The UK will soon run out of diesel and become reliant on foreign markets, warns RAC Foundation September 16, 2015 The UK will soon be unable to produce enough diesel to satisfy domestic demand, according to the RAC Foundation, putting it at risk of becoming completely dependant on foreign markets. In its latest report, the motoring research group said the number of diesel-run cars in Britain had increased from 1.6m in 1994 to 11m [...]
UK manufacturers to government: Green burden and environment legislation is out of control August 27, 2015 An overwhelming majority of British manufacturers want the government to scrap environmental legislation, according to a new report out today from the EEF. The report found that seven in 10 manufacturers said eliminating so-called “green” red tape is important to their business. Four in 10 said that the government had not done enough [...]
It’s the right climate to scrap the Department of Energy and Climate Change August 26, 2015 The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is small compared to other government departments, with a gross annual expenditure of just £5.7bn. However, as the government grapples with how to continue to drive down its deficit, abolishing this arm of the state should be a key priority: it would both provide vital savings [...]
Don’t fear low inflation: It’s great news for consumers while it lasts August 18, 2015 The latest retail figures in the UK showed good growth. Things are also looking up in the US and in much of the euro area. The world economy has settled into a period of steady growth with very little inflation in the major economies. Indeed, just yesterday, official figures revealed that consumer price index inflation [...]
Suspected bird flu found in Lancashire July 10, 2015 A case of suspected bird flu has been found on a poultry farm in Lancashire, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says. A 10km temporary control zone has been set up around the farm, and all birds on site are to be slaughtered as a precaution. This order means all poultry farms [...]
Fracking could cut house prices by up to seven per cent July 2, 2015 Fracking could cut nearby house prices by up to seven per cent and increase the cost of insuring a home, according to previously redacted sections of a government report released yesterday. The Shale Gas Rural Economy Impacts by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) looked at the impact of fracking operations on [...]
Liberty concession fined for selling big cat claw jewellery June 19, 2015 A concession at luxury department store Liberty has been fined for selling jewellery made from big cat claws. Annina Vogel was today ordered to pay £2,000 in fines, after having plead guilty to selling the illegal items. The company was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim’s surcharge of £120. Police [...]
Toxic cloud returns: Defra warns of “high or very high” levels as Saharan dust mixes with Continental pollution April 9, 2015 London is bracing itself for another wave of pollution blowing over from the Continent – but this time it'll be mixed with Saharan dust. The capital is set to get the brunt of the bad air, with the government warning of “high or very high” levels of pollution from later today and into tomorrow. The [...]
A toxic smog has shrouded London: Here’s how it could affect our health March 19, 2015 A thick smog has covered London and many other parts of the UK today, causing Britain to be placed on health alert. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), it is formed from a combination of home-grown smog and European air pollution. Areas affected include the south west, London, the south [...]
Toxic smog cloud hits UK: Just how bad is the pollution in London? March 19, 2015 Today's smog in London is over three times as bad as New York and two and a half times the annual average for LA, according to figures from the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra). Residents have been warned to refrain from exercise outdoors because the number of toxic particles in the air [...]