Edinburgh is most expensive city for students

  • Edinburgh is the only UK city where student spend outweighs their income
  • Cardiff tops the Royal Bank Student Living Index as most affordable
  • Canterbury University most likely to be picked for subject choice, followed by Glasgow University
  • Glasgow University students report the highest levels of stress
  • Average student incomes have increased by 65% compared to 2021
  • Outgoing costs for students are 29% higher than last year

Edinburgh is now the most expensive place in the UK for students to live as revealed in the Royal Bank of Scotland Student Living Index. The index takes account of student spending and income to calculate a score for university towns and cities across the UK.

This year has shown that household bills have more than doubled for students with an average cost of £56.45 per month, with supermarket spending accounting for the single biggest monthly outlay at £76.29 each month.

Edinburgh has the highest cost of student living. Students in the Scottish capital have a monthly term-time income of £934, the lowest of all the cities ranked, whilst their total monthly spending is at £949. Edinburgh students are the least likely to combine studying and working during the academic term.

In contrast, Cardiff tops the list of UK cities for the best value for money. Below average rent prices combined with higher-than-average term-time incomes contributed to Cardiff being named the most affordable student city.  

Term time income for Cardiff students averages at £2241.65 and is the fifth highest of all the cities surveyed. They spend an average of £1,041 in total – the fourth lowest of all the cities in the Student Living Index.

The Royal Bank Student Living Index surveyed 2,964 students across the UK to determine the most affordable place to study. The survey accounts for factors such as how much students spend on going out to income through part-time work.

Oxford is now the most expensive place for a pint, with students expecting to pay £5.50 per drink, closely followed by London with an expected cost of £4.90. In comparison to Durham where students can expect to pay just £3.20 and Coventry at £3.40.

Students studying in London and Manchester were the most likely to rely on parents or family for income. London students received £295.10 more from this source than the UK average of £334.40 and those in Manchester £193.10. Compared to 2021, Oxbridge students are relying less on parents and family to pay rent and more so on bursaries and scholarships in 2022.

When it came to budgeting, over a third (35%) of students have found themselves running out of money by the end of term – 8% higher than in 2021. Just under one in five students said that they find managing their money stressful, and this the most pronounced in Coventry. Students in Cambridge are the most likely to put away month each month, 82% higher than the UK average.   

Perhaps in response to Covid-19 restrictions ending, compared to 2021 students are spending an average of 63% more on going out than the previous year.

A quarter of students felt that their universities do nothing to help with the ongoing cost of living crisis. Durham had the highest number of students who felt they had no support from their university at 56%.

Addressing the cost of living challenges, almost nine in ten (88%) students have made lifestyle changes to live within their budgets, with reducing the number of items bought online the most widely adopted change.

Changes to how students shop in the supermarket have also been a factor, with 46% saying they’ve swapped to own-brands. Meanwhile, 43% said they were buying fewer takeaways. 

Laura Behan, Head of Royal Bank Student Accounts said: “Despite the cost of living increasing dramatically, we’ve not seen that hit students quite as hard as may have been expected this year. Rents were set well in advance of the academic year and inflation increased much later into the academic year.

“However, with the cost of living increasing, especially as we look towards the start of the new university year in September, it is vital that students properly manage their finances. We offer a range of tools to help, including spend categorisation in our mobile app so students can see exactly where their money is going every month and a Round Ups tool to help develop a strong savings habit.”

The Royal Bank of Scotland student account offers a £80 cash incentive within the first 30 days of opening the account, a four-year tastecard membership and a £2000 interest free overdraft.

Royal Bank also offers free Financial Health checks to help students to organise their finances.

Find out more at www.rbs.co.uk/students  

Royal-Bank-Student-Living-Index-2022Download

  

The Fringe 2022 Half Price Hut is open

The Half Price Hut is a great place to discover something new at the Fringe, by trying a show that starts that day (or the next morning) for half the usual price.

This year’s Half Price Hut offers are located in the Fringe Box Office (180 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QS) from 10:00 till 18:00, Monday to Sunday – and, to make things a little easier, we’ve made the daily Half Price Hut listings available on our website so you can see what’s on before heading into town.

Be quick though, as ticket allocations are limited – once they’re gone, they’re gone!

All Half Price Hut purchases have to be made in person – and remember to say the words “Half Price Hut” to make sure you get the discount!

BROWSE HALF PRICE HUT SHOWS ➤

https://edfringe.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5f86c397f3d8541aafb0c41d7&id=82be23103b&e=102bd435f0

Fringing this weekend?

Here are a few helpful tips to bear in mind …

The weather forecast is pretty toasty over the next few days (by Edinburgh standards, at least!) so remember to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Our access tickets service is available to help anyone with an access requirement make the most of the Fringe – if this could be of use to someone you know, please feel free to pass it on.

Drop in on the street events taster stage at Cathedral Square to enjoy free outdoor snippets of full-length Fringe shows –you can find the daily street events line-up on edfringe.com.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street lights up the city during the Festival

Show-stopping projection unveiled on one of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings 

Official Partner Destination of The Fringe, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, has kicked off its partnership with the world’s most famous arts festival, by unveiling a show stopping projection illuminating the entire eight floor building. 

The projection, created by Scottish projection specialists, Double Take, uses the iconic cantilever clock that sits on the outside of the Johnnie Walker Princes Street building, as a recurring theme.

The 2D/3D projection features a series of bold and colourful scenes that reimagine the facade of the visitor experience with dancers, acrobats and musicians, the idea being that performers are housed within the inner workings of the magical clock – allowing the cogs and clockwork elements to be woven throughout the piece.

The eight floor building is also a proud Fringe venue with ‘Pick of the Fringe’ which is a line-up of the best performances from across the festival. Set in the venue’s purpose built event space, Label Studio, two must-see shows will run daily every Thursday – Sunday at 4.30pm and 10.15pm.

Each day, three acts have been hand-picked from The Fringe’s unrivalled talent pool, for exclusive performances overlooking the Edinburgh cityscape. 

The line-up includes performances from: Grammy and Emmy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Magical Bones, Australian drag and circus act Briefs Factory, America’s Got Talent semi finalist Dom Chambers, and many more. 

Johnnie Walker Princes Street has also created ‘Tropical Time Out’ on Victoria Street, an experiential space giving festival goers the opportunity to step out of the busy city and into a world of flavour, showcasing just a hint of what’s in store at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. From here, guests can get a taste of what to expect on the Journey of Flavour tour, before heading down to the newly lit building for their own multi-sensory whisky adventure. 

Barbara Smith, Managing Director for Diageo’s Scotland brand homes said: “It’s wonderful to see Edinburgh’s festival season in full swing once more and we’re delighted to be part of the action. 

“Johnnie Walker Princes Street is looking fabulous both inside and out, especially with the unveiling of our exciting new projection which will illuminate Princes Street with some fabulous story-telling and images.

“This is our first summer in the city and our team are delighted to welcome visitors to our Journey of Flavour tour, Pick of the Fringe performances, rooftop bar and retail space. We know a thing or two about making the perfect blend and our festival line-up is no different, so head along and see us for an exciting festival experience.”

The Journey of Flavour is a 90 minute tour with 3 whisky drinks tailored to your flavour preference (non alcholic options avaible). Complete with a unique flavour-based quiz and personalised cocktails, the full-sensory adventure culminates in a flavour-filled celebration with three whisky drinks. 

Ticketholders for any ‘Pick of the Fringe’ event receive 30% off their Journey of Flavour experience along with 20% off in the venue’s state-of-the-art retail store, subject to terms and conditions.

The projection will feature every night of the festival from 10pm. 

For tickets, head to www.johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com

Scottish Government announces extra support for mental health at work

Employers given tools to understand and improve mental health of workers

Businesses now have access to a free online platform offering practical ways to boost mental health in the workplace.

Face-to-face training opportunities, clear guidance on the legal duties of businesses, and specialist third-party contacts will be in one place for the first time – making it easier than ever for employers to access the means of creating a culture of support and wellbeing at work.

This initiative comes as research shows the pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the mental health of people up and down the country. As more people continue to return to the workplace, the Scottish Government is encouraging employers to support the mental wellbeing of staff so that businesses can continue to recover from COVID-19.

Recent research shows poor mental health costs Scottish employers over £2 billion every year and that, for every £1 spent on mental health interventions, employers get back £5 in reduced sick days and increased productivity.

Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Happier workforces create successful businesses – it’s a win-win for all involved.

“The pandemic has impacted the mental health of us all and employers need the tools to protect and support the mental health of their staff.

“This platform makes it easier than ever to achieve this, and I encourage companies across Scotland to get involved for the benefit of their staff and productivity.”

Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland Angela Leitch said: “These last few years have been difficult for many people across Scotland and has had an impact on the mental health of many. 

“Returning to our workplaces could also be a further challenge because of changes in personal circumstances. It is widely recognised that being amongst colleagues can be beneficial to our mental health and being back in the workplace can also be a more positive and productive experience.

“This toolkit will therefore be of considerable benefit to employers and to their staff as we move out of the restrictions we’ve lived with for two years.” 

It comes as See Me –Scotland’s national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination – has launched a complementary digital portal that gives employers access to a one-size-fits-all framework for workplaces. This will help companies make continuous improvements to directly tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

Wendy Halliday, director of See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, said: “Mental health stigma and discrimination in the workplace often comes from a lack of knowledge. People can find that genuine problems are either belittled, or not believed in the first place.

“We’re calling on organisations to be real leaders in creating positive change, making their workplaces the best they can be, by joining the See Me in Work programme.

“The new digital portal supports employers to take action to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination at work and create workplaces that are open in talking about mental health and where discriminatory behaviour is challenged.”

Supporting a mentally healthy workplace is the new online platform.

“We are seeing the sharp demise of the health service”

30,000 patients wait more than 12 hours in A&Es in England in July

Responding to the latest Emergency Department performance figures published by NHS England for July 2022, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Adrian Boyle said: “These performance figures are worse than we could have ever expected for a summer month.

“There were nearly 30,000 12-hour waits (measured from decision to admit to admission) in July 2022, that is more than 3.5 times the total number of 12-hour waits for the whole of 2019.

“This is only the Tip of the Iceberg as the true number of 12-hour waits, measured from time of arrival, is much higher. We urgently need transparency for the scale of the crisis, only then will everyone recognise the reality of the situation and begin to take critical action. We urge NHS England to commit to publishing this data (which is already collected by all Trusts) monthly with immediate effect.

“The crisis is escalating quickly, and health workers are seriously concerned about the quality of care being provided, especially as we exit summer and head into winter. The system is struggling to perform its central function: to deliver care safely and effectively.

“This is a whole-system problem and requires a whole-system approach. There must be total focus on promoting flow throughout the hospital and priority around our ability to provide an NHS that helps patients in an emergency.

“We must ensure patients are discharged in a timely way, so beds are freed and patients in A&Es are able to move through the system and be treated. Flow and discharge rely heavily on an effective social care service that has sufficient workforce – the government must get to grips with this.

“Across the UK we urgently need 13,000 beds to drive meaningful improvement: in Emergency Medicine in England there is a shortfall of 2,000-2,500 Consultants as well as widespread shortages of nurses, trainees, SAS doctors and junior and supporting staff.

“The social care workforce must also be bolstered, which can be achieved by giving these core workers a fair wage that respects and recognises the value of their role. Retention of all health and social care workers is vital, staff are burned out and exhausted, and some are considering their careers.

“We are seeing the sharp demise of the health service and we are seeing little to no political will to act on or acknowledge the crisis – neither of the leadership candidates seem to recognise the scale of the crisis at hand.

“Winter is looming, which will bring a wave of flu and covid and increased footfall in Emergency Departments, with the data as dire as it is today and the scale of patient harm already occurring, we dread to think how much worse things could get for patients.

In winter four-hour performance typically decreases while the number of 12-hour waits significantly increases. We may reach a point where only half of patients are seen or treated within four-hours and see an even higher number of 12-hour waits.”

The latest Emergency Department performance figures published by NHS England for June 2022 for show:

  • There were 1,385,080 attendances at major Emergency Departments
    • There were 2,163,779 total attendances at all Emergency Care facilities
  • 29,317 patients were delayed for 12 hours or more from decision to admit to admission, this is just over 3.5 times higher than the total number of 12-hour waits over the whole of 2019
    • This is the highest number of 12-hour waits on record
    • This is a one third increase compared to the previous month, June 2022, or an increase of over 7,000 12-hour waits
    • There have now been 150,014 12-hour waits (from decision to admit to admission) so far this year
  • Four-hour performance at major Emergency Departments was 57.0%, this is the worst four-hour performance on record
    • More than 2 in 5 patients were delayed by four-hours or more
  • Type 1 admissions stood at 358,284 (a daily average of 11,575
  • 136,221patients spent more than four hours in an Emergency Department from decision to admit to admission (also referred to as ‘trolley waits’)

One more day before the 2022 Book Festival!

The 2022 Book Festival is almost here! The team is busily getting the very last few finishing touches perfect at the Book Festival Village at Edinburgh College of Art, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to our charming, leafy home in the heart of the city’s Old Town.

Scroll down to see what’s on during the opening weekend, event inspiration for the week to come, and a highlight of the many free activities and events on at the Festival Village.

There is so much to enjoy during the opening weekend of this year’s hybrid Book Festival as we welcome over 550 authors from across the world to share their stories, ideas, and perspectives. Hear from award-winning authors, inspiring poets, rising stars, famed musicians, and renowned thinkers, whether joining in person or from the comfort of your own home.

SATURDAY 13 AUGUST

  • Don’t miss award-winning Chilean author Nona Fernández  as she appears at the Festival for the first time to discuss her novel The Twilight Zone. (12:15 – 13:15)
  • Join game-changing cartoonist Nick Drnaso as he discusses his latest graphic novel Acting Class and presents a short film showing him at work in his Chicago studio, commissioned especially for this event. (13:30 – 14:30)
  • Hear literary giant Ali Smith discuss her work, including her Seasonal Quartet and Companion Piece, with fellow Scottish favourite Val McDermid in an event sure to enrich and inspire. (17:30 – 18:30)
  • Acclaimed singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright discusses her hilarious memoir, her life as the black sheep of a famous family, and her experiences with love, loss, motherhood, divorce and the music industry. (20:30 – 21:30)
  • Hear all about David Keenan’s hallucinatory new novel Industry of Magic and Light : part oral history, part occult detective novel. (20:30 – 21:30)

Saturday’s stellar line-up also features Jazz Money and Andrés N Ordorica, Nihal Arthanayake, Abi Morgan, Travis Alabanza and Mohsin Hamid, amongst many others!

SUNDAY 14 AUGUST

  • Join Sarah Smith for a production that uses a fusion of sign language, image and performance to tell the evocative story of a Deaf woman in Glasgow wrongfully accused of murdering  her child – a turning point in the history of rights for Deaf people in Scotland. (13:00 – 14:00)
  • Join Malika Booker, Kayo Chingonyi, Salena Godden and Lemn Sissay to celebrate More Fiya, an incredible anthology of work by 35 Black British poets in a Pay What You Can event chock-full of spectacular talent. (17:00 – 18:00)
  • Author, artist and designer Osman Yousefzada takes a break from dressing the likes of Lady Gaga to speak candidly on his Pashtun upbringing and his teen years in London to raise the question: Can a person exist in the spaces in between? (18:15 – 19:15)
  • Hear from award-winning author Pankaj Mishra as he discusses his second novel, a gripping account of a group of friends in an age of upheaval and breakdown, in an event that is not to be missed. (19:00 – 20:00)
  • Join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Margo Jefferson as she examines how she shaped herself through jazz, seminal writers like W E B Du Bois and George Eliot, and fragments and words of those she loves and those she grieves. (20:15 – 21:15)

As well as Daniel Hahn, Merve Emre and Daniel Mulhall, Meg Mason, Kalynn Bayron and Renée Watson and Patricia Lockwood, to name a few.

The Book Festival Village at Edinburgh College of Art on Lauriston Place is open daily from 9.30am until late – and everyone is welcome, whether you have a ticket to see an event or simply want to grab a drink with friends, explore the brilliant Festival Bookshop, or watch free events on the big screen in the Courtyard.

There is much to see and do during your day at the Book Festival, with tons of free events to enjoy.

You can book tickets in advance – and, if spots for the day you were hoping to attend have sold out, we have it on good authority that it is worth it to ask our lovely Box Office staff on the day … You might just get lucky! 

  • Great events are live-streamed onto our large outdoor screen every day of the Festival. Curious to see what’s on? Have a look at the schedule of screened events for this year’s Festival, then come along to the Festival Village, find a spot in the sun or shade, and enjoy. 
  • Each day, a Festival author shares an unexpected inspiration or passion in Passion Projects, including Ali Smith,

SEPA: Water abstraction licences suspended in Fife to protect sustainability of local environments

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is suspending water abstractions for most licence holders in mid and north Fife as river and groundwater levels become critical in the east of Scotland.

The water environment in the River Eden catchment reached Significant Scarcity last week, the highest category for water scarcity defined by SEPA, and is getting worse with hot and dry weather continuing.

The Tweed catchment in the Borders is in a similar situation and has also now reached Significant Scarcity in the latest report published today, Friday 12 August.

A temporary suspension on water abstraction licences is being imposed from midnight on Saturday 13 August for the vast majority of farmers in the River Eden catchment to allow levels to recover. We’re working with Scottish Government to assess the options around soft fruit production, which is a perennial crop and typically has more efficient irrigation methods and a lower water impact.

Abstractors in the Tweed catchment are also being contacted to confirm next steps and any licence suspensions in this area will take effect early next week.

Suspensions are part of Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan, which is designed to ensure the correct balance is struck between protecting the environment and providing resource for human and economic activity during prolonged dry periods. 

The Plan clearly sets out what actions SEPA and abstractors are required to take at each stage of water scarcity. Suspensions are predominantly within the agriculture sector, will be for the minimum time necessary and will be lifted as soon as possible.

Those abstractors affected will receive suspension notices. Continuing to abstract without a licence is an offence, and SEPA officers will be visiting abstractors to ensure compliance.  As soon as conditions improve, we will lift the suspensions.

David Harley, Interim Chief Officer Circular Economy for SEPA, said: “Having to impose suspensions on water abstractions underlines the severity of the conditions being experienced in the east of Scotland this summer. It is not a step we take lightly, but the evidence is clear, and it is one we can no longer avoid.

“We’re working closely with Scottish farmers to ensure the sustainability of local water environments for all who rely on them. Without action, there is a substantial risk of impacts on fish populations, natural habitats and longer-term damage to watercourses. 

“With climate change leading to water scarcity becoming a more regular occurrence, we are also working to help businesses plan longer-term for these conditions. We remain in continuous dialogue with sectors reliant on water and work with them all year round on ways to become more resilient, protecting the environment as well as their own operations.” 

While SEPA focuses on managing abstractions from Scotland’s natural water resources for agriculture and other industrial uses, Scottish Water maintains public water supply.

Protecting our water environment

There is clear evidence for the need to suspend abstraction licenses to protect the sustainability of local water environments. The main stem of the River Eden in Fife is at the second lowest level on record; only 1989 was lower. Flows at Kemback have not been as low for this long since 2003 and Strathmiglo is also experiencing its most prolonged low flow period on record.

In the Tweed catchment in the Borders, Lyne Station recorded its fourth lowest flow in 53 years, only 2003 was lower. Mouthbridge at Blackadder Water also dropped to its lowest flow since records began in 1974.

The combination of very low flows and high temperatures in watercourses leads to mortality of fish, invertebrates and plants. While some parts of river ecology can recover quickly, others such as fish and plant populations can take years to recover. Some populations, such as pearl mussels, could be permanently lost.  

The current conditions are a consequence of drier weather this year, with only four of the last 12 months recording above average rainfall. The east of Scotland also experienced the driest January in more than 80 years and groundwater levels are the lowest they have been since records began in 2009. Although there has been some recent rainfall in the east and an immediate increase in river flows, it has not been enough to recover the longer-term deficits. 

Impacts of climate change

Scotland is already seeing the impacts of a changing climate with an increase in water scarcity events over last few years. Climate change is likely to bring more uncertainty and may exert pressure in areas that have not experienced water scarcity before.

The current dry conditions are not just affecting Scotland. According to the European Drought Observatory the area affecting several regions of Europe since the beginning of the year continues to expand. The conditions, which are related to lack of rainfall and early heatwaves mean that 45% of Europe and the UK was in Warning conditions, and 15% in Alert conditions during July.

While mitigation strategies are of the utmost importance now, so is tackling the root cause of the problem. We know that there is locked in climate change we cannot reverse and, as well as adapting to this, Scotland must play its part in a huge reduction in carbon emissions globally so future generations do not face further locked-in change. 

Further advice and guidance

Abstractors may be able to switch to groundwater as their source and can apply to do so on our website. Applications from Significant Scarcity areas will be prioritised and fast-tracked.

Anyone concerned about meeting licence conditions or wishing to discuss contingency measures are encouraged to contact SEPA by emailing waterscarcity@sepa.org.uk.  

For more information on water scarcity and to view the latest report, visit www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity 

DROUGHT EXPECTED TO BE DECLARED IN ENGLAND

A drought is expected to be declared in many parts of England following a meeting of the National Drought Group later today.

Operation Slow Time: Police report on Capital road safety campaign

Since the start of May 2022 and over the course of around 40 days, police officers working in south east Edinburgh have carried out proactive road safety work. This proactive work has taken place at least 60 different locations.

The road safety work has been in response to community complaints, identified areas of concern and ensuring children are kept safe walking and cycling to and from school.

Our road safety work consisted of:

👉 Before and after school patrols

👉 Roadside speed checks

👉 General road safety stops

👉 Proactive moving checks of vehicles

👉 Operation Closepass (overtaking cyclists safety)

👉 Ensuring the safety of young people participating in the bike bus

👉 Security bike marking events

👉 Roadside breath tests

👉 Police cycle patrols

👉 Partnership working with our colleagues at Edinburgh City Council and in our Road Policing Unit.

As a result of our activity, we have reported over 50 offences (some motorists were charged with multiple offences) and engaged with well over 100 motorists, offering educational road safety advice on a variety of matters.

Sergeant Grant Robertson, South East Community Policing Team said “we remain committed to keeping your roads safe. We will continue to carry out proactive road safety work across the area alongside our partners.

“Whilst we acknowledge the majority of motorists drive responsibly, everybody has a part to play in keeping our roads safe. You can help by driving to the road speed, but importantly road conditions along with parking responsibly and considerately. Cyclists are vulnerable road users, so please give them plenty space when overtaking, at least 1.5 metres.

“Cyclists should remember that all road restrictions also apply to them. This includes traffic lights on red. Please stop and wait, do not cycle past a traffic light on red. This places you and other road users at unnecessary risk.”

You can follow our work on twitter at @EdinPolSE and look for #OpSlowTime.

Green light for 142 homes at Silverlea

Proposals for another ‘net zero’ housing development, as part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration project, have been granted approval by city planners.

This major milestone follows the start of construction work at the £72m, 444-home ‘Western Villages’ project, which is also part of the local authority’s wider regeneration of the area. Over the next ten years 3,500 mixed-tenure homes and associated infrastructure will create a new, sustainable coastal community.

Hart Builders will start work on site in 2023 at Silverlea to deliver 142 high quality sustainable homes, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings in a mix of social rent (91) and mid-market rent (51) each benefitting from coastal views and access to parkland. 

Cllr Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “I’m delighted with today’s decision. We’ve reached another major milestone on our Granton Waterfront project to deliver much needed sustainable affordable housing in the area. I recently visited our Western Villages development nearby and was very pleased to see we’re already starting work there to deliver 444 net zero homes on the site. 

The homes that we build here will make such a difference for wheelchair users and others who find it so difficult to get a home that meets their needs. Our proposals for the site have been carefully designed to improve the quality of the surrounding green space and to make it easier for people to walk or cycle around the area.

Downing Street showdown does nothing to address energy cost fears

The Prime Minister, Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng met industry leaders from the electricity sector yesterday to discuss what more they can do to help people struggling with rising energy prices – but the meeting did nothing to resolve the impending crisis.

The Prime Minister, Chancellor, Business and Energy Secretary stressed the need to act in the interest of the country in the face of rising energy prices caused by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and how vital it was that the Western world continued to stand by the Ukrainian people during their battle for survival.

The Chancellor and energy firms agreed to work closely over the coming weeks to ensure that the public, including vulnerable customers, are supported as unprecedented global events drive higher energy costs.

Government support worth £37 billion is being provided this year to help people with the rising cost of living, including £1,200 for the most vulnerable households over the course of the year and £400 discounted off everyone’s energy bills from October.

It was noted that the market is not always functioning for consumers, and extraordinarily high bills will ultimately damage energy companies.

As set out in the Energy Security Strategy, the Government has launched a consultation to drive forward market reforms and ensure the market works better for consumers. Discussion focussed on how Government and industry can collectively drive forward reforms to ensure the market delivers lower prices.

The Prime Minister, Chancellor and Business and Energy Secretary emphasised the importance of investing in North Sea oil and gas, renewables, biomass and nuclear to strengthen our domestic energy security.

The Chancellor added the Government continues to evaluate the extraordinary profits seen in certain parts of the electricity generation sector and the appropriate and proportionate steps to take.

The Prime Minister set out that it will be for the next Prime Minister to make significant fiscal decisions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Countries around the world are feeling the impact of Putin’s damaging war in Ukraine. We know that this will be a difficult winter for people across the UK, which is why we are doing everything we can to support them and must continue to do so.

“Following our meeting today, we will keep urging the electricity sector to continue working on ways we can ease the cost of living pressures and to invest further and faster in British energy security.

“We are continuing to roll out government support over the coming months, including the second £324 instalment of the cost of living payment for vulnerable households, extra help for pensioners and those with disabilities, and the £400 energy bills discount for all households.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “This morning I hosted industry leaders from the electricity sector to discuss what more they can do to work with Government and act in the interest of the country in the face of rising prices caused by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“We have already acted to protect households with £400 off energy bills and direct payments of £1,200 for 8 million of the most vulnerable British families. In the spirit of national unity, they agreed to work with us to do more to help the people who most need it.”

The meeting was attended by representatives from:

  • EDF
  • RWE
  • E.ON
  • Drax
  • Orsted
  • Uniper
  • National Grid
  • SSE
  • ScottishPower
  • Centrica
  • Octopus Energy
  • Vitol
  • Intergen
  • Greencoat Capital
  • Energy UK

Scottish Government Resilience Room convened to discuss ‘cost emergency’

The First Minister chaired the Scottish Government Resilience Committee yesterday (August 11) to discuss urgent steps to mitigate the growing cost emergency which is affecting people and businesses.

Ministers assessed the current situation and likely scenarios in the months ahead and agreed a number of immediate actions. The Scottish Government will:

  • Continue to maximise the direct financial assistance available to those most in need, principally through ongoing work to extend eligibility for and increase the value of the Scottish Child Payment
  • Undertake an emergency budget review to assess any and all opportunities to redirect additional resources to those most in need, reduce the burdens on business and stimulate the Scottish economy
  • Consider urgently all options within devolved powers for regulatory action to limit increases in costs for people, businesses and other organisations
  • Bring together energy companies, banks and food retailers to examine what further help can be provided by these businesses to limit cost increases and protect those most vulnerable 
  • Work with partners to strengthen the safety net of emergency food/fuel provision, prioritising a ‘cash first’ approach
  • Provide further advice to households on using energy more efficiently and reducing consumption

The Resilience Committee will meet on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future to oversee and direct progress on these immediate actions and keep under ongoing review any further steps that the Scottish Government can take.

In addition to doing everything possible within its powers, the Scottish Government is renewing its call for urgent and substantial action from the UK Government including:

  • An immediate doubling of the direct financial support already provided, with payments made by October. It is estimated that for an out-of-work couple with two children, the payments already announced by the UK Government fall around £1,600 short of meeting the recent changes to benefits and living costs – a gap that must be filled
  • Cancellation of the forthcoming increase in the energy price cap, followed by urgent work between the government and energy companies on energy market reforms and associated financing options to ensure sustainable costs for consumers in the long term
  • The urgent introduction of an energy price cap for Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Support for business to prevent closures due to energy price rises and investment in economic stimulus to minimise the scale of the projected recession
  • A further windfall tax to ensure nationalisation of the profits being made out of the current pressures
  • Additional funding to support public sector pay increases and protect the recovery of public services from the pandemic

The First Minister said: “It is clear that the UK currently faces a rapidly escalating emergency that goes beyond simply the cost of living and is now a more general cost of everything crisis. This emergency may be of a different nature to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is on a similar scale.

“In the absence of substantial and urgent action, this emergency will cause acute deprivation and suffering. It will affect access to practical necessities for millions of people across the UK. Bluntly, it will cost lives.

“To illustrate the severity of the situation, the Scottish Government estimates that, even with current UK Government mitigations, at least 700,000 households in Scotland – 30% of all households – will be living in extreme fuel poverty by October. That number could be even higher, if the Ofgem price cap for October 2022 is above £2,800. 

“It is essential, therefore, that the response from government at every level is commensurate, in scale and speed, to the nature and magnitude of the emergency.

“In developing a response, governments must first and foremost address immediate need. We must all focus on supporting individuals, businesses and jobs by addressing the principal root causes of the problem.

“Scottish Ministers are clear that the powers and resources needed to tackle this emergency on the scale required – access to borrowing, welfare, VAT on fuel, taxation of windfall profits, regulation of the energy market – lie with the UK Government. This is reflected in the actions we have proposed and set out today.

“At the same time, the Scottish Government will continue to do everything within our resources and powers to help those most affected.”