Fraud and Scams Continued

This article follows on from Mondays report and addresses five further types of fraud as well as some tips of how to safeguard yourself.

So what are they: Pension, Advance fee , Courier, Safe Account and Invoice Scams.

Pension scams:

Now starting with pension scams these will often begin targeting you after you have reached the age of 55 where scammers will be aiming to take advantage of your pension pot as you begin to think more about your retirement. Now as with other forms of fraud and scams they will try to make the offer too good to be true they will ask you to release either all of your pension or part of your pension to invest in a scheme that is a sure thing. These vary from projects which look good and paper and which may come with detailed research notes. Now alongside the financial information they may try to pass themselves as more legitimate by claiming to be regulated by the FCA or not needing to be. Now as with everything do your research see if the company is regulated and mentioned by other sites which are reputable and not simply promoted by a means that the scammer can use illegitimately such as bot reviews.

Advance Fee:

Advance fee scams can vary from finders fees for a particular product or service where there is a big reward or potential payout for the individual. Sometimes this will be for a competition that the individual has not entered. Or they can be opportunities where the individual can access a pot of money either from a bank account, lottery scheme or government organisation. This hasn’t however stopped criminals impersonating companies such as how you can make money from home with flexible hours or there is a new business opportunity which you can explore. Remember to consult other organisations to make sure that an opportunity which is either too good to be true is genuine or something you need to avoid. If it is a business opportunity make sure that they do not have the markers of being a scam such as they have a full street address not just a mail box. Any business decision outside of a start up which requires you to put money up front without mutual risk or sharing of accounts informations should raise a red flag and something which you should be hesitant of. If it is a high risk venture either in business or for a competition it would also be prudent to get someone with legal knowledge to look at the contract.

Courier Fraud:

Now courier fraud is where a fraudster will impersonate the police or other official. The main aim which they are trying to convince the victim of is that they have evidence of a fraud and they need the victims money to effectively ensure they can secure evidence against a criminal. This can also be capitalised on if it was a well known case that the criminals are going to use and reference and encourage peoples trust because of how the case being documented in the press. Be aware they can do this in person and over the phone. Now be aware that a bank will never ask for your key information such as personal details or pin if this is the case hang up and call your bank back. They can potentially still be on the line and therefore you should either call from an alternative phone or wait for around ten minutes to call your bank. If someone is at your door never give up your debit card the only place this is ever suitable is at the bank.

Safe Account Scam:

Now this can start with a fraudster telling a victim they have won a reward and that they need to confirm their eligibility with full name, address, and bank details. What then can happen is the person is called again and advised they were part of a scam and that they have had money taken from their account. They will do this by falsely acting as a crime agency or the police. They will then ask the victim to transfer money into a safe account so that her savings are not all in one place. Now banks have protocols in place to try to prevent this but this is often only when this is out of character for the individual. Now it is likely fraudsters will reduce the amounts that they try to defraud out of victims to avoid these protocols. Now the protocols may also not kick in before a crime has been committed and the banks although under pressure to change systems to protect victims are still not regulated sufficiently to facilitate this. Therefore it still falls on the victim to place safeguard measures in place over the organisations.

Invoice Fraud:

Now invoice scams involve customer details being obtained following a phishing scam targeted against an employee. Once they gain access to the system they are then able to send emails to the clients with a falsified invoice. Now companies are often quick to both notice these breaches and to act accordingly however this does not mean that the clients data will not have already been used. Regrettably this points to the fact that emails are quickly becoming the effective medium for fraud and any sudden changes need to be treated cautiously and it is always best to contact the organisation directly.

https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart/how-avoid-pension-scams

https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/pension-scams

https://www.stpaulschambers.com/types-of-advance-fee-scams/

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud

https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/money/spending/consumer-rights/scams/what-is-the-courier-fraud-scam

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/06/scammers-pose-as-the-national-crime-agency-to-steal-30000-from-lloyds-customer/

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/email-invoice-scam-is-conning-thousands-in-the-uk_uk_571884d7e4b06e37a847722f

Fraud and Scams

In this article, I want to take you through some of the scams and frauds that are currently taking place across the UK. This article is paired with the video which walks through the different types of frauds and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Today I’ll take you through five different types and Wednesdays article will cover the remaining five common examples.

What types of frauds occur:

Romance, Holiday scams, Ticket, Email (Phishing, vishing and smishing) and investment.

Romance Fraud:

Romance fraud takes on the persona of a man or woman trying to groom the victim who genuinely believes the person on the other side of the account is interested in pursuing a relationship. The fraud comes from them impersonating often a real person using real content stolen from another individual’s social media accounts. These scammers then aim to make money from unsuspecting individuals for various needs of these fake personas. Now, this particular fraud has cost over fifty million and like other frauds is on the increase. How to protect yourself DATES: ensure you Don’t enter into an online relationship without getting to know the person behind the profile and the scammer will try to get you to know to influence you into sending them money by getting to know them this should be a two-way system. You can do this by Analysing their profile does their name come up in social media profiles or any particular red flags that appear such as they repeatedly use common themes. Talk think about whether what they are saying is true or whether they are too good to be true we all have our flaws and this is something that should be evidenced in conversations. Evade scams you should never be pressured to send your money or bank details regardless of whether it is for gifts or to help the individuals out. Stay on the different dating platforms this is more prevalent on social media whether the dating websites securities to identify the individual have not been done. Once you are ready meet them in person. This is also not just a problem that faces men sixty-three percent of Women suffer under romance scams as well.

Holiday Scams:

Holiday scams may increasingly become more of a problem as we look to reopen following lockdowns. So how can you be mindful that you do not get scammed and remember this can be both national and international scams. In terms of holidays whether you are purchasing a holiday home, a holiday or an overnight stay make sure that the prices are not significantly different from competitors this is not to deter you from bargains simply making you are aware to do your due diligence in areas which are significantly cheaper. Using recognised providers this includes new entrants who are competitors in the market provide you with safeguards against disingenuous fraudsters to give you more peace of mind. Whether this is tour operators such as British Airways, or brokers such as Air BnB. Warning signs would be poor spelling and shoddy grammar, incorrect addresses, no security on the website such as privacy policies.

Ticket Scams:

Now Ticket Scams can be broadly similar except they are often advertising for a particular event rather than a trip. This has two areas which are important to avoid supporting ticket touts or scalpers who buy tickets in bulk and stop this type of business which is very often not transferable to other patrons and therefore lines their profit leads events down on audience members and hits attendees hard. The scams can also be fake tickets either for a fake event or fake ticket been resold the best way to prevent this is to buy from the correct providers and ensure that you use more secure payments such as credit cards for an extra safeguard.

Phishing, Vishing and Smishing:

Although this is largely covered by the video to give you a summary of what you are looking for they are largely trying to pass themselves off as official organisations who would normally be in contact with you. Whilst they may well try to use contact you more personally unless your name is out in the media it is unlikely mass scams will try to do this. This is easier to spot when the address contains random letters and numbers in it and again do not click the links go through the traditional webpages available through search engines. Now Vishing when combined with phone number spoofing allows scammers to pretend to be legitimate organisations to either defraud you out of money or access your financial information. This is something that they can do through both in a more threatening manner using the police or prosecution as a threat or whether it be unlocking an account. Now Smishing is broadly similar but uses text messages instead where they will have spoofed your number and are chancing on opportunistically getting you to follow instructions and provide them with your bank details. The best thing to remember here is that banks will want you to call them rather than to put you at greater risk, these organisations will not ask for your personal details over text or send you links remember this and screenshot the message, then delete it and contact your bank or relevant organisation.

Investment Scam:

Now, these groups will have collected your information from lists of shareholders and will be trying to tie you to a deal there and then presenting you with an opportunity that you do not want to miss. Any firm should want you to do your due diligence even if the deal is good and they should have your interest at heart. The contact should not be unsolicited by the organisation it should not be a cold call, they should give you the opportunity to get back in contact with them. The investment is too good to be true.

This will be continued in a subsequent article hopefully this will help someone.

https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2019/10/31/dating-and-romance-fraud-in-the-uk-the-latest-statistics/

https://www.sussex.police.uk/romance-fraud

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/02/scam-alert-romance-fraud-victims-lose-50m/

https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/general-advice/holiday-scams/

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/holiday.html

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jan/04/holiday-scams-travel-dangers-how-to-avoid-them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AgMY9c2d-0

Care homes and Social Services

An Introduction:

Care homes and social services are a lifeline for many families and vulnerable residents. The care system is facing its fair share of challenges and with an ageing population, this is unlikely to be resolved. The industry like any other has obstacles to overcome and the question I aim to seek the answers to are what these obstacles are and how do we overcome them.

The Challenges:

So first of all what are the challenges facing the care sector; finding staff to fill its vacancies, financial penalties, changes to regulation and increasing care needs.

Antonia’s Law:

What can be done to resolve some of these issues and where are the changes needed most we need to recognise the barriers creating by these challenges and think of workable solutions. On top of this, we do not just have to be made aware of the challenges facing the care system but its residents as well. It is crucial that we take the approach to but resident care and well being at the forefront of any improvements or changes made. It is at this point that I want to address the campaign by Tony Stowell “Antonia’s Law” his campaign has gained so much traction not only because of the abuse it is attempting to curtail. This campaign does not place an additional burden on the institutions with the cost it merely allows families to be able to place additional measures into care home facilities to offer protection for their family this can be nanny cams, additional CCTV provisions or the likes of smart home devices such as google home or Alexa units. This is the least we can do and the nature of the campaign has no consequences for staff unless they are committing abuse of residents as with other areas of the public sector where this could be applied should make the environment safer for staff and residents. It will allow the families to know the challenges befalling the staff looking after their relative which would then allow staff to highlight challenges for them. So why is it necessary we have seen a rise in care home abuse over the past number of years Tony’s own accounts ranged from neglect where residents leave the facility which put them at a greater risk of harm befalling them whether through lack of resources, staff or time. He has also highlighted deliberate abuse in care homes by staff which do not convey the hard work and effort put in by so many staff members they do their sector a disservice. So what signs can you look out for in your relative’s sudden changes or gains in weight, your relative may become reclusive or avoiding social interaction, and is unable to do activities that are related to what they enjoy. Some other clear signs may be a generally unhygienic environment, malnutrition or dehydration and recognisable lack of independent aids provided such as sensory needs, that do not relate to their needs. This is also reflective outside of the care sector in other areas such as education.

The Challenge:

So what factors have added to pressures for the sector now although councils have increased funding for the sector, the level of need for residents is continuing to increase and although the ambition is to allow residents to stay at home for as long as possible this is not always an option. We must ensure that all organisations public or private that are receiving contracts to care for residents or generally serving the community are providing the needed care. Now whilst social care is funded by a council precept the challenge here for residents of care homes and their families is that cost for care homes are also likely to increase as staffing costs grow. Now care homes should not use loopholes in current systems to avoid paying staff full wages for their complete shifts. In the news recently we have seen the employer gain in favour of staff for workers that work overnight shifts. Now in this particular example, it will lend to staff either arguably working a full shift for no pay or to cut the quality of care they provide. This could likely lead to staff leaving the sector to seek better pay conditions. Now the employers are then faced with the challenge to increase bills for relatives or increase the cost for the taxpayer. Now we can ensure that staff are deployed to the areas of greatest need and investing in keeping residents at home for as long as possible to provide them with the comfort of their household will ensure resources can be more sustainably spent. One particular area is technology wearable sensors, activity trackers with features that trigger an alert if activated this is something that is already being invested in and likely will support the sector. With this investment in technology, we can consolidate our resources to work to prevent the level of care needs being necessary at an early stage.

Conclusion:

The issues facing care home staff and residents are an area that we all must safeguard, support and scrutinise. To ensure staff have suitable resources and facilities as well residents get quality care and independence. A follow up piece will be issued with proposed solutions and opportunities for the sector.

https://www.caitlin-morgan.com/the-current-challenges-facing-nursing-homes/

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/be-aware-of-the-signs-of-abuse-and-neglect-in-adult-care-homes-says-nice

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/council-and-democracy/our-aims-and-transformation-programmes/suffolk-county-council-business-plan-2021-2022.pdf

https://www.accessandmobilityprofessional.com/tech-to-revolutionise-new-normal-of-social-care/

http://www.iproscube.com/images/pdf/Tackling_the_Challenges_Facing_Care_Homes_Release.pdf

https://www.dlapiper.com/en/uk/insights/publications/2017/02/an-age-old-problem-the-collapse-of-care-homes/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/care-sector-challenges-covid-19-oecd-report/

https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/141504509/NOP_Care_Home_Challenges_Context_Accepted_Manuscipt.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgNDNg-0iZg video following conversations with Tony Stowell.

Community Activism: My Thoughts and Perspectives

We have arguably never seen a greater call for volunteer support of community initiatives during this pandemic. We have seen countless people from a range of walks of life help their community out. They have contributed to the efforts against the coronavirus by helping man the test and trace centres and answering the call to jab back to normal. With the added pressure that these projects would have had on the front line national health service, we likely would not have seen such a successful role out. Now the altruism shown by these individuals is both something that should be hugely admired and appreciated. This has also shown us the strength of our communities. These volunteers underwent training programs and joined the front line alongside other key workers, our health care staff, teachers, police, firefighters, and the various other professions that have worked through the pandemic. Over the weekend, I was reminded again of the importance of activism within our local community. In this article, I want to highlight why we must celebrate the communities we build, whether online social networks, local groups and projects, or acts of individual activism.

Now, litter picks have been able to continue due to the ability to socially distance yet still achieve the group’s goals. We, as volunteers, were suitably guided through the event we arrived at Hitcham Village Hall car park. We then selected our routes around the village and were given our equipment so that the small group of around a dozen volunteers could cover the village itself and then return to the Village Hall following the hours’ activity. My route paralleled other volunteers alongside the community play area and finishing at the parish church. Many of us easily fill a bag load of rubbish with discarded items that had drifted into hedgerows off the footpath and roads. When I met up with fellow volunteers, the largest item we encountered was parts left over from a damaged car and discarded traffic cones. The general openness and pride that these volunteers had in their local area were echoed in new and established residents I was happy to do my small bit to contribute.

This wants to contribute lead to my reason to get into the educational sector prompting me to help the next generation of young people in the land-based field to not only grow but to develop within their local areas. I noticed through my years of teaching that whilst in my day job I was helping the next generation take their next steps in their careers the current processes that were in place were the same ones that I had dealt with when I was moving into higher education. Being the first member of my household to go to university my parents did not have all the answers and the schools had more general advice and this started me thinking about what more could be done. I set up a small group to support graduates and offer advice to college students sharing jobs in the local economy as well as informing them about internships and scholarships. This was because in my experience the reason many applicants are not aware of these resources is because of a lack of information whether that is about additional opportunities or more general knowledge about the next steps after their compulsory education ends. Now, whilst this group could solve some of the problems I became aware of other impacts such as learners leaving Suffolk to pursue careers and study away from the county as well as making sure that the strong support systems which were in place for learners were actually getting to those that were needed. This I could not resolve solely as a teacher as it involved working with various stakeholders from across different industries and specialisms now it has always been my view that you build progress through hard work and opportunity. This drew me to stand for the County Council so I could not only work to continue to improve our educational sector but also ensure that our communities grow with the next generation and are not left behind. I was proud to be selected to stand as the Conservative Candidate for Cosford as the rural communities that have such a significant heritage and sense of belonging deserve a candidate who will make sure that our community has the tools to succeed at whatever stage of life they are. My commitment to you is to build on the strong community spirit and pride in Cosford’s heritage. This is something at the heart of the Conservative Manifesto which is our promise to you to build back, stronger, better, and greener. So on the 6th of May, I ask that you vote to elect me, Jordon Millward as your County Councillor.

Quiet Lanes

Road safety is something that everyone should take seriously yesterday I had the privilege of speaking with a member of the Suffolk Quiet Lanes team. Initially, this was a fact-finding opportunity to get a broader understanding of what Quiet Lanes do as well as what they cannot which will bring me onto the wider point on road safety. It is important that residents recognise what they do as many parishes across the county are adopting this initiative as well as the county councils wider pledge.

To introduce what a Quiet Lane is the main thing to establish is the group’s goals to reduce the cost facing the parishes. Now this is crucial to establishing these routes as one of these lanes may cost the parish approximately five thousand pounds as a rough guide, but by placing the burden on parishes this often racks up the cost and this is often an area that the group intends to support the parishes presently with proposals in place. Parishes currently going through the process are Monks Eleigh, Brent Eleigh, Nedging-with-Naughton as well as others. The group’s other aims are to further promote the safe and responsible use of the roads where all parties feel able to utilise the roads being able to get the best use out of them. Now whilst a benefit of Quiet Lanes would see a greater uptake of the roads by other road users its goal is to make it safer for all involved.

The group views it as a tool for reducing traffic on the road but this has to be achieved by a variety of methods not simply Quiet Lanes as a silver bullet. Noting that they work in tandem with a variety of schemes specifically Home Zones which have a more residential application. Now we can all recognise how important a clear and expansive network of Quiet Lanes could be as well as ensuring that we are all able to use them. The map attached in the second link below will give you an indication of where these roads are and the network has already seen trials running in East Suffolk in Snape and Glemsford.

Suffolk County Council has awarded two hundred and thirty-five thousand pounds of funding to invest in the scheme and the group would very much welcome the opportunity to grow the fund. Councillors from across the chamber have worked to improve road safety and reduce the levels of traffic present on our rural roads. Now like other councillors I also agree that speed limits need to reflect the nature of the roads and need to be suitable for all users and from conversations with the PCC we agreed that traffic calming is a broad issue and needs enforcement alongside reduction. Steps were taken to such as the specific targeting of HGV’s to ensure that they are taking appropriate routes. It is therefore crucial that we recognise the importance of managing the vehicles that use our road and make sure that residents are safeguarded as well as the responsible drivers. The seventh link provides cases of where lanes were adapted as well as further information about where they are suitable.

So to conclude will you agree with me that:

We should support the principle aims of quiet lanes to lower traffic levels, to maintain the tranquillity of our roads, allow us to be able to sustain the healthier lifestyle we have all enjoyed on our roads, promote environmentally friendly transport, increase the range of transport available to road users and help to tackle road dangers. Building on the hard work that various stakeholders, parishes, and councillors have put into the success of this project.

https://sites.google.com/view/quietlanessuffolk/quiet-lanes?authuser=0

https://sites.google.com/view/quietlanessuffolk/map?authuser=0

https://www.suffolkconservatives.org.uk/news/suffolk-launches-quiet-lanes-residents-enjoy-lockdown-eases

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/eastern-region-truckwatch-donate-monry-to-tackle-lorry-crime-in-2551668

https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/news/suffolk-launches-quiet-lanes-for-residents-to-enjoy-as-lockdown-eases/

https://southdownsnetwork.org.uk/quiet-lanes/

https://www.cpre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/quiet_lanes_1.pdf

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news/show/quiet-lanes-suffolk-secures-funding-to-help-residents-stay-active-and-reduce-their-carbon-footprint

Animal Welfare Sentencing Bill

This week the latest incarnation of the Animal Welfare Sentencing bill is entering the house again for a further reading prior to entering the Lords. Now I want to highlight this because this particular bill could give us at the very least a potential avenue to attach Pet Theft Reform sentencing guidelines too. Now to begin with Animal Welfare sentencing in the UK needs to align with other western countries.

Now the guidance within this new bill would also make a particular focus on the changing digital world, paying a focus to where the offender films themselves committing the offence. This is both critical to allow social media platform and users to report and identify abusers which the police can then used as further evidence as an “aggravating factor”. Now for offenders who are caught on camera, this would not be the case but the differentiation of the attitudes of those knowingly committing the offence needs to be recognised and actioned accordingly. It was cited that the RSPCA identified that the filming of animal abuse had risen from 2019 and this needs to be apart of any reforms as it offers a way we can stop the open sharing of these acts of abuse on social media channels. It would also be worth addressing here that whilst points were made in the regard to recording the bill a potential area that needs further refining is the circulation and sharing of this content. Those found to be knowingly sharing this type of media need some form of penalty to act as a deterrent otherwise the work taken to seek justice against the abuser will be lessened by the circulation of the content. My hope is this will be addressed by the Government White Papers at online harms more broadly and that animal abuse is featured specifically.

Now whilst I would add here that when this issue was debated cross-party MPs both advocated for the bill to have amendments which at the very least would use the same sentencing guidelines as seen with robbery. However, it was pointed out by Tom Hunt the MP for Ipswich that at times these guidelines do not echo the sentiments of the public. He particularly cites Pet Theft here and the reason the call for reform is still needed in this case is because of the view that these sentencing guidelines give to the courts they treat the animal as an object and not in a specific way under the law. If the animal was treated specifically under the law it would provide us the general public and animal owners with the knowledge that those who commit these offences and also knowingly abuse someones beloved pet when they are stolen but that justice will be enacted. A further amendment to this bill would also make acts that are often associated with other crimes or forms of abuse against animals such as mutilation which are associated with dogfighting or baiting. These harsher sentences would enable our justice system to empower the police to protect our animals and tackle the criminal gangs perpetuating revenue from animal abuse.

A proposal presented to increase the effectiveness of the bill as well as making sure that animals are treated fairly and evenly not establishing systems where cruelty to domestic animals is targeted under this bill but not wild animals. The RSPCA and various other charities can report how acts of cruelty against wildlife can arguably be as severe as what we see in companion animals and no less worth safeguarding. Points which were raised that in particular areas that then targeted wildlife, in particular, were even less adequate than that which the bill seeks to rectify. The MPs however, do rightly point out to protect pets a subsequent amendment for wild animals may need to be included at a later point. It is therefore positive to see support for further animal rights reform in national politics.

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2622/publications

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-01/0014/200014.pdf

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/4

World Wildlife Day

First of all, to raise awareness, different organisations worldwide show what affects disappearing wildlife by linking it to their branding. Now, why are they doing this?

In today's article, I discuss what the day brings awareness for. The reason why we need to keep wildlife at the centre of our policies. What we can do to help as general citizens.

Now the impact which humans have on the natural world is plain and clear for everyone to see. The importance of days such as today to highlight our place in the world and are impacts is crucial. Now what these days do is highlight what we can do better rather than encourage a sense of regret because we need to recognise what we can do better.

In terms of highlighting impacts on various animals, countries such as India highlight their rich wildlife and make it clear that their natural heritage is essential. In particular, the steps taken toward the reintroduction of other predators like Cheetahs show that they recognise that as well as maintaining the existing animals in the region, they need to reintroduce historic species to help the region recover. Countries such as India recognise the need to promote greater cohesion with wildlife organisations, such as how UK football clubs highlight the impact of World Wildlife day by removing animals from their logos. This is more for publicity, making more people aware of the effects we are having and raising awareness. This links us to the theme this year, where we look at how Forests and Livelihoods: Sustain People and the Planet.

My interest in this field is the impact that our industries have on pollinators. Comprehending how they utilise their habitats effectively is key to understanding how to preserve the species and biodiversity. The crux of this process is applied broadly to other animal conservation. Noting the importance of conservation projects and planting endeavours to help the animals recover in their environment. Comparing this with infrastructure projects that restore the vibrance of our woodlands. In Suffolk, the focus needs to be on developing works in the conservation and regenerative agriculture fields. For the Agricultural sector to grow in a sustainable direction, research needs to identify areas that producers can continue developing to maximise sustainable growth for both the industries and wildlife.

My interest in pollinators, significantly the benefits they bring to the natural world for flora and their important place in food webs. Now forests have a significant advantage in terms of how they safeguard the planet. They are quoted as being the lungs of our world. We need to recognise how we sustainably grow to limit our damage to these valuable green spaces. Many flora species have contributed to our medicines and food production. Each year, new resources, such as; plants, pharmaceutical, food resources, and natural beauty, are discovered alongside animal species. We also need to remember that the natural biodiversity all reduces how many species densely congregate in a given space. This is key for epidemiological reasons are it provides a barrier against disease spread. While animals would naturally interact in forests or different biomes, their interaction frequency is limited outside of the human environment. The increased interaction in intensive settings like wet markets has arguably lead to an increase in disease spread.

So in terms of how you can protect animals in terms of policy areas, the Dutch indeed lead the way in giving animals a front and place centre in their infrastructure projects. Often building animals into their design, they include Wildlife corridors, giving animals access to other habitats, enabling more extraordinary biodiversity and not limiting them to a closed environment and isolated population. This is a more expensive form of infrastructure design, but it is crucial we need to reflect on this when we look at designing our environments at home. Connecting farms via hedgerows and allowing green spaces to be connected, not isolated. Countries like Rwanda, India, Scotland, and Costa Rica are increasing the number of trees they are planting to increase forest cover and biodiversity. In Suffolk, we are doing the same thing by establishing our memorial woodlands and engaging in our own planting initiatives. Countries like Zambia have set up organisations to monitor and regulate our impact on animals ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive in the environment. Countries like Canada, the Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Bhutan, Tanzania, and Botswana have invested heavily in National parks and the different safeguards that can establish vestiges of protection for vulnerable habitats. Norway and Namibia have particular safeguards in their policy that recognise protected species and safeguard animals in law and society.

Now to summarise how you can help as well as engaging in conservation projects locally, you can also make sure your home is wildlife-friendly. Whether that be providing food and resources for animals that are unable to find resources at particular times of the year, such as Hedgehogs. Putting wildlife shelters in place or bird boxes to offer them an alternative home to replace the lack of suitable nesting sites. Planting trees and hedges which are ideal for nesting and foraging, which animals can use as valuable resources. In terms of what these plants are, heritage plants are good places to start but think Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Dogwood. Think about what you can offer to animals. Can you provide food for animals or even small plants for pollinators in the window? Could you plant a heritage hedge? Can you get involved with other projects rewilding, tree planting or conservation projects?

https://rr-africa.oie.int/en/projects/world-wildlife-day-2021-forests-and-livelihoods-sustaining-people-and-planet/

https://www.republicworld.com/lifestyle/festivals/world-wildlife-day-here-is-the-theme-history-and-significance-of-this-day.html

https://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/world-wildlife-day-when-is-it-this-years-theme-and-how-to-take-part/

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-countries-are-the-best-in-wildlife-conservation.html

https://nationaltoday.com/world-wildlife-day/

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/three-top-tips-to-help-give-nature-a-home-in-your-garden/

Pet Theft Reform

Lockdown contributed to one of the largest rises in demand for companion animals. Some animals have seen a decline in demand. Many have found horses too expensive to keep, which has led to a drop in horse ownership and a rise in sales.

However, this demand for dogs and pets alongside increased funds that people are willing to pay has resulted in an epidemic of dog thefts. Now last year, people in Suffolk communities have had 46 beloved pets stolen from them. Thefts are now are over at a hundred percent increase from the average thefts in 2014-2019. Now at present, it is suggested the targets are working breeds, particularly spaniels, retrievers over that of other pedigree breeds. Now working dogs face a greater vulnerability due to being often kept in kennels, whereas pets in the home are fielded a safer environment. They are, however, being targeted because people are willing to pay for these breeds and are actively looking for these dogs. Now thefts occur across the borders, we know this. Actions are being taken from the constabulary to reduce this, but why is it happening?

Reputable breeders would have been unable to plan for the increase in demand, yet they also often do not want to increase their dogs' sales solely for monetary gains related to ambitions they have for their breed. This is because they are often bred for pets second and for working or other purposes first. Yet breeders likely will have been unable to legitimately plan their litters this year due to lack of access to the broader gene pool or attend the various shows. Prices for dogs on online websites have continued to increase and are rising, which will full demand. Whilst adoption searches are also growing, the provisions rescue groups have put in place have slowed down the process, which has faced more significant pressures due to lockdown as other businesses have. Many of these websites have less regulation than both "assured" breeders and rescue centres now, many would assume buyers would be looking at lower prices, but the price is also often a third higher for each dog. Ipswich MP Tom Hunt has said, "Current punishments represent a slap on the wrist for this cruel crime." The Home Secretary Priti Patel is also working on increasing the legislation around pet theft campaigned for by various organisations, campaigns and charities. This has to happen as, without harsher sentences, we are limited to a minor impact on criminals who are caught, such as a small fine. By making the punishments harsher, it will often be a deterrent once thieves are caught, as at this point, even once caught, the threat of consequence is low.

Now keeping your pets safe, what you need to know?

Firstly, the dogs at the most significant risk are 50% more likely to be stolen from your garden, so making your garden more secure is a better way to protect them and make them less visible. A further 16% are stolen from within the home now. Remember here that if someone is observing you and waiting for the opportunity, it is worth changing your routine occasionally, such as when you let your dog out in the garden, is it always the front or back garden as an example. Equally, in terms of protecting your home, ensure that if you have a security system that it is live when your not in the house, it is a really simple step but a clincher. Other areas are making sure your dog is not left outside the home in vulnerable positions off lead where your dog may be friendly and want to greet everyone, ensure that you can call them back before they are out of sight. Avoid leaving the dog outside a shop in a locked or unlocked car. Ensure your dog has all of the identification it needs legally but that it is not easy for it to be called away from you. Now when you're out on the walk, and you need extra safeguards, use apps such as https://hollieguard.com/, which will offer you an alarm system of shorts to highlight the crime to passers-by. Also, be aware of where you are and keep yourself safe as criminals have proven they will take the dog, not just wait for an opportunity for you to be separated. In terms of what to do when you are in a position where your dog has been stolen, the following article has many useful points https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/protect-your-dog-against-theft. The key contacts for you in Suffolk: DogLost, NationalPetRegister and AnimalSearchUK are critical databases for stolen pets; as is social media, you must have up-to-date information on your pet, including a recent photo. The local dog wardens number are separated by the District Council. They are in a list for you below under the heading DW. Now to reduce your risk of buying a stolen dog, it is best to follow the guidance of recognised breed clubs or groups and your local rescue centres. These groups are best placed to recommend breeders of specific dogs and be aware of reputable litters. If you do not know where to start, start here or with national clubs like the Kennel Club, Blue Cross and the RSPCA.

Now in terms of positive steps, national organisations are backing Pet Theft reform. MPs such as Tom Hunt, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, and Siobhan Baille are advocating for reform, with the Prime Minister and Home Secretary also advocating for more stringent reforms. Now, will you support Pet Theft Reform to safeguard the nation's pets sign and share the petition and find out more from the links below https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/560216.

DW:

Forest Heath dog warden 01638 71 97 33

St Edmundsbury dog warden 01284 75 70 58

Mid Suffolk dog warden 01449 72 45 00

Waveney dog warden 01502 52 31 17

Suffolk Coastal dog warden 01394 44 40 00

Ipswich dog warden 01473 43 31 15

Babergh dog warden 01473 82 66 22

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/dog-theft-statistics-in-suffolk-2700864

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dog-stolen-puppies-theft-lost-sell-buy-cost-coronavirus-suffolk-a9652231.html

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media-centre/2021/february/stronger-penalties-for-pet-theft-welcomed-by-the-kennel-club/

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/services/freedom-information/disclosure-logs/2019-disclosure-logs/crime-and-incident-statistics

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11895265/lockdown-pet-thefts-puppy-farming-fights/

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/protect-your-dog-against-theft

https://www.dogsforgood.org/good-advice/protect-dog-from-theft/

https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/24/how-to-avoid-accidentally-buying-a-stolen-dog-14139487/?ico=related-posts

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/5/209

https://www.pettheftreform.com/

Mental Health in Farming

With my articles over the last week, I have played close attention to Mental Health and specifically the impacts on isolation. Now, something which I want to focus on is isolated sectors in rural Suffolk. The isolated primary industry is that of farming. Agriculture is both an industry which has given me a great deal of opportunity and experiences.

Still, I would be remised if I said that you did not notice the effects of being disconnected from many outside of your farm. Now my experience was only brief, often seeing and visiting many farms which Faccenda Foods had ownership of or were contracting out their growing of broiler chickens. Now, although many of my experiences was visiting a variety of farms from large industrial sites with bungalows or living areas for the manager as well as maybe an assistant on-site, this was not often the case for smaller farms where the need for a second staff member on-site was not as justified fiscally. Now the farmers often had family members on the site where their kids and spouse often worked or studied offsite. The farmer primarily stayed on-site for the crop's duration, taking the odd day off throughout the six to seven-week cycle. When off relief staff would work on-site by travelling from other areas to cover the staff member temporarily, and when the site was being prepared for the next crop they would often take the opportunity to holiday away from the site. This chance to leave the area is usually not possible on the traditional farming business. When the land is not working or being prepared for work, it still needs management or other maintenance. Therefore this leaves the farmers working tirelessly for our communities year-round which is both a service and calling which many would not trade.

Now farming is quoted as having one of the worst safety records, which is exaggerated by the number of time farmers spend working in isolation. The larger farms will often see collaboration between owner and employee or generally between generations. Smaller sites are may be unable to justify offering work outside the family and if there is no one within the household to assist then the work can be more isolating. The long hours in the fields tied with the many hats they have to wear; mechanic, accountant, weatherman, and engineer. Now when your livelihood and to an extent your history is deeply rooted in your land, the looming financial uncertainty is a deep concern. With the risks around changes to income and direct payments changes looming post-Brexit, the stress can be too much for those with no one to talk again. This is why the work that charities such as YANA do is so valuable and the results of educators like myself to highlight these groups to the next generation is critical. The Mind Your Head campaign, which I will discuss later this week, needs to be shared and continually championed. After all, although we see shifts in our habits or dietary preferences and sometimes are attitudes, we need to remember the differences in our communities highlight them and ensure that we all continue to move forward together. 

Mental Health Week

Part and parcel of my role as a teacher are making sure that students mental health is front and centre of what colleagues and I strive to achieve. The step to finding a solution has to be normalising the problem. In my previous blog piece, I looked at some ways that I believe we can use to solve the problem.

In terms of highlighting the problem, I was pleased with the announcement that a public figure like Love Islands Dr Alex has been announced as a youth mental health ambassador. Now whilst he has tragically lost his brother to mental health he is focusing what would often make people shy away from the world and sharing his brother's memory and his own experience of dealing with this tragedy. Now whilst present circumstances has put some of our best steps to prevent adverse impacts on mental health. Being in good physical health whilst difficult without gyms and sports can still be done with communities or activities shared online. We need to promote positive images and content meal preparation, cooking, and fitness plans. Body positivity needs to be encouraged, as does physical fitness. Setting a regular routine for our young people can be removing stressors from the environment like that of some smartphones taking time away from social media. Family makes up many of the structure we all need and those increasingly isolated from this core social group or our self-made groups, friends, peers, and colleagues. Not having access to their workplace or schools can limit their routine and engagement in the broader social setting, so a goal rightly being sought is getting students back into school. As I spoke about earlier this week, volunteering opportunities are few and far between at present, but that does have to be the case opening our doors to new types of activity.

Many parents and young people feel that they miss the most enjoyable parts of the school and university, particularly the social elements. The learners can develop academically the opportunities to discover who they are and the experiences and skills available. Societies and events, even in its best format, struggle to transition electronically. This is why the events economy is still, in my view, the future for the high street but delayed by Covid. Now the anxiety that young people are likely to present because of this lack of experience can lead to mental health problems. The question should be why is there a stigma. Firstly many individuals associate mental health with violence, often because of a link poor mental health support has had with violent offences. This link can be taken from how this is stigmatised in the media and used in ways that often skew a story's narrative. There is also evidence that this same impact can compound a families' wealth and ability to succeed. This can be further affecting social mobility so again, what can we do to build back together. Once we tackle these initial stigmas, we can begin to focus on the harsh reality of the endemic problems in mental health.

We need to end these negative stereotypes to reduce our association of mental health with a sense of weakness and criminality. Because, although criminality links to mental health are concerning by instilling fear in the public, it is also necessary to avoid links to other sides of the debate such as pity and shame. However, to link mental health to different conditions to associate solutions to individual struggles such as suicide, imposter syndrome and body dysmorphia. We can start by avoiding simple phrases like "they must be bipolar" or "nut job" similar to what we do for race. This should help people define their symptoms, fears, anxieties, and goals over their garnered label to recognise they are more than the condition. This can be significantly supported by the positive experience of peers. Finally, we should be mindful that our differences have also strengthened us. Personally, I have a learning difficulty which has had a minor impact on my life. Dyspraxia has impacted my hand-eye coordination elements, which affected my speech, which was primarily rectified by therapies that I am thankful for in my childhood. Now I look at the strengths I have because of how I look at a problem to think outside the box. Transfering this skill to my learners empathising with their challenges or difficulties solutions, I developed my memory, processing and vocabulary. I would not be the same person I am without Dyspraxia regardless of the initial anxieties and stresses this caused me in my early years. I am stronger because of the support I received and have the opportunity to share my experience.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report/7-children-and-young-people

https://ideas.ted.com/how-should-we-talk-about-mental-health/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/c/children-and-young-people

https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/research-and-evaluation/mental-health-statistics/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dr-alex-george-from-love-island-to-mental-health-campaigner-nd8xfl2n9

Lockdowns Effect on our Community

Whilst listening to the Front Row yesterday, the discussion looked at how the next generation of learners is affected by the pandemic. Now part of the impact that the pandemic has had on them is exploring different opportunities available. Understanding how we can best promote knowledge sharing the skills we can encourage, techniques they can be taught, industries which they can see. Lockdown affords us the chance to use communities to support businesses and refine how our communities develop and grow this is an area that I believe we should investigate. Alongside the provisions that we can provide the next generation with we can use the same community to benefit businesses. We all intend to share products, craftsmanship, knowledge and talents. 

This article addresses the concerns that affect businesses and our students with thoughts on building back better. With the researcher's main point being highlighted, the individuals at a disadvantage in the labour market. The general focus is lack of opportunities immediately available to young people in the present circumstances. With many people being furloughed or out of work, it is not just the lack of job prospect post-college or school. Still, it also allows us to learn or experience whilst again to grow academically with all but a small number of work experiences being offered by businesses able to field these rare opportunities. Learners need to work with various companies to understand how they work within the sector and establish their likes and dislikes. Employers also need to recognise the next generation's strengths and weaknesses, working with educators and tutors to fill these skill gaps (Johnston and Maddox, 2021). 

This brings me to the point about lockdown sectors the first jobs for many the opportunities to develop soft skills. Those who go onto university can recover academically from this disruption, but those emerging into the job market are disadvantaged here (Dias et al., 2020). With other impacts being the effect on people's mental health, the implications of many in the community isolated coming together in new ways to share our experiences should be encouraged. Many have concerns about health, education, careers, and livelihoods having a sense of community where people can share their thoughts before returning to normalcy (Peter Madeley, 2021). 

However, how this is delivered is equally as important as the messages discussed. Providing a sense of routine whether that be a discussion by business groups, talks about soft skills, mental health days or sharing a craft all need to be provided in a way that encourages positive habits to form (Mental Health, 2020). 

This is where a community is needed rather than letting lockdown impact our lives. We have the chance to promote and showcase what communities can do. Allow people to find out about hidden talents within groups, allowing us to restore our link attachments. A pandemic which has forced us to be disconnected could bring us a greater sense of togetherness. 

What we can do to build this sense of togetherness and community. Enabling businesses to share what they do and what they produce it gives individuals a sense of involvement in the process. By following the steps you take, we can learn from your experiences, collectively feel involved with your business and its place within our community. This can let people know what your offering, gives someone insight into your profession and build that link with your brand. Teachers, individuals and professionals can also share their content and experiences to best provide tips for working through lockdown, helping someone discover a new hobby or just helping someone get through the day. If there is something we can provide to wider communities in either core or fringe subjects that gives them a similar advantage to their peers, we should encourage them. There is no equivalent exchange for part-time jobs or being with our peers in terms of soft skills, yet what we can do is share our experiences and knowledge openly talking about mental health, finance, work-life balances (Nick Morrison, 2021).

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/education/2021/02/02/report-into-lockdown-impact-on-lost-schooling-must-serve-as-wake-up-call-mp-says/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2021/01/26/its-childrens-mental-health-not-their-education-that-is-really-suffering-in-lockdown/

https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/14914

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/impacts-lockdown-mental-health-children-and-young-people

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/familyhealth/we-must-save-generation-lockdown-from-a-bleak-hopeless-future/ar-BB1dfCUp

Fleece hold: where one's castle becomes their burden

An English men's home is their castle but with the recent increase in the amount of Freehold homes which are found to be better befitting the name Fleecehold. Why is this? It is often because of covenants or agreements which have been placed on the property by the developer. The owner is contractually obligated to pay a fee to a management company often owned by the same company or with shared board members as the developer. The management company often then contracts out the maintenance to local firms to maintain the land and green spaces. Now whereas the current problem facing new build freehold properties are not new, they can often be compared to leasehold properties. These homes saw a great deal of scrutiny and improvements because of action taken by people directly affected by the leasehold scandal as well as by groups such as HorNet. This intervention by groups like HorNet has seen a lot of pressure on management companies to offer compromises to the existing problem of rising fees and to provide buying guidance for first-time buyers many of which are unaware of the issue before contractually agreeing to buy the property.

This document delves into some of the critical problems that householders face in Fleecehold homes and discusses why this is a scandal waiting to unfold. The document will also provide an outline of some solutions that local councils can do to address this problem without direct intervention by government legislation. Now part of the initial issue is that the very definition of Free Hold is up for debate with Fleece Hold properties. It goes against the very definition of freehold where the owner owns the "title absolute" as they often do not have complete ownership of the land as other parties can claim against the property. With the other parties being able to stake a claim on the property having this form of overarching power over the householder, they can interfere with several processes that homeowners would reasonably expect to do. These include examples such as; apply to alter their property, be free from regular charge for adjacent land, obstruct the sale of the property.

This moves onto the next step of the home buyers issues with the Fleecehold property, and the house may well have elements that, although not miss-sold, are not highlighted to the buyer. Now whilst the buyer of this build would rightly be made aware of these issues or concern when the recommended solicitor has not emphasised this to the buyer. They are often only made aware of the situation just before it becomes a problem which they are unable to resolve. The sales team of the various housing associations can then compound the problem by suggesting that the only way for an effective sale to take place is to follow the guidance of the developer. Using the recommended conveyancer, which is compounded when the individual is unaware of the procedure when buying a house. This is often as many are first-time buyers or the first in their family to buy a property.

Now, this becomes a problem for the owner when they notice the maintenance charge this charge is often downplayed as a small management fee and typically one which is minor for the upkeep of unadopted areas which the council does not operate. This lack of information contributes to the start of often deeply problematic situation for the buyer as the critical information is often shrouded from them which is a process that needs to be hastily removed so that the individuals are not trapped in a system they cannot get out of. Now the stream of problems increases once the buyer has exchanged the necessary paperwork and is often in the property once the developer's agent sends over the essential documentation outlining the charge once the estate has been finished. This can vary from an initial minuscule amount to a significant financial burden similar to council tax or mortgage rates they are already paying. These ECPs or external common parts are owned not by the council but by a management company these companies can have a variety of different levels of thoroughness some maintaining the spaces well and others often giving minimal service for the extensive charges. These charges can frequently accumulate and grow over the years, causing homeowners to be unable to afford to pay the amount Estate Rent Charge or ERC. This ERC under specific laws which treat the owner as a Tenant allows management companies to take income from the owner or repossess the home until such a time that the debt is cleared. If the owner then attempts to settle this dispute, they can often then be refused due to the property being under the management of a trustee to oversee the reclaimant of funds. This coupled with a lack of legal protection often available to leaseholders but not granted to freeholders compounds the issue. They are left in a situation with no recourse to live in their usually newly furnished and designed property which many homebuyers have slaved over the aesthetics of their home. Leaving the homeowner, the option to sell their home. However, they are often shackled to it as many lenders and surveyors who know about Fleecehold properties will advise clients against the purchasing of the property in question. This leaves the owner in the situation where they cannot continue owning the property but may be unable to sell it. This could culminate in a perfect storm of a scandal waiting to happen unless acted upon promptly.

Now whilst banning the sale of these properties outright is not a viable solution as the UK demand for homes increases. The removal of the management fees and the granting of legal protection to homeowners so they can dispute the charges is crucial. One way of removing the charge would not be possible within the existing structure, so therefore the often argued solution to the problem is for councils to adopt these communal spaces both in terms of its maintenance and overall management. This solution is not usually the one pursued many instead elect a board of residents to manage the ownership of the management company to maintain the resident's estates effectively.

Now in other blogs, we will look at other potential solutions as well as proposals to safeguard the future of homeowners and avert the potential scandal in the waiting.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-51413320

https://www.duston-pc.gov.uk/uploads/sandiemaitlandreportsep19.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0uchiF-rz8PiQnSaIUHSGbUE0_k-_o-Pf2U7iMHtgCW5QJPb97S_DzfZs

https://www.homeownersrights.net/welcome-to-hornet/

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/you-need-know-fleecehold-charges-17006131

Covid, the Countryside and Cities a Changing Landscape.

With the start of the academic term with the impending return of learners to the classroom in a different environment to what they are familiar with. I am reminded of conversations I have had with friends and colleagues about the reluctance to return to the office. Now for many this likely started with the premise of being safer at home and then evolved into a growing realisation that working from home can offer its own benefits. For many it has saved time on the sufferable commute that many experience. It has provided its own flexibility around child care but this has been double edged for parents as well as care providers. In many areas the lack of travelling restored that sense of community and return of the neighbourhood as new tribes formed. Some people have also been far more productive at home the downside of which is those whose jobs rely on that fixed location have seen the backlash. 

In these changing times when industries begin to reflect and change with many recognising the cost benefit, mental health benefits and environmental positives we also need to remember that this is not completely beneficial. Some areas will face graver consequences from a changing working system then others as some businesses rely on the office for their survival. 

Some of the general benefits:

You are truly independent your work space is truly your own you can set it up to be at your most productive and could allow greater creativity. You can get more work done on the whole you spend less time commuting and engaging in the office drama. You’ll learn to excel in various forms of communication whether it be social media, zoom, or the forms of content delivery.

Some of the downsides:

Switching or rather lack their of it does your mental health no favours to not have an off switch it is better for your productivity and well being if you are able to effectively time manage you will ensure a greater success in your role. Sometimes you may feel you that you are not informed of the recent or ongoing developments. In some cases this could impact those seeking career growth maybe at a disadvantage if the talent market does not move with employee and work place demands. We also need to remember that our infrastructure is not ready for a profound shift utilities and other necessary provisions are not as robust in all areas of the country and this would have a consequence for productivity. Alongside the questions around productivity and the noticeable pros for the environment if we get used to this new environment we have to remember our own mental health. People need to switch off from their devices and the detachment of working elsewhere and taking a break when at home is more difficult when your office is your home. This is not mentioning how the housing market could be affected as city and commuter belt living see a decline will the rural countryside soar. 

Now the environmental benefits:

When you work from home, you are closer to your own amenities you can cook at home rather then rely on shops or restaurants locally. This can cut down on your own expense as well as your waste throughout the day. You can save energy the less energy wasted the less pollution your impact has regulating your house is far cheaper and more cost effective then making the office temperature uniform for a variety of needs of the individuals in your office. The same for energy usage as you can choose what rooms are being utilised and which rooms are not working. On top of this the commute by saving money, fuel and time on the commute you effectively can use this time elsewhere as well as reduce your impact on the planet. Whilst we are moving towards greener forms of travel electric vehicles still have harmful supply chains and combustion fuels are being moved away from. These types of vehicles are also likely to become more expensive as the demand for electric vehicles increase whilst the incentives also increase. Cycling for many is still not likely to be a viable alternative many of our roads are not designed to accommodate cyclist outside of the outskirts of the city.

Now what would this mean for our urban areas how would they survive and what changes can we expect. Now cities are still going to remain a centre for knowledge and cultural sharing but as with the changes in the high street they would need to evolve. With people spending less time in the working day in town centres and cities they would likely need to either change their working hours or what they offer. Now one solution to this would be flexible working where shops and convenience areas are open later in the day at particular times which can attract not the commuter but specific shoppers. Now whilst historically people often flocked to cities following periods of change like Covid this could be a different opportunity to change our way of working due to the benefits of the digital age. The question is could cities be made better by this opportunity could we see investments in the arts, theatres and museums where these centre of the arts return to centre stage of our society. Cities certainly will benefit from transport networks which favour cycling, walking and restrictions on the car could enable better opportunities to move around our cities making use of the roads whereas outside of peak times these roads can be returned to cars and vans to restock shops, bars and restaurants. We can also add in areas for wildlife and greater green spaces which take onboard innovations in the urban landscape such as planting more trees on our paths, wildflower verges and better use of brownfield sites as well as green spaces. Yet for cities to not only survive but thrive we should but our residents first focusing on social and environmental cohesion. Cities should take on board urban planning that takes a more inventive approach looking at the example of the Dutch in terms of wildlife corridors to continue to allow nature a home in the city environment. Make our towns and cities stand on their own highlighting the factors that makes them unique and distribute the relevant sectors to the correct areas to share the wealth across the country making the most of the unique characters of these places. The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of cities' capacity to overcome challenges but they need to embed this into the health of their city ensuring that public services are structurally at the heart of their communities but equally ensuring they have the capacity to cope with a crisis. Countries need to recognise the importance of various sectors voluntary, public and private noting where they fit together and what skills can be learnt from them. To enable a green and robust urban and rural link the roads and other transport links need to reflect this ensuring that cars are focused to areas where they park and get to the areas of the city they need to via park and rides. Cycle routes which are safe and effective for the public to use ensuring their safety and security. Look at other systems that can be employed which cities such as Manchester, London and Blackpool have utilised such as metro links, trams and trains combined with effective routes for walking and cycling. Showcase what is the best practice in your local area and share this with your community.

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/pros-cons-of-working-from-home

https://www.capital-ges.com/the-environmental-benefits-of-remote-working/ 

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/05/01/future-of-cities-urban-life-after-coronavirus-pandemic/

Reintroducing Apex Predators

With other projects and groups actively participating with the aim to reintroduce Apex predators of yesteryear to our countryside. One argument for reintroducing these species is that it offers a return to wildlife management of historic predator and prey relationships. The reason we are at this impasse is because the predators were often removed or hunted due to predation of livestock. Now whilst their os arguments for and against the reintroduction of these animals is that they could open this risk up again. 

Whilst proposing arguments for predators like the bear, wolf and lynx all of various issues in themselves as each comes with different risks the argument for the ecological benefit has been well established. Apex predators will keep prey animal populations to a manageable number as the rate of which prey animals reproduce unhindered by predators can impose other issues on local landscapes. The herds of deer left unchecked and without management can prevent trees and hedgerows regrowing by consuming or trampling on saplings. Whilst a more sustainable population has less of impact as their footfall is reduced. This can also have a benefit on arable crops as it prevents deer grazing on these valuable crops saving farmers cost either from lost crops or management systems to deter the deer. The benefit of keystone species that have a direct and indirect impact on the environment changing its ecological profiles. The question should the historic predators return or do our environments learn to cope with planned management of wildlife by humans which can be costly. 

Now looking at it from the opposite points of view these species are often a greater risk to pets and to livestock farms. In terms of pets some small dogs and cats are at a greater risk as they can pose an easier target for predation but these animals can be protected by responsible ownership in high risk areas. With livestock works undertaken with livestock guardian breeds of dog could prove the answer for protecting and deterring predators as most species of predator will not risk dogs encase of injury. The main issue for the UK however, is allowing the animals to establish a territory as when they are contained, both types of animals can be managed more readily when we look at larger geographic regions including towns and cities with various barriers this can cause a greater conflict with people. We need to also remember that they might not have the desired impact on deer number reduction as well as by proxy the restoration of the trees would not be a certainty.

The other added benefit of using livestock guardian breeds such as the kuvasz is that these breeds can also potentially protect stock from other dogs that enter the farmland. The benefit of the guardian breed is they can act as a strong deterrent for both the apex and would-be predators the breeds chase off and deter the animals whilst living with the stock viewing them as a pack. The dogs do this naturally and act as a stable addition to your stocks security. 

In Suffolk we are looking more at how we can reintroduce a natural predator the lynx as well as other former species like the bison and pelicans. The argument should be can we live with the animals, does it offer us a better alternative and lifestyle and does it offer a safeguard for our planet. Projects WildEast may see a greener landscape across the county and if we move towards plans with nature at its heart learning from the likes of dutch to provide wildlife corridors over roads like the A14 to prevent isolated populations. In the future I will be looking at wildlife corridors as well as rewilding initiatives to look at their feasibility.

https://www.conservationjobs.co.uk/articles/wolf-reintroduction-in-scotland/

https://www.wildeast.co.uk

https://www.morningagclips.com/the-benefits-of-livestock-guardian-dogs/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31813207