Latest news with #UC
Agriland
a day ago
- Science
- Agriland
Strong US consumer support for methane feed inhibitors
Approximately 50% of consumers in the state of California support the use of enteric methane feed inhibitors in ruminant diets. This is according to Prof. Ermias Kebreab, associate dean for global engagement at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California (UC), Davis. However he believes this figure could rise if consumers were given more information on current research into the use of ruminant feed additives as a way of reducing enteric methane production levels. 'Dairy farmers in California have broadly welcomed the research on appropriate feed additives that has taken place up to this point. Meanwhile, beef farmers want to see more research taking place that meets their specific needs,' Kebreab said. Methane feed inhibitors Prof. Kebreab recently delivered a lecture to an invited audience comprising academics and representatives from Northern Ireland's agri-food sectors at Queen's University, Belfast. He confirmed that, on a global basis, land use changes remain the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 'However, enteric methane emissions represent the most significant agricultural source of global warming gases in those parts of the world where farming practices have remained relatively constant for a number of decades,' he said. Kebreab added that the significant curtailment of enteric methane emissions offered one of the very few ways in which the world could hope to meet its global-warming-related, temperature rise targets. According to the UC Davis academic there are three ways of reducing enteric methane emission levels. These are: animal and feed management; diet formulation; rumen manipulation. Kebreab said that, in many parts of the world, driving output levels, improving diets and securing higher levels of enterprise efficiency will be the most impactful way of obtaining reduced levels of methane emission within ruminant populations. He specifically referenced the recent establishment of a Global Methane Hub. Its role will be to accelerate action by governments, civil society, researchers, investors, and the private sector to develop and implement strategies that will catalyse rapid systemic reductions in methane emissions in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. The target set for this umbrella body is challenging – to secure a 35% reduction in global methane emissions by 2030, rising to 50% by 2050. It has been estimated that reducing methane emission levels by 45% is crucial to reducing global warming by 0.3°.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Welfare reforms will lead to rise in homelessness, charities warn Government
Shelter and Crisis are among the signatories to a letter to the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, voicing concerns over the risks from her proposed changes to the benefits system. The Government is already under pressure over the controversial reforms, with more than 40 Labour MPs earlier this month urging the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are 'impossible to support'. The proposed reforms, set out earlier this year, would tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and see the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) cut. They also proposed delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training. The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. But an impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – could fall into relative poverty as a result of the changes. Now a letter, co-ordinated by the St Mungo's homelessness charity, has stated the 'deep concern' organisations within the sector feel about the reforms. In the letter, which has also been sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, they said: 'We can only conclude that the proposed changes will increase the number of people at risk of becoming homeless for the first time, increase the number of people we have helped resolve their homelessness fall back into it and increase the length of time it takes to resolve people's homelessness in the future.' They stated that while they share the Government's 'ambition to establish a thriving and inclusive labour market and give people the opportunities and support they need to get back to work', the reforms 'will not help achieve your ambition and therefore we as a sector cannot support them'. The letter stated that the reforms will 'push people further away from the labour market, increase homelessness and put excessive pressure on statutory services'. They said increases in already record levels of homelessness 'will have a catastrophic impact on mental and physical health, education and employment opportunities' and have a 'domino effect of imposing a significant financial cost to the state' in paying for more temporary accommodation and emergency homelessness services. The latest official Government statistics, published in April, showed new record highs in both households and children living in temporary accommodation – a form of homelessness. There were 127,890 households in this situation as of the end of December, while the total number of children in temporary accommodation stood at 165,510. The charities added: 'Homelessness devastates people's chances of employment. These cuts and eligibility restrictions will not give people a pathway to work and we urge the Government to reconsider its position.' It was reported earlier this week that benefit claimants could be given longer 'transitional periods' to seek out other benefits if they lose out as a result of the reforms, in what has been seen by some as an effort by Sir Keir Starmer to soften the blow of the cuts amid the growing threat of a backbench rebellion. Emma Haddad, chief executive of St Mungo's, said: 'Many people rely on these benefits to manage complex health conditions as part of their recovery from homelessness and pay for essential utilities. With already eyewatering rents, these benefits help people cover their additional costs. 'Without them, we fear people will be increasingly unable to afford to secure somewhere safe to live. 'Homelessness has already pushed these people to the edge. We should be supporting them to rebuild their lives, not creating more challenges for them to overcome.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work. 'At the heart of the government's reforms is a £1 billion scheme to help the long-term sick or disabled out of poverty and into good, secure jobs. 'We have also raised the national living wage, increased benefits and given additional help to the poorest households, as part of our Plan for Change.'
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Welfare reforms will lead to rise in homelessness, charities warn Government
Shelter and Crisis are among the signatories to a letter to the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, voicing concerns over the risks from her proposed changes to the benefits system. The Government is already under pressure over the controversial reforms, with more than 40 Labour MPs earlier this month urging the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are 'impossible to support'. The proposed reforms, set out earlier this year, would tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and see the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) cut. They also proposed delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training. The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. But an impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – could fall into relative poverty as a result of the changes. Now a letter, co-ordinated by the St Mungo's homelessness charity, has stated the 'deep concern' organisations within the sector feel about the reforms. In the letter, which has also been sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, they said: 'We can only conclude that the proposed changes will increase the number of people at risk of becoming homeless for the first time, increase the number of people we have helped resolve their homelessness fall back into it and increase the length of time it takes to resolve people's homelessness in the future.' They stated that while they share the Government's 'ambition to establish a thriving and inclusive labour market and give people the opportunities and support they need to get back to work', the reforms 'will not help achieve your ambition and therefore we as a sector cannot support them'. The letter stated that the reforms will 'push people further away from the labour market, increase homelessness and put excessive pressure on statutory services'. They said increases in already record levels of homelessness 'will have a catastrophic impact on mental and physical health, education and employment opportunities' and have a 'domino effect of imposing a significant financial cost to the state' in paying for more temporary accommodation and emergency homelessness services. The latest official Government statistics, published in April, showed new record highs in both households and children living in temporary accommodation – a form of homelessness. There were 127,890 households in this situation as of the end of December, while the total number of children in temporary accommodation stood at 165,510. The charities added: 'Homelessness devastates people's chances of employment. These cuts and eligibility restrictions will not give people a pathway to work and we urge the Government to reconsider its position.' It was reported earlier this week that benefit claimants could be given longer 'transitional periods' to seek out other benefits if they lose out as a result of the reforms, in what has been seen by some as an effort by Sir Keir Starmer to soften the blow of the cuts amid the growing threat of a backbench rebellion. Emma Haddad, chief executive of St Mungo's, said: 'Many people rely on these benefits to manage complex health conditions as part of their recovery from homelessness and pay for essential utilities. With already eyewatering rents, these benefits help people cover their additional costs. 'Without them, we fear people will be increasingly unable to afford to secure somewhere safe to live. 'Homelessness has already pushed these people to the edge. We should be supporting them to rebuild their lives, not creating more challenges for them to overcome.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work. 'At the heart of the government's reforms is a £1 billion scheme to help the long-term sick or disabled out of poverty and into good, secure jobs. 'We have also raised the national living wage, increased benefits and given additional help to the poorest households, as part of our Plan for Change.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Welfare reforms will lead to rise in homelessness, charities warn Government
Shelter and Crisis are among the signatories to a letter to the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, voicing concerns over the risks from her proposed changes to the benefits system. The Government is already under pressure over the controversial reforms, with more than 40 Labour MPs earlier this month urging the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are 'impossible to support'. The proposed reforms, set out earlier this year, would tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and see the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) cut. They also proposed delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training. The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. But an impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – could fall into relative poverty as a result of the changes. Now a letter, co-ordinated by the St Mungo's homelessness charity, has stated the 'deep concern' organisations within the sector feel about the reforms. In the letter, which has also been sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, they said: 'We can only conclude that the proposed changes will increase the number of people at risk of becoming homeless for the first time, increase the number of people we have helped resolve their homelessness fall back into it and increase the length of time it takes to resolve people's homelessness in the future.' They stated that while they share the Government's 'ambition to establish a thriving and inclusive labour market and give people the opportunities and support they need to get back to work', the reforms 'will not help achieve your ambition and therefore we as a sector cannot support them'. The letter stated that the reforms will 'push people further away from the labour market, increase homelessness and put excessive pressure on statutory services'. They said increases in already record levels of homelessness 'will have a catastrophic impact on mental and physical health, education and employment opportunities' and have a 'domino effect of imposing a significant financial cost to the state' in paying for more temporary accommodation and emergency homelessness services. The latest official Government statistics, published in April, showed new record highs in both households and children living in temporary accommodation – a form of homelessness. There were 127,890 households in this situation as of the end of December, while the total number of children in temporary accommodation stood at 165,510. The charities added: 'Homelessness devastates people's chances of employment. These cuts and eligibility restrictions will not give people a pathway to work and we urge the Government to reconsider its position.' It was reported earlier this week that benefit claimants could be given longer 'transitional periods' to seek out other benefits if they lose out as a result of the reforms, in what has been seen by some as an effort by Sir Keir Starmer to soften the blow of the cuts amid the growing threat of a backbench rebellion. Emma Haddad, chief executive of St Mungo's, said: 'Many people rely on these benefits to manage complex health conditions as part of their recovery from homelessness and pay for essential utilities. With already eyewatering rents, these benefits help people cover their additional costs. 'Without them, we fear people will be increasingly unable to afford to secure somewhere safe to live. 'Homelessness has already pushed these people to the edge. We should be supporting them to rebuild their lives, not creating more challenges for them to overcome.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work. 'At the heart of the government's reforms is a £1 billion scheme to help the long-term sick or disabled out of poverty and into good, secure jobs. 'We have also raised the national living wage, increased benefits and given additional help to the poorest households, as part of our Plan for Change.'
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Welfare reforms will lead to rise in homelessness, charities warn Government
Shelter and Crisis are among the signatories to a letter to the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, voicing concerns over the risks from her proposed changes to the benefits system. The Government is already under pressure over the controversial reforms, with more than 40 Labour MPs earlier this month urging the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are 'impossible to support'. The proposed reforms, set out earlier this year, would tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and see the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) cut. They also proposed delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training. The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. But an impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – could fall into relative poverty as a result of the changes. Now a letter, co-ordinated by the St Mungo's homelessness charity, has stated the 'deep concern' organisations within the sector feel about the reforms. In the letter, which has also been sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, they said: 'We can only conclude that the proposed changes will increase the number of people at risk of becoming homeless for the first time, increase the number of people we have helped resolve their homelessness fall back into it and increase the length of time it takes to resolve people's homelessness in the future.' They stated that while they share the Government's 'ambition to establish a thriving and inclusive labour market and give people the opportunities and support they need to get back to work', the reforms 'will not help achieve your ambition and therefore we as a sector cannot support them'. The letter stated that the reforms will 'push people further away from the labour market, increase homelessness and put excessive pressure on statutory services'. They said increases in already record levels of homelessness 'will have a catastrophic impact on mental and physical health, education and employment opportunities' and have a 'domino effect of imposing a significant financial cost to the state' in paying for more temporary accommodation and emergency homelessness services. The latest official Government statistics, published in April, showed new record highs in both households and children living in temporary accommodation – a form of homelessness. There were 127,890 households in this situation as of the end of December, while the total number of children in temporary accommodation stood at 165,510. The charities added: 'Homelessness devastates people's chances of employment. These cuts and eligibility restrictions will not give people a pathway to work and we urge the Government to reconsider its position.' It was reported earlier this week that benefit claimants could be given longer 'transitional periods' to seek out other benefits if they lose out as a result of the reforms, in what has been seen by some as an effort by Sir Keir Starmer to soften the blow of the cuts amid the growing threat of a backbench rebellion. Emma Haddad, chief executive of St Mungo's, said: 'Many people rely on these benefits to manage complex health conditions as part of their recovery from homelessness and pay for essential utilities. With already eyewatering rents, these benefits help people cover their additional costs. 'Without them, we fear people will be increasingly unable to afford to secure somewhere safe to live. 'Homelessness has already pushed these people to the edge. We should be supporting them to rebuild their lives, not creating more challenges for them to overcome.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work. 'At the heart of the government's reforms is a £1 billion scheme to help the long-term sick or disabled out of poverty and into good, secure jobs. 'We have also raised the national living wage, increased benefits and given additional help to the poorest households, as part of our Plan for Change.'
