A long-awaited definition of Islamophobia is expected within weeks – and a former faith minister is urging the government to adopt it in full.

It is expected that the government will move away from the word “Islamophobia”, instead replacing it with “anti-Muslim hostility”.

But Lord Khan, who oversaw the start of the review into the definition, told Sky News the government must adopt the full new definition to tackle hate against Muslims.

The Labour peer, who was faith minister until the September reshuffle, told Sky News: “I hope it’s a clear definition which reflects the terms of reference which protects people, and it’s clear.

“There’s so many definitions out there, this is an opportunity to address the big problem in our communities.

“I would request and urge the government to adopt the definition which fits within the terms of reference on what we wanted to do when we embarked on the process.

“It’s a strong message to our communities that the work that should be done isn’t being done – these are lived experiences and I am one of those people who has suffered.”

Chaired by former Conservative minister Dominic Grieve, an independent working group has been looking at whether to produce a new definition of Islamophobia since February as part of a government bid to tackle the rise in hate crimes towards British Muslims.

Its aim was to “define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim”.

From the beginning, ministers have insisted that any new definition would not infringe on freedom of speech, that it would protect the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and it would not pave the way for blasphemy laws to pass “through the back door”.

In 2021, Labour adopted a working definition of Islamophobia from a cross-party group supported by Wes Streeting, which said: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

This old definition has formed the basis of the Conservatives’ concern with the government’s policy on this new one.

Read more: ‘Most dangerous’ time to be Muslim in UK, monitor says

Tory shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho told Sky News: “I think we all need to be equal in the law and there is already protection in the law – if you are a victim of violence or harassment based on your religion – those protections are already in place.

“What I deeply worry about is putting one group on a pedestal and giving them special protections because that will only breed resentment.”

When pressed on why other protected groups should have a definition, she said: “With the antisemitism definition, there was an international consensus and it was combating a specific thing, which was Holocaust denial.

“If you look at this definition, it’s based on an earlier version and one of the things it said in 2018 was that even talking about the grooming gangs was a form of anti-Muslim hatred.”

British Muslims say they still face discrimination – and without a specific definition of Islamophobia, crimes can often go underreported. According to multiple monitoring groups, hate crimes have gone up significantly, with Home Office data showing a surge of 20% last year, making Muslims the target in nearly half of religion-based offences.

However, policy groups say the result of adopting a definition could be a “fundamental social and structural change” by the back door, without democratic consent.

The Policy Exchange thinktank claimed that if the government adopts a fixed definition, activists will use it to challenge counter-terrorism laws and undermine the Prevent programme, which aims to steer people away from extremism.

Ministers are set to decide in the coming weeks on what they will adopt in the report and whether it will be published, with Communities Secretary Steve Reed formally making the announcement when that decision is made.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. The department is carefully considering the independent Working Group’s advice on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia, and no government decisions have been made.

“We will always defend freedom of speech, including fiercely protecting the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and the beliefs and practices of those who follow them. This will remain at the front of our minds as we review the definition.”

Cows bred to produce less methane in their burps could prove to be an important ally in the fight against climate change, scientists have told Sky News.

A groundbreaking breeding programme in Scotland is proving so successful that the amount of the greenhouse gas produced by cattle when they belch or break wind could fall by 40% in just 20 years.

Cows and other farm animals produce at least 12% of global methane emissions, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

But reducing levels could have a significant impact on global warming.

The gas traps 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide in the first two decades after it’s released. But it breaks down after only 12 years – so reducing emissions would have rapid results.

Professor Mike Coffey, from Scotland’s Rural College, said calves born in the Cool Cows breeding programme produce 2% less methane than their parents.

“It’s permanent and cumulative. So once you’ve got an animal that produces less methane, she produces less for life,” he explained.

“When you mate her to a lower methane-producing bull her offspring produce even less than she did.

“And you just keep going on and on. Over 20 years, you can reduce it by 40%.”

Methane is produced from cows, sheep and other ruminant animals when microbes in their guts digest grass and other feed.

The amount of the gas released by animals varies, partly because of the number and type of bugs in their stomach. And that’s influenced by inherited genetic factors in the cattle.

A new DNA test made by the company Semex can predict which animals will produce less methane, allowing scientists to match up bulls and cows for the breeding programme.

IVF techniques are then used to produce five or six calves in surrogate mothers each year, rather than the one that would normally be possible.

It means scientists can pick the best animal to breed from, leading to more rapid methane reductions without any genetic modification.

‘Entirely vegan world not feasible’

Agriculture currently accounts for 10% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the country’s nine million cows and calves a significant contributor.

The National Farmers’ Union has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040.

Food sustainability experts say breeding cattle that produce less methane is a significant advance, but not enough.

Emma Garnett, from the University of Oxford, said livestock still produce large amounts of manure that also releases greenhouse gases.

“Yes, let’s make things more efficient if we can, because I don’t think an entirely vegan world is a feasible,” she said.

“But it must not be used as a smoke screen for not shifting to more plant-based diets. The most effective way to reduce methane from cows is to farm fewer cows.”

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Beef consumption has already fallen by 62% since 1980, according to recent government figures.

Much of that has been because of concerns over health and animal welfare, but in recent years the climate impacts of cattle farming have become more widely known.

However, cheese consumption is increasing.

Professor Coffey said: “If you choose to eat meat or dairy, we are trying to produce it with lower impact.

“Just like if you chose to drive a car, you can choose to drive a car that has less emissions or you can choose to go on the bus.

“What we are doing here is providing consumers a choice and farmers the tools to enable that choice to be made.”

Yellow weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain have been issued overnight – as Storm Benjamin sweeps through the UK.

The Met Office has issued four alerts – and has warned flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are possible.

Forecasters say damage to buildings is possible, with “a small chance of injuries and danger to life being caused by large waves” as the storm moves from the English Channel to the North Sea.

Britons who live in coastal areas are being urged to check their properties and “consider preparing a flood plan”.

Check the weather forecast where you are

A yellow warning for rain covering most of southern England, the East Midlands, parts of Wales and Yorkshire came into force at midnight and will expire at 6pm tonight.

Up to 30mm of rain is expected quite widely – rising to 50mm in some places, and even 90mm in isolated areas.

An additional alert covering East Anglia and Lincolnshire expires at 9pm.

Large parts of southeast England are also under a yellow warning for wind from 3am until midnight – with gusts of 50mph to 60mph widely possible, potentially rising to 70mph near coasts.

A final warning for wind applies in Cornwall, Devon and the west coast of Wales from 6am until 3pm.

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Chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: “It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low pressure system.

“The public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice.”

Storm Benjamin was named by Meteo France, the French national meteorological service.