Octopus tops as energy giants brought down to size

Small and medium-sized energy firms have cemented their place at the top of the rankings in the annual Which? customer satisfaction survey, while less impressive ratings left the biggest providers stuck among the also-rans yet again. 

The consumer champion surveyed more than 8,000 people across the UK about their energy supplier and asked them to rate companies on a number of criteria including value for money, customer service, bill accuracy and digital tools.

Octopus Energy, which now supplies more than a million homes, topped the table for the second year in a row. It received an outstanding 83 per cent customer score and five-star ratings for billing accuracy, customer service and complaints handling.

Only a small margin separated the next five energy companies – Ebico, Bulb Energy, Pure Planet, People’s Energy and Powershop. They all performed exceptionally well when it came to billing accuracy.

Among the top six companies were three newcomers – People’s Energy, Powershop and Pure Planet. Despite only entering the market within the last three years, they were all rated very highly for billing accuracy, and well on bill clarity and value for money, equalling more established rivals.

The biggest six energy companies – British Gas, Eon, EDF, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE (now part of Ovo) – all finished in the lower third of the table, with Scottish Power languishing in the bottom three after achieving a lowly customer score of 51 per cent.

Customers with these six energy giants were more likely on average to have encountered problems with their provider. A third of British Gas customers, three in 10 Scottish Power customers and around a quarter of EDF Energy, Eon, Npower and SSE customers told us they had experienced a problem within the last year. In comparison, just one in 10 (11%) Octopus Energy customers said they had a problem with their provider.

SSE and Eon were the highest-scoring among the biggest energy firms and came in joint 24th with smaller firm E. SSE’s household energy business was recently purchased by Ovo, which means customers could see changes in their service in the future.

Eon is also set to take over Innogy, Npower’s parent company, in the next 12 months. These two major acquisitions could shake up the market and mean customers see changes.

Robin Hood Energy suffered the biggest fall in the rankings after it plummeted from second place last year to a mid-table ranking, tied with Boost Energy and Utilita.

While Robin Hood customers were generally positive about value for money and billing, a smaller proportion of people told us they would recommend the firm compared to last year.

Although a number of small companies dominated the top of the rankings, not all of the small and medium-sized firms performed well. Newcomer to the survey Ampower performed badly with a disappointing customer score of 53 per cent. Customers rated its billing, customer service and digital tools as poor.

Together Energy finished bottom of the table, despite having secured a mid-table position last year. It scored poor two-star ratings from customers for billing accuracy, clarity, customer service and value for money.

Last year, First Utility was rebranded as Shell Energy, and it has since dropped from a mid-table position to the bottom seven. While customers praised it for billing accuracy, its customer service was rated poorly.

Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which? said:  “Consumers have dozens of energy suppliers to choose from – and it is clear that some newer challenger providers are better than their larger counterparts at keeping customers happy and delivering a better service.

“Customers shell out hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds a year on their gas and electricity bills so it is right that they expect good service from their energy supplier.

“If you are one of the many customers out there who feels their supplier is falling short, consider moving to one that can offer a better service as well as cheaper prices – you could save hundreds of pounds a year.”

For the full results, including how customers rank their energy supplier’s customer service, value for money, bills, complaints handling and more go to www.which.co.uk/energy-table 

Skills development training for community activists

This course is for community activists and others who wish to develop and practice their skills in facilitating deliberative (e.g. citizens’ assembly type) events – for example to support the development of local climate emergency response plans. Continue reading Skills development training for community activists

Four-year-old praised for raising fire alarm at family home

A four-year-old girl who raised the alarm after spotting a potentially devastating fire at her family home in Fife has been praised for her “brave and instinctive” actions.

Hollie Aitken was at home in Cowdenbeath with mum Siobhan Mullen last Wednesday afternoon, when a fire began to develop involving a bin and garden furniture at the back door.

Siobhan, 25, was upstairs in the bath when little Hollie went downstairs to find her favourite toy – and spotted smoke and a bright glow at the rear patio doors.

Nursery pupil Hollie ran upstairs to warn her mum, allowing the pair to immediately exit the house and dial 999.

Two fire appliances from nearby Lochgelly Community Fire Station were mobilised to the house, on Arthur Street, where crews worked to extinguish the flames.

Dad Kevin Aitken, 27, said: “It was a frightening experience for Hollie and Siobhan, and we know it could have been so much worse had Hollie not acted so quickly.

“Hollie only turned four in December but she’s such a confident and intelligent girl.

“We are so lucky that Hollie reacted like she did – to instinctively go and warn her mum, which allowed them both to get out of the house and call the fire service.

“The fire engine arrived straight away and the fire was very quickly extinguished. Fortunately were able to limit the damage to the back patio and the rear of the house.”

Firefighters at Lochgelly welcomed Hollie and Siobhan to the station for a tour, and to thank the youngster for her bravery on the day.

Dad Kevin said: “Hollie had such a fantastic time visiting the station, sitting in the fire engine and getting a shot of the hose. The firefighters were brilliant.

“We can’t thank them enough. Hollie’s not stopped talking about it all since.”

Watch Commander Jenny Murray, who was part of the crew from Lochgelly turned out to tackle the fire, said: “We were delighted to welcome Hollie and her mum Siobhan to the station for a tour, and to meet some of our firefighters who attended on the day.

“She was such a wee character, going around and shaking hands with everyone, and she really made our day.

“It was important that we thanked and recognised Hollie for her actions. While the home did have a working smoke alarm fitted, it would appear that as the living room door was shut it had not yet activated.

“Instead, Hollie’s brave, instinctive and quick-thinking actions allowed those inside the house to quickly and safely evacuate, and for the early intervention from the fire and rescue service to prevent further damage to the property.”

WC Murray added: “Incidents such as this also highlight the importance of having a fire escape plan at home. It doesn’t take long to make a plan and it could save lives in the event of a fire, especially if you check and practice your escape plan regularly.

“We offer everyone in Scotland a free home fire safety visit, in which we will help you sort out a fire escape plan and provide information about smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.”

To arrange a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit, you can: call 0800 0731 999; text “FIRE” to 80800; complete an online form at firescotland.gov.uk; call your local fire station

Stand Together: Holocaust Memorial Day

Join Edinburgh University Students’ Association, the Black & Minority Ethnic Students’ Campaign, & Edinburgh University Jewish Society to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2020.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 marks 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

We’ll be joined by a Holocaust survivor & representative of the Holocaust Educational Trust (UK) Francoise who will be sharing her story & reminding us why it’s vital we continue to bear witness for those who have endured & been impacted by genocide.

Following Francoise’s talk there will be a small, informal reception & opportunity to discuss the night’s event.

To reserve your place, please click on the ticket link above & book via Eventbrite.

To find out more about Holocaust Memorial Day & how you can take part, visit www.hmd.org.uk/.

The theme for HMD 2020 is Stand Together. It explores how genocidal regimes throughout history have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain groups, and how these tactics can be challenged by individuals standing together with their neighbours, and speaking out against oppression.

In the years leading up to the Holocaust, Nazi policies and propaganda deliberately encouraged divisions within German society – urging ‘Aryan’ Germans to keep themselves separate from their Jewish neighbours. The Holocaust, Nazi Persecution of other groups and each subsequent genocide, was enabled by ordinary citizens not standing with their targeted neighbours.

Today there is increasing division in communities across the UK and the world. Now more than ever, we need to stand together with others in our communities in order to stop division and the spread of identity-based hostility in our society.

HMD 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz – this is a significant milestone and is made particularly poignant by the dwindling number of survivors who are able to share their testimony. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the Genocide in Bosnia.

HMD-2020-theme-vision

#StandTogether online Commemorative Project

Millions of people were stripped of their humanity and murdered during the Holocaust and Nazi Persecution. Each person was unique, with their own interests, friends and family. Take part in our online project to #StandTogether with thousands of others in remembrance, and share information about one of these people on your Facebook or Twitter account.

Take part in #StandTogether

Marking Holocaust Memorial Day and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

Holocaust Memorial Day is an important reminder of the millions of people who were murdered, or whose lives were changed forever, during the Holocaust and other genocides.

“By marking this date, we must reflect upon and learn the important lessons from these horrendous acts of violence and terror. We pay tribute to the survivors, who were forced to flee their homes and livelihoods in the face of unthinkable persecution. We also honour the legacy of those who demonstrated immense bravery and courage fighting for liberty, freedom and justice, many of whom, sadly, paid with their lives.

“This year is particularly poignant as we observe the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and 25 years since the genocide in Srebrenica. The theme for this Holocaust Memorial Day – ‘Stand Together’ – highlights the importance of our collective societal responsibility to stand against hatred and prejudice and to promote strong, inclusive and respectful communities.

“We all need to work together to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, race, faith or sexuality is treated with equal respect and dignity. Today’s announcement of funding for security measures to protect our places of worship against hate crime will help promote the very clear message that hatred and prejudice will not be tolerated in Scotland.”

UK Government to give £1M funding to the Auschwitzs-Birkenau Foundation

A £1m donation to help preserve the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and ensure the lessons of Auschwitz live on will be confirmed today.

A £1m donation to help preserve the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and ensure the lessons of Auschwitz live on for generations to come will be confirmed today.

The funding will come from the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed.

The announcement comes ahead of a speech by the Foreign Secretary at a Holocaust Memorial Event on Wednesday, in which he will emphasise the importance of Holocaust remembrance and education as a means of ensuring such atrocities never happen again.

The Communities Secretary attended the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on Thursday at which leaders from over 50 countries assembled to mark the anniversary.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation endowment fund supports the consolidation, restoration and long-term maintenance of the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps.

Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon Dominic Raab said: “I remember as a young boy the regular heart-rending laments by my grandmother for the family lost to Auschwitz and the other death camps.

“The Government is supporting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, because we must never forget history’s darkest moment, and we must educate future generations so it can never be repeated.”

Communities Secretary, The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick said: “I was honoured to attend the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem last week. It was heartening to see leaders of all faiths and nations come together to remember the Holocaust and renew our promise to the victims and survivors.

“This £1m funding for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation is part of delivering on that promise. Today on Holocaust Memorial Day and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the camps, the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish countrymen and women.

“As the father of children whose great-grandparents endured and survived the concentration camps of the Holocaust, I know how important it is that future generations are aware of the stories of survivors.

“This donation will help to support the preservation of the site so that we can never forget the horror of the Holocaust. We cannot, and will not, let such evil happen again.”

Pollution causes 157 deaths in Edinburgh in just one year

  • Proportion of air pollution-related deaths highest in Edinburgh, and lowest in Aberdeen
  • Estimated 628 air pollution-related deaths in Scotland’s cities in just one year
  • Councils need more money and power to reduce killer air pollution

More than one in 29 deaths in Scotland’s largest cities and towns are related to long term exposure to air pollution, according to new estimates in Centre for Cities’ annual study of the UK’s major urban areas – Cities Outlook 2020.

The proportion of deaths related to the deadly toxin PM2.5 are highest in Edinburgh, with the latest data linking it to 157 deaths in just one year, or 3.7% of all adult deaths in the city.

But Glasgow has seen the most deaths overall in Scotland – 354 in just one year.

In total, an estimated 628 people were killed by PM2.5-related deaths in Scottish cities in just one year.

Aberdeen has the smallest proportion of deaths related to PM2.5 Scotland. There, PM2.5 caused 63 deaths – or 3.0% of all adult deaths in the city.

The proportion of deaths in Scottish cities linked to PM2.5 toxins is lower than the rest of the UK due to their distance from London – by far the biggest emitter of PM2.5 in the UK – and from continental Europe, as some emissions are blown over the English Channel.

But action can still be taken in Scotland to reduce air pollution-related deaths. Transport is a significant, but not sole contributor to air pollution; burning fuels is also a major cause. For example, half of deadly PM2.5 toxins generated in cities and large towns come from sources such as wood burning stoves and coal fires.

PM2.5-related deaths in Scotland
Rank City Total number of PM2.5-related deaths PM2.5-related deaths as a percentage of total deaths
1 Edinburgh 157 3.7%
2 Glasgow 354 3.4%
3 Dundee 55 3.1%
4 Aberdeen 63 3.0%
Deaths in people aged 25 and over, 2017

 Half of local authority leaders polled by Centre for Cities highlighted the environment as a major concern, but progress has been slow and they must do more to prevent more avoidable deaths from air pollution. Cities in Scotland should:

  • Introduce Ultra Low Emission Zones to charge car and van drivers in city centres.
  • Ban the use of wood burning stoves and coal fires in areas where air pollution exceeds guidelines (in coordination with the Scottish Government).

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government should do more to help local politicians in Scotland act by providing financial incentives for cities to improve air quality through the establishment of an Environmental Impact Bond.

Finally, the UK Government should make securing plans with the EU to tackle cross border air pollution a key component of the future relationship. It should also adopt the World Health Organization’s stricter guidelines on PM2.5 – as the Scottish Government has already done – and make a legally binding commitment to meet this by 2030 at the latest.

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said: “More than half of people in the UK live in cities and large towns. And while they offer people good employment and lifestyle opportunities, Cities Outlook 2020 shows that they also having a damaging effect on their health, with air pollution killing thousands of people living in cities every year.

“Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action. People in Scotland should be at the centre of the fight against its toxic air and councils should take the steps needed, including charging people to drive in city centres and banning wood burning stoves.

“To help the Government needs to provide the Scotland councils with extra money and introduce stricter guidelines. Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in Scotland.”

Restalrig Circus incident update: dead woman named

Police have confirmed the identity of the woman who died following a disturbance at an address in Restalrig Circus, Edinburgh, on Friday, 24 January, 2020 at 6.50pm.

She was 79-year-old Margaret Grant.

Officers are looking to trace a man they believe entered the property and assaulted Margaret with the intention of stealing from her.

It is believed this was a targeted attack, and that the man responsible may have known Margaret by name. The man was disturbed and left the scene on foot.

Margaret was taken to hospital by ambulance, but died later that night. (Friday, 24 January, 2020)

The death is being treated as suspicious and officers remain at the scene, as enquiries continue to try and establish the full circumstances surrounding her death.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 20 and 30-years-old, about 5ft 6ins tall with combed long black hair and a Scottish accent. He was wearing a black top which may have had white lower sleeves, and dark trousers.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston, from the Major Investigation Team, said: “This was a cowardly and despicable attack on an elderly woman within her home. It is imperative anyone with any information about what happened makes contact with us so we can find the man responsible.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Margaret at this difficult time.”

Anyone who may have been in the Restalrig Circus area on Friday evening, or who recognises the description of the man are urged to get in touch with officers as soon as possible on 101, quoting incident number 3175 of 24 January.

Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Musselburgh kids help safeguard the future of golden eagles

A group of home schooled children from Musselburgh recently took part in the groundbreaking South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project to help safeguard the future of Golden Eagles in the UK.   

Continue reading Musselburgh kids help safeguard the future of golden eagles

Bonnie Bairn: Scotland’s largest pregnancy & family fair

Bonnie Bairn, Scotland’s premier Pregnancy & Family Fair is set to take place on Sunday 1st March.

Following the huge success of the 2019 fair, which saw over 1,000 local visitors flood through the doors, the organisers have confirmed that the 2020 event will take place at Edinburgh Corn Exchange and will welcome over 80 exhibitors, making it the largest pregnancy & family fair in Scotland.

Setting it apart from other fairs, Bonnie Bairn focuses on supporting local businesses, crafters and retailers. They aim to keep the event affordable for stallholders and ensure the event not only benefits the local community, but also gives a welcoming atmosphere for expecting parents and local families from Edinburgh and beyond.

Bonnie Bairn will also offer a series of taster sessions from participating businesses, which will allow visitors to take part in half hour condensed versions of the brand experience; these will include talks and workshops scheduled throughout the day, where services providers can explain what they offer or provide free advice.

Deby Rainnie, Founder of Bonnie Bairn said: “Pregnancy is such a wonderful time and should be celebrated.

“The early years of parenthood can often be overwhelming and with so many amazing classes and support groups available it can be a little daunting to know which ones to go with.

“Our fairs are designed to be an excellent opportunity for visitors to meet the people behind the businesses, trial the classes and engage in a wide range of informative talks.” 

Bonnie Bairns is all about bringing together the best local experts, activity providers and businesses supporting families from pregnancy to preschool. Their mission is to educate and inform parents and parents-to-be about all of the great local and online businesses that are available to them.

Deby continued: “We want to support parents and parents-to-be, across Scotland, sharing everything that is wonderful about raising a family here.

“Many of our retailers are local businesses, selling beautiful products that are often only available online, so this is also a wonderful chance for them to showcase their products.” 

2020 stall holders confirmed include Baby Sensory, Diana Baker Photography, Edinburgh Baby Co, A-Fotografy, Bumblebee Sports, Mum Me, Sweaty Mama, Water Babies, John Lewis, Positive Birth Scotland, Sleep Safe Scotland, Playroom by Little Lunches and Yummikeys.

For a full list of companies participating visit https://www.bonnie-bairn.co.uk/visit

​Advanced tickets for the event can be purchased online for £6.00 per person. Under 16’s can attend for free and do not require a ticket.

Every ticket purchased will also count as one entry into the Epic Prize Draw, which will be drawn on the day of the event.

For more information visit https://www.bonnie-bairn.co.uk/

Follow Bonnie Bairn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

A free premium goody bag will be given to the first 250 families who arrive on the day. These are packed full or goodies, samples and local discounts.