Latest news with #Equi
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies fans' chief 'fears administration' over tax and wages issues
Accies Supporters' Association chairman David Equi is worried the club won't see out this season Hamilton Accies fans' chief David Equi fears financial mismanagement will lead to the club going into administration, and doubts they will see the season out. The club have been handed a season-long transfer embargo and fined £7,500 after admitting to three counts of failing to notify the SPFL it had been in default of its tax obligations to HMRC. Accies Supporters' Association chairman David Equi is worried that should the club fail to properly pay players on July 31, the club could be placed into administration, and reckons only a mystery investor can rescue them. He said: 'How can they blame turmoil in the last two years for the problems – they've been running it for two years, that's their responsibility. 'These are all recent offences and as far as I'm aware the most serious offence at the SFA and SPFL is not notifying them of tax breaches – doing that three times is serial incompetence. 'The wages are due on July 31, and if they can't pay them, that will be the club gone, they will be straight into administration. 'I think administration is an incredibly serious threat, and I think we're unlikely to last the season. 'I'm very worried about this – we could end up completely out the league forever, in the near future. 'I'm massively concerned, and we as a supporters' group have heard there are other things in the pipeline from the SPFL as well. 'I really fear administration. We're always told there's investment round the corner, new directors coming on, but we've been hearing this for a while. 'The only way round it is if a mystery investor comes in immediately. We're not ruling that out, but if you were an investor, would you touch them?' ASA have organised a peaceful protest outside Broadwood ahead of the club's League One curtain-raiser at home to Montrose on August 2. Mr Equi said: 'I'm Accies through and through, I've been going for 50-odd years, and I know loads of people who have stopped going, because they're sickened of it. 'There are plenty of people who are going to Broadwood on August 2, who are not going in to the game. 'As fans, they treat us with total disdain, and we feel really strongly about it.'
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Muslims overlooked with faith ‘ignored' in UK care system, warns new report
LONDON: A new report from leading think tank Equi is warning that a crucial factor in the conversation around child welfare in the UK is being systematically overlooked: the role of faith. The UK's care system is facing a deepening crisis, with over 107,000 children currently in care and the number of available foster carers and adopters falling sharply. In a landmark publication titled 'Faith, Family and the Care System: A Missed Connection?', Equi has argued that while ethnicity and culture are often factored into decisions about care placements, faith continues to be neglected, with damaging consequences for children's emotional stability and sense of identity. Drawing on polling conducted in partnership with Savanta, as well as interviews and case studies from across the UK, the report set out the urgent need for faith-literate reform of the child welfare system. 'Faith isn't just a personal belief for many children, it's a source of identity, resilience and stability. Our care system needs to reflect that,' said Prof. Javed Khan, one of the leading voices behind the report. The research highlighted the experiences of British Muslim communities, showing that faith can play a powerful role in supporting vulnerable children, both by helping to prevent family breakdown and by fostering strong networks of informal and kinship-based care. Despite making up 10 percent of under-18s in England, Muslim children account for less than 5 percent of those in care. It is a disparity Equi said reflected both strong community-based care and the challenges Muslim families face in engaging with the formal care system. According to the findings, British Muslims are 66 percent more likely than the general public to provide informal care or financial support to children at risk of entering care. Over 5,500 Muslim heritage children are currently in formal kinship care arrangements, with thousands more supported informally, a contribution estimated to save the state more than £220 million ($298 million) each year. This strong culture of kinship care, rooted in Islamic teachings around the responsibility to care for orphaned children ('yateem'), is seen by the report authors as an underappreciated asset within the national care framework. However, Equi said British Muslims who want to contribute more formally to the care system face significant barriers. While members of the community are 63 percent more likely than the general population to consider fostering or adoption, nearly 60 percent report fears of discrimination. Many point to cultural misunderstandings, bias in assessment processes and a lack of faith-sensitive placements as major deterrents. Faith is also closely tied to children's sense of self and well-being, the report argues. More than 70 percent of British Muslims — and 40 percent of the wider public — said faith played a key role in shaping their identity during childhood. Yet current government policy fails to take religious background into account during care placements, following the removal of faith matching guidance in 2014. Equi links this omission to increased identity conflict, emotional distress and instability in care arrangements. Young people from faith backgrounds leaving care are also highlighted as being especially vulnerable to isolation. The report calls for faith-based mentoring schemes and transitional housing to support care leavers as they navigate adulthood and reconnect with their communities. In response to the findings, Equi called on the government to embed faith literacy throughout the care system. Among its recommendations are recording children's faith heritage in care records, incorporating religious identity into placement decisions, offering culturally sensitive therapeutic care, and working in partnership with faith-based charities to recruit and support carers. The report also urges local authorities to expand fostering capacity, particularly for sibling groups and multigenerational households, and to ensure clear legal and financial guidance is provided to kinship carers. 'This report isn't just about British Muslims, it's about the 40 percent of children for whom faith is part of who they are,' said Khan. 'It's not about bringing faith into policymaking in an ideological sense. But, rather, it's a wake-up call that ignoring faith ignores people's lived realities. It harms vulnerable children's sense of belonging and increases instability in care placements. The system must become more inclusive, fair and ultimately more effective.' With rising pressure on the UK's care system and a shrinking pool of carers, Equi's report presented a timely and compelling case for unlocking underused community resources and building a more resilient, culturally competent and cost-effective model of care, it said.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
After FOUR years of menopause struggles I took a chance on this supplement - now I'm sleeping better and finally feeling more like myself
I didn't expect the Menopause Formula by Equi to make much difference. But even after just a month of taking it, I'm pleasantly surprised. When I started, I was rather in the doldrums. I kept hearing that these are supposed to be the best and most liberating years of my life. But after four years of perimenopause symptoms, I felt that I needed a bit of balance. Equi London Menopause Formula (Capsules) Equi's Menopause Formula is a daily supplement with over 45 nutrients designed to support women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. It targets symptoms like low energy, poor sleep, mood swings, and hormonal imbalance. £70 Shop As a 50-year-old personal trainer, I look after myself well. I train hard, eat well, rarely drink, and I've been coaching clients for over 20 years. But when perimenopause hit at 46, I felt lost and baffled by my body. I found myself forgetting words mid-sentence, missing diary dates (unheard of for me), and despite feeling bone-tired, I couldn't sleep through the night. I was irritable, foggy, and frankly, not feeling like myself. I already know that as oestrogen declines, we might all experience a various symptoms - there are around 50 documented (and probably more!). Most of us will have at least one. Added to this, midlife is a time when women are often extra busy with their family and career. I have two kids (the older they are, the bigger their problems), ageing parents, a husband, a dog and a house. I am juggling a LOT! So, when I came across Equi's Menopause Formula, I was intrigued but sceptical. Another supplement promising the earth? I didn't think it could add much to the mix. So I'm genuinely and very pleasantly surprised. First of all, Equi Menopause Formula isn't yet another one-size-fits-all multivitamin. Equi understands that every menopause experience is different and has created a revolutionary supplement containing over 45 nutrients to, they say, support the entire body during perimenopause, the midst of menopause and beyond. That's quite a remit! But the easy-to-take capsules are packed with high-quality, well-chosen ingredients designed to support the effects of fluctuating hormones. In addition, they are providing the right sort of nourishment to help you thrive in these sometimes tricky years, including gut health, cognitive function, the immune system and the microbiome. A bit of balance is exactly what I need. So what's in this magic-sounding Menopause Formula? Firstly, hormonal support is offered by ingredients with phytoestrogenic properties - in the form of Dong quai, flaxseed, sage and hop extracts. These mimic the effects of our own diminishing oestrogen supplies. Equi points out that there is some evidence that Dong quai might help to balance oestrogen levels, and sage has some evidence for reducing hot flushes. Then there's low energy - I think we're all familiar with that, and here, B vitamins, magnesium and iron may support this. Vitamins C and D are both vital for all-round health, and D is especially important for mood and bone health around the time of menopause. Turmeric and rosemary extract are anti-inflammatory (the list is long!), and rosemary can help with memory and also hot flushes. Antioxidants include goji berry and bilberry extract, and gut health is aided with vegan probiotics. There's even liver support, in the form of milk thistle and N-Acetyl Cysteine. For stress - and honestly, good luck with that - there's Ashwaganda and Rhodiola, and there is further cognitive support in the form of such ingredients as choline, iodine and B vitamins. That's an awful lot in just one supplement! As I say, I was sceptical! But I was heartened to find that Equi Menopause Formula couldn't be easier to take; three capsules twice a day with food. So I popped the jar on my kitchen counter and committed to it. After a week I felt that my digestion was somewhat improved. Now, four weeks in, I am sleeping more deeply, and not getting up two or three times a night to go to the loo. My skin looks brighter, and I feel generally calmer and more energetic. I wouldn't say I've noticed much difference in my memory, but I think that you need to take supplements for two or three months to make a real difference. Will I be doing that? Absolutely. Feeling like myself again and in tune with my body is well worth it! You can shop the Equi London Menopause Formula or learn more about the brand here.
Arab News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
UK think tank calls for national strategy to tackle anti-Muslim hatred, rebuild social cohesion
LONDON: A new report from the think tank Equi released Monday has urged the UK government to adopt a coordinated national strategy to address anti-Muslim hatred, while warning that social division is harming trust in institutions and threatening the country's cohesion. Released as British Muslims marked Eid Al-Adha, the report highlighted growing levels of anti-Muslim narratives and attacks, but also pointed to polling by Savanta/ComRes that showed that the majority of Britons hold either neutral or positive views toward Muslims. A PDF Embed Here Equi argued that this provided a foundation for progress, and said that building trust, inclusion and civic resilience must be treated as a national priority. 'Britain's diverse and welcoming cultural identity is one of its greatest strengths. But we cannot leave social cohesion to chance,' said Prof. Javed Khan, managing director of Equi. 'Failing to address social division is not only unjust but fiscally draining, at a time when resources are scarce,' he added. The report identified anti-Muslim hatred as a key barrier to intercommunity trust, particularly in the aftermath of flashpoints such as the 2024 summer riots. It estimated the cost of anti-Muslim hatred last year at a minimum of £243 million ($328.9 million), including expenses linked to policing, imprisonment, and insurance claims. The report also pointed to alienating government policies, such as Prevent, and rising misinformation as major factors eroding social trust. Many British Muslims, it noted, feel disproportionately scrutinized and disconnected from wider society. Among its recommendations, Equi called for a strategic program of public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and stereotypes, combined with cross-government engagement with local authorities, faith groups and civil society organizations to help rebuild trust. It also advocated for increased investment in youth and community initiatives that promoted shared experiences and inclusive participation as a means of strengthening intercommunity ties. 'Knowing most Britons are not getting sucked into divisive language that can destroy community relations should give us great hope. The government should use its unique platform to articulate a unifying vision for the nation; one that focuses not on responding to division, but on championing shared values like respect, equality and liberty,' Khan said. 'As Britain's 4 million Muslims celebrated Eid, this report provides a timely and urgent reminder that with clear focus and leadership, a stronger, peaceful and cohesive UK is within reach.'
Daily Record
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies supporters' chief voices new Broadwood concerns in 'critical' time
Accies Supporters' Association chairman David Equi says the club have 12 days to prove they have a ground for next season Accies Supporters' Association chairman David Equi says the next 12 days are 'critical' to the future of Hamilton Accies, and voiced new fears over the proposed move to Broadwood. Mr Equi says he has heard North Lanarkshire Council are only prepared to offer a three-month rolling lease for the use of the Cumbernauld stadium, which may force the club to look elsewhere. But Hamilton Accies only have until June 20 to prove there is a lease for next season. And he says any talk of a new stadium being built at Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds is a non-starter. Mr Equi told Lanarkshire Live Sport: 'This is an unbelievably critical time for the Accies. 'I got told they were only offered a three-month rolling lease by North Lanarkshire Council, and that isn't necessarily enough for the SPFL, who will want a full year, unless things have changed. 'It's super-critical. If that's not approved, then I know they need to tell the SPFL very quickly that they're not playing there and show them a proper lease before the fixtures come out. 'If they don't get to Broadwood they need to go somewhere else, but they need to do it very quickly, or it goes to the members' vote, who could vote them out of the league. 'We went to the SPFL as a committee, and they don't really meet fans. 'We were on the sixth floor of Hampden, going through it all, and they basically said even if they come back with a signed lease, if the supporters come to us and say they don't want to go to Broadwood, they would have to strongly take that into account, before approving the move. 'If they miss the deadline for the lease, I don't think the other clubs want to boot them out, so they could go and ask somebody else. I think that's as likely as anything else, that somebody else will let them play somewhere. 'I know they're going to East Kilbride for the Premier Sports Cup, but if the other clubs say it's too late, then [they could boot them out]. 'That puts the fans into an absolutely impossible position. If we vote to say 'no' to Broadwood then is that effectively us putting the club down – nobody wants that. 'My initial thoughts were I'm never going to Broadwood, but it's like a gun to the head and we as an organisation would not want to be seen as the ones that put the company down.' Mr Equi says lack of transparency is a problem, and isn't sure what to believe, but says there is no way that South Lanarkshire Council would fund a new stadium in the town. He said: 'We've had two sit-downs with the board, as a committee, before we were elected, but they can't answer questions. 'They wouldn't give a reason why they got the 15-point deduction and they hide behind legals, which I can understand. 'But there's no information, we have to take their word for it. 'They were quite clear that they were going to Broadwood, that was their choice, but 99.9 per cent of Accies fans don't want to go there, and might have to do it as a necessary evil. 'Generally, there is a lack of openness. You hear a lot of things, and we would like to trust 100 per cent the things that they're telling us, but I honestly can't say that.' On a new stadium, Mr Equi said: 'As far as I'm aware, that's absolutely pie in the sky, from the discussions I've had with the council, councillors, and having spoken to council officials. 'I don't think there's a suitable site in Hamilton and, financially, how can they afford it. 'If they're sitting there with four or five County Court judgements at the moment, how can they even afford to think about that. 'And what would be more ridiculous in a town the size of Hamilton having two football stadium – it doesn't make any sense. 'We know the idea of the Palace Grounds is a total non-starter, apparently, for all sorts of reasons. 'There's no way the council will be putting money in either, to help build us. There is no way the council would build us a stadium, that's just not going to happen – Accies would have to come up with the money. 'There's supposed to be this mystery American investor, but is he going to stump up the money for that kind of thing? '[Chairman] Jock Brown couldn't give us any kind of timescale at all, if we're going to Broadwood, with a gun to the head, you need to give us some kind of timescale.'
