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.
Category : Policy
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.
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.
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.
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.
Council homes 'should be for Brits only' say experts
A new report by Policy Exchange urges restricting social housing to British citizens and prioritising people who work, train, or volunteer, potentially saving taxpayers £14.3 billion over five years.
Grass expert: brown lawns can recover in weeks
A grass specialist says most brown lawns are dormant, not dead, and can recover within 10 to 14 days of consistent rainfall or watering, with full recovery in two to four weeks.
Early windfall tax end could cost UK £8.6bn by 2030
Replacing the UK's windfall tax on oil and gas firms early could cost up to £8.6bn by 2030, campaigners have claimed, urging Chancellor John Healey to resist industry calls.
DWP winter fuel payment 2026: £300 boost eligibility explained
More than 10m people could receive up to £300 for the 2026-27 winter. Qualifying week runs September 21-27, 2026, and eligibility depends on circumstances during this period.
Council criticised over synagogue attack fund allocation
Salford Council has been criticised after allocating £600,000 of recovery funding following the Heaton Park Synagogue attack without giving any directly to Jewish organisations.
Carmarthenshire schools warned over £16m budget shortfall
Carmarthenshire council faces a £15.9m shortfall unless schools and departments curb spending, with a £11.3m overspend liability currently forecast.
Council votes to close all 10 STANLEY nurseries
South Tyneside Council has voted to close all 10 STANLEY nurseries by July 2027, despite protests and a campaign by parents, with the service requiring over £1m in subsidies.
Bridgend approves new dog control measures
Bridgend Council approved a new PSPO requiring dog owners to clean up after pets, following a consultation where 90.9% backed the measures.
Dutch dictionary adds 'vulvalippen' after campaign
The Dutch dictionary Dikke van Dale will add 'vulvalippen' to its online edition, replacing 'schaamlippen' ('shame lips'), after a campaign by the Schaamteloos movement.
Heat Pump Grant Update: August Vouchers Hit Record High
August saw the highest ever number of heat pump vouchers issued under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with grants of up to £9,000 available for eligible households in England and Wales.
Watchdog accused of failing to hold water firms to account
Water companies escaped with no more than a warning from the Environment Agency last year despite inspectors uncovering more than 2,200 breaches, including five category one incidents.
Gower overhead power line could be buried underground
An 800m overhead power line in Broughton, Gower, could be buried underground. The proposal, backed by the Gower national landscape advisory group, would enhance the protected landscape and improve network resilience.
Fossil fuel firms get $190bn in tax breaks after Trump donation call
Fossil fuel industry secured an estimated $190bn in tax breaks and subsidies over the next decade after responding to Trump's pre-election donation call, leaving taxpayers with higher bills, a Senate report says.
Backlash over Anant Ambani professorship at Newcastle University
Newcastle University appointed Anant Ambani, heir to an Indian oil and gas fortune, as professor of sustainability, sparking conservationist backlash.
Martin Lewis-backed tip: take photo by October 1 at home
Energy bills rise for millions on October 1. Households urged to submit meter readings by that date to avoid being overcharged, a tip backed by Martin Lewis.
Hinkley Point B evacuation plans scaled back as decommissioning looms
Emergency evacuation plans for Hinkley Point B have been scaled back, with the detailed emergency planning zone removed and the outline planning zone reduced to 1km as the site moves towards decommissioning.
King praises renewables workers on Aberdeenshire port visit
Charles praised renewable energy workers for making an 'enormous difference' during a visit to Peterhead Port, where he met industry figures and pupils.
King hails engineering genius at GB Energy's new Aberdeen HQ
King Charles praised the 'genius' of engineering skills in north Scotland as he unveiled a plaque at Great British Energy's new Aberdeen headquarters.
Daughter urges Khan to crack down on 'monster' SUVs after parents killed
Claire Corkery, whose parents were killed by a speeding BMW X5, is calling on Sadiq Khan to back tougher controls on large SUVs, including an advertising ban on the TfL network.
Tories plan to bar long-term benefit claimants from buying alcohol and cigarettes
The Conservatives have unveiled plans to bar long-term unemployed people from using welfare payments to buy alcohol, cigarettes or gamble, and to cut Universal Credit for those who have not paid enough tax.
DWP confirms fewer PIP reviews for existing claimants
The DWP has completed extending Recommended Review Periods for current PIP awards, meaning many claimants will face fewer benefit reviews. A minimum three-year review period now applies to affected awards.
AI and animal communication: risks of 'talking to animals'
Animal behaviorists are using AI to study communication, but experts warn that seeking an AI interpreter may mislead science and harm animals.
Victorian heating hack keeps homes warm without turning on heating
A Victorian-era method using heavy curtains, pelmets, and draught excluders can keep homes warm without turning on the heating, reducing heat loss and energy bills.
Burnham's EV VAT cut may be pointless by January as bills soar
Andy Burnham's VAT cut on electricity could be rendered pointless by January, as energy firm EON predicts the price cap will rise by more than £300 to £2,027.
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