Latest news with #UniversityofDerby
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Households face council tax hikes and £10billion stealth levies as Reeves gets boxed into corner by shrinking economy
Economists warned the circumstances meant tax hikes are almost certain this autumn GOGGLE-BOXED IN Households face council tax hikes and £10billion stealth levies as Reeves gets boxed into corner by shrinking economy HOUSEHOLDS face council tax hikes and £10billion in stealth levies as Rachel Reeves gets boxed into a corner by the shrinking economy, experts warn. The Chancellor, who wore protective goggles during a visit to the University of Derby yesterday, learned growth fell 0.3 per cent in April — less than 24 hours after her £113billion spending review splurge. Advertisement 2 Rachel Reeves wears protective goggles during a visit to the University of Derby Credit: Simon Walker / HM Treasury 2 Households face council tax hikes and £10billion in stealth levies Credit: Getty Businesses are reeling from the National Insurance rise, a jump in the minimum wage and ongoing uncertainty over Donald Trump's global trade war. Economists warned the circumstances meant tax hikes are almost certain this autumn — along with hard-pressed town halls having to up council tax rates by five per cent next year to pay for local services. Former Office for Budget Responsibility committee member Andy King said 'the writing was on the wall for another fiscal hole' — which would trigger tax rises or possible spending cuts in the Budget. Another expert accused Ms Reeves of 'making up numbers' in her spending review as there were few clues where savings would be found. Advertisement READ MORE ON SPENDING REVIEW TAX BLOW Council tax bills to rise at fastest rate in 20 years after Reeves' review Paul Johnson, from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said her demands that all Whitehall departments cut administration budgets by ten per cent a year were not the result of a 'serious analysis'. He also said that if Ms Reeves was forced to raise taxes, the most politically straightforward approach would be to extend the freeze on income tax thresholds. Mr Johnson added that her plans will result in a 'sting in the tail' because local authorities would have to raise their levies. More than half of Brits — 52 per cent — reckon Ms Reeves' spending review will have a negative economic impact rather than positive. Advertisement But one piece of good news did emerge yesterday, as it was revealed the UK was finally ready to sign its trade deal with the US.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Loss of support' for disabled university students
Disabled students at the University of Derby are calling for more specialist support to be available during their studies, after the university made changes to its disability support. A group called the Independent Disabled Students Network (IDSN), which was formed to challenge decisions made by the university, said there had been a "significant reduction in disability support across the university". Sonja Brown, 58, a disabled student, told the BBC: "It's stressful and frustrating that we weren't considered. I feel like I'm a second class citizen and that they couldn't speak to me and get my point of view." The university denied removing any support for students with disabilities. The IDSN group claim the university has scrapped deadline extensions, extra time in examinations and single-diagnosis support plans for students. James Earnes, 28, a student and founder of the group said: "To date, the university has not issued a formal policy or public statement clarifying the current position on support entitlements. "Multiple students have raised complaints, and we have started to rely on Freedom of Information requests to access basic information about policies that directly affect our ability to study." Sonja, who is studying a masters degree in international tourism and hospitality, says she lost support that was previously available to her during her undergraduate studies. "I was here from 2020 to 2023. I had a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) in place and got support and extensions. "I came back in September 2024 to find I still have my support plan but not my extensions, because they want to make it a level playing field. "Not only do I have a hidden disability, I've got a physical disability. "It just means more stress for us. If I had known about the changes at the open day, I would have considered going to another university." Rosie Henrick, 25, a disabled psychology student who is autistic, has ADHD and general anxiety disorder, says the changes are taking a toll on their health. They said: "It has a psychical and mental negative impact. I've been getting a lot more high heart rate notifications. I'm very stressed out. "I don't think I can be there next year if they don't change stuff. "I get good grades but I also don't want my health to decline. It definitely is, and I've been noticing it." George Butler, 19, a disabled civil engineering student who also acts as a student representative said: "It's a lot more mental stress for disabled students. "To expect more and more of a person that you're taking more and more away from, means they'll be able to work less." The group is also challenging the university over its decision to introduce fares to the Unibus, a bus service that is free for students and staff until 31 July 2025. Darren Cassidy, 32, a disabled health and social care student, said: "We've had some reviews with the walking routes that they've suggested for people. "It's not appealing to a disabled student because there's not very good walkways, hardly any lighting and no dropped kerbs. "It's really damaging for a disabled student. Not only do they see physical support being removed from their educational system, but they're also seeing actual barriers to getting to the university as well. "A lot of disabled students have extra things they have to pay for such as care, extra food, medications or whatever else may be affecting them personally. "To have an extra charge on top, I find it really difficult for them. I've heard people say they wouldn't come in as much, and that to me doesn't seem very welcoming to disabled students." A spokesperson for the university said: "The university has not removed any support for its students with disabilities. "Historically we applied a blanket approach whereas now we are improving our support and providing a bespoke service which aims to ensure each student has what they need to thrive. "The option of providing extensions to deadlines or extra time in exams, remains for those students with a disability for whom this is an appropriate support mechanism." The university also confirmed the Unibus charges were implemented following "consultation with students and will help towards environmental sustainability goals". It added: "Disabled students may be entitled to support with travel via certain government benefits and can contact our Disability Advisers who can provide advice and guidance on how to access this." Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Job cuts fears as university plans college mergers University of Nottingham plans to cut 250 jobs 'Healthy living too expensive for teens' - study University of Derby
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
'World's first coral-friendly sunscreen' unveiled in Derby
Scientists at the University of Derby say they have developed a sunscreen which could help corals team was working on the creation of a science-backed standard for reef-friendly sun protection when their lab experiments showed including certain nutrients in eco-friendly sunscreens helped some coral species grow - with one species increasing by almost a academic study revealed eight in 10 creams which say they are reef or ocean-friendly have not been rigorously tested, and some include chemicals proven to cause coral Derby scientists hope their new reef protection factors of gold, silver and bronze will eventually set the global industry standard. When hundreds of swimmers hit the water at the same time around a quarter of their sunscreen immediately washes off and creates an oily layer in the water. The impact on coral reefs and the marine life they support can be reefs around the world face a multitude of threats from climate change and ocean acidification, and the Derby research team set out to target one of the most preventable "stressors" for these the University of Derby's Aquatic Research Facility, team leader Prof Michael Sweet demonstrated how a small dab of "bad" sunscreen can start to kill tiny coral samples within hours of being added to laboratory tanks."We only started this experiment this morning," he said, fishing out a plug where a small coral fragment seems to be disintegrating. "Compared to the control tank, you can already see the tissue sloughing off the coral skeleton." The research started because the team and its commercial partners wanted to create a robust sunscreen accreditation system shoppers could trust. That meant designing a scientifically-validated test which brands would have to pass before they could claim to be "coral friendly" and earn their "reef protection factor" (RPF) of gold, silver or when research began, the concept of a coral-friendly sunscreen seemed unlikely."Originally I didn't think this was going to be possible," Prof Sweet said. "When [the nutrient-dense sunscreen] started showing a positive impact we knew we were on to something big." As part of the research, PhD student Triona Barker was asked to measure how corals responded when exposed to sunscreen without toxic chemicals but with added minerals and nutrients. The cocktail of ingredients was based on components known to be beneficial for cream was first tested to ensure it was safe for humans."We then dosed nine tanks over the course of 16 weeks," Ms Barker explained."At first we saw a growth of 8%, so we left it a bit longer. After 16 weeks [one coral species] had grown by 29%." Prof Sweet added: "We're not only avoiding any harm, we're actually feeding the corals as well." Wary of being accused of cosying up to commercial companies, Prof Sweet was determined the research would be conducted as non-profit. That meant the university had to pay the cost of the testing. "That was important to me," said Prof Sweet. "I had to stand up in front of my peers and the public and say this is truly reef-safe, as we have shown it to be... reaching a scientific consensus was a massive milestone for us."The research paper showing the university's test design and results is open-access and is now being scientifically first product to be certified under the new gold accreditation has been supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand which recently arranged to hand it out on beaches in Thailand in exchange for non-accredited sunscreen. Now the university has been offered a profit share in Stream2Sea's "Coral Care", with the money ring-fenced for an educational fellowship programme to be launched globally in project is designed to raise public awareness of how sunscreen can damage marine life, with booklets being sent out to 600 schools. They also want to encourage manufacturers of other potentially damaging products such as shampoos and cosmetics to seek accreditation.
ITV News
03-06-2025
- Health
- ITV News
How can you make sure your sunscreen is 'reef safe'?
Sunscreen is the must have summer holiday item, but while it may protect your skin, there's growing research it could be harming the ocean and marine life. Each year, about 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen ends up in the sea this way, threatening the health of marine life and coral reefs. It's led to many people buying 'reef safe' sunscreen but there is currently no regulation of these products. Now, a group of researchers from the University of Derby want to change that with proper accreditation of reef safe sunscreen that could be regulated globally. So which sunscreen should you use to protect your skin and the ocean? How does sunscreen harm coral reefs? When we swim or shower, sunscreen can wash off our skin and enter waterways. Each year, about 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen ends up in the sea this way, threatening the health of marine life and coral reefs. As the sunscreen breaks down, the coral absorbs these chemicals and it can harm its reproduction and growth and contribute to bleaching. "It just directly kills it as well," Professor Michael Sweet from the University of Derby told ITV News. "Sometimes in the tests we've undertaken, we put the sunscreen in the water and within a few hours you can see tissue completely sloughing off the coral skeleton." What is the 'toxic' sunscreen? Oxybenzone and octinoxate are chemical compounds found in many common sunscreens and are known to have a more significant impact on coral health. Sunscreen containing these ingredients is often dubbed 'toxic'. While oxybenzone is approved globally as a sunscreen ingredient, it has been banned in seven places including Hawaii, the US Virgin Islands and parts of Thailand in a bid to reduce the impact on reefs. What sunscreen should I buy? Several sunscreen companies market their products as 'reef safe' or 'reef friendly', but there is no regulation of these claims so you'll have to check the ingredient list on the packaging. It's best to look for mineral active ingredients, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and to avoid any products containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. Lotions are also better for the environment than spray or mist products, as the aerosol particles often end up on the sand and washed out to sea . The other option is to wear your SPF protection instead. Swim shirts and rash vests protect your skin from UV and can last longer than a bottle of sunscreen. How would 'reef safe' regulation work? Professor Sweet said 80 per cent of sunscreen marked as 'reef safe' had never been tested. He said it was very difficult to actually determine whether a product is 'reef safe' from ingredients alone and the industry needed "a shake up". Researchers at the University of Derby want to create a Reef Protection Factor (RPF) certification to help people buy products - including sunscreen, cosmetics and surf wax - that have been proven to be safe for use in the ocean. Under the proposal, products would have to have undergone rigorous testing with adult corals at an accredited independent testing centre to receive RPF creditation. If there was any evidence of tissue loss in any of the coral tested, the product would not pass and could not be branded 'reef-safe'. The university has developed a facility that can test a sunscreen's impact on coral and have used that to create their own reef-safe sunscreen. Professor Sweet said there should be a visible reef safe trademark on items so consumers could easily identify safe products on the shelf. "Bronze standard is as good as nothing in the water, silver means you're having a positive impact to some degree but gold is your gold standard where you're having a clear positive impact," he said. "In the concept of things like climate change, many people would say it's a relatively small drop in the ocean. "But it's something that in theory that we can change overnight."
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
ARIU, University of Derby celebrate 22nd graduation ceremony in style
Satyendra Pathak Pathak In a glittering ceremony held in Doha, Al Rayyan International University College (ARIU), in academic partnership with the University of Derby (UK), marked a significant milestone with the graduation of 52 accomplished students. The occasion, ARIU's 22nd graduation ceremony, celebrated academic excellence, personal achievement, and the university's steadfast commitment to advancing Qatar's national development goals. This year's graduating class received degrees across four flagship academic programmes: MBA Global, BSc (Hons) in International Business Management, BA (Hons) in International Hospitality Management, and BA (Hons) in International Tourism Management. The diversity of these disciplines reflects ARIU's focus on equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in key sectors of Qatar's evolving economy. The event brought together an esteemed assembly of dignitaries, faculty members, students, and their proud families. Among the distinguished guests were HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, owner and founder of ARIU, chairman of the board of governors, and a revered figure in Qatar's education and business landscape; Professor Ibrahim Al Naimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education; Professor Ivan Ninov, executive dean of ARIU; Professor Khalid Al Sulaiti, general manager of the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara); and Isobel Stockdale, head of discipline of Applied Management at the University of Derby. In his inspiring keynote address, Sheikh Faisal congratulated the graduates on their achievements while highlighting education as a fundamental pillar of Qatar's sustainable future. 'Education is not only a personal asset but a national imperative. Through institutions like ARIU, we continue to uphold this vision — empowering our youth with knowledge, values, and purpose. As you move forward, I encourage you to carry the values of integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence,' he said. Reaffirming Qatar's long-standing commitment to education, Professor Al Naimi applauded ARIU's role in fostering future-ready talent. The event concluded with a celebratory group photograph, capturing the unity, pride, and collective success of the Class of 2025. With more than two decades of academic legacy, ARIU continues to serve as a beacon of educational excellence in the region. The institution remains at the forefront of international academic collaboration, preparing students not only to succeed in Qatar but to thrive in the interconnected global economy.
