Day: September 21, 2022

Revealed: The most streamed FIFA songs of all time 

  • Heat Waves by Glass Animals is the most streamed FIFA song, with a staggering 1.9 billion streams on Spotify. 
  • Blur’s Song 2 is the oldest song in the ranking, placing seventh overall, with more than 560 million streams. 
  • The 2010s dominate the ranking, with 14 entries in the top 20. 

A new study has revealed the most popular FIFA songs, with Glass Animal’s Heat Waves taking the top spot. 

The research, conducted by online gaming site Solitaired.com, analysed Spotify data to discover the number of streams every song featured on a FIFA soundtrack has ever received, from FIFA: World Cup ‘98 to the most recent FIFA 22 game, launched last year.  

A spokesperson for Solitaired.com commented on the findings: “Since 1998, the music that accompanies FIFA game menus has slowly but surely blossomed into one of the game’s main selling points and with every new game comes a new, almost equally anticipated, soundtrack. 

With the FIFA 23 release date on September 27th, it will be interesting to see how the current ranking of the most streamed FIFA songs changes as the new soundtrack is revealed, which will sadly be the last game, and soundtrack, of the games’ series.” 

The most streamed FIFA songs 

The study revealed that Heat Waves by Glass Animals is the most streamed song featured on a FIFA soundtrack, with a staggering 1.9 billion streams on Spotify. Heat Waves featured on FIFA 2021, which appeared on the British group Glass Animals’ third studio album, Dreamland. The song reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and number one in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, where it also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Ranking second is The Nights by the late Swedish DJ AVICII, with more than 1.1 billion streams. The song appeared on the FIFA 15 soundtrack after being released in late 2014. Billie Eilish’s hit single you should see me in a crown is next on the list, with more than 692 million streams, closely followed by Imagine Dragon’s On Top of the World, with 683 million Spotify streams. 

Interestingly, the songs from the 2010s dominate the top 20, with 14 entries overall, including fan-favourite Love Me Again by John Newman which featured on FIFA 14, ranking eighth overall, with 494 million streams.

Additionally, only one song from the 1990s made the top 20 – Song 2 by Blur, making it the oldest song in the ranking. With more than 560 million streams to date, Song 2 featured on the soundtrack for FIFA: Road to World Cup ‘98, which was the first game in the series to feature a soundtrack. 

The Top 20 Most Streamed FIFA Songs 
Artist: Song: Year: Total Spotify Streams: 
1. Glass Animals Heat Waves 2021 1,946,964,717 
2. AVICII The Nights 2015 1,163,964,283 
3. Billie Eilish you should see me in a crown 2019 692,812,784 
4. Imagine Dragons On Top of the World 2013 683,964,847 
5. Kaleo Way Down We Go 2016 643,561,438 
6. MGMT Kids 2009 599,007,927 
7. Blur Song 2 1998 560,576,371 
8. John Newman Love Me Again 2014 494,064,676 
9. Rosalia & Ozuna Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi 2020 465,460,354 
10. Vance Joy Mess Is Mine 2015 395,291,133 
11. LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo Genius 2019 382,638,591 
12. Muse Supermassive Black Hole 2007 370,594,842 
13. Major Lazer Que Calor 2020 347,958,743 
14. Peter Bjorn and John Young Folks 2008 338,367,458  
15. New Order Blue Monday 2005 285,463,188 
16. Kygo ft. Kodaline Raging 2017 270,224,195 
17. Gorillaz Rhinestone Eyes 2011 264,349,990 
18. Saint Motel My Type 2015 253,134,043 
19. Childish Gambino Feels Like Summer 2019 245,942,140 
20. Disclosure ft. Sam Smith Omen 2016 238,175,156 

 The most streamed FIFA songs of the 2000s 

FIFA soundtracks are reflective of the year they are released, so they often provide a source of nostalgia for many long-time players. Unsurprisingly, Kids by MGMT ranks as the most streamed FIFA song from the 2000s, from 2009 specifically, with 599 million streams on Spotify. Supermassive Black Hole by Muse ranks next from 2007, with 370 million total streams, closely followed by Young Folks by Peter Bjorn and John from 2008, with more than 338 million streams. 

Also, the research revealed that FIFA 2009 is a popular soundtrack with fans, with five entries from 2009 in the top 15 songs from the 2000s. These songs include: Kids by MGMT, Mercy by Duffy, Untouched by The Veronicas, Always Where I Need to Be by The Kooks and Ready For the Floor (Soulwax Remix) by Hot Chip. 

The Top 15 Most Streamed FIFA Songs of the 2000s 
Artist: Song: Year: Total Spotify Streams: 
1. MGMT Kids 2009 599,007,927 
2. Muse Supermassive Black Hole 2007 370,594,842 
3. Peter Bjorn and John Young Folks 2008 338,367,458 
4. New Order Blue Monday 2005 285,463,188 
5. Duffy Mercy 2009 232,202,405 
6. Caesars Jerk It Out 2004 193,467,887 
7. The Jam Town Called Malice 2004 147,686,251 
8. The Veronicas Untouched 2009 133,517,836 
9. Bloc Party Helicopter 2006 103,448,991 
10. Scissor Sisters Take Your Mama 2005 92,965,463 
11. Safri Duo Played A-Live (The Bongo Song) 2003 73,877,764 
12. The Kooks Always Where I Need to Be 2009 63,288,599 
13. Hot Chip Ready For the Floor (Soulwax Remix) 2009 62,539,194  
14. Tribalistas Ja Sei Namorar 2004 58,835,591 
15. Gorillaz 19-2000 (Soulchild Remix) 2002 57,139,760 

The ultimate FIFA playlist 

Within the FIFA community, many fans often discuss and debate the most iconic songs ever featured on the game, as well as their favourite soundtracks by year. The below table lists the most streamed song on each FIFA soundtrack since 1998, including some classic fan-favourites and a few surprises. 

Interestingly, English band Gorillaz are the only artist to feature twice, both in 2002 with 19-2000 (Soulchild Remix), which has received 57 million Spotify streams and in 2011 with Rhinestone Eyes, which has 264 million streams. 

The Most Streamed FIFA Songs from Every Year 
Year: Artist: Song: Total Spotify Streams: 
1998 Blur Song 2 560,576,371 
1999 Fatboy Slim The Rockafeller Skank 86,888,733 
2000 Reel Big Fish Sell Out 47,532,833 
2001 Moby Bodyrock 17,895,220 
2002 Gorillaz 19-2000 (Soulchild Remix) 57,139,760 
2003 Safri Duo Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song) 73,877,764 
2004 Caesars Jerk It Out 193,467,887 
2005 New Order Blue Monday 285,463,188 
2006 Bloc Party Helicopter 103,448,991 
2007 Muse Supermassive Black Hole 370,594,842 
2008 Peter Bjorn and John Young Folks 338,367,458 
2009 MGMT Kids 599,007,927 
2010 Matt & Kim Daylight 167,592,928 
2011 Gorillaz Rhinestone Eyes 264,349,990 
2012 Foster the People Call It What You Want 106,199,550 
2013 Imagine Dragons On Top of the World 683,964,847  
2014 John Newman Love Me Again 494,064,676 
2015 AVICII The Nights 1,163,964,283 
2016 Kaleo Way Down We Go 643,561,438 
2017 Kygo ft. Kodaline Raging  270,224,195 
2018 Tash Sultana Jungle 194,454,302 
2019 Billie Eilish you should see me in a crown 692,812,784 
2020 Rosalia & Ozuna Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi 465,460,354 
2021 Glass Animals Heat Waves 1,946,964,717 
2022 Seb Seaside_Demo 117,223,691 

The research was conducted by Solitaired.com, a free, browser-based card game platform with more than 500 games available to play.  

SEPA: continuing downward trajectory in greenhouse gas emissions

2021 emissions data shows continuing downward trajectory in greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions from SEPA regulated industrial sites fell by 5% between 2020 and 2021.

This continues the downward trend in greenhouse gas emissions since 2007.
Emissions figures reflect the continued impact of the pandemic on Scotland’s industries in 2021, with the economy not fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

A major accidental release of fluorinated gases by Anglo Beef Processors in Perth is being investigated by SEPA. It is the second largest accidental release in the food and drink sector in Europe.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published its Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) data for 2021.

SPRI provides a valuable picture of the amount of pollutants released in Scotland from SEPA-regulated industrial sites. It is a publicly accessible electronic database and aims to provide information for policy makers, academics and the public about the pressure Scottish industry puts on the environment through greenhouse gas emissions. SPRI does not assess the compliance of the facilities or the health and environmental impact of the releases.

The latest data reveals greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5% between 2020 and 2021. This reduction continues the decreasing trend seen over the last 15 years, with an overall drop of around 62% since 2007.

2007 – 2021 greenhouse gas graph

Global warming potential of greenhouse gases reported to SPRI since 2007 (kg CO2e).

Ongoing impact of Covid-19

Around a third of the sites that report pollutant emissions to SPRI each year noted a significant difference in their 2021 data compared to 2020. This is a similar proportion to previous years.

The economy in Scotland contracted by nearly 11% in 2020, as public health restrictions and changing behaviours in response to the coronavirus pandemic suppressed activity. There were particular falls in the construction, manufacturing, and mining and quarrying industries, and the economy as a whole did not recover to pre-pandemic levels until the beginning of 2022.

Whilst a number of sites mentioned that production (and hence emissions) had increased following a downturn during the pandemic in 2020, other sites mentioned that production did not return to pre-pandemic levels during 2021.

Jo Green, acting Chief Executive of SEPA, said: “Scotland has a clear vision to become a Net Zero society, with ambitious plans for a just transition. The latest data from SEPA continues to see greenhouse gases from Scottish industry continue the long-term downward trend. These official statistics chart the progress we’ve made as a nation, but they also reflect the realism of a modern, Western European economy in transition.

“The data that SPRI holds is vital to helping us understand how changes are impacting on our environment both directly and indirectly, ensuring Scotland can identify priority areas to reduce releases and track progress.

“As Scotland’s environmental regulator, SEPA’s firm focus remains on helping Scottish businesses innovate and continue to emerge stronger and more sustainably from the impacts of the pandemic. We’ve all got a role to play in tackling climate change and the continued reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from Scottish businesses is vital in helping our country reach net zero.”

Increase in F-gas emissions

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) are a family of chemicals that contain fluorine. They are also powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

In February 2022 SEPA identified a large accidental release of F-gases from a meat producer, Anglo Beef Processors UK, Ruthvenfield Rd, Inveralmond, Perth, when the site submitted its Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) data returns for 2021.

It is one of the largest accidental releases in the food and drink sector in Europe up to 2020 and represents 87% of the total HFC emissions from all sectors in Scotland for 2021. This resulted in a significant increase in this pollutant (around 112%) compared to 2020.

SEPA’s Carbon reduction, Energy and Industry team began an investigation into the cause, which was related to the site’s refrigeration system. This investigation is currently ongoing and SEPA will determine whether any enforcement action is required as a result of its findings.

The site has now installed alternative refrigeration technologies.

Penguin and Twinkl to donate over 55,000 books by authors of colour to UK primary schools

  • Penguin Books UK and Twinkl are coming together to increase primary school pupils’ access to books by writers of colour, by giving away books including by Sharna Jackson and Malala Yousafzai to 500 schools across the UK.
  • Twinkl are producing a range of learning resources to accompany titles in the donation, to support teachers to integrate the new texts into their teaching. 
  • Schools can apply to receive the books at https://www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colour/twinkl-partnership 

Penguin Books have joined forces with Twinkl Educational Publishing to donate books by authors of colour to 500 UK primary schools.

The donation of books from Penguin, Puffin, Ladybird, and Vintage and Andersen Press forms part of Penguin’s Lit in Colour campaign, and aims to give pupils access to a wider range of authors, characters and books to tackle their stark underrepresentation in UK schools. 

Each participating school will receive 100 books, covering a range of titles across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and mythology; from much-loved classics to new voices. Authors included in the selection are Matthew A. Cherry, Malala Yousafzai, Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali and more. Each school will also receive a class set of The Good Turn by Sharna Jackson. 

Research by Lit in Colour, carried out by Penguin Books and the Runnymede Trust in 2021, revealed a stark picture of under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic authors in the teaching of English Literature in this country.

This is relative both to these authors’ place in contemporary British literary excellence and school population demographics. According to the research, 82% of young people do not ever recall studying a book by a Black, Asian or minority ethnic author, while 70% agree that diversity is part of British society and should be represented in the school curriculum. 

The research also found that a key barrier for primary school teachers was a lack of ready-made resources available from teaching sites that are focused on diverse texts. This is a significant challenge for educators who rely on these for the basis of their planning.

In response to this, Twinkl are producing a comprehensive set of learning resources that aim to make it as easy as possible for educators to create a full lesson around these titles and immerse learners through a selection of activity sheets to be used alongside the books and as follow-on activities. 

Twinkl’s comprehensive series of educational resources will cover 20 titles that will support bringing new literature to classrooms. The learning materials will consist of various worksheets and activity packs. These include 60-second reading activities, to biography fact files and writing packs. These resources will be available to freely access online and can be used in connection with Penguin’s Lit in Colour book list.

Zaahida Nabagereka, Penguin Random House’s Head of Social Impact, said: “Partnering with Twinkl on this first ever UK wide Lit in Colour Primary School donation is a really significant step in addressing the barriers the Lit in Colour report identified in 2021.

“We are committed to supporting teachers to take diverse books into their classrooms with confidence, and key to that is resources. This collaboration strengthens the argument that we can achieve more when we tackle systemic issues together.”

David Angrave, Twinkl’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “As a global education publisher, we are delighted to work with Penguin on such a meaningful campaign. Our Lit in Colour resources aim to engage learners in a wide variety of diverse titles in the classroom. Through a range of voices in books, children can discover different cultures and identifiable characters. 

“We are looking forward to continuing to collaborate with Penguin with this campaign and help build an inclusive outlook which celebrates differences and what brings us together.”

Sharna Jackson, author of The Good Turn, “When I was younger, there was a pronounced lack of access to many books that reflected my experience – as part of the curriculum, or in my school library.

“It’s why I wholeheartedly support the transformative work that Lit in Colour does to expand and enrich the curriculum. I am so incredibly proud that The Good Turn can be a small part of this change, as this donation from Lit in Colour and Twinkl will make an enormous difference to thousands of young readers who deserve to see themselves and their experience reflected in the books stocked on their school library shelves.”

To find out more about how your school can get involved with the Lit in Colour book giveaway, please visit our website.

Primary teachers can apply by completing this short form by Friday 30th September.

‘Remarkable’ Dr Pat Carragher receives a national WellChild Award

Dr Pat Carragher from Fife collected his prestigious national 2022 WellChild Award, in association with GSK, at The Hurlingham Club in London on September 8th, having been nominated by his colleague Emma Craig,

The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children. The charity’s Patron, The Duke of Sussex was called away to Balmoral and so could not attend the WellChild Awards ceremony with his wife the Duchess as planned.

The news of Her Majesty’s passing broke just as the awards ceremony was about to take place. In a change to the planned proceedings, there was a short silence as a mark of respect followed by a rendition of The National Anthem from opera singers Natalie Rushdie and Camilla Kerslake. The winners then all came onto the stage as a group to receive their awards.

Dr Carragher, who is Medical Director at Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the Legacy category in these Awards which celebrate the resilience of children living with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help these children and their families. 

In summer of 2022, Dr Pat Carragher will be retiring as Medical Director at CHAS after nearly 39 years of working as a doctor. He has encountered periods of great change in his years as a medic including in Primary Care when he was a GP in Kinross before becoming Rachel House’s first hospice doctor and formally beginning work in Children’s Palliative Care in March 1996.

Dr Carragher has led the changes to CHAS’s medical service provisions through the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges the pandemic brought, alongside the team, he was determined to find ways to continue to reach the thousands of children with life-shortening conditions that rely on CHAS.

He helped establish new and innovative ways of working using technology to provide help to families across Scotland and proved himself to be a strong and resilient leader through immense change. He has reshaped CHAS’s medical services, helping families during what continues to be an isolating and unpredictable time. 

Within three to four weeks from the start of the Coid-19 Pandemic, CHAS completely adapted its service offering to survive and to maintain the very best standards of care for children with palliative care needs, and to support their families.

Dr Carragher also led on virtual work through the “Near me” consultations via the NHS and by the use of Microsoft Teams, to interact with and assess children at home, and to work with their parents. CHAS’s pioneering virtual children’s hospice was also launched at the beginning of the pandemic and has rapidly developed since proving to be extremely successful.

Dr Carragher has also helped lead the CHAS hospital teams in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh through this period of transformation, providing clinical leadership and support in the planning and delivery of palliative care whilst working closely with the NHS and local authorities.

He was key in launching the first hospital-based Supportive and Palliative Care team in Scotland at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and has continued to provide specialist advice through the pandemic. 

Rami Okasha, the Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, who nominated Dr Carragher for the WellChild Award, said: “Dr Pat’s leadership and strength of character has enabled the team to adapt in ways which they never imagined.

“He’s shown resilience and an unwavering drive for reaching all of those who require CHAS’s help, and he’s inspired not only the medical team but all teams.”

“Dr Pat was continuously able to inspire and encourage teams to ‘keep going’ during the pandemic and to embrace the new and innovate ways to deliver care. He has provided solid leadership throughout this period of immense change.”

Dr Carragher ends many presentations with the following which he feels is vital for us all to understand: “The death of a child has serious and lasting effects on parents and other family members, effectively for the rest of their lives.

“Any attempt to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in the final days or weeks, must not only be good for a child but, in the fullness of time, be helpful to those left behind.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “We were so pleased to be able to celebrate our remarkable winners at The WellChild Awards 2022, in association with GSK, despite the unique circumstances this year.

“It was a chance to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience, and spirit they have demonstrated. It also helped us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings, professionals and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”

OPAT scheme is helping more people to be treated closer to home

Innovative OPAT scheme saves 45,000 hospital admission bed days

A new service which has already saved 45,000 hospital bed days this year is being further rolled out over the coming months.

The Out-patient Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service allows people to be treated at home or in out-patient settings – reducing the need for hospital admission or long stays.

Patients are able to receive intravenous antimicrobial therapy or other complex antibiotic treatment in an out-patient clinic at a time convenient to them, and in some areas even at home rather than as an inpatient.

The service, part of the right care in the right place initiative, is just one of many innovative programmes which health boards are using to help reduce pressures on the rest of the system.

Figures published by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group show that between 17 January 2022 and 21 August 2022 on average 250 people per week have been treated by the OPAT service and more than 45,000 hospital admission bed days have been avoided in that period.

OPAT services are supported by £50 million of Scottish Government funding through the Urgent and Unscheduled Care Collaborative.  

Beleaguered Health Secretary Humzah Yousaf welcomed a piece of good news. He said: “I am pleased to see the roll-out of the Out-patient Antimicrobial Therapy service.

“We know that our accident and emergency departments continue to be under significant pressure, and that is why we are working at pace to deliver this scheme, and others like it, to provide more care in the community while reducing pressure on hospitals.

“We know there is a real benefit to treating people at home where possible. We are determined to build on this success and want to see this approach adopted across as many health boards as possible.”

Dr Andrew Seaton, Chair of the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group and Consultant in Infectious Diseases, said: ““Hospitals are under significant pressure as we try to recover from the effects of the COVID pandemic and there is a real need for initiatives to support recovery and promote different ways of caring for our patients traditionally managed in hospitals.

“OPAT is an excellent example of how nurses, pharmacists and doctors can work together to provide high quality patient centred care without the need for a hospital bed. The focus now on further developing virtual capacity and new ways of working with support across Scotland for initiatives like ours is very welcome”.

Nine health boards currently use OPAT services and the programme will be rolled out further over the coming months.

Yesterday’s announcement was somewhat overshadowed by news that the latest hospital waiting times in Scotland are the WORST EVER.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said the figures showed the “crisis in A&E is not merely continuing, but deepening”.

ENLIVEN: Heart of Newhaven welcoming event this Saturday

Bring neighbours, friends and family together at this welcoming event at The Heart of Newhaven this Saturday afternoon.

There will be something for everyone to enjoy and I’ll have a brilliant screen printing activity running that’s easy, fun, experimental and colourful so pop in and have a taster of what Ink on Mesh and other businesses at the HEaRT have for you all.

UK Government outlines plans to help cut energy bills for businesses

Support for households, businesses and public sector organisations facing rising energy bills has been unveiled

  • New government scheme will see energy prices for non-domestic energy customers such as businesses, charities and public sector organisations cut – protecting them from rising energy costs
  • government work with suppliers will reduce wholesale energy costs – and the significant rises in bills that businesses have seen
  •  this support is in addition to the Energy Price Guarantee for households, with further measures today to strengthen support for families across the United Kingdom, including those in rentals or park homes

New support for households, businesses and public sector organisations facing rising energy bills in Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been unveiled by Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg today (Wednesday 21 September) – supporting growth, preventing unnecessary insolvencies and protecting jobs.

Through a new government Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the government will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers (including all UK businesses, the voluntary sector like charities and the public sector such as schools and hospitals) whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices. This support will be equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee put in place for households.

It will apply to fixed contracts agreed on or after 1 April 2022, as well as to deemed, variable and flexible tariffs and contracts. It will apply to energy usage from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, running for an initial 6 month period for all non-domestic energy users. The savings will be first seen in October bills, which are typically received in November.

As with the Energy Price Guarantee for households, customers do not need to take action or apply to the scheme to access the support. Support (in the form of a p/kWh discount) will automatically be applied to bills.

To administer support, the government has set a Supported Wholesale Price – expected to be £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas, less than half the wholesale prices anticipated this winter – which is a discounted price per unit of gas and electricity.

This is equivalent to the wholesale element of the Energy Price Guarantee for households. It includes the removal of green levies paid by non-domestic customers who receive support under the scheme.

The level of price reduction for each business will vary depending on their contract type and circumstances:

  • non-domestic customers on existing fixed price contracts will be eligible for support as long as the contract was agreed on or after 1 April 2022. Provided that the wholesale element of the price the customer is paying is above the Government Supported Price, their per unit energy costs will automatically be reduced by the relevant p/kWh for the duration of the Scheme. Customers entering new fixed price contracts after 1 October will receive support on the same basis
  • those on default, deemed or variable tariffs will receive a per-unit discount on energy costs, up to a maximum of the difference between the Supported Price and the average expected wholesale price over the period of the Scheme. The amount of this Maximum Discount is likely to be around £405/MWh for electricity and £115/MWh for gas, subject to wholesale market developments. Non-domestic customers on default or variable tariffs will therefore pay reduced bills, but these will still change over time and may still be subject to price increases. This is why the government is working with suppliers to ensure all their customers in England, Scotland and Wales are given the opportunity to switch to a fixed contract/tariff for the duration of the scheme if they wish, underpinned by the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme support
  • for businesses on flexible purchase contracts, typically some of the largest energy-using businesses, the level of reduction offered will be calculated by suppliers according to the specifics of that company’s contract and will also be subject to the Maximum Discount

A parallel scheme, based on the same criteria and offering comparable support, but recognising the different market fundamentals, will be established in Northern Ireland.

If you are not connected to either the gas or electricity grid, equivalent support will also be provided for non-domestic consumers who use heating oil or alternative fuels instead of gas. Further detail on this will be announced shortly.

We will publish a review into the operation of the scheme in three months to inform decisions on future support after March 2023. The review will focus in particular on identifying the most vulnerable non-domestic customers and how the government will continue assisting them with energy costs.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “I understand the huge pressure businesses, charities and public sector organisations are facing with their energy bills, which is why we are taking immediate action to support them over the winter and protect jobs and livelihoods.

“As we are doing for consumers, our new scheme will keep their energy bills down from October, providing certainty and peace of mind.

“At the same time, we are boosting Britain’s homegrown energy supply so we fix the root cause of the issues we are facing and ensure greater energy security for us all.”

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng said: “We have stepped in to stop businesses collapsing, protect jobs, and limit inflation.

“And with our plans to boost home-grown energy supply, we will bring security to the sector, growth to the economy and secure a better deal for consumers.”

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “We have seen an unprecedented rise in energy prices following Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, which has affected consumers up and down the country and businesses of all sizes.

“The help we are already putting in place will save families money off their bills, and the government’s plans for businesses, charities and public sector organisations will give them the equivalent level of support.

“This, alongside the measures we are taking to boost the amount of domestic energy we produce to improve both energy security and supply, will increase growth, protect jobs and support families with their cost of living this winter.”

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality said: “This intervention is unprecedented and it is extremely welcome that government has listened to hospitality businesses facing an uncertain winter. 

“We particularly welcome its inclusiveness – from the smallest companies to the largest – all of which combine to provide a huge number of jobs, which are now much more secure.

“The government has recognised the vulnerability of hospitality as a sector, and we will continue to work with the government, to ensure that there is no cliff edge when these measures fall away.”

Support for households in Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Today’s announcement follows the launch of the Energy Price Guarantee for households in Great Britain, under which a typical household will pay on average £2,500 a year on their energy bill for the next two years from 1 October.

The scheme limits the price suppliers can charge customers for units of gas and electricity, taking account of the Exchequer temporarily funding for two years environmental and social costs, including green levies – worth around £150 – which are currently included in domestic energy bills. The guarantee supersedes the existing price cap and is expected to save the average household £1,000 a year based on current energy prices from October.

It also comes in addition to the announced £400 energy bills discount for all households and together, they will bring costs close to where the energy price cap currently stands.

Today, the Business Secretary also confirmed equivalent support for households in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Energy Price Guarantee will offer households the same level of gas and electricity bill support as the equivalent scheme in Great Britain.

Households in Northern Ireland will also receive a £400 discount on bills through the Northern Ireland Energy Bills Support Scheme (NI EBSS), the same support as is available in Great Britain.

For the Energy Price Guarantee, the scheme will still work through electricity and gas bills. The scheme will provide households in Northern Ireland with equivalent financial support with their electricity and gas bills as for those in Great Britain. Energy suppliers will reduce bills by a unit price reduction of up to 17p/kWh for electricity and 4.2p/kWh for gas, and there is no need to take any action to receive this support.

This will take effect from November, but the government will ensure households receive support so they will see the same benefit overall as those households in Great Britain backdating support for October bills through bills from November.

Targeted support

The government also announced today further details on the separate Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) to ensure that the £400 discount to households starting from October will also be available to the 1% of households who would not otherwise have received this support.

Additional funding will be made available so that £400 payments will be extended to include people such as park home residents and those tenants whose landlords pay for their energy via a commercial contract. The government is committed to ensuring such households receive the same support for their energy bills.  The government will introduce legislation to make sure landlords pass the EBSS discount on to tenants who pay all-inclusive bills.

The government will also provide an additional payment of £100 to households across the UK who are not able to receive support for their heating costs through the Energy Price Guarantee. This might be because they live in an area of the UK that is not served by the gas grid and is to compensate for the rising costs of alternative fuels such as heating oil.

Two’s company for visually-impaired Edinburgh and Lothian cyclists

Lothian tandem riders are gearing up for Poppyscotland’s popular Sportive event, proving visual impairment is no barrier to cycling.

Edinburgh-based Vie Velo cycling club pairs sighted “pilots” with blind and visually-impaired riders for regular social bike rides.

Now 30 group members have challenged themselves to complete the Sportive on Sunday 25th September, cycling up to 68 miles on routes through East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

They will join around 1000 cyclists at the event, which is Poppyscotland’s biggest fundraiser outside the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Now in its seventh year, it has already raised more than £250,000 to support the Armed Forces community in Scotland.

This year’s Sportive aims to be the most inclusive ever, opening up the route to tandems and e-bike users.

Ken Reid, 63, from North Berwick, chair of Vie Velo, took up tandem riding in 1990 when he found his eyesight deteriorating due to retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive condition.

He helped set up the club in 2019 with the support of Cycling UK and grants from RS MacDonald Charitable Trust and Transport Scotland.

They now have almost 90 members, with around one third affected by visual impairment, and meet at Saughton Park for bike rides at least twice a month.

Ken said: “We were looking for a challenge for our group and were keen to support Poppyscotland. We felt there was a close connection since many veterans in Scotland are affected by sight loss.

“I kept cycling solo as long as I could when I realised I was losing my sight. But then I decided to buy a tandem and found a group of mates who would take turns to go out with me.

“We were delighted to be able to set up the club to get more blind and partially-sighted people engaged in cycling. We’d like more people to know about us and be aware they have the option of getting back on a bike again.

“The most important thing in tandem riding is trust. You have to place all your trust in the pilot, and that can be a big change if you’re used to having control. But it’s also great fun and very sociable – we’re not racers and all our weekend rides include stops for coffee and cake!”

The Sportive, sponsored by Fred.Olson Renewables, will start and finish at Prestonpans Community Centre. Entrants can choose between three routes of different lengths, taking in stunning coastal and country roads. The most challenging 102-mile route covers the Lammermuirs, before dipping down to Chirnside and Duns in the Scottish Borders.

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome the riders from Vie Velo, and very grateful for their support. They are truly inspirational and really do show that cycling can be for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

“We’re excited that the Sportive is returning to East Lothian and the Borders after a two-year break. This year’s event aims to be the most inclusive ever, and we’re encouraging riders of all abilities to take part, whether on a traditional bike, an e-bike or a tandem.

“The Sportive is always very popular, but there’s still time to join in, get fit, and raise funds for a great cause Participants can choose between three routes, taking in stunning coastal views and country roads, with a timed hill climb to challenge the most experienced cyclists.

“We’d like to thank Fred. Olson Renewables for continuing to sponsor us this year. This means 100 per cent of the sign-up fee and any sponsorship raised will go towards providing vital welfare support to veterans, servicemen and women and their families across Scotland.”

The Sportive is an “open road” cycling event, meaning that no roads will be closed in order to minimise disruption to the public. Riders can have a free place if they are supporting a cyclist with a disability.

Cyclists can register at Prestonpans Community Centre on Saturday 24th September between 2pm and 6pm, or on Sunday 25th from 6:30am to 8:30am. 

For more information, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive

Truss: ‘A New Britain for a New Era’

  • In UN address the PM will call on democracies to harness the power of cooperation seen since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to constrain authoritarianism.
  • PM will argue the free world must prioritise economic growth and security – including ending dependency on authoritarians – to win the new era of strategic competition.
  • UN speech will also stress the need to properly invest in our physical security and will recommit to spending 3% of UK GDP on defence by 2030.

Prime Minister Liz Truss will use a speech in New York today (Wednesday) to warn fellow democratic leaders against any complacency when it comes to defending our values and preserving a world order that rewards freedom.

At the first ever session of the UN General Assembly held in the shadow of a large-scale war of aggression in Europe, the Prime Minister will highlight the threat from authoritarian states working to undermine security and stability around the world.

She will outline her vision for this new, more competitive era, which will require likeminded democracies to fight to defend our ideals. This fight begins with ensuring the UK and its partners have the strong economic foundations they need to constrain authoritarianism.

The Prime Minister will outline her plans to build a British economy which attracts growth by rewarding innovation, championing investment and enterprise, and welcoming the best talent around the world.

She will also set out the steps the Government is taking to ensure the British economy is free from malign interference. This includes increasing our energy independence and safeguarding the security of our supply chains.

In her speech, the Prime Minister will tell the UN: “The commitment to hope and progress must begin at home – in the lives of every citizen that we serve…

“We want people to keep more of the money they earn, because we believe that freedom trumps instruction…

“…We are reforming our economy to get Britain moving forward once again. The free world needs this economic strength and resilience to push back against authoritarian aggression and win this new era of strategic competition…

“…We will no longer be strategically dependent on those who seek to weaponise the global economy.”

As the UK boosts the dynamism and resilience of our own economy, the Prime Minister will also make the case for democracies working together to protect one another’s economic security.

The strength of democratic economies, rooted as they are in the aspirations of their people, is a clear counterpoint to autocratic states, which sow the seeds of their own demise by stifling aspiration and creativity.

The Prime Minister will make the case for harnessing that strength and denying authoritarian states the opportunity to manipulate the global economy.

She will tell the UN General Assembly that the G7 and other likeminded partners must act as an economic NATO, collectively defending our prosperity and coming to the aid of any partner targeted by an aggressive regime.

This economic security goes hand in hand with physical security. The Prime Minister will therefore reiterate her commitment to protecting the UK and our allies, including by increasing defence spending to 3% of UK GDP on defence by 2030.

The Prime Minister is expected to say: “Just as we are building a plan for growth at home, we are also developing a new blueprint for our engagement with the world.

“We will build resilience and collective security – because they are vital for freedom and democracy. We will be a reliable, trustworthy and dynamic partner.”

To ensure the UK’s diplomatic, military and security architecture is keeping pace with evolving threat posed by hostile nations, the Prime Minister has commissioned an update to the Integrated Review.

The UK’s Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy was published in March 2021 – before Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine created the greatest security challenge ever experienced by NATO.

Professor John Bew, the Prime Minister’s special adviser for foreign affairs and defence, will lead a Downing Street process to update the review.

The refreshed strategy will ensure we are investing in the strategic capabilities and alliances we need to stand firm against coercion from authoritarian powers like Russia and China. The update is expected to be published by the end of this year.

By properly investing in defence, the Prime Minister will ensure that the UK maintains our position as the leading security actor in Europe, so that we are ready to stand up for peace, prosperity and freedom across the world – just as we have done in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister will highlight these efforts in her speech. She will pay tribute to the bravery and determination of the Ukrainian people, and commit to continue standing up for human rights and democracy around the world.

The Prime Minister is expected to say: “This is a decisive moment in British history, in the history of this organisation, and in the history of freedom.

“The story of 2022 could have been that of an authoritarian state rolling its tanks over the border of a peaceful neighbour and subjugating its people.

“Instead, it is the story of freedom fighting back …

“But this must not be a one off … Britain’s commitment to this is total.

“Together with our friends and allies around the world, we will continue to champion freedom, sovereign and democracy.

“And we will define this new era as one of hope and progress.”

Call for targeted action on soaring energy bills

Chancellor urged not to pass on costs to struggling households

The UK Government is being urged by the devolved governments to fund its cap on energy prices through a windfall tax, not higher borrowing.

In a joint letter to the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng (below), Deputy First Minister John Swinney is joined by Finance Ministers from Wales and Northern Ireland in calling for more targeted support to those impacted the most by the cost of living crisis.

They express their concern that more action is needed to prevent further hardship for households and businesses and say support “should be funded by targeting the windfall gains in the energy sector rather than passing on the cost through higher borrowing”.

The Finance Ministers also call for additional funding to support vital public services in the face of rising prices, energy costs and wage pressures as devolved settlements are worth considerably less in real terms than last October when they were set.

The joint letter reads:

Dear Kwasi,

We want to jointly congratulate you on your new role as Chancellor of the Exchequer. We are committed to working constructively with you and the new UK Government. A productive working relationship will be essential to tackle the economic crisis facing our citizens, communities and businesses.

We wrote to your predecessor on 15 July outlining our considerable concerns with the worsening economic situation in the UK including the cost crisis, funding for public sector pay and the impact of inflation on the Devolved Governments’ budgets. Our letter has been included as an annex here.

The Prime Minister’s announcement of 8 September limiting increases in energy bills will alleviate some of the anticipated additional pressures on households and businesses. However, it is important to recognise that overall this is an expensive package of measures that does not target support to those who need it most. We are deeply concerned at who will bear the brunt of these costs. Support should be funded by targeting the windfall gains in the energy sector rather than passing the cost to households through higher borrowing.

Looking ahead to your forthcoming fiscal statement, we urge you to focus efforts on those most impacted, not just relying on blanket interventions which do not recognise the scale of hardship particular households are facing.  An extended and targeted support package needs to be provided to help those who, even with the cap, are facing the impossible choice between heating their homes and feeding themselves and their loved ones. Even with the price cap, energy costs are still double what they were last year.

In addition to households, early clarity and additional support is also required for businesses and the third sector, who are facing substantial challenges. The current measures provide businesses with only a temporary respite and little certainty to help them plan for the future. Many organisations would be forced to close if they are not supported.

Ministers in the Devolved Governments have exhausted the options available to us to address the cost crisis, stretching every pound available to us to provide support. The main levers that can make a difference are held by the UK Government and it must now take urgent steps to use these to provide much needed certainty to those suffering hardship and poverty.

The crisis has also resulted in a major squeeze on funding for public services and increases in demand. Additional funding is urgently needed to support our vital public services in the face of rising prices, energy costs and wage pressures, alongside unforeseen pressures. Based on recent inflation and widespread inflationary expectations for the next year or two, our respective three-year spending review settlements are worth considerably, potentially billions, less in real terms than when we received them last October.

Further, Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has resulted in many Ukrainians seeking safety across the UK, however it is necessary to increase the funding available to support them here. In particular, there is a lack of parity in the funding available for those arriving under the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, which cannot be right. ‘Thank You Payments’ to host families should also, in line with Lord Harrington’s recommendation, be doubled to ensure that those who have opened their homes to Ukrainians do not lose out financially as a result.

We would welcome early engagement and clarity on planned fiscal events to enable us to set out the implications for the devolved nations and effectively plan our own budgets, which are significantly impacted by UK spending and tax decisions.

Collaborative working between the UK Government and the Devolved Governments in a spirit of mutual respect would be of benefit to all of us.

Given that, now overdue, action is required to tackle the crisis we propose a quadrilateral meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury as soon as possible and in advance of the FISC to agree the immediate steps that must be taken to tackle this issue and support households, businesses and the public sector.

This letter has been copied to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Yours sincerely, 

John Swinney BPA/MSP

An Leas-phrìomh Mhinistear agus Ath-shlànachadh Cobhid, Riaghaltas na h-Alba

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery, Scottish Government

Rebecca Evans AS/MS

Y Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, Llywodraeth Cymru

Minister for Finance and Local Government, Welsh Government

Conor Murphy MLA

Minister of Finance, Northern Ireland Executive