The Icon

THE GREEN Party has called after a 'wartime-style policy for economic management' until COVID-19 is suppressed or an effective vaccine has been invented. Among the suggestions in the package of proposals to support the economy during the pandemic is setting key public utilities under public administration for the next six months, with a possible extension to 12 months. Green Party finance...

THE UK grid should have no challenges meeting the needs of remote working or school closure, according to a Cranfield University professor. Professor Phil Hart, Director of Energy, shared his thoughts on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic: “The grid should have no challenges meeting the needs of remote working or school closure. "Our power transmission and distribution systems are extremely...

A PACKAGE of measures worth £60 million has been agreed between the Scottish Government and the water industry to help businesses facing difficulties with water charges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Scottish Water has agreed to suspend pre-payment charges for licensed providers for two months, beginning with the April payment. This means providers - who supply water services to businesses -...

MOSL and Ofgem have taken urgent action to support water retail market during the Covid-19 pandemic. In a letter sent to wholesalers and retailers, CEO of MOSL, Sarah McMath, announced the immediate measures to support market participants and their customers. These include taking steps to: • Waive performance charges with effect from 1 March 2020. • Ensure all the performance charges collected during 2019/20 are available for...

SOCIAL housing is under a lot strain at the moment, with the government advice on self-isolation/quarantine and many vulnerable residents. If your tenants have voiced their concerns regarding their energy supply at this time, this is advice from Ofgem for domestic customers. At an unprecedented time in the society it’s important to ensure that the day to day life remains as...

A BIRMINGHAM car parts company made a donation of £61,966 to a marine charity after failing to register as a producer of waste packaging. The financial contribution to Sea Life Trust is part of an Enforcement Undertaking (EU) offered to the Environment Agency by the German, Swedish and French Car Parts Ltd (GSF) of Fort Industrial Park, Dunlop Way, Birmingham. The...

THE WELSH First Minister Mark Drakeford will today launch a new campaign about how to help people who are staying at home because of coronavirus. The Looking Out for Each Other campaign focuses on the small things we can all do to help each other during the pandemic. It provides practical guidance about how everyday tasks, like running errands or simply...

A JOINT bid by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council, has been awarded £79 million by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund to make the area's local transport more sustainable. The funding gives the green light for the largest sustainable travel programme of change to transport infrastructure ever seen in the area, helping to transform local transport...

COVENTRY residents and businesses will be asked to give their views on a package of schemes which will enable reduction of NO2 levels without the need to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone. The Zone would have affected all vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards and some cars and other types of vehicle would have faced a charge to...

BULB has been appointed to take on supplying Gnergy Limited’s 9,000 domestic customers and small number of non-domestic customers. This follows a competitive process run by Ofgem. Philippa Pickford, Ofgem’s director of future retail markets, commented: “I am pleased to announce we have appointed Bulb for the customers of Gnergy. "Their energy supply will continue as normal and credit balances will be...