Motoring experts warn: You’re using your aircon wrong

Drivers are being told they have been using the air conditioning in their car all wrong as the weather heats up across the UK.

The motoring experts at LeaseLoco.com have revealed that air conditioning for short car journeys is actually ineffective and have shared six ways to use the feature efficiently.

Using air conditioning on short journeys can actually increase a car’s fuel consumption by up to 10%.*

This is because air conditioning can take a while to circulate properly as the system needs time to cool down the air that is going to be pushed through the vents. 

If your car has been sitting in the sun it can take even longer to cool everything down due to the warmer temperatures.

The experts state that when driving at speeds under 40mph on short journeys, rolling down the window is the best and quickest way to cool down in the car and won’t use up any fuel.

Going faster than 40mph with the windows open can create a lot of drag, causing your car to work harder.

John Wilmot, CEO of LeaseLoco.com said: “When you turn the AC on in your car it can take a while for the system to get going because it needs to make the refrigerant cold. This is the fluid that is used to cool the air.

“Once the fluid is cool, it’s then blown through the vents to cool the car down but replacing all of that warm air can take some time. It can take even longer if your car has been parked in the sun previously. 

“This makes your car hotter and means the air conditioning has to work even harder in cooling the car down which is why it’s best to park in the sun or use sunshades. 

“If you’re on a short journey and you’re driving under 40mph, you’re actually better off just opening the window to cool down rather than waiting for the aircon to kick in. It’ll be much more efficient and you won’t be using any more fuel.

“If you’re driving in an area that exceeds 40mph then you’ll want to switch to using air conditioning. Driving at higher speeds with your windows open can create a drag which will make your engine work much harder and will ultimately cause your car to use more fuel.”

SIX ways to use your air conditioning efficiently:

Air out the car first

If you have been parked in the sun and your car is particularly warm, consider rolling the windows down for a bit first before putting your air conditioning on. This will cool down the car, which means the aircon will have less work to do and will begin to fill your car with cool air quicker.

Start driving

Aircon works best when your engine is running so start the car up and begin driving for a few minutes before turning it on.

Use the recirculation button

Pressing the recirculation button in your car while the aircon is on will mean that your car will reuse the cool air already inside instead of constantly pulling new, hot air from outside. 

Don’t set it to maximum straight away

When you’re hot and bothered, it can be tempting to turn up the aircon on full blast in the hopes of cooling down, but this is actually much less efficient. Instead, start the aircon on medium and gradually increase it.

Keep the windows up

If you’re driving with the aircon on then it’s important to keep your windows closed. Having them open means that all of that cool air is escaping, which makes your aircon less effective and causes your car to use more fuel.

Park in the shade if possible

Where possible, try to park your car out of the sun and in a shady spot instead. This will help keep your car cooler so that when you get into it, the aircon has less work to do. If your driveway naturally gets a lot of sun, consider using a sunshade on your car.

LeaseLoco is the UK’s biggest car lease comparison website, making it super quick and easy for drivers to filter and compare millions of deals from the UK’s leading car leasing companies to best suit their needs.

Scottish NHS pay deal agreed

Agenda for Change staff accept two-year pay offer

Nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff across Scotland have voted to accept an 8% pay increase, over two years, that will ensure they continue to be the best paid in the UK.

The deal, which benefits almost 170,000 NHS Agenda for Change staff – including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others – guarantees the pay increase will be one percentage point above inflation over same period.

It will see pay rises of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27 and involves an investment of more than £700 million over a two-year period.

The pay rise will be backdated to 1 April 2025.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I welcome the fact that union members have accepted this pay offer. Delivering a renewed and stronger NHS is a key commitment for us and at the heart of that are our hard-working healthcare staff.

“We want to ensure they feel value and rewarded and I’m very pleased that they have agreed to accept a strong two-year pay deal. Staff will see the benefit of this pay uplift in their pay packets from next month.

“The deal, which is both fair and affordable, is guaranteed to remain above CPI inflation and will ensure Scotland’s nurses, midwives and NHS staff have the best reward package in the UK.”

Edinburgh University Formula Student team revved up for Silverstone thanks to Greenwheel Electric sponsorship

Edinburgh University’s Formula team will race at Silverstone this year as part of the Formula Student global engineering competition thanks in part to a valuable Gold-level sponsorship by Greenwheel Electric.

Greenwheel Electric is the innovative and ambitious new provider of much-needed electric vehicle charging facilities. Their unique proposition combines 100% green energy at industry-leading prices direct from the point of generation, ultra high-speed charging facilities, and integrated sites providing a high quality traveller experience built on local produce and refreshments. It is a division of Muirhall Energy, Scotland’s largest independent renewables business.

The renewable energy charging facility firm, which launched in 2024, is providing the Formula team with a gold level of sponsorship. The funding will enable the team to test their theories for improving the car and to buy additional required parts.

Jason McCall, Managing Director at Greenwheel Electric, said: “We share the passion of Edinburgh University’s Formula Student team as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation in motorsport.

“EUFS has consistently demonstrated excellence in engineering and automation, setting a high standard for the future of driverless technology. 

“Our sponsorship is not just about providing funding; it’s about fostering the next generation STEM professionals who share our passion to lead the way in sustainable and renewable energy solutions. We look forward to seeing the team race at Silverstone and are proud to be part of their journey.”

EUFS has set the benchmark for driverless teams in the UK, winning the inaugural FS-AI class in 2018 and maintaining an unprecedented seven-year winning streak ever since. In 2024, the team achieved another milestone, becoming the first in the British competition to pass both technical and safety scrutiny with its cutting-edge ADS (automated driving system) car.

Leia Wilson, Sponsorship Lead at EUFS, said: “Edinburgh University Formula Student (EUFS) is a multidisciplinary team of students from various cultural and academic backgrounds.

“EUFS comes together each year to construct an F1-style race car and we participate in Formula Student UK at Silverstone with teams from all around the globe.

“We offer students the ability to put their knowledge to practice, to be part of a model company and for some – to achieve a dream.”

Scottish Opera’s Breath Cycle wins prestigious international award

Berlin, Germany

Scottish Opera has won the prestigious Classical:NEXT Innovation Award for its ground-breaking project Breath Cycle.

Started in 2012, it helps those with lung conditions, such as Long Covid, using breathing techniques in singing and songwriting workshops. It beat competition from across the world to pick up the award at a ceremony in Berlin on Wednesday (14 May).

The Classical:NEXT Innovation Award is decided by nominations from renowned international journalists and leaders in the arts and is selected by the Classical:NEXT community. It recognises organisations and projects that ‘push the boundaries of classical music through innovative approaches, audience engagement, and artistic excellence’.

Breath Cycle was praised for its pioneering work supporting people with respiratory conditions, which included its innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing the project back to life through the lens of Long COVID. 

Since then, the project has relaunched to include new video and audio resources, one-to-one song writing sessions exploring the participants’ experiences of living with Long COVID – resulting in The Covid Composers Songbook – and a series of intimate performances showcasing these heartfelt and emotive songs in 2023 and 2025, including A Story of Healing:Breath Cycle on Stage.

Jane Davidson MBE, Director of Outreach & Education at Scottish Opera, and composer Gareth Williams, travelled to Germany for the award ceremony.

Jane Davidson said: ‘Voice is such an integral part of what makes us human. Your voice is yours and yours alone, and to lose control over it can be devastating. We’ve learnt so much about how loss of voice through lung conditions of all types, attacks the very core of one’s identity, often leading to profound loneliness and isolation.

“So, from the beginning, the challenge for us was twofold: to help alleviate the physical symptoms of their illness, and to help participants regain their self-worth through the song-writing programme. Hearing these authentic voices ‘singing’ out is an artistic and a human experience that speaks to us all.’

Breath Cycle began in 2012 as a partnership between Scottish Opera and Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service in Glasgow. The programme has since worked with nearly 2,500 people, with participants reporting improvements in mental and physical health and wellbeing.

The 2025 Breath Cycle sessions have shown remarkable results, with participants reporting significant improvements in their wellbeing, physical and mental health, as well as reductions in stress levels and increases in energy and motivation.

Classical:NEXT 2025, the world’s largest networking event for classical music professionals, featured over 220 contributors and delegates from 54 countries.

Scottish Opera shared the Innovation Award spotlight with two other recipients: OPERA APERTA (Ukraine) and Clásica No Convencional (Chile).

Scottish Opera’s Outreach & Education department is the oldest outreach and education unit of any opera company in Europe, forming in 1971 under the leadership of Scottish Opera’s founder Sir Alexander Gibson.

Breath Cycle will continue throughout Scottish Opera’s 2025-2026 Season with support from The Scottish Government, Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, WM Mann Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust, and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels.

For more information about Breath Cycle, visit Breath Cycle | Scottish Opera

For full details about Classical:NEXT, visit Innovation Award – Classical:NEXT

First Minister urges Prime Minister to drop EU red lines

Scotland’s interests ‘cannot be an afterthought in negotiations’

First Minister John Swinney has urged the UK Government to reflect Scotland’s interests by dropping its EU red lines on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement.

Ahead of tomorrow’s summit between the UK and EU, the First Minister has reiterated his calls for the closest possible co-operation with Europe and said the best future for Scotland is as an independent nation within the European Union.

The Scottish Government has previously called for the UK Government to negotiate with the EU on a number of key areas including removing barriers to food and drink exports, closer energy and climate co-operation, a youth mobility agreement, and rejoining the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes.

The First Minister said: “Scotland’s best future lies as an independent country within the European Union. More than ever, the current uncertain economic and geopolitical environment reinforces the importance of Scotland having the security, stability and opportunity that comes with EU membership. 

“Right now, the Prime Minister must negotiate the closest possible working relationship with the EU, in the interests of people and businesses across Scotland. To do that he must drop his ideological red lines on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement.

“This would remove significant trade barriers and red tape for Scottish businesses and give a much-needed boost to the Scottish economy which is still being badly impacted by Brexit.

“If the UK Government wants to get serious about economic growth, it should recognise that the EU is one of our most important economic and security partners. At the very least we need to see a reduction in red tape for our food and drink exports, closer co-operation on energy and climate issues and greater freedom of movement for our young people. These areas and others can bring benefits both for us and our European partners.

“The Scottish Government stands ready to work with the UK and the EU towards stability and progress but the UK Government must reflect the interests of Scotland in the upcoming talks. Given the appalling economic, social and cultural damage of Brexit, Scotland cannot be treated as an afterthought by the UK Government in these discussions.”

The Scottish Government has published papers on some of our key priorities for closer cooperation:

The Scottish Government has also published a number of reports on the impact of Brexit on Scotland and Scotland’s economy, including:

In 2023, the Scottish Government published a paper setting out the Scottish Government’s vision for an independent Scotland in the EU:

Building a New Scotland: an independent Scotland in the EU – gov.scot

UK-EU Summit: Starmer set to deliver deal ‘good for growth, good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders’

  • This week, the Prime Minister will strike ‘yet another deal that will deliver in the national interest of this country. It will be good for growth, good for jobs, good for bills, and good for our borders’, says the UK government.
  • In the last two weeks alone, the government has delivered trade deals with India and the United States. Jobs saved, faster growth, wages rising.
  • These deals are a huge vote of confidence in the United Kingdom. They show that, even though times have been tough, the decisions the government have taken to stabilise the economy and lead the way internationally have made this a country people want to do business with again.
  • Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will set out how a strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people and lead to more money in pockets as part of our Plan for Change – and sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto. 
  • Because the British public deserve better than the deal reached under the previous government, which isn’t working for anyone.  
  • It will be better for UK producers – who face red tape and checks just to export to our nearest and biggest trading partner. Or sometimes can’t export at all. 
  • It will be better for British supermarkets, who have to pass these costs onto consumers and reduce the availability of products on shelves. 
  • And it will be better for British families who face higher bills, queues on holiday and whose safety and security is harmed by a lack of cooperation between neighbouring countries facing the same global challenges. 
  • First India, then the US, now the European Union. This is what outward-looking, independent sovereign nations do – we look at the problems facing our country and we work hard, alongside our allies, to find solutions that deliver for our people (says the UK Government). 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “In this time of great uncertainty and volatility, the UK will not respond by turning inwards, but by proudly taking our place on the world stage – strengthening our alliances and closing deals in the interests of British people. 

“First India, then the United States – in the last two weeks alone that’s jobs saved, faster growth and wages rising. More money in the pockets of British working people, achieved through striking deals not striking poses. 

“Tomorrow, we take another step forwards, with yet more benefits for the United Kingdom as the result of a strengthened partnership with the European Union. It will be good for our jobs, good for our bills and good for our borders. 

“That’s what the British people voted for last year, and it’s what my government will deliver.”

Forth 1 a DOUBLE WINNER in UK ‘Radio Oscars’ in its 50th year

It was another golden night for Bauer Media Audio at the 2025 ARIAS (Audio and Radio Industry Awards), hosted by Magic Radio’s Gok Wan, where our teams picked up an incredible twelve awards including the prestigious Special Recognition Award, presented by Ken Bruce, to Greatest Hits Radio Network Content Director Andy Ashton.

Forth 1 won two Gold awards with Boogie in the Morning winning Best Music Breakfast Show – for the second year running – and the station being named as the John Myers Local Radio Station of the Year.

Rayo took Silver in a new category for 2025, UK Audio Brand of the Year as KISS picked up two Silver awards for The 2024 ‘Genny Lex’ in the Best News or Current Affairs category and Best Commercial Partnership Award for Empowering Young Lives with KFC.

Greatest Hits Radio 60s was also a Silver winner for Best Sonic Branding.

The Bowie@Breakfast team saw Bronze for Best Music Radio Breakfast Show and the Hits Radio team were also Bronze Social Impact Award winners for Clare’s Law: A Decade Saving Lives.

Greatest Hits Radio was another Bronze winner for UK Radio Station or Radio Network of the Year, as were the Clyde 1 team in the Best Event Coverage Award for Superscoreboard at Euro 2024

The full list of Bauer Media Audio UK winners:

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Andy Ashton

GOLD

JOHN MYERS LOCAL RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR: Forth 1

BEST MUSIC BREAKFAST RADIO SHOW AWARD: Boogie in the Morning – Forth 1

SILVER

UK AUDIO BRAND OF THE YEAR: Rayo

BEST MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT AWARD (SHOW OR PRESENTER): Ruthie Henshall Sees Dead People – Magic Radio

BEST NEWS OR CURRENT AFFAIRS AWARD: The 2024 ‘Genny Lex’ – KISS

BEST SONIC BRANDING AWARD: Greatest Hits Radio 60s

BEST COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Empowering Young Lives – KISS and KFC

BRONZE

UK RADIO STATION OR RADIO NETWORK OF THE YEAR: Greatest Hits Radio

BEST MUSIC BREAKFAST RADIO SHOW AWARD: Bowie@Breakfast – Clyde 1

THE SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD: Clare’s Law: A Decade of Saving Lives – Hits Radio

BEST EVENT COVERAGE AWARD: Superscoreboard at EURO 2024 – Clyde 1

Forth 1 has been celebrating its 50th birthday this year.

They have also recently hit a 24 year audience high (RAJAR) and the Forth 1 news team also recently picked up at Gold at the IRN Awards winning the ‘News Team of the Year’ (Under 1.5million TSA).

Waddle over for a weekend of duck-tastic fun at New Lanark Duck Festival this May Bank Holiday Weekend

New Lanark is thrilled to announce the return of its most popular family event – the Duck Festival!

Taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, this two-day celebration promises laughter, adventure, splashing fun for the whole family.

A Weekend of Wholesome Quack-tivities Includes:

What’s Happening?

  • Duck Race at 12pm & 2pm each day – Cheer on your duck as it floats down the lade. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners.
  • Treasure Hunt: Track down hidden ducks for a sweet ice lolly reward.
  • Craft Corner: Get creative and make your own duck mask to wear in the Duck Parade.
  • Meet Bubbles the Duck: Snap a pic with the festival’s star. Our friendly festival mascot is ready for photos at the historic New Lanark Waterwheel.
  • Duck Parade at 3pm – March behind Bubbles(mascot) from one end of the lade to the other in a splashy spectacle.
  • Best Duck Mask Awards at 3:15pm – Flaunt your handmade masterpiece for a chance to win
  • Optional Extras (available on-site for an extra charge): Face painting, carousel rides, and soft play for even more fun.

Tickets are just £7.00 per child, with free entry for accompanying adults. Ticket times correspond with the Duck Race sessions (12pm or 2pm), but families are welcome from 10am to enjoy all the day’s activities.

Following the model of our popular Easter Sunday Duck Race event, this festival promises to be another unforgettable experience filled with community spirit and family fun.

Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure yours soon and waddle your way to a weekend of quack-tastic excitement at New Lanark.

Buy Duck Festival Tickets online – New Lanark

Fuelling the school day

Breakfast clubs to help tackle poverty

Thousands more children will benefit from free breakfasts supported by the Scottish Government.

The Bright Start Breakfasts fund is now open to applications and will provide £3 million so more primary school children can have a nutritious start to the day and parents can benefit from free childcare.

Nearly half of Scotland’s schools already provide breakfast at the start of the school day. The Bright Start Breakfasts funding will support expansion of existing clubs and establishment of new ones, creating more free places for primary school children. 

In addition to more breakfast clubs, the Scottish Government is expanding the Extra Time programme, which provides funding for 31 local football clubs and trusts to provide free access to before school, after school and holiday clubs for targeted primary school children from families on low incomes.

Work is also under way in 23 communities to design and deliver further childcare services for priority families.

Visiting a breakfast club at Riverside Primary School in Glasgow Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “We know how important a healthy breakfast can be for children, particularly those most at risk of living in poverty, and breakfast clubs have a crucial role in our mission to eradicate child poverty.

“They help set children up for the day, supporting them to achieve their learning potential, and provide families with childcare, helping more parents to get to work in the morning.

“Applications are open and I encourage anyone who could deliver a breakfast club to contact Inspiring Scotland.”

Celia Tennant, Chief Executive at Inspiring Scotland, said: “Inspiring Scotland is pleased to be working with Scottish Government to manage the Bright Start Breakfasts fund.

“We are committed to working together to tackle child poverty and improve family wellbeing. We are delighted to see applications starting to come in since launching the fund on Wednesday”

The Bright Start Breakfast fund is being managed by Inspiring Scotland. Guidance on applying to the fund can be found here: Bright Start Breakfasts – Inspiring Scotland.

Inspiring Scotland invites applications from groups and organisations who deliver or want to deliver breakfast clubs, including:

  • Primary schools
  • local authorities
  • third-sector organisations
  • registered childcare providers
  • activity providers
  • parent or volunteer groups
  • childminding services

Work to design and deliver childcare services for priority families is taking place in 23 Early Adopter Communities across six local authority areas (Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Fife and Shetland).