Expert urges 10pm rule as energy price cap rises 4%
A laundry expert urges UK households to run appliances between 10pm and 5am to cut costs, echoing advice from Octopus and E.ON as the price cap rises 4% on October 1.
Category : Environment
Emergency El Niño kit: exact items Brits should pack this winter
The UK Government is intensifying preparations for national emergencies this winter, with a campaign urging households to stock emergency kits as El Niño brings potential challenges.
VAT cut slashes home EV charging to 1.52p per mile
From October 1, Andy Burnham's VAT removal on domestic electricity could cut home EV charging costs to 1.52p per mile, widening the gap with public charging.
Anti-migrant myths spark school lesson call to tackle hatred
Two thirds of Britons wrongly believe migration is rising, a new report says, prompting calls for curriculum changes to teach migrant history and fight misinformation.
Take Meter Photo by Oct 1: Energy Price Cap Rise Looms
Households urged to photograph energy meters before October 1 as the Ofgem Price Cap rises 3.6%, taking typical bills from £1,663 to £1,723.
Victorian heating hack keeps homes warm and cuts bills
A Victorian-era heating hack can slash energy bills this winter, says Adrian Flux. Draft-proofing doors, windows and floors could cut heat loss by up to 40%.
Blue Badge 3-year rule questioned in Parliament
The DfT has defended the three-year Blue Badge renewal rule after an MP questioned it for people with progressive conditions, citing accuracy and reduced admin.
Gardeners urged to pour vodka on their patio this month
Vodka can kill weeds between patio slabs and driveway cracks. DIY expert Bill Jarvis recommends a cheap vodka-and-water mix sprayed on leaves, ideally on a dry, sunny day.
UK Government urged to take 'immediate action' on homelessness
Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to UK ministers urging immediate action to end homelessness, citing the Local Housing Allowance freeze and asylum process mismanagement.
£700k support for Lough Neagh eel fishery closure
A £700,000 scheme will support the three-year closure of the Lough Neagh eel fishery from 2026 to aid recovery of endangered European eel stocks.
'Godzilla' El Nino forecast to cause 450,000 excess deaths
The 'Godzilla' El Nino could cause around 450,000 excess deaths worldwide, scientists warn, with heat driving most fatalities.
UK food price fears after disappointing harvest
A new report confirms a 'disappointing' UK harvest after summer drought, with wheat, spring barley and oat yields below historic averages, sparking fears of higher food prices.
Log burner households face fines up to £5,000 over fuel rules
Households with log burners in Smoke Control Areas must use approved fuels or face fines up to £5,000. Rules vary across the UK, and fuels must have less than 20% moisture.
Britons urged to prepare 9-item emergency kit ahead of El Niño
Britons are urged to prepare a 9-item emergency kit as El Niño could bring storms this winter. Only 13% feel fully prepared, says Government.
Newcastle Building Society hosts UK-first UN event
UNEP FI held its first UK & Ireland Community of Practice event at Newcastle Building Society's Tyneside HQ, focusing on financial inclusion, resilience, and local economic development.
Northumberland beach named UK's most dog-friendly for 2026
Alnmouth Beach in Northumberland has been named the UK's most dog-friendly beach for 2026 by Inspiring Vet Care, topping the rankings ahead of Crosby Beach and Dornoch Beach.
Gardeners urged to scarify lawns in autumn for healthier grass
Gardening expert Ish shares autumn lawn care guide, urging gardeners not to skip scarification to improve airflow, remove thatch, and build stronger roots.
Welsh gardeners urged to leave water out for robins and blackbirds
Leaving shallow trays of water out is the single most valuable thing Welsh gardeners can do now to help robins, blackbirds and other garden birds, experts say.
Robins and blackbirds will return if one item left outside
Bird experts say leaving shallow trays of fresh water out attracts robins and blackbirds, especially during dry spells. Ponds are even better, providing insects too.
Robins and blackbirds return to gardens if one simple item is left out
Leaving shallow trays of water out for birds, especially robins and blackbirds, during dry spells is the simple action experts recommend to keep them coming back to gardens.
60-second autumn kitchen sink rule to keep ants out
Autumn brings ants indoors seeking food, water and shelter. A free 60-second nightly kitchen sink routine can help deter them, says DIY expert Glen Peskett.
Wrens in your garden all autumn: one wildlife-backed item to leave outside
Wildlife expert Sean McNemmy says wrens will visit gardens all autumn if dense shrubs, hedging, and evergreen plants are kept outside to provide cover and shelter.
Attract wrens to your garden this autumn with one simple change
Wrens are shy but common garden birds. To attract them, focus on habitat, not feeders. Dense shrubs, leaf litter, and mealworms can help you spot them.
Clear bathroom limescale for under £1 with three easy fixes
Limescale can be removed for as little as £1 using lemon juice and salt, vinegar and baking soda, or Coca-Cola, according to home improvement expert Brian Toward of Wholesale Domestic.
Three DIY limescale fixes for under £1: lemon, vinegar, Coke
Limescale can be removed for as little as £1 using lemon juice and salt, vinegar and baking soda, or Coca-Cola, according to home improvement expert Brian Toward.
Treasury weighs targeted energy bill support ahead of Budget
The Treasury is considering targeted support for energy bills in the October Budget, as households face a 4% price cap rise from October and a possible further hike in January.
Chef's salt trick makes crispier tastier baked potatoes
Adding sea or kosher salt before baking draws out moisture, creating a crispier, tastier jacket potato, as tested by our reporter.
Psychedelic mushroom theory of Jesus gains renewed interest
A 1970 book arguing Jesus was a metaphor for a psychedelic mushroom trip is gaining renewed academic interest, despite being dismissed as nonsense at the time.
Monty Don: sow kale now for winter harvest
Monty Don advises sowing kale in early September for autumn leaves, with hardy crops providing harvests through winter and into spring.
Animal telepath claims elephant told her why it killed four
Self-styled animal telepath Dunja Will claims she communicated with Rani, a Sri Lankan elephant said to have killed four people, and learned of grief from two miscarriages.
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