Ms Catriona Laing, who recently concluded a four-year term as High Commissioner in Abuja.

June 25, 2023
Over 70,000 worshippers attend Pastor Jerry Eze’s NSPPD UK prayer Confab+Photos

Thousands of worshippers over the weekend converged on the London Excel Arena, United Kingdom, to attend the Streams of Joy International Church, New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations Conference.

The historic event which was hosted by the lead pastor of the church, Pastor Jerry Eze took place on June 17th and 18th.

A statement issued by the Media Unit of the Ministry disclosed that Pastor Jerry packed out the Excel Arena with over 70,000 persons in attendance for the two days.

Foreign media reports also have it that the arena is one of the largest event spaces in the UK with a capacity of 68,750 visitors.

“As seen on videos the arena was filled to the brim with worshipers. Pastor Eze has continued to break boundaries with the gospel of Christ, as this event is being regarded as one the largest gathering of people in recent times for the gospel in the UK.

“At the prayer conference, numerous testimonies were shared and several gospel artists also led the worship session.

“A woman had testified of being healed of 20-year arthritis, while another who had been in a wheelchair for the past three years testified of being able to walk unaided. Another participant testified of being healed of a 13-year mobility impairment and was seen walking without her crutches. A man testified of a dumb tongue loosened, another testified to being healed of multiple sclerosis, while another woman testified of being healed of 40-years hearing impairment,” the statement revealed.

It noted further that”NSPPD prayers has continued to grow in popularity and in the number of ardent followers online and offline. Recall that, in July 2022, NSPPD prayers emerged as the number one online prayer platform and number one ‘Daily Most Super Chatted Gospel Channel’ in the world with a record 313,768,909 or 889,627 chats per day, according to data compiled by Playboard.

“Reacting to the impact of the UK conference on the church’s official Instagram handle, Pastor Eze wrote, ” “NSPPD UNITED KINGDOM PRAYER Conference! was nothing but a testament of God’s Glory, fire and Power…. “WHAT OUR GOD CANNOT DO DOES NOT EXIST!

“The historic event has been the talk of the town for days, with several participants testifying the goodness of God. Indeed, “What God Cannot Do, Doesn’t Exist”!!!!

June 21, 2023
World’s first Saliva pregnancy test launched in UK

Revolutionary product that can tell women if they are pregnant from just their saliva has hit the shelves in the United Kingdom (UK).

According to Metro, Salistick is the first product in the world that can determine pregnancy with just a ‘spit test’. It will offer women an alternative to traditional urine-based pregnancy tests and is available in the UK and Ireland. The test kit has been developed by a Jerusalem-based start-up Salignostics. The company said it is based on the technology used to make Covid testing kits.

The unique product offers the ability to test anywhere, anytime, and more people can be a part of the testing experience.

For the test to work, a woman must place a foam-tipped stick from the kit in her mouth for a few moments, like a thermometre. This collects a sample of saliva.

She will then transfer it to a plastic tube, where a biochemical reaction takes place, said the Metro report.

The test is based on technology that detects hCG, a hormone specific to pregnancy that helps prepare the uterus for developing the embryo. Its creators claim that Salistick provides highly accurate early pregnancy detection.

Results can be read within five to 15 minutes, said the company, adding that early indications appear as early as three minutes.

According to an old Times of Israel report, Salignostics received certification for Salistick to be marketed in the European Union last year.

It has also applied for FDA approval to sell the product in the US.

Salignostics launched the product after conducting clinical trials in Israel on more than 300 women, both pregnant and non-pregnant.

June 20, 2023
Biden mistakenly calls Sunak ‘Mr President’ at White House meeting

Joe Biden got confused over British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s title when the pair met in the White House, welcoming him as “Mr President.”

The U.S. President swiftly corrected himself, joking that he had “promoted” Sunak.

The 80-year-old, seated across from Sunak for the bilateral meeting, said: “Well, Mr. President – Mr. President, I just promoted you. Mr. Prime Minister, it’s great to have you back.”

Sunak, who appeared to laugh off the error, has not been to the White House before as prime minister, only taking office last October.

Biden told him: “In the past few months we have met each other in San Diego and then we met in Belfast and we met in Hiroshima.

“And now we’re here we’re going to solve all the problems of the world in the next 20 minutes.”

This is not the first time the U.S. president has appeared to fumble his words recently.

In April, during his visit to the Republic of Ireland, Biden appeared to confuse the name of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team with the Black and Tans, a controversial War of Independence-era police force in Ireland.

And while he heaped praise on the strength of the UK-U.S. relationship on Thursday, saying it was in “real good shape”, he has not always been so diplomatic.

In May, he claimed that he visited the island of Ireland to ensure the “Brits didn’t screw around” amid ongoing concern over the peace process and the impact of Brexit.

June 9, 2023