Latest news with #BritainRemade
Telegraph
12-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Air con grants to be rolled out to homeowners - but you need a heat pump
British households could be allowed to claim £7,500 to install air conditioning heat pumps in their homes, under plans being considered by ministers. The boiler upgrade scheme, which supports homeowners to replace outdated boilers, is currently restricted to heat pumps which cannot pump cool air. If the scheme is amended to include grants for air-to-air heat pumps, homeowners could benefit from carbon efficient heating in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer, campaigners say. Labour is considering amending the scheme to allow claims for the dual heat pumps, the i newspaper reported. Britain Remade, a pro-growth campaign group, has launched a petition calling for the Government to allow all new homes to have air conditioning installed, as well as extending grants to cooling heat pumps. The organisation wrote: 'Summer's never been hotter. Electricity has never been cleaner. It's time to ditch the anti-air con rules, written for a world where summer was 25C and our electricity was coal-powered.' In London, plans from Mayor Sadiq Khan make it clear that 'passive ventilation should be prioritised' over air conditioning, which is said to be less desirable due to 'significant energy requirements'. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said in a video on social media that: 'This is a poverty mindset that we need to get away from. Our energy policy should fit what people want to do, not the other way around. 'We have to make Britain cool again.' Electricity blackouts Air conditioning has become a hot topic following a series of heatwaves across the country in June and July, which saw temperatures reach 35.8C in Kent on July 1. The number of households using air conditioning units jumped from 3pc to 20pc between 2011 and 2022, according to a study published earlier this year. But traditional air conditioning units, which are common in hotter countries including the US and across Europe, can put extra strain on the electricity grid and cost homeowners thousands of pounds a year. The devices are expected to increase power demand by 45pc by 2050, leading to fears of electricity blackouts as power stations struggle to cope. Predicted overspend Heat pumps, which are the backbone of the Government's Net Zero policy, can cost up to £13,000 to install. The boiler upgrade scheme, which was launched in May 2022 by the previous Conservative administration, provides up to £7,500 towards their installation. In its first year, the scheme spent just a third of its allocated budget, although it is predicted to overspend in this tax year. Nearly £2bn has been budgeted for the scheme until March 2028. But despite a Government target of 600,000 installations a year, since the beginning of 2024 just 365,397 have been installed, according to the MCS Foundation. Earlier this week, The Telegraph reported that the Government's chief new-zero advisor had admitted that it was unclear whether the green devices saved households money. A meeting chaired by Professor Dame Angela McLean found it was 'not currently clear' if heat pumps were cheaper to run than a traditional gas boiler. The report, published on Wednesday, said heat pumps represented 'a major financial decision and long-term commitment,' adding 'it is not currently clear that heat pumps will save people money'.
The Herald Scotland
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Torness ideal for small modular reactor, says Britain Remade
Sam Dumitriu, head of policy at the campaign, said:'Torness has got the expertise, the grid connections, the water supply and everything else that you would need to be a site for one of these new next generation reactors.' Also important, said Dumitriu, is that a site with nuclear history, like Torness, tends to have 'local buy-in'. 'One of the most important local resources at Torness,' he said, 'would be the fact that you've already got that local support, which is a challenge for lots of infrastructure in bits of the country where sometimes see campaigns against new pylons or new turbines or whatever it be. That would not be the case here. You've got some of that infrastructure already, but also you've got some of that local support. 'What we've found with our campaign across the country to make it easier to build the new infrastructure that we need, that those areas that have hosted nuclear power plants before, be that Torness, or Anglesey in North Wales, or Dungeness in Kent, are incredibly supportive of new nuclear because they know the job benefits that come with it.' Britain Remade, which is strongly focussed on campaigning for 'nuclear power alongside the rapid roll-out of renewables' and infrastructure-building to drive growth, hosted a public meeting in Dunbar in April. The event's promotional material asked: 'Will Torness have a future in the next generation of nuclear energy, or will we lose out on jobs, investment, and energy security?' (Image: georgeclerk) READ MORE: The campaign also conducted a poll which found that half of the SNP's voters believe nuclear power should be part of Scotland's mix of clean energy generation. 'Of course we're going to need many more windfarms and solar, and you'll need the pylons to deliver that as well, but you are going to need a reliable source of power for when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shing and for a long time in Scotland, that source has been nuclear. But it won't be able to play that role if the Scottish government ban remains in place.' But many in Scotland still maintain a strong objection to nuclear. Pete Roche, who campaigned against Torness in the 1970s, founding the Scottish Campaign to Resist the Atomic Menace, said: 'The last thing Scotland needs at Torness is more reactors, whether large or small. Incidentally Rolls Royce's so-called small reactors at 470MW are only slightly smaller than Torness's two 660MW reactors.' Britain Remade was launched in Yorkshire in 2022. The campaign's main objective, he said, is 'getting the economy going by making it easier to build the homes that we need, the new transport links that we need and the new sources of clean power that we need'. Previously Dumitriu worked for the free-market Adam Smith Institute. The group also campaign against environmental regulations which they say are 'crippling the building of new homes, infrastructure, and the clean energy sources Britain needs'. 'As things stand,' Dumitriu said, 'at the end of this decade, Torness is set to close. The lights on nuclear energy will go out in Scotland. Obviously just ten years ago, Scotland was producing about 40% of its power from clean and safe and reliable nuclear energy. 'Scotland, a country with a proud nuclear heritage, should be looking to build a next generation of reactors and clearly the sites that make most sense for that are those that already have lots of infrastructure, already are clearly good sites for power plants, already have a local buy-in and local expertise.' Nuclear power, Dumitriu also pointed out, could be key in powering the giant, electricity-gobbling datacentres needed for artificial intelligence. 'For the datacentres that you need for AI, you need a constant supply of cheap electricity and there's a reason why a lot of the developers in Silicon Valley are signing memorandums of understanding with nuclear developers because they know that this is a way for them to have constant 24/7 reliable power. Earlier this month, the UK Government announced its selection of Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder 'to develop small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature – marking a new golden age of nuclear in the UK'. Dumitriu said: 'SMRs are already being deployed in Canada. The idea behind them is that because you build them in a factory and 90% of the construction of them is done in a factory, you're rolling them off a production line and because of that you get all of the cost reductions of economies of scale, of learning by doing and you're able to build them a lot cheaper than the current design.' But that cost reduction remains much debated and one of the criticisms levelled by the Scottish Government, and others, is that nuclear power is very expensive. Dumitriu blamed some of that high price on 'the cost of environmental regulations'. He also maintained that SMRs will come down in price over time. 'Because they are modular,' he said, 'and they can build 90% of them in a factory, you get those economies of scale. And all the projections are that the costs will come down significantly to the point where it is significantly cheaper than the large scale nuclear we are building now, cheaper than new gas, and when you take into account the intermittency costs, even cheaper than renewables as wells.' Artist's impression of a design for an SMR for Western Gateway in Gloucestershire (Image: Western Gateway) However a recent analysis of the technology in the United States said that SMR are projected to be the most expensive of all electricity technologies per KW. The report by management consultancy firm ICF found that they would cost more than any other source of electricity, including battery energy storage systems, solar, wind, combustion turbines and gas. Campaigner Pete Roche said: 'There is no evidence that small modular reactors will be cheaper, because almost none have ever been built. In fact it is beginning to look like small reactors will be even more expensive than large reactors because they won't benefit from economies of scale.' Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'The Scottish Government is focussed on supporting growth and creating jobs by capitalising on Scotland's immense renewable energy capacity rather than expensive new nuclear energy which takes decades to build and creates toxic waste which is difficult and costly to dispose of. 'However we recognise the significant value that Torness and its workforce has contributed to Scotland's economy and local community. 'Decommissioning Scotland's nuclear sites will take decades and will require the retention of a highly skilled workforce. Meanwhile, the significant growth in renewables, storage hydrogen, carbon capture and decommissioning are key opportunities for our future energy workforce in Scotland – with independent scenarios from Ernst and Young (EY), showing that with the right support, Scotland's low carbon and renewable energy sector could support nearly 80,000 jobs by 2050.'
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Runaway road and rail costs trigger investigation
An investigation into Britain's roads and railways has been launched as regulators attempt to tackle runaway costs and lengthy delays. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) unveiled details of the review on Thursday, which has been prompted by widespread frustration about the state of troubled infrastructure projects such as HS2. The main purpose of the inquiry will be to examine how cheaper infrastructure can be built, while also exploring the way in which public and private sectors work together. The study is expected to take 10 months, with initial findings published in November. While it will not give the CMA powers to intervene in the market, it will result in recommendations to the Government. It comes after a report published in 2023 by campaign group Britain Remade found that the UK was spending up to eight times more on road and railway upgrades than other European countries. The 2023 study said red tape in the planning sector was largely to blame for the overspend, while it also singled out the impact of Nimby campaigners. 'Appalling mess' Britain's ailing infrastructure was thrust into the spotlight once again this week when ministers admitted the HS2 high-speed rail project is facing fresh delays beyond its most recent target opening date of 2033. Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, branded the project an 'appalling mess' after warnings in June last year that its costs could balloon to £66bn. This will make it one of the most expensive railway lines in the world, she added, despite a major scaling back of the project that saw planned routes to Manchester and Leeds scrapped. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C – two major nuclear power plant projects – are also running significantly late and over budget. The CMA will not include HS2 in its study as the rail project has already been subject to multiple reviews. However, the watchdog said it will consider the full lifecycle of roads and railways, including their enhancement and maintenance. It comes after the National Infrastructure Commission estimated that public and private sector investment will need to increase by up to 50pc over the next decade to deliver more complex infrastructure. Road and railway projects account for between 70pc and 75pc of government spending on economic infrastructure, while the civil engineering sector as a whole added £23bn to the UK economy in 2023. 'Decade of national renewal' Sarah Cardell, CMA chief executive, said: 'There's no question that reliable, high-quality infrastructure is critical in accelerating economic growth. To achieve this, public authorities and the civil engineering sector must be able to work together to deliver projects on time, within budget and to high standards. 'This review is a crucial step in identifying barriers holding back the sector – supporting the drive to get Britain building and ensuring every penny spent is delivering value for taxpayers.' Details of the review have been announced after the Government published its 10-year infrastructure strategy, which earmarked £725bn in funding for maintenance and major projects over the next decade. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, said: 'Infrastructure is crucial to unlocking growth across the country, but for too long investment has been squeezed. Crumbling public buildings are a sign of the decay that has seeped into our everyday lives because of a total failure to plan and invest. 'We're not just fixing buildings – we're enhancing public services, improving lives and creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth in communities throughout the UK. 'This will deliver the decade of national renewal we promised Britain, and fulfil our Plan for Change goals to kickstart economic growth, and build an NHS fit for the future.'
Bloomberg
05-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
In the City: Can the UK Spending Review Turn Ambition into Action?
With the UK government's spending review fast approaching, all eyes are on Westminster. In a matter of days, the public will gain a clearer sense of how funding is set to be allocated across departments over the next three years. There's growing speculation that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will make a significant push on infrastructure—a signal, perhaps, of shifting priorities. In this week's episode of In the City, hosts Allegra Stratton and Francine Lacqua sit down with Sam Richards, chief executive of the think tank Britain Remade to unpack the upcoming review and step back to look at the bigger picture: Could this mark a real turning point?
The National
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scots aren't having our voices heard – nuclear is one such case study
It was organised by Britain Remade, a lobby group headed by former Tory spad Sam Richards. He described Britain Remade as a 'cross-party campaigning group' that believes in economic growth and building infrastructure. Britain Remade's campaign, 'New Scottish Nuclear Power', aims to reverse Scotland's ban on new nuclear power. Also present were councillor Norman Hampshire, the leader of East Lothian Council (ELC) and chair of the planning committee, and Labour MSP for South Scotland Martin Whitfield. READ MORE: Why the UK media 180 on Gaza is too little, too late Richards boasted about the UK's nuclear power track record. In 1956, the world's first nuclear reactor, Calder Hall, was built in Sellafield, Cumbria. The plant produced plutonium for the UK nuclear weapons programme – electricity for the domestic market was a sideline. Throughout its 47-year life, it exposed workers and the public to higher levels of radiation than comparable reactors and it wasn't economically viable for long periods. Sellafield is the site of Europe's worst nuclear accident – the 1957 Windscale fire, that led to the atmospheric dispersion of radioactive materials throughout England, Wales and northern Europe. Sellafield has been a nuclear waste dump since 1959 and has been called Europe's most toxic nuclear site, a 'bottomless pit of hell, money and despair'. It's a reason Scotland has been dubbed the 'cancer capital of the world'. That's a hell of a track record. Richards blamed high electricity bills on the UK's failure to build more nuclear plants, claiming nuclear was the reason France had lower bills. Wrong. Nuclear power has never been economic. It requires government subsidies and there's no solution for radioactive waste disposal. French energy bills are lower because France didn't privatise its energy and thus retained the ability to cap costs. The French government owns 100% of Électricité de France (EDF), which runs the Torness plant and the UK's four other operating nuclear plants. EDF should be showing far more concern about the safety of its UK plants. The Torness reactor has 46 cracks in its core which the ONR (Office for Nuclear Regulation) said could lead to a reactor meltdown and the release of radiation into the environment. EDF has extended the life of the plant to 2030. Britain Remade's goal is to get the ban on nuclear lifted and to use the Torness site for new nuclear plants. Whitfield trotted out two pro-nuclear talking points, both of which are easily refuted: 1. Nuclear power doesn't increase CO2. Not so. There are carbon emissions from mining, transporting and processing uranium, from constructing power plants and from transporting radioactive waste to places like Sellafield. By contrast, renewable energy doesn't increase CO2, there's no mining required or toxic waste to dispose of, and Scotland is bursting with renewables. 2. Nuclear power creates skilled jobs for life. The renewables industry also creates skilled jobs for life without shortening it – in engineering, project management, data analysis and renewable energy technologies – and doesn't endanger the health of workers or the local community. Councillor Hampshire, who worked at Torness, said that although he 'had to support renewables', nuclear is needed for baseload power, which is the minimum power level on the grid. Wrong again. Baseload power can be provided by any mix of generators, including variable wind and solar, if constant backup sources like tidal are provided. Furthermore, nuclear can't be easily switched off, so when it's present on the grid, much cheaper renewables are limited, which raises costs to the consumer. Nonetheless, councillor Hampshire said he was lobbying hard for more nuclear power. He wants two Rolls-Royce SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) at the Torness site, claiming they're cheaper and quicker to build and said that many SNP MSPs support him. I wrote about SMRs in February, showing they are more expensive than and just as dangerous as large nuclear reactors; will generate more radioactive waste and will turn communities into de facto long-term nuclear waste disposal sites. Only two SMRs are operating in the world – in Russia and China. Both are performing at less than 30% capacity and have been plagued by cost and time overruns. According to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report, these problems 'make it even less likely that SMRs will become commercialised.' Despite these facts, councillor Hampshire vows to include SMRs in the next ELC Local Development Plan. We were told that a lot of work is going on behind the scenes to ensure Torness remains an active nuclear site – with the UK having to import energy, otherwise. During the Q&A, Whitfield was asked what it would take to change Scotland's position. He replied 'a change of government' and questioned whether Scotland has the authority to ban nuclear power since energy policy is reserved to the UK. It does because the Scotland Act 1998 devolves planning to Scotland. Nevertheless, Whitfield said this could and would be tested through the courts, although he later clarified there were no definite plans to mount a legal challenge to Scotland's authority to ban new nuclear power. English Labour are pushing for more nuclear because they're funded by the industry. The industry expects a return. Nuclear power is another issue crying out for direct democracy, where the Scottish people – not special interests who are in bed with the politicians – have the power to decide via a referendum whether they want it or not. There are many other issues, local and national, over which the Scottish people have no control – pylons in the Highlands, corporate tax haven 'freeports', the closures of Ardrossan Harbour and Grangemouth, the Loch Lomond Flamingo Land development, to name just a few. If we're to stop special interests always crushing the interests of the people, we must demand our international human rights. That's why Respect Scottish Sovereignty (RSS) is urging as many as possible to sign PE2135, to enact the Direct Democracy/Self-Determination Covenant (ICCPR) into Scots law. Leah Gunn Barrett Edinburgh
