Author Archive
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Potential energy savings for different households
New figures released by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) show that 62% of the average household’s bill goes on heating the home (both space and water). The Trust has also revealed that in an uninsulated home, walls are the worst offenders for heat loss with a third of all lost heat taking this route. The roof was named as the second worst offender with just over a quarter escaping through the roof. In addition, the EST has ...
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Card & identity protection policyholders invited to claim
If you bought a card and/or identity protection policy from a bank, credit card issuer or a firm called CPP, you may receive a letter and compensation claim form, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced. Card and identity protection policies were often sold when customers called to register or activate a debit or credit card and the banks listed below have agreed to the compensation scheme. Bank of Scotland Plc (part of Lloyds Banking Group) Barclays Bank ...
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More support for community energy projects
The Government says it will be broadening the support available for community energy projects whereby people come together to reduce energy use or purchase and generate their own. Plans include: £10 million Urban Community Energy Fund to kick-start community energy generation projects in England. £1 million Big Energy Saving Network funding to support the work of volunteers helping vulnerable consumers to reduce their energy use. A community energy saving competition offering £100,000 to communities to develop innovative approaches to ...
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Cuts to red tape for business
Business Minister, Michael Fallon, has set out new measures aimed at abolishing or improving outdated and over-complicated regulations which waste businesses’ time and money. Cuts to red tape announced today (27th January 2014) include: Reducing 100 "overlapping and confusing standards" applied by councils to new homes to less than 10. Any necessary remaining standards will be consolidated as far as possible into Building Regulations to avoid duplication and confusion. Making it easier and cheaper for businesses to meet ...
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Intellectual Property Bill makes progress
The Intellectual Property (IP) Bill has been given its second reading in the House of Commons, having completed its Lords stages last year. The Bill should help UK businesses succeed by making the IP landscape easier to navigate and by helping them to protect their IP rights. The key policies include: new powers for the UK to implement the Unitary Patent Court Agreement. This is a central part of introducing a single patent across almost all
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Developments in plant biosecurity
The Government has published a risk register that highlights 700 possible threats to Britain’s trees and plants and will be of interest to a range of groups including nurseries and woodland managers. At the same time, Defra says it is making tree and plant health one of its top priorities and is continuing to tackle tree pests and diseases, including Chalara, by: introducing tighter controls on the import of oak, ash, plane and sweet chestnut trees allocating £8m ...
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Broadband – final 5% of most remote UK areas tackled
A new £10 million fund is to be made available to alternative technology providers who can help superfast broadband reach Britain’s most remote communities, culture secretary, Maria Miller, announced today. Potential technologies that could be piloted under the scheme include: Using 4G mobile signal to deliver "fixed wireless" superfast broadband. Using fibre direct to premises. Taking fibre from broadband cabinets to a distribution point further down the network, increasing speeds by reducing the reliance on copper. Satellite technology. The fund will ...
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One in five Brits “hidden entrepreneurs”
One in five UK adults use their spare time to grow a new business or earn extra income, according to the latest RBS Enterprise Tracker. Nearly half treat their hobby as a way of earning extra income or hope it will develop into a full-time business. The hidden entrepreneurs are spread evenly across all regions of the UK but there is a large "ambition gap" between people who say they want to start a formal business or ...
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Millions to go to councils that give green-light to shale gas
Councils in England are to keep 100% of business rates they collect from shale gas sites – double the current 50% figure. According to the Government, the commitment could be worth up to £1.7 million a year for a typical site. Community benefits for local people will also be strengthened. Last year, the industry announced that local communities would receive £100,000 when a test well is fracked – and a further 1% of revenues if shale gas ...
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Franchising sector reaches record highs
Franchising businesses across the UK have reported record highs in turnover and full-time employment, according to a NatWest survey. The research, which looked at the five years since the UK entered recession in 2008, shows 20% growth in the sector compared to a 2.5% contraction in the overall economy during the same period. What's more, with around four out of every five brands that operates a franchise model in this country being UK-owned, domestic success is translating into ...
