UK lives at risk from 'dangerous perception gap' on heatwaves
July 27, 2021, 4:33 am

UK lives at risk from 'dangerous perception gap' on heatwaves

UK heatwave

The Sky News reported that the British Red Cross has said the danger from heatwaves is not being matched by the level of public concern.

According to the Sky News, the Red Cross warns of a "dangerous perception gap in the UK when it comes to the public's awareness of the risk of heat".

The charity has sounded the alarm in a new report assessing how prepared the UK public is for rising temperatures.

There were a record 2,556 excess deaths from heat last summer, and a predicted 7,000 people could die from heat every year by 2050.

Yet Britons see the word "heatwave" in a positive light, associating it with good weather, with more than a third (37%) believing that heatwaves will be a problem in the future, not now.

The poll of 2,000 people for the report found many in high-risk groups, such as the over-75s, don't perceive themselves to be especially vulnerable.

The report follows a recent warning from the Climate Change Commitee (CCC) that criticised the government for allowing more than half a million (570,000+) new homes to be been built without features to cope with higher temperatures.

Chris Stark, chief executive of the CCC, said: "This report should serve as a call to arms to start building and adapting our homes, hospitals, care homes, offices, infrastructure and transport networks to minimise the risk."

He called for a public awareness campaign and said improving access to green space in urban areas would also help "but instead, our parks and recs are in decline".

He said: "Nobody should lose their life as a result of extreme heat; if we take steps now to educate and adapt we'll have a better chance of avoiding worse problems further down the track."

Last week the Met Office issued its first ever extreme heat warning for the UK, designed to put the dangers of rising temperatures onto everyone's radar.

Met Office head of civil contingencies Will Lang said: "As a result of climate change, heatwaves are becoming longer and more extreme, and many people's health and wellbeing will continue to suffer as a result.

"With more hot conditions likely this summer, it is so important that the public understands the risks that heatwaves can bring, and to improve awareness of heat risk among the general public and also ensure that advice and support reaches the most vulnerable ahead of a heatwave."

Though not deadly for all, heatwaves can also exacerbate underlying health conditions, such as kidney and heart disease. They can also trigger drought, as experienced in West Sussex last year.

The British Red Cross urges the public to keep informed by following weather alerts, knowing who is at risk and keeping up with any medication.

The charity advises people should avoid excess alcohol during a heatwave, limit strenuous physical activity, take a cold bath or shower to cool down and wear light-weight loose-fitting clothes.

To keep homes cooler, it suggests covering windows from sunlight and opening windows when the air feels cooler outside.

Source: skynews
Image source: skynews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.