Worst part of UK to own an EV named as £63m investment unveiled
The worst region of Great Britain to be an electric vehicle (EV) owner has been revealed, just after a £63 million government investment to supercharge the UK's EV revolution was announced.
In an effort to encourage people to ditch their internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and switchover to electric vehicles (EVs), the initiative announced in mid July will significantly add to the UK's ever-growing charging network.
The nation already has 82,000 public charge points, with an additional 100,000 expected by 2030 through the government's Local EV Infrastructure Fund, as well as £6 billion of private investment. It comes after news anyone buying fuel next week given '£15 charge' warning by The AA.
But despite this significant growth in the UK's EV charging infrastructure, certain regions remain seriously underserved, making them among the worst places to own an EV. According to government figures, Northern Ireland stands out as the area with the fewest public charging points — approximately 36 chargers per 100,000 people, the lowest ratio in the UK. According to data from zapmap, the country has a total of 690 public EV chargers as of the end of June 2025.
Following Northern Ireland, the data shows the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber also have low charger densities, with approximately 66 devices per 100,000 people. Other areas with low per capita provision include the East Midlands and East of England, at around 73 and 87 chargers per 100,000 respectively, well below the UK average of 108.5 chargers per 100,000. Unsurprisingly, London tops these figures with 250.4 chargers per 100,000 people.
To address these challenges and more, the UK government announced the £63 million investment in July 2025 aimed at expanding and improving EV charging accessibility. This funding package allocates £25 million toward enabling at-home charging solutions for drivers without off-street parking — a common barrier, especially in urban areas with limited private driveways.
Another £30 million is dedicated to business depots to support electrification of commercial vehicles including heavy goods vehicles, vans and buses. Additionally, £8 million is targeted at the NHS to electrify ambulance and medical fleets across over 200 sites.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted this investment's role in making EV ownership easier and more affordable nationwide, stating, "We're building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport." Efforts will also include improved road signage for EV charging hubs to better inform and reassure drivers.
While the UK rapidly expands its charging network, the ongoing geographic imbalance demonstrates that more targeted support is necessary to level the playing field. The new investment aims to mitigate these issues, helping to ensure equitable access to charging facilities and supporting the UK's goal of leading Europe's EV transition.
This investment is part of the government's Plan for Change, designed to accelerate the move to net zero, back British manufacturing and create greener jobs, all the while lowering transport costs for families.
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Daily Mail
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Private equity barons extracting millions from our dentists
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It predicts there is 'room for growth' by big firms. Other private equity-backed chains are Portman Dentex and Rodericks – whose ownership by firms with links to the tax havens of Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands respectively has sparked unease among senior MPs and campaigners. Dennis Reed, of older people's rights group, Silver Voices, said he feared the 'extinction of NHS dentistry', adding: 'In private residential homes prices are astronomical because they are owned by these large groups, hedge funds and private equity companies, which are driving up costs. I would hate for dentistry to go the same way. 'If they take over, private prices will go up and they will hold the Government to ransom for NHS dentistry too, demanding more and more money.' Labour MP Clive Betts, deputy chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, called the arrival of private equity chains 'extremely worrying'. He said: 'The best way to stop them is to get the NHS dental contract sorted out so dentists get a fair return and patients can get an available service.' In a report published in April, the committee warned there was 'no future' for NHS dentistry without 'fundamental reform'. In June, delegates at the UK's largest gathering of dentists called for an 'urgent assessment' of the 'growing dominance' of private equity firms. The Local Dental Committees' conference in Newcastle passed a motion saying: 'We believe that the interests of private equity providers are rarely aligned with this profession, and there is an urgent need for an assessment of the risk associated with their growing dominance of private and NHS care.' Insiders said there was concern that other private equity bidders for MyDentist had included TDR Capital, which has been accused of loading firms with debt, and Cinven, which was fined three times for price fixing on NHS drugs. 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What is needed is a commitment from Government to bring dentistry back into the NHS, adequate funding, and a new contract for NHS dentists that is financially fair and focused on prevention. Were this to happen, the growth of private equity firms would shrink greatly and oral health would improve.' In May, the British Dental Association warned MPs that NHS dentistry faced an 'existential threat'. In a paper presented to Parliament, it said while the number of qualified dentists was at a record high, there were 'only enough dentistry commissioned for half the population'. It said: 'We are seeing a return of scenes that belong in the Victorian era, with new polling from Ipsos indicating that of those unable to secure an NHS dental appointment a quarter resort to DIY dentistry, with almost 1 in 5 seeking help abroad.' Chairman Eddie Crouch said: 'As we see more churn in the financing of these big chains it is more important than ever that the interests of patients remain at the forefront of care rather than a quick return on investment, whether in NHS or private provision.' MyDentist, previously owned by Palamon Capital Partners, last year saw turnover rise £39 million to £573 million and its profit before interest and tax rise 14 per cent from £73 million to £84 million. The company's debt rose from £328 million to £362 million, with interest payments eating into its profits, which fell from £16 million to £6 million. Though MyDentist's accounts boast of attracting 22.5 per cent more NHS patients, the amount of NHS work fell in monetary value from £313 million to £301 million between 2023 and 2024. Profit growth mostly came from a boom in private treatment, which grew from £221 million to £272 million. Alan Milburn is paid for corporate advice via his consultancy firm AM Strategy, with he and his family having received dividends of more than £5 million between 2017 and 2023, according to Companies House records. The most recent accounts for the 12 months to March last year showed the company's assets had grown from £5.3 million to £6.2 million. As well as Bridgepoint, the former New Labour politician has been a longstanding advisor to consultancy PwC's health practice, confectionery giant Mars and US healthcare firm Centene Corporation. An MP until 2010, he received £25,000 a year to sit on the board of Lloyds Pharmacy, and £20,000 a year on the advisory board of PepsiCo UK, according to the register of members' interests. After My Dentist, the second biggest chain – all of which offer NHS treatments – is Bupa, with 389 practices. Last year, the firm's overall pre-tax profits soared 72 per cent from £564 million to £972 million. The company is due to announce its latest half-yearly results on Thursday. Next is Portman Dentex, with 384 practices. It is owned by Belgian-based Core Equity Holdings, which has a linked firm in the Cayman Islands. Its accounts for the year to September 2024 show turnover up 37 per cent from £436 million to £597 million, driven largely by a growth in private treatment from £310 million to £438 million. NHS turnover grew from £81 million to £97 million. Portman Dentex's profit before interest and tax rose from £53million to £91 million. But borrowings rose from £778 million to £883 million, and the firm – which is eyeing a 'pipeline of future acquisitions' – made an overall loss of £82 million in 2023 and £72 million in 2024. Smaller rival Rodericks, owned by London-based private equity firm CapVest, which has offices in Luxembourg, ran 165 practices last year and boasted of a 'focus on delivering NHS contracts and increased private dental treatments'. Its most recent accounts show turnover up £3 million to £82 million in the year to March 2023. The arrival of big business followed New Labour's controversial 2006 dental contract. While dentists were previously reimbursed for individual treatments, the payment system changed so fees were offered for 'units of dental activity' covering types of work. Critics say the move meant individual dentists were left underpaid, receiving a standardised fee for both simple and more complex treatments, prompting an exodus from the NHS. Big chains were attracted because they could provide large volumes of work. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has promised to reform the dental contract. At present, there is no regulatory structure or form of risk assessment for corporate entities buying into dentistry – other than competition rules. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We inherited a broken NHS dental system and have already begun fixing it – rolling out 700,000 urgent appointments – and our ten-year health plan will fix the foundations of NHS dentistry. 'Reforms to the dental contract will prioritise those with urgent and complex needs, with new measures for those with extreme tooth decay and gum disease. 'We are also committed to ensuring NHS-trained dentists stay in the system for at least the minimum period and all dentists – NHS or private – are registered and regulated by the General Dental Council to ensure patient safety.'
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Report: Toyota Still Considering Smaller Unibody Truck for US
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Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Charles Leclerc edges out McLarens to claim pole position in Hungary
Championship leader Oscar Piastri and title rival Lando Norris had been expected to fight for pole but the McLaren men were left to settle for second and third respectively. Leclerc saw off Piastri by just 0.026 seconds with Norris only 0.015 sec behind the Australian. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes. McLaren had dominated all weekend at the Hungaroring with Norris fastest in both sessions on Friday, and Piastri – who leads his team-mate by 16 points in the world championship – quickest in the concluding running prior to qualifying. But Leclerc pulled a mighty lap out of the bag to secure both his and Ferrari's first pole of the season. The Monegasque said: 'Today, I don't understand anything in Formula One. Honestly, the whole qualifying was extremely difficult. When I say extremely difficult, it's not exaggerating. 'It was difficult for us to get to Q2, it was difficult for us to get to Q3. In Q3, the conditions changed a little bit. Everything became a lot trickier, and I knew I just had to do a clean lap to target third. 'At the end of the day, it's pole position. I definitely did not expect that. Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had. It's the most unexpected, for sure.' In the other scarlet car, Hamilton has a record eight wins and nine pole positions in Hungary. However, a week after he qualified only 16th at Spa-Francorchamps, he suffered another setback when he was knocked out of Q2. Hamilton has now been outqualified by Leclerc at 10 of the 14 rounds so far. 'Every time, every time,' said the British driver after he was informed of his early exit. Hamilton emerged from his cockpit and walked towards the Ferrari motorhome holding his gloves in front of his visor to obstruct the full glare of the waiting TV cameras. Hamilton's lowly grid slot looks set to extend his run without a podium finish to 14 races. Until this season he had never gone more than 10 races into a campaign without finishing in the top three. Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes, the teenager Kimi Antonelli, has only scored once in his last seven appearances and he too failed to make it out of Q2, qualifying 15th. Qualifying was a struggle for Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton (Bradley Collyer/PA) Aston Martin have been woefully out of sorts this year and are eighth in the constructors' standings. Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll failed to make it out of Q1 at the previous round. However, Alonso – who turned 44 earlier this week – and Stroll progressed to the final phase on Saturday, and will start fifth and sixth respectively. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen qualified eighth for Red Bull. Alex Albon has enjoyed a strong season – he finished sixth last weekend – but he will line up from the back of the pack here after qualifying 20th and last. Yuki Tsunoda was also eliminated in Q1 for the fifth time this season, leaving him 16th on the grid.
