Tag: Politics

‘Decisive action’ to break influence of gas on electricity prices

Families across the country will be better protected from energy crises, as government moves to break link between gas and electricity prices

  • Families across the country will be better protected from energy crises, as government moves to break link between gas and electricity prices
  • New plans include long‑term fixed‑price contracts for renewables, protecting families when gas prices spike
  • Immediate action to tax excess profits through the Electricity Generator Levy by raising the rate from 45% to 55%, ensuring an increased proportion of the extraordinary revenue generated when the gas price spikes is available to government to support businesses and households with the cost-of-living
  • Comes as government doubles down on drive for clean, homegrown power with raft of measures to unlock public land, speed up planning and cut bills for families

Plans to better protect families and businesses by ending the unfair way international gas prices push up electricity prices across Great Britain take a major step forward today.

Instability in the Middle East has shown that Britain’s reliance on international fossil fuel markets leaves families and businesses exposed to volatile gas prices, driving the cost-of-living crisis even though much of the country’s electricity comes from cheaper renewables and nuclear. 

When wars, geopolitical tensions or supply shocks abroad push up global gas prices, electricity bills rise with them, exposing families to crises they have no control over. 

Over time, this problem is easing as new clean energy projects are built on fixed price contracts that protect consumers from gas price volatility. But a significant share of renewable generation – about 30% of Britain’s power supply – is still exposed to wholesale prices set by gas, leaving families vulnerable when international prices rise.

Therefore, to shield families from future crises, today the government is setting out new measures to ‘break the link’, reducing the impact that volatile gas prices have on the price of electricity. This will be done by:

  • Voluntary long term fixed contracts: offered to existing low-carbon generators not on fixed‑price contracts – covering around a third of Britain’s power supply. This will help protect families and businesses from higher bills when gas prices spike, with contracts offered only where they deliver clear value for money for consumers
  • An updated Electricity Generators Levy: immediate action to tax excess profits through the Electricity Generator Levy by raising the rate from 45% to 55%, ensuring an increased proportion of the extraordinary revenues generated when the gas price spikes is available to government to support businesses and households with the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East on the cost of living

Measures announced today will further reduce the share of electricity exposed to gas price shocks and provide generators the economic incentive to move on to fixed contracts not linked to volatile gas. The government is monitoring the impact of the current crisis on energy bills and will be ready to step in to provide targeted support where necessary.

Britain has already moved from gas setting the price of electricity around 90% of the time in the early 2020s, to around 60% today. Through the government’s clean energy mission, it is estimated gas will set the wholesale price around half of the time by 2030.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We need to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster – this will make energy bills more stable and take the pressure off family budgets.

“When global gas prices spike, people here shouldn’t be picking up the tab.

“Our focus is simple: easing pressure on household budgets now, while building a homegrown energy system that protects families from global instability in the years ahead.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “As we face the second fossil fuel shock in less than 5 years, the lesson for our country is clear: The era of fossil fuel security is over, and the era of clean energy security must come of age.

“That’s why we’re doubling down on clean power, to give our country energy security and bring down bills for good.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Hardworking British families and businesses should not bear the brunt of global gas price shocks while electricity generators are making exceptional profits.

“Alongside moving generators onto the competitive pricing assured through wholesale Contracts for Difference, increasing the EGL to 55% will help to break the link between high gas prices and high electricity prices – offering households and businesses stronger protection against future energy shocks.”

Further measures

Speaking today at the Good Growth Foundation, the Energy Secretary set out further measures to help cut bills for families and deliver more clean, homegrown power:

Bigger grants for households on heating oil and LPG

The crisis in the Middle East has impacted those on heating oil and LPG the hardest. The government is today announcing an increase to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant for properties heated by oil and LPG, taking the total grant to £9,000. This will help those households and small businesses in England and Wales most impacted by rising energy prices, particularly in rural areas, to electrify their heating and provide greater certainty over energy bills.

Further details on Transitional Energy Certificates 

Today in advance of legislation, we are publishing further details on Transitional Energy Certificates to provide greater certainty and clarity for industry looking to invest in already-explored areas near existing licensed fields, supporting a fair and managed transition.

Faster upgrades for social housing 

The government is already investing £1.2 billion to upgrade 100,000 social homes over the next 2 years. To accelerate further, the government is today providing an additional £100 million of funding for the Social Housing Fund, subject to final approvals, to support the delivery of up to a total of 57,000 solar installations for households this financial year. Through the Social Housing Fund and social housing regulations in the ‘Warm Homes Plan’, this will help households cut bills by hundreds of pounds and support up to a million homes reach EPC C.

Solar panels for schools and colleges 

Building on the success of Great British Energy’s solar scheme, the government is backing the company to extend support for more rooftop solar installations on a further 100 schools and colleges this year.  Up to £40 million of government investment, subject to final approvals, Great British Energy will deliver new rooftop solar and renewable schemes – helping the public sector cut energy costs and reinvest savings. 

Public land 

Driving forward plans to massively expand renewables across the Public Estate – including using brownfield land, industrial sites and railway sites to host solar panels and wind turbines. This could unlock up to 10 GW of capacity, even using only a fraction of government land, powering the equivalent of around 5 million homes.

Planning and land rules

Streamlining outdated rules to unblock the grid and speed up clean, homegrown power, through the biggest overhaul of planning, land access and grid connection processes since the start of the government’s clean energy mission — cutting delays for essential grid upgrades and renewables, and exploring new routes for developers to build and connect their projects faster. 

EVs, heat pumps and solar 

Plans to make it easier for people to switch to cheaper electric transport and heating, by making EV chargers, solar panels and heat pumps easier to install for renters, flat-dwellers and households without a driveway.  

The government is exploring ways to ensure that low-income households can benefit from plug-in solar through our ‘Warm Homes Plan’ this year, and have earmarked up to £25 million with a view to piloting support for plug-in panels in partnership with local authorities and mayors: our vision is a street by street approach where tens of thousands of low-cost solar panels are delivered to those most in need.

Reformed National Pricing

Households and businesses will benefit from a cheaper, more efficient energy system through a new Reformed National Pricing Delivery Plan. The delivery plan shows how smarter planning and faster delivery of electricity infrastructure could unlock up to £20 billion in benefits between 2030 and 2050.

TONIGHT: Last chance to register to vote in Holyrood Elections

Time is running out for voters to register to have their say in the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 7 May, with the deadline for registrations at 11.59pm TONIGHT. 

Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. All voters need is a name, address, and National Insurance number. 

Those who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote. 

Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “We want everyone to be able to have their say in this election, but first they need to be registered to vote.  

“If you’re voting for the first time, have moved house, or changed any of your details, it’s especially important that you register online before the deadline tonight. 

“It takes just five minutes and all you need is your name, address, and National Insurance number. You can do it now at gov.uk/register-to-vote. 

“If you want to vote by post or by proxy, you still have time to apply, but you’ll need to be registered to vote first. Anyone not registered in time won’t be able to vote on Thursday 7 May. 

“Once you’re registered, the deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 21 April and the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 28 April.” 

Mandelson scandal: ‘Absolutely furious’ Starmer set to face MPs

‘AH DIDNAE KEN’ IS PM’s DEFENCE

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will address the Commons this afternoon as questions mount over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.

Oppostion leaders have all called for his resignation and there is growing disquiet among his own backbenchers over Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson – a man who had previously been forced to resign TWICE for dishonesty and whose links to disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were in the public domain.

Despite Mandelson’s controversial background, Starmer appointed the lobbyist to a senior diplomatic post only to dismiss him in September when more Epstein revelations came to light.

Starmer is now claiming he was unaware that Mandelson failed security vetting and that, had he known, he would not have appointed the disgraced peer. The vetting process actually took place after the announcement of Mandelson’s appointment.

Exactly what Starmer knew, and when, may just become a little clearer this afternoon. ‘Furious’ Starmer will doubtless come out fighting, and Cabinet colleagues have been circling the wagons to protect their leader, but whether Westminster will believe the Prime Minister’s version of events is another matter.

The Mandelson affair is another self-inflicted wound, and an unwelcome distraction for a government facing elections across the country in just three weeks time.

Sir Olly Robbins to give evidence on Mandelson’s vetting on Tuesday

The Foreign Affairs Committee has written to Sir Olly Robbins, former Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, to request he give evidence next Tuesday (21 April) on the vetting of Lord Mandelson.

Sir Olly and Sir Chris Wormald, then-Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, previously appeared in front of the Committee to give evidence on the vetting and clearance of Lord Mandelson.

Following recent reporting by The Guardian exposing Lord Mandelson’s failure to pass developed vetting and the decision of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to overrule this, Sir Olly resigned as Permanent-Under Secretary at the FCDO.

Correspondence: Foreign Affairs Committee Chair to Sir Olly Robbins

Read the letter to Sir Olly Robbins

Children’s coalition demands action as mental health problems soar

A leading coalition of children’s services providers has challenged political parties to “stop talking and start delivering” after a dramatic surge in additional support needs (ASN) conditions among Scotland’s pupils.

New analysis of Scottish Government data reveals a sharp rise in complex needs over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025:

  • Mental health problems have surged by 526%
  • Communication support needs have risen by 296%
  • Autism diagnoses have increased by 252%
  • Interrupted learning has jumped by 497%
  • Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties are up 144%
  • Physical health problems have grown by 142%
  • Dyslexia has increased by 129%
  • Substance misuse has increased by 245%

Overall, the number of pupils identified with ASN has almost doubled—from 153,143 to 299,445—now accounting for 43% of all pupils, experiencing an increased complexity of need.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education for vulnerable children and young people, has warned that rising need is being met with falling support.

Despite the sharp increase in demand:

  • Specialist ASN teachers have droppedfrom 3,038 in 2015 to 2,864 in 2025.3
  • Educational psychologist numbers have barely shifted, rising only from 370 to 396.4

The SCSC notes that the gap between need and provision is being driven by a combination of improved diagnosis, the lasting impact of Covid-19, social media pressures, and the cost-of-living crisis.

Associated with this, we are witnessing increasing levels of classroom disruption, a key cause of this being the increase in the number of those with ASN, who are not receiving the support they are entitled to.

The SCSC has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of mainstreaming—where pupils are educated in mainstream classrooms unless exceptional circumstances apply—warning that without adequate support, it is failing many children.

An SCSC spokesperson said: “Scotland’s politicians must stop talking and start delivering. The scale of this increase in need is staggering—but the support simply isn’t keeping pace.

“Too many children with ASN are being left without the help they are entitled to. That is failing them, their classmates, their teachers and support staff.

“Mainstreaming can work—but not without the resources to back it up. Right now, that support just isn’t there, and we are seeing the consequences in rising classroom disruption and unmet need.

“The next Scottish Government must act decisively, providing adequate support for children and young people with ASN,  who disproportionately come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Reasons for support for pupils with ASN (pupils may have more than one reason for additional support).

Reason for support20252015% change on 2015
TotalTotal
Dyslexia39,03617,034129
Other specific learning difficulty (e.g. numeric)30,72017,55275
Other moderate learning difficulty30,48423,22831
Visual impairment5,7393,83949.5
Hearing impairment4,3762,73859
Deaf blind644742.5
Physical or motor impairment8,6187,52814.5
Language or speech disorder20,75814,70441
Autistic spectrum disorder41,28511,722252
Social, emotional and behavioural difficulty77,40531,684144
Physical health problem21,9619,059142
Mental health problem14,6382,338526
Interrupted learning15,9312,669497
English as an additional language61,10721,997178
Looked after10,6737,53042
More able pupil3,0753,123-1.5
Communication Support Needs19,3744,894296
Young Carer10,3021,653523
Bereavement7,2611,304457
Substance Misuse762221245
Family Issues31,8659,700228.5
Risk of Exclusion2,610925182
Learning disability12,24115,324-20
Other25,40614,15679.5

Town Hall Rich List 2026: record 4,733 council bosses received over £100,000 last year

  • Town Hall Rich List 2026 findsthat a record 4,733 council employees received over £100,000 remuneration in 2024-25, with 1,255 receiving over £150,000 in total remuneration in 2024-25, another record. 
  • The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) provides a council-by-council breakdown of local government executive pay deals. A regional breakdown is available in this press release.
  • Click here for frequently asked questions about the Town Hall Rich List.

In the wake of the largest council tax increase since 2004, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) launches its Town Hall Rich List 2026 (THRL), the 20th edition of the project. THRL is the only comprehensive list of its kind with a council-by-council breakdown of local government executive pay deals.

The number of council bosses receiving more than £100,000 in 2024-25 stood at 4,733, the highest level since this dataset was first published in 2007 and 827 more than last year’s edition. This is an increase of over 21 per cent on last year, as council wage bills continue to grow.

In contrast, the Yorkshire and the Humber region saw the smallest increase in the number of employees receiving over £100,000, rising by 2 per cent from 204 to 209.

The number of staff receiving over £150,000 has also hit a record high of 1,255. This is a 14.9 per cent increase from last year and almost twenty times more than in the first edition of THRL when Tony Blair was prime minister. The THRL reveals there were 320 council employees who received a higher salary than the prime minister was entitled to in 2024-25.

The highest remunerated council employee in 2024-25 was from Staffordshire council, who received around £457,500. The name and job title of this individual were not provided, nor was the breakdown of what this figure encompassed, though they were a council employee and not teaching staff.

Councils have routinely increased council tax by 4.99 per cent each year, the maximum before a local referendum is mandatory in England, often citing stretched budgets and increased demands.

Despite budget shortfalls, councils have been able to consistently find ever-increasing amounts to pay senior staff. Local councils employed more than double the number of senior managers as the NHS did the year before.

Six councils that issued Section 114 bankruptcy notices since 2020 had 124 council employees receiving over £100,000. 

Some increases in the figures are partially driven by an increase in the number of councils that have published accounts compared to the 2025 edition of this list.

In a positive move towards more transparency, the number who failed to publish accounts in time for this year fell from 15 to five.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT

Key findings:

  • In 2024-25, there were at least 4,733 council employees receiving £100,000 or more in total remuneration. This is a 21.2 per cent increase from 2023-24, representing 827 more people and compared to 2005-06, there were eight times more people in this category. Of these, 1,255 council employees had total remuneration of at least £150,000 in 2024-25, which represents a 14.9 per cent increase or 163 more people from 2023-24. Compared to 2005-06, there were almost twenty times more people in this category.
  • At least 366 local authority employees had total remuneration of at least £200,000 in 2024-25. This is a 39.7 per cent increase from 2023-24, representing 104 people. In 2005-06, there were five people in this category.
  • The prime minister had a salary entitlement of £172,153 in 2024.  320 council employees received a higher salary than this in 2024-25, as opposed to total remuneration. This is a third more than in 2023-24.
  • A total of five councils did not provide accounts for 2024-25. This is lower than previous years, with 15 not producing 2023-24 accounts in time for last year’s note, which was significantly down from 59 in 2022-23.
     
  • In 2024-25, the highest remunerated council employee was from Staffordshire council, who received £457,500. The name and job title of this individual were not provided, nor was the breakdown of what this figure encompassed.
  • The council employee with the largest compensation for loss of office payment in 2024-25 was the unnamed assistant chief executive at Cambridge council, who received £222,559 in compensation and £330,101 in total remuneration.
  • Elaine Allergretti, strategic director, children and adults at Barking and Dagenham council, received the largest bonus payment in 2024-25, at £34,161, with total remuneration of £232,923.
  • Westminster council was the local authority with the most staff receiving over £100,000 in 2024-25. The council had 92 such individuals, 19 more than 2023-24. This is a twelve-fold increase from 2005-06, when the council had seven council employees receiving over £100,000 in total remuneration.
  • Yorkshire and the Humber saw the smallest increase in the number of employees receiving over £100,000 total remuneration from 2023-24 to 2024-25, rising by two per cent from 204 to 209.
  • Six councils have issued section 114 notices since 2020, effectively declaring bankruptcy. There were 124 employees in these councils receiving over £100,000 in total remuneration in 2024-25. Of these, Claire Demmel, interim executive director of place at Thurrock council, had the largest total remuneration in 2024-25, at £283,844.
  • From 2005-06 to 2024-25, band D council tax has risen by 120 per cent in Wales, 79 per cent in England and 30 per cent in Scotland.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers are caught in a pincer movement with a record-breaking tax burden on one side and a bloated public sector feathering its nest on the other.

“Our latest Town Hall Rich List exposes a surging class of council bosses enjoying six-figure packages, even as they plead poverty, slash frontline services, and hike council tax bills far beyond inflation.

“Residents can see exactly how many local bureaucrats are receiving plush packages and judge for themselves whether they’re getting value for money.”

In Scotland:

  • Scotland had 369 council employees who received at least £100,000 in 2024-25, which is 24 more than the previous year.
  • The highest remunerated council employee was Katrina Hassell, chief officer (business and digital) of North Lanarkshire council, who received £281,680.

Your Party implosion: Scottish Excutive resigns en bloc

SCOTLAND’s LEFT IN THE WILDERNESS?

Scottish Rep Niall Christie announced: “I have this afternoon resigned as Scotland Rep on Your Party’s CEC, and will be leaving the party altogether.“

Full statement below:

YOUR PARTY leadership responded this afternoon:

I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this. – Ed.

One week left to register to vote in Scotland

With only one week left to register to vote in the Scottish Parliament election, the Electoral Commission is urging people to register before the deadline at 11.59pm on Monday 20 April.   

Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.  Voters who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote. 

Electoral Commission research shows that young people, students and those who have recently moved are less likely to be registered to vote. Anyone previously on the register who has recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again. 

Those who do not have a fixed address, whether due to homelessness, being a part of the Gypsy or Traveller community, or because they are, or have been, in care, can still register to vote using a declaration of local connection. 

Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “On Thursday 7 May, people across Scotland will head to the polls to have their say on the issues important to their daily lives. If you’ve recently moved, or you’re a student living away from home, it’s especially important to check you’re registered and you can do that quickly and easily at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

“If you do not have a fixed address to register to vote at, you can still take part by registering through a declaration of local connection. 

For this election, eligibility for care experienced young people has been extended up to the age of 21, from 16, so we’d encourage those who need to make use of this option to do so. 

“Importantly, voter ID is not required for the Scottish Parliament election. If you’re to vote, all you need to do on the day is turn up and have your say.”

TONIGHT: Debate Night Leaders Special

SUNDAY 12 APRIL at 7pm on BBC ONE SCOTLAND

Debate Night is back with a Leaders Special TONIGHT – Sunday 12th April

Watch #bbcdn live at 7pm, on BBC One Scotland and iPlayer

Get involved and have your say: http://bbc.co.uk/send/u39873202

Never Fear, Sir Keir’s Here!

Prime Minister travels to Middle East to meet allies and support ceasefire

The Prime Minister is travelling to the Gulf today to meet with Gulf partners and discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats.

  • The Prime Minister will travel to the Gulf this week to meet leaders of countries who have been in the front line, and will set out his full support for the newly agreed ceasefire 
  • In meetings with regional leaders, he will reiterate unwavering UK support and need for a long-term diplomatic resolution to make sure the ceasefire leads to a lasting agreement 
  • He will hold talks on ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains permanent, with the United Kingdom continuing to lead international efforts

The Prime Minister is travelling to the Gulf today to meet with Gulf partners and discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats.   

On the visit, the Prime Minister will make clear his government’s commitment to de-escalation, and hold further talks on practical efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz following promising progress reported as a result of the ceasefire. As announced by the Prime Minister last week, the United Kingdom is continuing to lead the international effort, convening allies from across the world to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.  

He will also see in person the defensive support the UK has provided in the collective self-defence of our allies in the region and thank UK personnel for their brave service. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world. 

“Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.”

The Prime Minster’s travel follows the UK-convened meeting last week of more than 40 countries to begin work on a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz when the fighting subsides, and subsequent military planning meeting hosted by the UK on Tuesday to further advance this work. 

Work will now continue at pace in light of the ceasefire and the Prime Minister is expected to discuss this further in meetings with leaders in the region.

The Prime Minister’s first stop will be to thank the UK and local personnel who have bravely put their lives at risk in the defence of our people, our interests and those of our allies. 

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK personnel have intercepted more than 110 drone attacks in the region, and the RAF have conducted more than 1600 hours of defensive operations.

The Prime Minister will also pay tribute to the work of our partners in the Gulf, whose armed forces have protected the hundreds of thousands of UK nationals living in the region in the face of Iran’s brutal aggression.

IRAN’S BRUTAL AGGRESSION? You couldnae make it up! – Ed.