Road policing officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a crash involving an electric scooter and a car, which took place on Gorgie Road.
The incident happened around 8.20pm last night (Saturday, 18 September) at the junction with Stenhouse Drive. The male rider of the electric scooter was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
The car involved failed to stop at the scene and officers are appealing for witnesses or any information to help trace it. It is described as being blue or silver in colour.
Constable Neill Sage, from the Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: “We are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident and are keen to trace the driver of the car involved.
“If you witnessed the crash, or have any possible dashcam footage from the Gorgie Road area last night, please call police on 101, quoting incident 3709 of 18 September.”
‘two in three of the global population, including one in three in the UK, are financially illiterate‘
The Financial Times has launched a new charity endorsed by the former prime minister Gordon Brown, focused on the promotion of financial literacy and inclusion around the world.
The FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign (FT FLIC) unveiled its strategic plan to boost the financial literacy of young people, women and disadvantaged communities at an event hosted by Roula Khalaf, editor of the Financial Times.
The plan will develop educational programmes to tackle financial literacy, initially in the UK and then around the world. It will seek to warn people about potential financial traps as well as empowering them to realise their aspirations. It will also campaign for policy change and clearer product communication by financial companies.
“Improving financial literacy for people that need it most, will empower and build financial resilience amongst communities that have faced growing inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and austerity,” said Aimée Allam, executive director of FT FLIC.
“We have now outlined our ambitious goals to improve financial literacy, and our success will be determined by our ability to achieve these goals in an effective and measurable way.”
A survey, commissioned for the Financial Times by Ipsos Mori, reveals shortcomings in financial understanding among four constituencies that have clear gaps relative to the national average: deprived areas, the young, women and ethnic minorities.
According to the research, 90% of the 3,194 people polled across England learnt “nothing at all” or “not very much” about finance at school. The research also found that barely half of 3,000 respondents were able to correctly compare the costs of borrowing via credit cards or bank overdrafts, regardless of their wealth, ethnicity or gender.
Not only will FT FLIC provide financial educational content for individuals and teachers, it also intends to lobby for education policy to change, in particular pushing for financial literacy to be integrated into school curriculums. FT FLIC will also focus on helping close the financial literacy gap for women and communities marginalised from accessing mainstream finance.
FT FLIC will partner existing charities and other organisations in financial education, and become a hub for the aggregation of the best materials, as well as developing its own content.
Patrick Jenkins, the FT’s deputy editor who chairs FT FLIC, said: “According to the World Bank, two in three of the global population, including one in three in the UK, are financially illiterate.
“If that were true of language literacy it would rightly be regarded as a scandal. Happily getting on for nine in 10 people around the world are now able to read and write. But why is it not regarded as a scandal that financial literacy levels are so low?”
Speaking at the launch of FT FLIC Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said:“In surgeries, I came face-to-face with constituents who could not manage their finances or pay their bills, who racked up debts and fell into the hands of money lenders.
“I saw not only the despair that this brings and the impact it has on physical and mental health but the need for far greater financial literacy. Financial worries have been exacerbated by the pandemic and will certainly worsen when six million families in the UK find their universal credit is cut by £20 a week.
“I welcome this initiative to create an umbrella foundation that will not only work with current providers at the grass roots level, but it will also seek changes to policy.”
The launch of FT FLIC follows 15 years of successful FT seasonal appeals that raised more than £19.5m on behalf of charities and supported many worthy causes.
It’s all treats and no tricks at Blair Drummond Safari Park this Autumn as the award-winning family destination is gearing up for a roar-some season packed with pumpkins, firepits, hay-bale spiders, and of course … the incredible safari animals roaming the park’s expansive plains.
From 8th – 31st October, marvel at the antics of the cheeky meerkats, look up to the towering giraffes and say hello to the lions. And when you’ve filled your boots with animal magic, take a trip to the dinosaur forest before taking in the special Autumn attractions.
Wrap up warm and skip along to the pretty picket fence-enclosed pumpkin patch to choose your favourite pumpkin before toasting some GIANT marshmallows on the firepits. It’s insta-perfect and great fun!
Feeling peckish? Blair Drummond Safari Park has introduced a new food offering including a wood fired pizza oven, tacos, freshly made donuts, and a seasonal hot chocolate shack.
Speaking about Halloween Adventures, Blair Drummond’s Liz Gunn said: “For us it’s about bringing the season to life in a way that families will love! We have a magic formula of incredible animals, new and exciting things to see and lots of outdoor space so little ones can run freely and enjoy the great outdoors.
“As we are an established visitor attraction, we have a great infrastructure of plentiful parking, accessible toilets and adventure playgrounds designed to delight little ones. This makes for a stress-free, fun filled day out no matter the weather.”
Entry numbers are strictly limited so book now on:
Average house prices in Scotland reaches new record level – £207,877
July sees largest increase in average price in a month since March 2015, up by £6,000
Lack of properties on the market helping to support values
2021 has highest number of sales over £750k of last seven years
Includes breakdown of 27 local authorities
Alan Penman, Business Development Manager at Walker Fraser Steele, comments:
“The average house price in Scotland at the end of July stands at £207,877, a new record level, having risen by some £5,950, or 2.9%, in the month. This is the largest increase in a month since March 2015 – just prior to the introduction of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in Scotland the following month.
“The average house price has increased by some £20,550 – or 11.0% – over the last twelve months. This is 2.5% higher than the 8.5% recorded one month earlier. The annual rate had been slowing over the previous three months from a high in March 2021 of 11.4%. But it is the continuing strong performance of larger properties that is supporting the current growth.
“Sales volumes, which now appear to be running at the levels seen in 2018, also suggest larger properties are supporting higher average prices. Lower transactions and strong prices at the top-end show that demand is exceeding supply with the focus of the market on higher value transactions supported by continuing record low interest rates.
“Combined with the previous tax savings associated with the LBTT holiday, these factors have encouraged the whole market to focus on larger properties and give cause to believe the exceptional performance of larger properties might continue for some months to come.”
Commentary: John Tindale, Acadata Senior Housing Analyst
The July housing market:
Scotland’s average house price at the end of July stands at £207,877, which sets a new record level, having risen by some £5,950, or 2.9%, in the month. This is the largest increase in a month since March 2015, which was just prior to the introduction of the LBTT in Scotland in April 2015.
One of the main reasons for the current upward movement in prices is a result of the lifestyle changes associated with “working from home”, which has brought about a shift in housing preferences to larger properties – with space for home working – rather than commuting to-and-from one’s place of work.
The demand for larger premises continues to be strong, and for some includes moving to Scotland from London, or from other major cities in the UK and beyond. However, the supply of larger homes in Scotland remains thin, with strong competition for those properties that do come onto the market.
Last month we noted that the ending of the LBTT tax holiday in March 2021 made little difference to the high-value end of the housing market, with the number of purchases of £750k plus homes in June 2021 actually exceeding those of March 2021 (see Page 5). We suggested that this was probably due to the level of tax saving being limited to £2,100 in Scotland (compared to a saving of £15,000 in England), which is a relatively small sum in relation to a property costing £750k.
The tax holiday was therefore more likely to influence buyer behaviour at lower price levels, with purchases at £250,000 qualifying for the maximum tax savings. With the number of lower-priced sales falling in July, due to the purchase of such homes having been brought forward into the earlier months of the year, this will have had the effect of raising the average price of the properties that were purchased in the month.
Looking at Figure 1 below – which tracks the average house price in Scotland – we can see that prices reached a mini-peak in March 2021, immediately prior to the ending of the LBTT tax holiday on 1 April 2021. Average prices then started to fall, as buyers of high-value properties reduced in number (see Table 2). However, the reduction in high-value sales only continued through April and May, with June and July seeing a return of the higher-value purchases. This was perhaps assisted by those who had decided to move away from buying properties in England, where the threshold on tax savings had reduced to £250,000 at the end of June.
Transactions analysis
Monthly transaction counts
Figure 2 below shows the monthly transaction count for purchases during the period January 2015 to July 2021, based on RoS (Registers of Scotland) figures for the Date of Entry (Applications Date for July 2021). The fall in the number of transactions for the period March 2020 to August 2020 is clearly visible. However, what is also clearly demonstrated is that the number of sales for each month from September 2020 to March 2021 has surpassed that of the same month in the previous six years.
In addition, the spike in sales that took place in March 2021 – as the tax holiday expiry date approached – is plain, although this total was exceeded by the volume of sales in October and November 2020, when monthly sales during the pandemic reached their peak. Also clear is the fall in sales in April 2021 to levels below those in all previous years except for 2016 and 2020, indicating the extent to which buyers had managed to bring forward their purchases into March 2021 to take advantage of the tax holiday.
For the record, the peak in sales in March 2016 was also tax-related, and came one month ahead of the introduction of the then 3% LBTT surcharge (now 4%) on second homes and buy-to-let properties, which tax was pre-announced to commence from April 2016.
Sales volumes for the period from April 2021 to June 2021 no longer exceed those of previous years, and appear to be roughly on a par with the levels seen in 2018. We will await the “Date of Entry” data for July 2021 before making a comment on this latest month.
Comparing total sales in 2020 with those of 2019, there was a 14% fall in the overall size of the market. However, looking at the number of transactions for the first six months of 2021 and comparing with the same period in 2019 (2020 figures are distorted by the lockdown in the early stages of the pandemic), sales are up by 11%, although this does include the spike in March 2021, which will have enhanced the 2021 figures.
Scotland transactions of £750k or higher
Table 2 shows the number of transactions per month in Scotland which are equal to or greater than £750k. The threshold of £750k has been selected as it is the breakpoint at which the highest rate of LBTT becomes payable.
Table 2 shows that there have been 537 sales in excess of £750k during the first seven months of 2021. This total is greater than the first seven months of each of the previous six years, beating the 363 transactions seen in 2015 – which had the second highest total to the end of July – by some 174 sales. Clearly the expectation for the whole twelve months of 2021 is that high-value sales will be far in excess of all previous years.
The reasons for this dramatic increase in top-end sales in 2021 are, as previously discussed, partly to do with the change in preference for larger properties. But additionally we should mention the record low interest rates, which make the purchase of a top-end property more affordable, as well as the tax savings associated with the LBTT holiday, which encouraged the whole market to be more adventurous in its outlook.
There are perhaps two other features of interest that can be observed in Table 2. The first, also previously mentioned, is that sales of high-value properties in June 2021 exceeded those of March 2021, despite the earlier month having the advantage of the tax holiday. The second is that in every month in 2021 (except March) the number of high-value sales has exceeded those of the same month in the previous six years.
Perhaps while discussing high value homes we should also point out that one tends to get more “bang for one’s buck” in Scotland than in England. For example, the recent purchase of a £1 million home in the Scottish Borders included 5 bedrooms, 2.8 acres of garden grounds and 5 acres of grazing paddock. In London £1 million will, in some boroughs, enable you to purchase a three bedroomed Victorian terrace, with minimal garden space. It is therefore little wonder that some Londoners are looking to move to Scotland, if the workplace allows.
Local Authority Analysis
Annual change
The average house price in Scotland has increased by some £20,550 – or 11.0% – over the last twelve months, to the end of July. This is 2.5% higher than the 8.5% recorded one month earlier, and comes as something of a surprise, given that the annual rate had been slowing over the previous three months from a high in March 2021 of 11.4%. We had assumed that since the ending of the LBTT holiday in March 2021 prices would begin to fall gently, but it would appear that the shift in housing preferences for larger properties – with space for home working – rather than commuting to places of work, continues to affect the current housing market.
In July 2021, all bar one of the 32 local authorities in Scotland have seen their average prices rise over the previous twelve months – the one authority not to have done so being Na h-Eileanan Siar, where only 25 sales took place in July 2020. The Scottish government were discouraging house buyers from visiting the Islands during the early stages of the pandemic – so average prices on the Islands were subject to dramatic change, due to the low numbers of transactions involved.
On the mainland, the highest annual July increase in prices occurred in the Scottish Borders, up by 23.2%. In the Scottish Borders, all property types have seen prices rise over the last year, with the largest increase being in detached homes, up from an average £285k in July 2020 to £370k one year later. The rise in average prices in July 2021 has been helped by the sale of six properties in excess of £750k, compared to 11 such properties being sold during the whole of 2020.
Monthly change
In July 2021, Scotland’s average house price rose by some £5,950, or 2.9%, and now stands at £207,877. This rise is the largest gain in a single month since the £15,316 increase seen in March 2015, immediately prior to the introduction of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), which came into force in Scotland on 1 April 2015.
Prices rose in July 2021 in 28 of the 32 Local Authority areas in Scotland, indicating a near universal increase in prices across the country. The largest increase in July, of 9.9%, was seen in the Orkney Islands – but this was a reflection of the small number of transactions that took place on the Islands, with low sales volumes (32 in July) often being associated with high percentage changes in average prices.
On a weight-adjusted basis, which takes into account both the increase in average price and the number of transactions involved, 5 local authority areas in July were responsible for 52% of the positive movement in Scotland’s average house price. The five areas concerned, in order of influence, were Glasgow City, the City of Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, East Lothian and South Lanarkshire.
Some analysts have been suggesting that, in the pandemic, it is isolated rural areas that have benefitted most from the lifestyle changes associated with the move to “work from home”. However, looking at the five authorities identified as having the most influence on the price change in July, one would not necessarily draw this conclusion. It would appear that the two largest cities in Scotland are responsible for the movement of over half the change in average house prices, either in their own right, or through their influence over their major commuting hinterlands.
Meanwhile, the Highland local authority area, which one might assume is mostly rural by disposition and should therefore be attracting new residents, has seen its average house price fall by -0.5% in July. As we reported last month, all property types in the Highland area have seen prices fall, with the price of terraces dropping from £155k in June to £134k in July. There has also been a decline in the number of detached properties sold in the month. For example, in the Highland area in March 2021 there were 171 detached properties sold in the month, contrasting with 84 detached homes being sold there in July.
Peak Prices
Each month, in Table 3 above, we highlight in light blue the local authority areas which have reached a new record in their average house prices. In July there are 12 such authorities, up from 4 local authorities in June, as well as Scotland’s own average price, which has also reached a new record level.
Heat Map
The heat map below shows the rate of house price growth for the 12 months ending July 2021. All bar one of the 32 local authority areas are reporting an increase in their housing values over the last year, the exception being Na h-Eileanan Siar.
The dedication and drive of companies in Scotland at the forefront of tackling environmental change has been recognised by the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.
At a time when Glasgow is preparing to host the COP26 climate change conference, this year’s awards also celebrate the actions and achievements of businesses working towards reaching net-zero carbon emissions.
A multi-agency judging panel recently selected 35 businesses from across the country to receive prestigious Good Practice Awards and praised their commitment to good environmental practice. From that prestigious list, 12 winners will be shortlisted on Friday 17 September for a further ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’.
The announcement has come as part of Scotland’s Climate Week 2021, which runs from 13 to 19 September.
Climate Week aims to raise awareness, showcase climate leadership, and encourage action, building momentum ahead of the UN climate negotiations, known as COP26, coming to Glasgow in November.
Terry A’Hearn, CEO of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and head of the VIBES judging panel said: “In a few weeks time the eyes of the world will be on Scotland as global leaders gather to accelerate the actions required to address the enormous climate challenges we face.
“VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards, linked to SEPA’s ambitious ‘One Planet Prosperity’ strategy, recognise Scotland’s leading businesses who show a real commitment to sustainable goods, products and services through leadership, innovation and ambition.
“I would like to congratulate all the finalists who have shown Scotland can be at the forefront of finding sustainable solutions to tackle the climate emergency.”
The organisations receiving awards represent a wide range of business sizes, sectors and are from locations across Scotland.
Gillian Bruce VIBES Chair said: “Despite the very significant challenges of the past two years, the high quality of entries has been hugely encouraging.
“It is important that we recognise those who are addressing the urgent environmental issues we face and praise the example they are setting for others.”
A virtual awards ceremony to congratulate the award winners will take place on Tuesday 19 October 2021 at 10.30am.
The event is backed by key economic and business development agencies and leading environmental bodies including The Scottish Government, SEPA, Scottish Enterprise, NatureScot, Scottish Water, Zero Waste Scotland, South of Scotland Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Energy Saving Trust.
The Scottish Government Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Richard Lochhead, said: “Scotland has always been famous for its innovation and pioneering spirit, and businesses and private sector organisations across the country now have a real opportunity to seize the economic opportunities that our journey to a net-zero economy presents – and indeed are already doing so.
“As we celebrate Climate Week and highlight the action being taken to tackle climate change, it is fitting that that these organisations are being recognised for the work they are doing to create more sustainable and climate-friendly business practices. My congratulations go to each of the companies highlighted today and I look forward to joining them at this year’s award ceremony”
The 12 businesses shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ are:
European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Orkney – the world’s first facility for demonstrating and testing wave and tidal energy converters in the sea and carry out pioneering work in the area of green hydrogen technology.
Glaze and Save, Perth – magnetic secondary glazing and draughtproofing specialists. Their bespoke magnetic glazing turns single glazed into double glazed windows without window replacement or redecoration, saving energy while reducing waste.
MacArthur Green, Glasgow is supporting projects that are beneficial to the environment, mostly in the areas of renewable energy, transmission networks, and nature conservation guidance.
Renewable Parts Ltd, sites inLochgilphead and Renfrewshire – taking a circular approach to their operations and are responsible for retrofitting and repairing wind turbines throughout the UK.
The Ethical Dairy, Gatehouse of Fleet, is harnessing natural systems for ecological, sustainability and animal welfare gains.
Adelphi Distillery Ltd,Glenbeg, Argyle has a low carbon approach for production of whisky including using renewable energy powered stills and a circular economy methodology for waste.
The Polycrub Company, Shetland, works with the aquaculture industry to reuse and recycle waste pipe. These are incorporated into a material that can withstand winds of 120 miles an hour so is therefore suitable for growing fresh produce in otherwise hostile environments.
Scottish Sea Farms, Mull, has implemented a number of measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels which have reduced both carbon emissions and operating costs.
WEEE Scotland Ltd, Glasgow, recycling waste electronic and electrical equipment and machinery.
Brewster Brothers Ltd, Livingston, has a recycling plant that turns construction, demolition and excavation (CDE) waste into industry standard recycled aggregates and other recycled products to sell back into the construction industry.
Tennent Caledonian, Glasgow, has invested in a sustainability programme and have significantly reduced energy and water use and their emissions.
ACS Clothing Ltd, Motherwell, provided the fashion industry with a circular approach that eliminates waste and pollution whilst providing retailers with additional revenue
The Edinburgh Remakery and Lothian Buses are among the 35 ‘Good Practice Award’ finalists.
To honour Batman Day 2021, the iconic Bat-Signal shone a light on imposing buildings across the UK last night. The participating cities – London, Liverpool, and Glasgow – had been revealed in advance, but the exact locations were shrouded in mystery.
From sundown on Batman Day, the huge and instantly recognisable Bat-Signal travelled up the country, being projected onto Odeon Luxe Leicester Square (London), St George’s Hall (Liverpool), the City Chambers (Glasgow) and DC inspired restaurant Park Row (London) along the way.
Eagle eyed fans who spotted the building and came to the Bat-Signal were also in with the chance of being surprised with Batman themed rewards, as the first ten people on site who approached event organisers and declared “I love Batman” won the recently released Batman: The World Anthology and Batman Anthology 4k/blu-ray/dvd collection.
Thomas, 6, from Glasgow says: “I love Batman. He’s the best superhero there is!”
Deborah, 30, from Liverpool says: “I just knew Batman coming to Liverpool would be an occasion not to be missed… and it feels great to be right”
Steven Daytes, 44 from London says: “We ran all the way to be the first people to see the signal in London! We’re huge Batman fans”
The exact locations were teased on Instagram and Facebook by DC GB Facebook and DCUKComics on the 18th to give Bat-Signal seekers a head start.
The UK Government sets out the background to the issue of wholesale gas prices and the action the it is taking to protect the UK’s energy supply, industry, and consumers:
There has recently been widespread media coverage of wholesale gas prices, and the effect this could have on household energy bills. The impact on certain areas of industry, and its ability to continue production, has also attracted attention.
This explainer sets out the background to the issue and the action the government is taking to protect the UK’s energy supply, industry, and consumers.
Natural gas prices have been steadily rising across the globe this year for a number of reasons. This has affected Europe, including the UK, as well as other countries around the world.
We have a diverse range of gas supply sources, with sufficient capacity to more than meet demand. The UK’s gas system continues to operate reliably and we do not anticipate any increased risk of supply emergencies this winter.
Why are there high global gas prices?
The prices that are currently visible reflect the high value being placed on gas at the present time, with prices being determined by global supply and demand. They are not necessarily representative of pre-existing contracts and therefore do not apply to all of the gas being consumed in the UK this winter.
Current prices reflect a number of factors including:
as the world comes out of COVID-19 lockdowns and economies reopen, we are seeing an uptick in global gas demand this year. *combined with a cold winter (which has an impact on gas demand as gas is often used for heating homes) this has led to a much tighter gas market with less spare capacity
in particular, high demand in Asia for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), natural gas transported globally by ship, means less LNG than expected has reached Europe *some essential maintenance projects rescheduled from 2020 due to coronavirus coincided with necessary scheduled projects in 2021, while weather events in the US have adversely affected their LNG exports to Europe
How are high global gas prices impacting the UK?
The gas market is crucial to the UK’s energy supply because of its significance in heating, industry and power generation.
Over 22 million households are connected to the gas grid and in 2020, 38% of the UK’s gas demand was used for domestic heating, 29% for electricity generation and 11% for industrial and commercial use.
High gas wholesale prices have subsequently driven an increase in wholesale power prices this year.
In recent weeks, this trend has been exacerbated by the weather and planned maintenance at some power stations. This has resulted in unusually low margins for this time of year. These factors have combined to cause spikes in wholesale electricity prices, with a number of short-term markets trading at, or near, record levels.
While we are not complacent, we do not expect supply emergencies this winter.
Is our gas supply at risk?
The Great Britain (GB) gas system has delivered securely to date and is expected to continue to function effectively, with a diverse range of supply sources and sufficient delivery capacity to more than meet demand.
While our largest single source of gas supply continues to be the UK Continental Shelf (approximately 48% of total supply in 2020), the maturity of that source means we have to supplement supply from international markets.
Whilst the diversity of those international sources promotes our energy security, by reducing reliance on a particular source, the UK – as with other nations – is exposed to global trends in supply and demand which affect the price of gas traded at UK’s market hub (the National Balancing Point).
We have a wide range of supply sources including direct pipelines across the North Sea from Norway to the UK, our single biggest source of imports. We are also investing millions into scaling up strong renewable energy capacity and driving down demand for fossil fuels.
GB also has a number of gas storage facilities that act as a source of system flexibility when responding to short-run changes in supply and demand.
What is the government doing on this?
Energy security is an absolute priority for this government. The government works closely with the regulator and gas supply operators to monitor supply and demand.
While wholesale gas prices have increased internationally this year, the market continues to balance supply and demand through adjusting the prices at which energy trades take place. We have no reason to suggest this will not continue but will monitor the market.
National Grid Gas has a number of tools at its disposal to mitigate the risk of a gas supply emergency, including requesting additional gas supplies be delivered to the National Transmission System. Together with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), National Grid Gas has robust response plans in place in the unlikely event that risk should materialise. Read plans for network gas supply emergencies.
Will this affect energy bills?
The high wholesale gas prices that are currently visible may not be the actual prices being paid by all consumers.
This is because major energy suppliers purchase much of their wholesale supplies many months in advance, giving protection to them and their customers from short-term price spikes.
The Energy Price Cap is also in place to protect millions of customers from the sudden increases in global gas prices this winter. Despite the rising costs of wholesale energy, the cap still saves 15 million households up to £100 a year.
The current global wholesale gas price situation as set out above could have an effect on companies.
Companies without longer-term contracts may face higher costs, but we expect that companies with longer-term contracts in place may have little exposure to the current high wholesale prices. If there were an event where a supplier fails, Ofgem would work to ensure that customers are moved to a new supplier, so they are not without energy.
How is the government helping poorer households?
Our Energy Price Cap will protect millions of customers from the sudden increases in global gas prices this winter.
We are also supporting low income and fuel poor households with their energy bills in a number of ways which demonstrates the government’s commitment.
This includes through:
the Warm Home Discount which provides eligible households with a £140 discount
in addition, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments will help ensure those most vulnerable are better able to heat their homes over the colder months
Vulnerable people and anyone in financial distress during this time should talk to their energy supplier, who will be able to discuss personal circumstances and consider options to help, including reassessing, reducing or pausing payments. Emergency measures have been agreed between government and energy suppliers to support those most in need during the disruption caused by COVID-19, and this agreement remains in place this winter. Read details of the agreement.
As set out in the Energy white paper, we plan to extend the Warm Home Discount until 2026, increase it to £150, and help an extra 780,000 pensioners and low-income families with their energy bills. With a total of 2.7 million to get support, with the vast majority to receive the money back automatically, without having to apply as at present.
Cold Weather Payments provide vulnerable households on qualifying benefits with financial support when the weather has been, or is forecasted to be, unusually cold. £25 is available for eligible households for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
Business and Energy Secretary meets and energy industry chiefs
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng held a series of individual meetings with senior executives from the energy industry yesterday to discuss the impact of high gas prices, driven by international supply and demand factors.
During the calls, the Secretary of State was reassured that security of supply was not a cause for immediate concern within the industry. The UK benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources, with sufficient capacity to more than meet demand. As previously stated, the UK’s gas system continues to operate reliably and we do not anticipate any increased risk of supply emergencies this winter.
The Secretary of State stressed that energy security is an absolute priority for this government. We are confident that security of supply can be maintained under a wide range of scenarios. Great Britain also benefits from a diverse electricity mix, which is one of the reasons why we have one of the most reliable electricity systems in the world.
Whilst our largest single supply source of gas continues to be from domestic production – and the vast majority of imports come from reliable suppliers such as Norway – the UK’s exposure to volatile global gas prices underscores the importance of the government’s plan to build a strong, home-grown renewable energy sector to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
The pressure being faced by some energy companies was also discussed during the meetings after four small suppliers ceased to trade in recent weeks. Ofgem has robust measures in place to ensure that customers do not need to worry, their needs are met, and their gas and electricity supply will continue uninterrupted if a supplier fails.
If the appointment of a Supplier of Last Resort is not possible, Ofgem and the Government have agreed processes in place to appoint a special administrator to temporarily run the business until such time as a new supplier can be found for the customers.
The Secretary of State also stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable customers during a time of heightened global gas prices. Government initiatives such as the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments will help ensure those most vulnerable are better able to heat their homes over the colder months. The Energy Price Cap is also in place to protect millions of customers from the sudden increases in global gas prices this winter.
The Business Secretary will be meeting with Ofgem this morning to discuss the issues raised by the industry in more detail, and on Monday he will convene a roundtable with industry to plan a way forward.
The Secretary of State is also working in contact with colleagues across government to manage the wider implications of the global gas price increase.
Responding to the latest urgent and emergency care survey published this week by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said:“The survey is welcome as it provides an invaluable insight into the patient experience and confirms that Emergency Departments are doing an incredible job in difficult circumstances.
“We are appreciative of patients engaging and providing this feedback in the middle of the pandemic in September 2020. Managing to continue these core assurance processes is a challenge but continues to be very important.
“It is encouraging to see improvements in many areas compared to previous years. It is particularly pleasing to see one-third of patients using type 1 services rate their experiences 10 out of 10, and also that 94% of patients had confidence and trust in the doctors and nurses examining and treating them. This is a testament to the dedication, commitment, expertise, and compassion of Emergency Medicine staff.
“While there are many positives to highlight in this report, understandably there are some areas for improvement. Many of the areas that are a source of frustration for patients are largely a result of staff shortages and the existing workforce’s ability to dedicate ample time to each patient.
“It is important that patients have the opportunity to talk through their treatment or condition, that all patients receive the help they need when they need it whether before, after or during their care, and that their pain or condition is managed throughout their time in A&E.
“The current challenges facing the health service are no doubt affecting clinicians’ ability to deliver the highest quality of care that they strive to provide. Current workforce numbers do not match current demand, and workforce shortages crossed with increases in demand mean existing staff are stretched thinly.
“To meet current demand the workforce needs 2,500 more consultants in England along with sufficient numbers of nurses, trainees, allied health professionals and SAS doctors.”
Dr Katherine Henderson continued:“It is interesting to see that 41% of patients contacted NHS 111 before going to A&E and 32% contacted their GP before going to A&E.
“This highlights the importance of NHS 111 as a resource for patients. It is absolutely essential that the efficacy of NHS 111 is properly evaluated so we can learn how best to resource it and wider services. Call handlers must have the tools they need to provide sound guidance to patients, and they must have an adequate range of services and pathways to which they can direct patients.
“It is also significant that 32% of patients also contact their GP before going to A&E. This highlights the crucial link between primary and urgent and emergency care and makes clear that both are under-resourced. Plans to tackle the challenges facing urgent and emergency care must include a joined-up approach that include ways of supporting and resourcing primary care.”
We all know that recycling is one small step everyone can take to help the environment and lower our carbon footprint.
As part of this year’s recycling week (September 20-26) we’d like to help you reduce contamination in your bins which can spoil the rest of the contents and stop them from being recycled. We’ll also be promoting top tips for what to put in which bin and more on which plastics you can recycle.
We’ve created an easy-to -use online recycling sorter. You type in an item and it tells you if it can be recycled, which bin to put it in or where to take it – there’s also plenty of tips too.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener, said: “It’s really important we all get in the habit of disposing of our waste correctly and reusing and recycling where we can. This will all help towards our target for Edinburgh to become a net zero carbon city by 2030.
“To help you sort out your waste and stop even small bits of food and grease in the green recycling bin contaminating other items, like paper and cardboard spoiling the whole bin we’re providing top tips across various platforms, including our website. Our brand new recycling sorter will also be a really useful guide too.”
Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “We’re trying to make recycling as easy as possible for our residents.
“I know it can be confusing, with so many different kinds of plastics being used in packaging so we’re providing guidance on that and how to dispose of electrical items safely as well! Please check this out to help us recycle more.”
Make sure any bottles or containers are empty. Remember, you can leave plastic drink bottle lids on, but please remove any pump sprays.
Rinse it
Rinse any food and drinks packaging with water before putting it in the bin – you can even use dish water to do this.
Remove it
Peel film lids and coverings off plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays. Plastic film, wrapping and cellophane can’t be recycled. You don’t need to remove labels though.
Separate it
Don’t store containers and packaging inside each other – it’s difficult to separate them at the recycling plant.
How to recycle your plastics
What to recycle
Whether you use a wheelie bin or a communal bin you can easily recycle plastics in your green lidded bin. Just pop in your empty plastic:
We don’t collect any other type of plastic, so don’t put bags, wrappers, cellophane, toys or any other type of plastic in your green lidded bin.
Before you pop them in the bin remember to rinse the bottles and wash any food off pots, tubs and trays – you don’t need to remove labels, but some bottles come wrapped in a sleeve made from a different plastic. Tear these off and put them in your non-recyclable waste bin.
We accept bottles with or without the tops, but remove pump sprays before putting them in the bin as we can’t recycle them.
What happens to plastic recycling?
Our contractor recycles these in their own recycling plants in England. Anything they can’t recycle is turned into fuel.
Avoiding plastics means less waste
Everything you buy or use has an impact on the environment. Recycling helps to reduce this by reducing how many raw products we use but avoiding producing waste in the first place means even less impact.
Edinburgh has some great refill shops where you can bring your own tubs and bottles and refill them with dried foods, household cleaners and toiletries. Some supermarkets are also starting to develop refill stations in-store.
Plastic bags and wrappers
You can recycle plastic bags at larger supermarkets. They’re starting to collect a wider range of plastic wrappers.
We can’t collect and recycle large plastic items at our recycling centres at the moment. This includes items like garden furniture and toys. We’re looking for a reliable recycling company who will take items and we’ll start to collect them again as soon as we can.
Some types of plastics are much harder to collect, either due to their size or because they are made of a mix of materials and need specialist treatment.
Some shops have now started to provide collection points for things like lipstick packaging, pumps sprays and cosmetic packaging in store.
Not all stores will offer the service, so check their websites to find out what they take and which stores provide this.
How to recycle electrical items:
Kerbside bins – to recycle small electricals in Edinburgh you put them in your blue recycling box (which also collects your glass bottles and jars) if you have one. You can put in batteries (in clear plastic bags) and small electrical items like a hairdryer).
