Author: Deborah Pierce

Agored Cymru, a prominent Welsh awarding body, has expanded its portfolio by introducing eight new accounting and financial skills qualifications, marking a significant step in its growth strategy. The qualifications have been acquired from the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), following LIBF’s decision to exit the schools and colleges market. The new courses, set to be available from September 2025, will form a key part of Agored Cymru’s vocational programme offerings. This expansion will see the body strengthen its presence across Wales, the rest of the UK, and internationally, offering learners critical skills needed for careers in finance,…

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has inaugurated the first of three cutting-edge Innovation Nodes, designed to accelerate the development of time-critical technologies across the United Kingdom. These nodes, strategically located at the University of Strathclyde, the University of Surrey, and Cranfield University, will play a pivotal role in providing industry and start-ups with secure, reliable, and highly accurate time and frequency data. This infrastructure is essential for the advancement of sectors such as telecommunications, transport, financial technology (fintech), and quantum technologies. The initiative is part of NPL’s National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, the UK’s first nationally distributed time infrastructure. The…

Liverpool tops the table, with 6.58 million average monthly searches domestically. Manchester United is second, with 6.25 million, and Arsenal is third, with 5.44 million. Crystal Palace is the least searched Premier League club, with only 366,300 average monthly UK searches. A new study has found that Liverpool is the Premier League’s most searched club on Google.    SEO platform Ahrefs analysed its own data on Google searches from the UK and globally over the past 12 months, covering over 9,000 terms relating to the 20 Premier League clubs from the 2023/24 season and the three promoted clubs who will…

A recent study by sports nutrition experts at Bulk.com has revealed the top five ingredients essential for summer meal prep, with garlic topping the list. The research, which analysed over 200 highly-rated protein-rich recipes from BBC Good Food, aims to highlight ingredients that are both popular and beneficial for maintaining health and fitness. The study found that garlic, known for its antibacterial and flu-fighting properties, was the most frequently used ingredient. This was followed by onions and olive oil, all of which are not only staples in many dishes but also packed with health benefits. Garlic: The Must-Have Ingredient Garlic…

Sabrina Carpenter has undeniably risen to stardom in 2024, with her infectious single “Espresso” captivating social media and fuelling anticipation for her upcoming album. Yet, it is not just her music that has garnered worldwide attention. Since her appearance at the Vogue World show in Paris last month, Carpenter’s distinctive wardrobe has become a sensation, with fans eagerly seeking to replicate her style. In response, fashion experts at Dalston Mill Fabrics have crafted a guide to dressing like Sabrina Carpenter. Embrace Vintage Shopping A significant aspect of Carpenter’s appeal lies in her nod to Old Hollywood fashion. In her “Espresso”…

A recent report by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has revealed that Scotch whisky played a crucial role in the UK economy in 2022, contributing £7.1 billion. The report highlights a significant increase of 29% in whisky’s economic contribution since 2018. Scotland, the heartland of Scotch whisky production, benefited from a £5.3 billion boost, representing approximately 3% of Gross Value Added (GVA). Scotch whisky constituted a major share of Scotland’s food and drink exports, contributing 77%, and accounted for 26% of the UK’s overall exports in this category. Despite challenges such as retaliatory tariffs in the United States and the…

As the new year unfolds, many households in the UK are grappling with the impact of escalating living costs, with energy, water, council tax, and broadband bills all on the rise. However, amidst the financial challenges, there are various discounts and strategies available to ease the burden on family budgets. Let’s delve into specific areas of expenditure and explore potential avenues for savings. 1. Energy Bills: Navigating the Cold Spell Typical energy bills saw an increase of £94, reaching £1,928 a year on January 1. Low-income households can benefit from the Warm Home Discount, offering a £150 reduction automatically applied…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a concerning warning about a staggering 4,300% rise in measles cases across Europe. In 2023, 42,200 cases were reported in 41 out of 53 member states, compared to 941 cases in 2022. The majority of infections, two in five, occurred in children aged one to four, while one in five affected individuals were 20 years and older. Tragically, nine children have died, with almost 21,000 hospitalized. WHO attributes this alarming surge to declining measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rates and increased travel after the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating the spread of the disease across borders. Measles…