No Offer of a Cup of Tea, No Seat on the Bus...and Barely a Hello From Your Neighbour: Welcome to Today's Britain

4 Mar 2010 08:00 Africa/Lagos

No Offer of a Cup of Tea, No Seat on the Bus...and Barely a Hello From Your Neighbour: Welcome to Today's Britain

ANDOVER, England, March 4, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- A recent survey of the nation's local community and workplace habits carried out by healthcare provider Simplyhealth, has revealed us to be a nation that no longer cares about our community. Long gone are the days when Britons knew their neighbours by name - in fact, over half of modern day workers (52%) don't even offer to make a cup of tea for a colleague.


Almost half of us now only know a maximum of three neighbours by name. Tellingly, it's the 'over 55s' that can be bothered to get to know their neighbours with the majority (57%) on first name terms with at least five of their neighbours, whereas almost two-thirds of 'under 35s' know only two.


According to Simplyhealth's Bothered Britain survey of more than 1,000 UK adults, the main causes of people not bothering are lack of time and stress at work. However, despite the claim of "no time", over half the nation (56%) still manages to watch over 15 hours of television a week, instead of bothering to offer up an act of kindness. Other statistics revealed:



- 82% of people don't give up their seat on the bus or train
to someone who needs it more

- 61% of people admitted to never having volunteered for a charity

- 86% of the nation don't ever offer to carry someone else's bags




In fact, it seems that it now takes moments of extreme adversity to encourage any active acts of botheredness at all - 92% of us agree that it takes a crisis for people to show they care about one another, with 82% agreeing that the recent freezing weather conditions brought about a greater sense of community spirit - which now appears to have melted along with the snow.


This could be a reflection of modern life, with higher work expectations and frantic family lifestyles causing higher levels of stress and fatigue. However, carrying out good deeds for others can in fact have a positive impact on a person's health, as well as the surrounding community.


Medical expert Dr Christian Jessen agrees: "We all know that helping others is of benefit to them, but many people don't realise that getting active to help others can also improve your mental and physical wellbeing. Simple activities like walking the neighbour's dog or helping in the garden help to burn calories and improve general fitness, leading to a healthier, happier nation."


Jamie Wilson, spokesperson for Simplyhealth, says: "Committing just half an hour a month to helping someone else can make a real difference to your life as well as theirs. If everyone in the UK aimed to do just one act of 'botheredness' every month, it would make a real difference to the nation's overall wellbeing. As a healthcare provider, we encourage our staff to get active in the community supporting others - in fact we give 100 days a year to staff to spend a day helping at a charity of their choice."


Simplyhealth provides a variety of health plans, which help towards the cost of check-ups, treatment and emergencies, helping people budget for the costs of expected and unexpected healthcare. It also has a specialist Simplyhealth store that offers mobility and daily living aids.


For further information on Simplyhealth please bother us on +44(0)800-072-6715 or log onto http://www.simplyhealth.co.uk. In a world where so many people can't be bothered, Simplyhealth is proud to be a company that can, to find out how log onto http://www.wecanbebothered.co.uk.



Notes to Editor

- Previously known as HSA, BCWA, LHF, HealthSure and Totally
Active, our family of health companies have joined together over the
last 8 years to form Simplyhealth
- At Simplyhealth, we have been providing healthcare solutions for
nearly 140 years, dedicated to serving our customers through a variety
of cash plans, dental plans, private medical insurance, healthcare
trusts and mobility and living aids
- Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is
authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
- As of December 2009, Simplyhealth had 1.3 million customers
providing cover for some 2.3 million people
- Simplyhealth is committed in its constitution to making a
positive impact on its communities. Each year, we help health related
charities and causes to the tune of at least GBP1million




For further information, please bother us at:


http://www.simplyhealth.co.uk/media-centre


Source: Simplyhealth

For further information, please bother us at: Abby Bowman, Senior Brand and PR Manager +44(0)1264-342561; Caroline Lakeman, Public Relations Manager +44(0)1264-342570; Rebecca Jeremy, Public Relations Assistant +44(0)1264-342400; Or pr@simplyhealth.co.uk.

Cyber Monday - Busiest Online Shopping Day in the UK

30 Nov 2009 07:58 Africa/Lagos

Cyber Monday - Busiest Online Shopping Day in the UK

LONDON, November 30/PRNewswire/ --


As featured in the Telegraph, Sun and Guardian, Cyber Monday is expected to be the busiest online shopping day of the year. Shoppers spend the weekends browsing and buying in stores and upon returning to the office on Monday, turn to the Internet to start shopping for better prices than high street stores. Industry experts, including Visa, are gearing up for this Monday, 30 November to be the record busiest day, because many workers will receive their last pay cheque before Christmas. In other years, the first Monday in December, which this year falls on the 7th, was the busiest online shopping day of the year.


Richard Chapple, from online store Zavvi.com, said: "Mondays are the busiest day online, and as we approach December people become conscious that Christmas is only around the corner. This sees more people than usual logging on, and with this weekend also being the last payday before Christmas for many, they will make the most of having money in the bank to get presents, especially after a tough year."


David Smith, director of operations at IMRG, said: "The rate of growth has slowed because of current economic conditions, but sales online are still growing." IMRG is forecasting growth of online sales of around 15% this year, compared to previous rates of 35% to 50%. "We are seeing more women shopping online and an older age group and they are the people with the disposable income."


Talya Schaeffer, co-founder of Cyber Monday UK, said: "Starting 30 November, many online retailers will be offering their best promotions of the Christmas trading season. Cyber Monday is an exciting opportunity for both shoppers and retailers alike. Shoppers save money by buying online and retailers can entice shoppers during this peak day with bespoke promotions."


Cyber Monday UK will be hosting a Cyber Monday launch party on Monday, 30 November from 1000 - 1500 GMT at Reload Internet Cafe at 197 Praed Street, Paddington, London W2 1RH across from Paddington Station. Shoppers will be able to surf the Internet for free and get advise on shopping online and saving money.


Click here (http://www.cybermonday.co.uk/) to visit the new Cyber Monday UK site.


Source: CyberMonday.co.uk

Talya Schaeffer of CyberMonday.co.uk, +44-(0)-20337-18573, talya@cybermonday.co.uk



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Moving Nigeria Forward To The Next Level

~ By Roy Agiande

It is no longer news that the world has been hit by a severe financial crisis often compared to the Great Depression of the early 1930s and countless jobs have been lost worldwide due to this catastrophic phenomenon. It is scary to note that developed countries are shedding jobs, recording huge losses, cutting down on production cost and salaries. Worthy of note is the report that the UK has been hit by an unemployment figure of over 2.4 million which is the worst recorded over a decade. These are countries that have a well structured policy of job creation and backup policy to absorb the different fluctuations and shortcomings of the economy. I begin to wonder if there is hope for Nigeria, a less developed country where both the Private and Public sectors are all counting monumental losses, some banks are experiencing what you may call SYSTEMATIC FAILURE; where the Apex Bank has sacked the CEOs of major banks for gross insider abuse and the stock market experiencing a meltdown.

There are so many ways of helping the economy bounce back and diverse from its traditional mono-economic ways. One of which is to inject capital to the ailing and hungry sectors. Startup Weekend Nigeria is one of such avenues of doing just that. Fresh and radical business ideas proposed and funded from the scratch and new entrepreneurs are created. If you ask me, it’s like killing two birds with one stone. How?

By creating about 10 companies every Startup Weekend means new jobs would be created as well and the spin-offs could boost the economy, thereby complimenting the government’s efforts of job creation. Secondly, it’s also a way of capital injection to the cash strapped economy. Past minister of finance and present World Bank President, Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Iweala once said:
“Create entrepreneurs, because it is a definite catalyst for job and wealth creation.”

It might interest you to know that some of the biggest businesses in the United States started as startups which eventually turned to multibillion dollar companies. Believe it or not, Nigeria is blessed with a large array of great thinkers and business minds which are going to be harvested and utilized to full capacity through Startup Weekends in Nigeria. It would also address the issue of the pool of unemployed graduates and those fresh from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.

World News Update

Malcolm Wicks visit to Nigeria

20 Aug 2008 17:22 Africa/Lagos


Malcolm Wicks visit to Nigeria

London, 20 August/GNN/ --

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release
(2008/178) issued by The Government News Network on 20 August 2008
UK Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, has visited Nigeria this week following
HE President Yar'Adua's London meeting with the Prime Minister in June,
where energy was a key theme of their discussion.

Whilst there he met with Nigerian energy ministers and visited the Delta to
gain an understanding of the situation in Nigeria first hand.

Speaking in Nigeria, Wicks said:

"I came here to continue discussions with my Nigerian counterparts and to
understand more about the energy challenges in Nigeria. The UK is keen to see
whether our energy experience can help the Nigerian Government to implement
their far reaching energy sector reforms.

"We have discussed Nigeria's oil and gas production, including their
implementation of a recently launched Gas Master Plan and the prospects for
ending gas flaring, the reform and restructuring of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation and the important work of the Nigerian Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative.

"I support Nigeria's efforts to better use oil and gas revenues which,
together with fiscal discipline and transparency, can make a positive
difference to livelihoods of the Nigerian people.

"The UK and Nigeria have a close relationship on many issues; I hope that
this can be extended to the energy field and that this visit can help to
further strengthen our partnership."

During bilateral discussions, the prospects for increasing oil and gas
production in Nigeria and the need for a strong investment climate to ensure
this potential is realised were discussed.

Also discussed:

* Sustainable development, climate change, the implementation of the clean
development mechanism and carbon capture and storage technologies;
* Energy conservation and efficiency;
* Capacity building to help with implementation of the reforms; and
* Foreign direct investment

The Ministers also talked about UK's experience in working with
International Oil Companies (IOC) and the benefits doing so can provide to
a country. Recognising the need for the Government of Nigeria and the IOCs
to find a fair and equitable solution to funding issues, Wicks said the UK
Government stood ready to support both parties in achieving this.

Notes to editors

1. The UK supports Nigeria in gaining better use of its oil revenues, improving
transparency, and strengthening macro-economic management, including in the
Niger Delta States.

2. Volatility in the crude oil prices poses challenges for Nigeria and other
producing countries. The UK believes that open, transparent markets are the
best way to encourage investment and encourages Nigeria in its efforts to
increase transparency in the energy sector through initiatives such as the
Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

3. Both the UK and Nigerian Governments are supportive of the producer/consumer
meeting held at Jeddah to discuss energy and its priorities to improve the
functioning of oil markets, investment in new oil production, management of
demand and sharing a vision of the future energy landscape. Only by working
together and sharing experience will we tackle challenges in an effective
and timely way.

4. The Nigerian Ministers that met with UK Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks,
included the Minister of State for Petroleum, Odien Ajumogobia; the Minister
of State for Energy (Gas), Emmanuel O Odusina; and the Minister of State
for Energy (Power) Mrs Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim.

5. The UK recognises the ambitious programme of reform the Nigerian Government
is taking forward and modernising of the regulatory regime in the energy
sector. The UK has offered support in sharing experience and building capacity
in energy regulation. It is these regulatory frameworks that give the private
sector the confidence to deliver these ambitious plans. Areas for support
could include technical aspects around gas markets and tariffs where the
UK has significant experience. Also, part of a longer term plan to increase
supplies, both countries recognise the current global shortage in skills in
the oil and gas sector and will work together through the International Energy
Forum and OPEC to look at training and building skills across the sector.

6. Both countries will also explore opportunities to manage supply and demand
and conserve energy which contributes not only to increased energy security
but climate security. We will look at existing energy efficiency initiatives
and also at what new technologies might support these endeavours. An
excellent example of where increased energy security and climate change come
together is the new technology on carbon capture and storage and enhanced
oil recovery. Both countries will continue to work together on commercial
opportunities around implementing climate change measures. Key to this is
the clean development mechanism and the UK Government commits to continuing
to support the NNPC in its actions on the mechanism.

7. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform helps UK
business succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It promotes business
growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads the better regulation agenda
and champions free and fair markets. It is the shareholder in a number of
Government-owned assets and it works to secure, clean and competitively
priced energy supplies.

Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

Press enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5954
(Out of hours) +44 (0)20 7215 3234/3505
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
Press Office fax +44 (0)20 7222 4382
www.berr.gov.uk



Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform


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