Homeowners will be able to build WIND FARMS in their back garden under new green energy government plans
Energy secretary Ed Miliband has revealed plans to launch a consultation on shaking up rules for building wind farms on personal property.
2
It could mean wind turbines on rooftops and in people's gardens could be easier to build.
Wind farms can help to reduce energy bills, because it can be a cheaper way of generating electricity.
A consultation will be launched at the end of the year.
The shake-up was set out as part of the government's big push on doubling onshore wind farms across England by 2030.
Other plans include building up a skilled workforce to build farms and creating 45,000 jobs by the end of the decade and repowering old turbines.
The government said local communities who agree to have wind farms built in the area could get extra money for new facilities like football pitches and libraries.
Households could even get cheaper energy bills through discount schemes.
The government estimated that £70 million of community funding will be unlocked under its plans.
Mr Miliband said: "The reality is that every turbine we build helps protect families, businesses and the public finances from future fossil fuel shocks.'
However, the Conservatives pushed back against the strategy, accusing the energy secretary of making the country's energy 'unreliable and expensive' through his 'obsession with climate targets'.
This is the latest push from the government to boost wind power so that the UK does not rely on other countries - especially Russia - for gas supply.
Families were told that they could save £45 on their energy bills every year under plans to build wind and solar farms near energy-guzzling towns and cities.
However, the push on wind farms have been slammed by local residents with turbines planned near them.
Locals said they were considering moving out of the area because of plans for a wind farm project at Cabrach.
What else can you do to lower bills
If you live near a wind farm, you could benefit from cheaper energy bills.
But there are other ways to save money if you don't live near one.
If you are struggling with your energy bills, get in touch with your local council to enquire about the Household Support Fund.
The programme is designed to help struggling families with rising food and energy costs.
The amount you can get varies from council to council.
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one.
If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
Little tricks like defrosting your freezer to help it run more efficiently and cutting your shower time can also add up to big savings over the year.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
34 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Home Office announces ‘nationwide blitz' on asylum seekers taking jobs
The Home Office has announced what it is calling a 'nationwide blitz' on asylum seekers who take jobs, after recent political controversy about people in asylum hotels working as food takeaway delivery riders. In a statement, which gave few specifics, the Home Office pledged to begin 'a major operation to disrupt this type of criminality' based around enforcement teams focusing on the gig economy, particularly on delivery riders. 'Strategic, intel-driven activity will bring together officers across the UK and place an increased focus on migrants suspected of working illegally whilst in taxpayer funded accommodation or receiving financial support,' the statement said. It follows media stories about evidence that people who are living in hotels waiting for their asylum claims to be processed, and who are banned from working, have been using the log-ins of people with official migration status to work for companies such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. Ten days ago the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, posted a much-shared social media video of him visiting an asylum hotel in London and finding bikes laden with bags from the various food delivery companies packed together in an outside courtyard. On Monday, Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat promised to increase the use of facial verification checks for riders after a hastily arranged meeting with Home Office ministers. The Home Office statement said anyone caught working could lose their accommodation or support payments, and that businesses found to be employing someone not entitled to work could face fines of up to £60,000 per worker, as well as director disqualifications or prison terms. It said there had already been an increase in enforcement and arrests connected to illegal working in the year since Labour took power. Asylum and immigration is seen by ministers as an area of political vulnerability, one being exploited by Reform UK and the Conservatives. While a huge backlog of unprocessed asylum claims is being gradually reduced, the number of asylum seekers arriving on small boats across the Channel has risen. Keir Starmer is to discuss the issue with Emmanuel Macron when the French president visits the UK next week, with the possibility of a 'one in, one out' deal in which the UK could return those on small boats to France in exchange for accepting asylum seekers with links to Britain via more formal means. Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, said the government was increasing action to combat the 'pull factor' of such work. However, she said: 'There is no single solution to the problem of illegal migration. That's why we've signed landmark agreements with international partners to dismantle gangs and made significant arrests of notorious people smugglers.' Philp said: 'It shouldn't take a visit to an asylum hotel by me as shadow home secretary to shame the government into action. Illegal working by asylum seekers – most of whom also entered the country illegally – is happening from the very hotels Yvette Cooper is using our money to run. 'The government could easily stop it. I saw Deliveroo and other bikes parked in the hotel's own compound - yet all the security guard cared about was me filming.'
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Reform council claim ‘trans-related' library book ban ‘not a change of policy'
A Reform-led council says its 'trans-related' library book ban is 'not a change of policy' after conflicting social media posts from councillors. In a post on social media, Kent County Council (KCC) leader Linden Kemkaran said the books were to be removed with immediate effect after a fellow Reform Councillor said he had been informed of 'transgender ideologies' in the children's section of a library. But KCC has since said that the book which triggered the ban was in fact on display at the front of a library in Herne Bay, rather than the children's section. The council's Liberal Democrat opposition leader, Antony Hook has said that Reform not following 'proper process' in the council and announcing things on social media has created uncertainty. Cllr Kemkaran added on X that 'telling children they're in the 'wrong body' is wrong and simply unacceptable' and said that 'trans-related' works would be removed from the children's sections of all 99 of the county's libraries. The book Reform were referring to was The Autistic Trans Guide to Life by Yenn Purkis and Dr Wenn Lawson, which is a book for autistic trans and/or non-binary adults marketed as providing 'tools and strategies they need to live as their best self'. There is no suggestion from the promotional material around the book that it contains any reference to telling children they are in the 'wrong bodies'. In his video posted to social media on Thursday, the Reform Cllr responsible for the ban Paul Webb claimed: 'I was recently contacted by a concerned member of the public who found trans-ideological material and books in the children's section of one of our libraries – I've looked into this, and it was the case, 'I have today issued an instruction for them all to be removed from the children's section of our libraries.' The council has since rowed back on his suggestion that the book was in the children's section and says that they have not, in fact, changed policy. A KCC spokesperson told PA Media: 'We have not changed policy. We have simply issued internal instructions to reaffirm existing expectations: that adult books are not to be placed in areas specifically aimed at children, such as children's sections or public welcome displays where children select books.' It is unclear how the council will classify transgender-related books, and whether there will be a tangible change as a result of this instruction. Cllr Webb, the Cabinet Member for Community & Regulatory Services said: 'We rightly place child protection and safeguarding at the very top of our list of priorities, as should all adults, especially those that hold public office.' Cllr Kemkaran heralded her colleagues' actions as showing 'courage and common sense in Kent' on X. Cllr Hook told the BBC: 'It is bizarre that the leader of the council is making announcements on social media, rather than to the council.' The copy of The Autistic Trans Guide to Life has been moved from a display at the front of the library 'to a section that is unlikely to be visited by children', the KCC spokesperson said.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Supermarkets including Asda and Iceland axe popular Nando's item from shelves
SUPERMARKETS including Asda and Iceland have axed a popular Nando's items from shelves, Nando's Wrap Kits have now permanently disappeared from shelves. 1 The product came with four wraps and a range of spice and sauces, allowing customers to create their own meals inspired by the iconic chain. The product cost around £3.30 and was sold in Iceland, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's. Heartbroken fans took to social media to find out where the product had gone to. In a Reddit post, one shopper said: "I loved the medium wrap kits, but they seem to be out of stock everywhere, and for months now." The Sun reached out to Nando's who confirmed the product was axed last year. The group said "We often make changes to our Grocery range as we continue to develop new ways for fans to enjoy the Nando's flavour at home." It will come as a blow to fans who described it as the "perfect fake-away" option. Another shopper said the product was the "best thing to ever come to supermarkets". It is not the first time Nando's has shaken up its product offering both on supermarket shelves and at its restaurants. The Leafy Green Salad – a light, fresh option topped with PERi-PERi seeds – has been discontinued, with the chain confirming it was removed back in October. Nandos fans say as Aldi stocks a replica range - including their peri-peri fries for just £1.49 But the chain has added a number of new menu items for the summer. That includes The Big Cheese, a juicy new burger packed with grilled halloumi, red pepper and pineapple salsa, creamy avocado slices, and slathered in the new Churrasco PERinaise. It also launched new Halloumi Sticks and a brand new PERi-Honey dip The Halloumi Sticks & Dip with PERi-Honey will cost £4.95. The dip will also be available as an extra for £1.25. MORE DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS And Nando's is not the only chain switching up its product offerings. Dr Oetker has axed its popular Pizza Pollo from supermarket shelves. Meanwhile, Nestle has axed multi-packs of its Dark Chocolate Mint Kit Kats. The bars were previously on sale at Waitrose Sainsbury's and Tesco but are now showing as out of stock on the retailer's websites. Morrisons is the only major supermarket still selling the nine-pack - and has slashed the price from £2.20 to £1.50. Why are products axed or recipes changed? ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders. Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether. They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers. There are several reasons why this could be done. For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes. Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs. They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable. For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018. It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version. Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year. Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks. While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.
