Tag: Winter

Plunging temperatures: 4 ways to keep wildlife safe this winter

— Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Scotland partners with RSPB to compile nature-friendly tips —

In light of the recent cold snap, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Scotland is putting nature first to inspire homeowners to create their own haven for wildlife during the colder months.

Combined, UK gardens and balconies are six times the size of Glasgow and Edinburgh, covering 4,000km2 – space that with a little care and attention could make a big difference for nature. This could be as simple as introducing nest boxes and bird feeders to planting wildlife-friendly flowers.

The housebuilder has partnered with the RSPB to create a list of wildlife-friendly features to incorporate into your garden for when temperatures plunge.

Provide shelter for a rainy day

When the weather takes a turn, birds need shelter to keep warm and dry. Nest boxes are the perfect option for small birds and are a popular spot for them during colder nights, with space to cosy up together for communal warmth.

For woodland creatures, creating a deadwood or leaf pile in your garden can be used for shelter and to keep warm.

Across Scotland, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes properties has planted over 5,000 new trees in development gardens and installed over 4,000 hedgehog highways in show home gardens. 

Open an outdoor kitchen

Just like us, birds need extra energy during the colder seasons to keep warm. The smaller the bird, the more likely it is to be affected by long periods of cold weather.

With longer nights and poorer weather conditions, the options for finding food is limited for wildlife meaning they often venture outside of their usual sources in the quest to find food. Without food sources, birds are at risk of starvation, which often kills many birds during winter.

You can help your garden birds by providing some food when natural resources such as berries and seeds are running low, or hard to access because of the cold weather. Find safe places for hanging bird feeders offering calorie-rich seed mixes, good quality peanuts and suet balls. Move these feeders around, to prevent predators from getting used to their location and ensure all feeders are cleaned at least weekly.

Bird landscaping

Consider the plants you grow in the garden, as they can provide a year-round sanctuary for birds. Planting trees and shrubs for garden birds will not only provide a larger nesting space for birds to take cover and keep warm during winter, but also acts a cooling space to retreat to in summer.

Shrubs – such as native holly – provide birds with berries over the winter period, which are particularly popular among blackbirds, bullfinches, sparrows and winter thrushes.

Creating flower beds of varying heights can also provide cover for birds of different sizes. For instance, allowing perennials to remain standing through the winter can offer additional shelter.

Compost leftovers and greenery

To help minimise food waste over the festive period, consider building a compost heap to recycle organic household waste, including peelings and any uneaten vegetables. Our gardens also have a wealth of greenery that are perfect for compost piles, including dead trees, shrubs and grass cuttings.

Not only will it give you compost to fertilise your garden, but it also diversifies the wildlife in your garden, and you may see some robins and blackbirds nesting there come spring.

Douglas McLeod, Regional Managing Director for Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Scotland, said: “Creating a habitat fit for wildlife can help invite a variety of birds and woodland creatures into your space. This not only makes for an interesting period of birdwatching and wildlife spotting during the colder months but also contributes to the conservation of these species.

“At Barratt, we have a nationwide commitment to creating nature-friendly outdoor spaces of all sizes in our developments. These spaces range from gardens and balconies to communal areas, all of which are now flourishing with life.”

Adrian Thomas, RSPB’s wildlife gardening expert, said: “Whatever size your garden or outdoor space is, it can offer shelter and food to a huge variety of wildlife which is especially important in the coldest months. 

“Winter gardens are also beneficial for people! Getting outside, breathing some fresh air and being closer to nature is likely to give your wellbeing a boost at a time of year when it may really need it. As does the chance to watch some of the wildlife that is making the most of your garden.

“Big Garden Birdwatch is a great example of this, showing how taking note of what birds are around us – even just for an hour – can be really valuable, helping us to relax, reflect and feel more connected.”

Barratt Homes’ commitment to creating wildlife-friendly areas across its Scotland developments include:

North Scotland:

  • 3,578 new trees planted throughout developments
  • 2,883 hedgehog highways installed in development gardens
  • 77,722 new sapling hedgerows planted across developments

West Scotland:

  • 1,749 new trees planted throughout developments
  • 1,218 hedgehog highways installed in development gardens

East Scotland:

  • 18 nest boxes in show home gardens
  • 61 swift nesting bricks implemented throughout developments

The UK is home to spectacular wildlife and internationally important habitats, and yet it is in the bottom 10 per cent of countries globally for protecting nature.

Sadly, nature in the UK is in trouble and in need of a helping hand, having lost 38 million birds over the last 50 years, with house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes all considered birds of conservation concern.

For more tips to encourage wildlife into your garden this winter and beyond visit Nature on Your Doorstep here.

RoSPA: Control your speed to save lives this season

Slow your speed to save lives, that’s the message from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) as we enter a period of wintry weather.

Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager for RoSPA said: “The UK will is entering a time of wintry weather leading to travel disruption, which can pose unique risks to drivers and pedestrians – these risks are increased if someone is speeding.

“Higher speeds mean that drivers have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them, and it takes longer for the vehicle to stop, removes the driver’s safety margin and turns near misses into collisions.

“Driving at 30mph, vehicles are travelling at around three car lengths a second – one blink and the driver may fail to see the early warning brake lights; a short glance away and the movement of a child behind a parked car will be missed.

“With that in mind, and the poor visibility this season poses, it’s clear to see the tragic consequences speeding could have”.

RoSPA advises the following when driving in darker periods of the day:

Be prepared: As the wintry weather sets in, it is crucial for motorists to adjust their driving habits. The decreased visibility during early mornings and evenings demands heightened caution. RoSPA urges drivers to use dipped headlights, and ensure clean windshields, to be extra cautious when navigating poorly lit roads.

Control your Speed: Poor driving conditions and darkness increase the risks associated with speeding. The lack of visibility, compounded by higher speeds, can lead to devastating accidents. The Department for Transport (DfT) reports that in 2023, exceeding the speed limit was deemed a contributory factor related for 21% of all fatal collisions. In 8% of fatal collisions, driving too fast for the conditions was deemed a contributory factor. 1.

RoSPA emphasises that adhering to speed limits and driving to the conditions is paramount, especially when visibility is reduced, or weather conditions are poor.

Caitlin Taylor continues: “If you must travel during poor weather, I suggest leaving ample time for the journey, ensuring you can travel within the speed limit, and try to maintain a safe distance behind other road users.

“As we age, our ability to adapt to changing light reduces, which impacts how we see colours and contrasts in low-light conditions. It also takes longer for the eyes to recover from glare”

An estimated £5 billion in support has been paid throughout Winter to help families with energy costs

Nearly £5 billion of support has been paid to help households with their energy bills this winter  

  • Over £4 billion was paid to pensioners between November and March through the Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment   
  • An estimated £550 million has been spent this winter as part of the Warm Home Discount to support three million households   
  • Over 1.1 million £25 Cold Weather Payments have been made to households in England and Wales

Halving inflation has ensured everyone’s money goes further, however we remain committed to supporting households across the country with 11.8 million pensioners receiving up to £600 in Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments.

On top of this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has today estimated over 1.1 million Cold Weather Payments worth £29.6 million were paid out from November until the end of March – with over £9 million of this going to low-income pensioners receiving Pension Credit.    

Further support was also made available through the Warm Home Discount – to support three million households at risk of fuel poverty, allowing families to keep costs down and more money in their pockets. The Government expects partnered energy suppliers to have spent around £550 million this winter across Great Britain, through direct bill rebates as well other financial and energy efficiency support. 

This support was needed to protect everyday Brits from the inflationary impact of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine – helping millions of people get through the winter. Now – with energy bills dropping, wages rising, and taxes being slashed – people are set to have more cash in their pocket to help fire up the economy and beckon in more growth.   

We have turned a corner after the shocks of the past few years, and we are in a new economic moment and 2024 will prove to be the year that the economy bounces back.  

Minister for Pensions, Paul Maynard said:  “This Government’s actions have provided vital support to pensioners most in need.

“Halving inflation has helped everyone’s finances, and we remain committed to protecting our older loved ones across the country, with 11.8 million pensioners receiving up to £600 in Winter Fuel and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments. 

“And we are uprating the State Pension further from next week, meaning the full yearly basic State Pension will be £3,700 higher than in 2010, whilst the full rate of the New State Pension will rise above £11,500 a year.”

From this week people will start to see an increase in their Local Housing Allowance rates – benefitting some of the poorest families on either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit who will gain around £800 a year on average. This puts more money in the pockets of the lowest earners – giving them more spending power to boost their local economy.  

The UK Government is delivering £108 billion of support over 2022-2025 – worth an average £3,800 per household – and will continue to drive down inflation to help everyone’s money go further.    

These measures are boosted in April with Universal Credit and other benefits rising in line with inflation by 6.7 percent, and the State Pension increasing by an inflation-busting 8.5 percent – making sure that targeted support is going to those who need it most.  

Amey gritters ready for action

GRITTER NAMING APPEAL 2023/2024 

Amey South-West Trunk Roads are once again running a popular gritter-naming appeal that has, to date, led to over 6,000 gritter names being submitted by the Scottish public for consideration.

The newly named gritters will join classics such as “Sir Grits Hoy”, “Yes Sir, Ice Can Boogie”, “Skid Vicious”, and “Sweet Child O’ Brine”. 

Winners from last year’s competition and new additions to the fleet for the 2023/2024 winter season include: 

  • “Kevin Fridges” (Comedian, Kevin Bridges) 
  • “Stone Cold Steve Frostin” (WWE Star and Actor, Steve Austin) 
  • “Keanu Freeze” (Actor, Keanu Reeves) 
  • “Polar Abdul” (Singer and American Idol Judge, Paula Abdul)
  • “Taylor Drift” (Singer, Taylor Swift) 
  • “Sleeter Andre” (Singer, Peter Andre) 
  • “Skate Bush” (Singer, Kate Bush) 

Scotland’s tradition of coming up with inventive and fun names for their gritter fleet has gone viral on social media and makes headlines around the world.

In December 2020, Amey’s South-West fleet, with their distinctive bright orange livery, attracted the attention of IRN-BRU® who named a gritter “Grits You Thru”.

In 2021, another iconic Scottish treat joined the fleet with staff at family-run bakery Tunnock’s coining a vehicle “Caramelt Wafer”. 

Gritter names can be submitted to Amey online from today via a page on swtrunkroads.scot

Gritter name reveals will take place on the @SWTRUNKROADS Facebook and Twitter channels and will appear live on the Traffic Scotland Gritter Tracker.  

To prepare for this Winter, Amey have amassed 21,000 tonnes of road salt, 231,000 litres of brine, and 50,000 litres of potassium acetate.

The winter service is overseen by 10 Winter Service Duty Officers (WSDO) who provide a 24/7 presence on the network. The 17,500-tonne capacity salt barn at Amey’s Polmadie Depot, established in 2021, will continue to provide increased resilience in tackling adverse weather conditions across the trunk road network. 

The South-West Winter Service is comprised of 27 Frontline Routes, 15 Patrol Routes, and 12 Footway Routes (requiring 197km of winter treatment).

The service is delivered by 56 Econ gritters and snowploughs, 16 footpath gritters, 12 tractors, and 115 Highways Operatives. Winter Patrol vehicles are equipped with the latest Mobile Condition Monitoring Equipment and are fitted with Dash Cams.

In addition, an innovative liquid brine solution is being used on all roads and footpaths, to provide a more effective clearance of ice and snow. 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @SWTrunkRoads  

PDSA: Arctic blast warning

COLD WEATHER ADVICE FOR PETS

Winter can be a fun time for pets, but with forecasts of an ‘arctic blast’ on the way, PDSA experts are warning owners to keep our four-legged friends safe and warm in the wintry conditions. Pets can be at risk of hypothermia if they get too cold, but it’s also important to ensure they stay active during freezing temperatures. 

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, asked their Vet Nurse Nina Downing to put together her top tips on keeping our pets cosy and safe through the big freeze:

Dogs

  • Giving dogs their daily walks is important for their physical and mental health, even during the colder months. Try to do this during daylight hours if possible, and consider getting a good dog coat.
  • LED collars or high-vis leads are a good investment, to help keep both you and your pooch visible if you’re braving the dark nights and mornings.
  • If your dog gets wet while out, dry them off as soon as possible. If you drive your dogs to walks, then keeping a towel in the car is a good idea.
  • Check their paws after walks too, as snow can build up and form clumps on the fur between dogs’ toes, which can be painful. Salt and grit can also irritate their pads, so when they return from winter walks it’s a good idea to wash their paws in warm water. Keep the fur between their toes trimmed short, and you can even use some paw butter or pet-friendly skin cream which may prevent their pads becoming dry and sore.
  • Don’t leave dogs in cars – the inside temperature can quickly become as cold as the outside, even if you’ve just been driving with the heating on.
  • Never leave dogs locked outdoors, ensure they can always access shelter and warmth.
  • Watch out for ice, this can be slippery for them as well as us, and if it’s broken it can even cut their paws. Keep dogs off icy surfaces, and definitely keep them away from any frozen lakes and ponds.
  • If your dog is very young, elderly, skinny or poorly then they are at higher risk of hypothermia. They can’t control their body temperature well so need extra care to keep them warm. High risk pets should only go outside for short times in cold weather, and should be closely supervised. Give them extra bedding and consider getting a pet-safe heat mat.

Nina added: “It’s worth considering whether your dog would benefit from a good winter coat to keep them warm and dry.

“Pets that are young, old, unwell, or that have very thin fur, can all benefit from this extra protection. Make sure coats fit well and don’t restrict your dog’s movement.”

Cats

  • Make sure your cat has a warm, comfy bed, in a draught free area of the house. If possible, make sure this is raised off the floor – cats are often more comfortable when higher up and it will keep them out of the coldest draughts.
  • Never leave cats locked outdoors, ensure they can always access shelter and warmth.
  • If your cat prefers to stay indoors during very bad weather, help them stay active by providing toys and enrichment activities. This will ensure they don’t miss out on vital exercise. Also make sure they have a litter tray that’s kept clean, so they don’t have to go outside if they don’t want to.
  • If your cat prefers to spend time outside, make sure they can always come inside when they want to. Providing an alternative option, in case cat flaps get frozen shut or blocked by snow, is also a good idea.

Nina continued: “It’s really important that our pets stay active during the winter – don’t let them become a coach potato! This can be challenging when the weather is uninviting, but many dogs and cats still enjoy exploring the great outdoors even during the cold and the wet.”

She also has some advice for keeping smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets cosy in the cold weather:

Small pets

  • Bring hutches under shelter – a shed or car-free garage is ideal, to protect them from draughts, rain and snow. Pets that are used to living outdoors can find a centrally heated home a stark contrast, so a cooler room is better, if you bring them indoors. Make sure they have access to natural light and an exercise run.
  • Bulk up bedding – give small pets extra bedding during the winter, so they can snuggle right down to keep warm.
  • Provide protection – if there’s no option than to keep hutches outdoors, then drape a blanket or piece of carpet over the mesh door to keep out the worst of the weather. You could also use plastic sheeting, but make sure any covers don’t obstruct ventilation.
  • Don’t forget to check water bottles or bowls several times a day to make sure they’re not frozen.

For more advice from PDSA experts, go to PDSA’s website pdsa.org.uk/winterhealth

Scottish Ambulance Service Prepares for Winter

The Scottish Ambulance Service is bringing in a range of extra initiatives this winter, including new frontline staff, ambulances and enhancements to 999 call centre operations.

The initiatives will come into place in the coming weeks to help SAS meet the increased demands on their services at a time which is traditionally the busiest for the NHS.

Recruitment is already well underway to support SAS’s dedicated frontline workforce with 317 new paramedics, technicians and advanced practice practitioners joining the Service by the end of March 2024.

Additional clinicians are also being introduced in the Service’s Integrated Clinical Hub. The Hub triages less seriously ill patients who don’t need to go to A&E to receive care and provides alternative routes for treatment, freeing up ambulances and reducing pressure on A&Es.

Michael Dickson OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We know that winter will be an extremely challenging period for the NHS which is why we’ve introduced a range of initiatives to help our patients and support our staff this winter.  

“Our patients are our priority, we will do everything we can to ensure patients are cared for and get the service they need quickly and efficiently.

“Not every call to 999 needs an ambulance or a trip to A&E and we are completely focussed on supporting patients to get care at home or close to home where it is safe to do so, ensuring patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“The SAS workforce is essential as they carry out their roles often in extremely difficult circumstances and we will continue to support them during this high-pressure time.

“We urge the public to help our staff by remembering that 999 and A&E is for emergencies, if you need urgent care, but it’s not life-threatening, you can call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, or your GP during opening hours.”

Extra initiatives being brought in this winter include:

• New staff, including Advanced Practitioners into each region and 52 new vehicles such as Rapid Response Vehicles to help respond in a more flexible manner throughout the winter period.

• Maximising the use of trained volunteers such as Community First Responders, Cardiac Responders and BASICS, where appropriate.

• Utilising dedicated Patient Transport Service (PTS) resources for low acuity patients, freeing up ambulances to get help to very seriously unwell patients as quickly as possible.

• Connecting patients with local services and communicating pathway information to SAS clinicians.

• Daily meetings with health boards to respond to the challenges relating to hospital handover delays so that our highly-trained ambulance crews can be back out responding to the next patient in the community who needs our help.

• Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers (HALOs) will work with senior hospital site managers and the Service, improving the hospital admission and discharge process.

• Ensuring the wellbeing of our crews, working with Health Board partners to provide refreshments for crews at hospitals in periods of high pressure and demand

• Piloting new processes to help staff finish on time to protect their wellbeing and having a wide range of health and wellbeing services available for them to access should they need them.

Samhuinn lights up Edinburgh

REVELRY AND JOY IN HOLYROOD PARK FOR SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL 

THOUSANDS of revellers gathered at Holyrood Park last night to take part in an ancient Celtic celebration to observe the end of the warmer months, and welcome in the start of the winter season.

Samhuinn Fire Festival is inspired by the Celtic tales of the turning of the wheel. Witness the epic battle between the Summer and Winter Kings unfold as the Cailleach prepares for transition into winter. 

More than 5,000 people gathered at Holyrood Park, in the centre of the city to watch the revelries and welcome in the colder season. We were very grateful for the break in wind and rain that seems to persist over Edinburgh at this time for a moment that we could collectively take to celebrate the turning of the wheel into the winter months. 

Sammi Searle, Chair of Beltane Fire Society, said: “Last night’s Samhuinn Fire Festival was truly spectacular and a hearty welcome to the winter season.

“Our festivals are living, breathing entities that bring together both the community and the landscape and it’s always so inspiring to see how our incredible volunteers come together as the seasons turn to unite us all with their passion and talent.

“Enormous and heartfelt thanks go out to everyone involved who gave it their all and made this night so special, and to our audience who never fail in helping us create such a magical atmosphere. We hope this was truly a night to remember.“ 

The modern Samhuinn Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the autumn and winter counterpart to Beltane Fire Festival, which is held at Calton Hill on 30th April.

The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient Celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons, and the turning of the wheel. 

The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient Celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.

PICTURES: Alessandra Fais, Clarissa Gurd, Matt Scott, Beltane Fire Society

Driving home for Christmas – Winter car tips for motorists

Brits are being urged to prepare for their Christmas drive home, with experts advising how motorists can travel safely this December.

Road safety experts at Road Angel have offered six tips for those driving home this Christmas to help them travel safely and keep their cars prepared for winter conditions.

Winter driving requires extra care and caution at all times because of potentially adverse conditions so it’s important to get vehicles ready for the cold and plan out a route home in advance.

Although it may ruin Christmas day plans, the Highway Code instructs motorists to stay safe and only drive in icy or snowy conditions if the journey is essential.

For those travelling in adverse conditions, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast beforehand and pack an emergency breakdown kit just in case.

Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel said: “Christmas is a time when lots of us are making long car journeys to get back and see our loved ones yet the roads at this time of year can be treacherous.

“We want to make sure everyone gets to enjoy a safe and happy Christmas celebration and there are several things drivers can do before setting off to make sure their journey goes as smoothly as possible.

“Planning a route out in advance and travelling early on a Saturday morning will help you get home for Christmas as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast and prepare an emergency breakdown kit, just in case.

“No one wants to break down at the best of times, never mind on Christmas Day – that’s why it’s important to prepare your car for the cold and drive safely with care and caution at all times – you’ll be sure to home for a wonderful Christmas time spent with loved ones.”

Driving home for Christmas – Road Angel’s winter car tips for motorists:

  1. Plan route in advance

One of the most important things you can do before travelling in winter is to plan the route home in advance. Although drivers may think they know where they’re going, it’s always best to double check directions to avoid driving around unknown roads in the dark and harsh weather. It’s also a good idea to plan route alternatives in case the original is not accessible because of the harsh weather.

  1. Try to avoid traffic

Remember that lots of other households will be driving home for Christmas, so it’s best to leave plenty of time in advance to avoid getting stuck in traffic and delays to Christmas parties and gatherings. If possible avoid travelling at rush-hour to steer away from the commuter traffic – the best time of the week to drive is early morning or evening on a Saturday.

  1. Get the car ready for the cold

Get the car ready for the cold weather of winter by checking the vehicle over before making long distances when visiting loved ones this Christmas. Check the tyre pressure, heating and oil, as well as making sure that the car battery doesn’t stall by turning on the car before setting off, and most importantly, ensure that all the bulbs on the car are working fully.

  1. Check the weather forecast

The weather has a massive impact on how motorists should drive over wintertime. Check the forecast before setting off to avoid driving in any adverse conditions – and be prepared to cancel or amend plans if the weather is too dangerous to drive in. The Highway Code says drivers should not travel in snowy and icy conditions unless the journey is essential, and before setting off drivers MUST be able to see. Clear all snow and ice from all of the windows and keep them demisted, ensure mirrors are clear, the number plate is visible and lights are fully functioning.

  1. Pack an emergency breakdown kit

Breaking down in the winter can be very dangerous, because of the extreme weather and darkness. It’s a good idea to pack an emergency breakdown kit in the car just in case any accidents happen. Pack a foil blanket, spare clothes and shoes to keep warm. Food, water and a phone charger are also good essentials to pack. A torch, jump leads, shovel and de-icer are again good emergency breakdown kit ideas for winter.

  1. Driving safely

There are also several driving tips motorists can follow to get back home safely for Christmas. The Highway Code recommends to avoid overtaking and keep further back from the car ahead as stopping distances can be up to 10 times longer in adverse conditions. When it’s icy on the roads drivers should use a high gear and slow speed, accelerating and braking gently and drive especially slow around bends when it’s much more likely to lose control of the car. Other tips include driving with care and caution at all times, and keeping updated on the latest travel and weather news.

The Christmas driving tips are just one of several road safety initiatives the team at Road Angel are currently working on.

For more information please visit https://www.roadangelgroup.com/blogs/news.

Cost of car insurance in Scotland increases by 18% in the last 12 months

Drivers currently paying £463 on average following a recent spike

  • Drivers in central Scotland have seen the biggest increase to their car insurance premium over the past 12 months. The current cost stands at £505, on average, following a £73 (17%) rise.
  • Drivers in the Scottish borders are currently paying the cheapest rates for their car insurance. Premiums are £391, on average, despite a 20% price increase in the past 12 months.
  • Although FCA changes to regulation have made pricing fairer to customers at renewal, further research highlights that this does not necessarily protect customers from price increases. More than 2 in 5 (41%) UK drivers who received a renewal quote in the past 3 months said that they saw an increase of £38, on average(1).
  • However, those who shopped around using a price comparison website were able to save £50 on their car insurance, on average.
  • With the current cost-of-living crisis affecting millions across the UK, Confused.com recently launched its money saving hub to support consumers and give advice on how to manage recent price hikes.
  • In light of the recent price increases, Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com emphasises the importance of shopping around for the best deals and why drivers shouldn’t settle for auto-renewal.

That means motorists are seeing a £69 increase compared to this time last year. That’s according to the latest car insurance price index (Q3 2022) from Confused.com, powered by WTW. Based on 6 million quotes a quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK. 

However, some drivers in Scotland could be paying more than the national average, depending on the region in which they live. The latest data shows that drivers in central Scotland are currently paying the most for car insurance.

Their current premium is £505, following a £73 (17%) year-on-year increase. Despite facing an annual increase of £64 (20%), drivers living in the Scottish Borders pay the cheapest rates for their car insurance, with an average premium of £391. 

Meanwhile, drivers in East and North East Scotland are paying £431, on average, for their car insurance. That’s as drivers faced a £69 (19%) increase in the past 12 months. And as for drivers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the current car insurance premium is £420, on average, following an increase of £61 (17%).

RegionAverage PremiumYOY £YOY %
Scottish Borders£391£6420%
Central Scotland£505£7317%
East & North East Scotland£431£6919%
Scottish Highlands & Islands£420£6117%

It’s a similar picture across the rest of the UK, where prices continue to rise. In fact, premiums have risen by £72 (14%) in the past 12 months alone.

The current UK premium stands at £586, on average, and is the highest annual increase in the past 5 years. 

Q3 2022 - PI graph for publishers

With the latest data revealing that premiums are on the rise, some drivers might think that they’re better off sticking with the same insurer when it comes to renewal. But further research conducted by Confused.com finds that some insurers don’t seem to be doing enough to protect their existing customers.

In a survey of 2,000 UK drivers, data reveals that more than 2 in 5 (41%) drivers who considered sticking with their current insurer received renewal quotes £38 more expensive than the previous year, on average(1). That’s despite the fact that more than a quarter (28%) of drivers who have renewed so far this year thought that their insurance quote would be cheaper this time around. 

However, some motorists are taking action after receiving a more expensive renewal and are really seeing the benefits of switching. More than a quarter (27%) of drivers who chose to shop around using a price comparison site were able to save £50, on average. In fact, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is actively advising consumers to shop around when it comes to buying insurance for this very reason. 

Earlier this year, the FCA made important changes to stop ‘price walking’ and ensure all customers were treated fairly, but it seems some motorists remain complacent as a result. One in 5 (20%) drivers told Confused.com that they were less inclined to shop around because of these changes.

However, these new regulations don’t mean that better deals still can’t be found elsewhere and, as research shows, consumers are saving money by switching.

While the cost of car insurance premiums is on the up, there’s no ignoring the fact that the general cost of living is increasing, too. That’s why it’s more important than ever to shop around for the best deals. And as we head into the colder months, it’s clear that money will be tight for many.

With difficult months ahead, Confused.com has launched a money saving hub to help people understand where they can save money on bills to balance out price hikes. The hub focuses on a variety of insurance options, but also includes advice on how to be more fuel efficient and keep car costs down.

Its aim is to provide useful and digestible information that will help customers save money, without necessarily having to compromise and give up essentials. 

Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, comments: “With costs currently rising all around us, I’m sure it comes as no surprise that the cost of car insurance is increasing, too.

“However, the pace at which it’s rising will be a real worry for many. The latest figures reveal a true example of how volatile the market currently is, which is why I need to stress just how important it is to shop around when it comes to renewing any insurance policy. 

“As we head into winter, money is going to be tight. With concerns over the rising costs of energy, fuel and even food, millions of us will be looking for new ways to number-crunch and save money where we can. In recent months, the FCA have really amplified the importance of shopping around to help find some of the best deals out there during this time. 

“Research shows that customer loyalty doesn’t always pay off, which is why it’s always encouraged to shop around and see what else is out there. If you switch insurers using Confused.com, there’s some fantastic rewards available that could help during a difficult time.

“A £20 voucher could pay towards a food shop in Lidl or even go towards an MOT or service in Halfords. And we even guarantee to beat your renewal(5). If we can’t, we’ll give you £20, plus the difference. Either way, you’re better off just by using a price comparison service. 

“I cannot emphasise enough just how important it is to take time, do your research and compare insurance prices. You might be missing out on fantastic deals and it will really help in the long run.”