Archive: Utilities

Postal strike

Thursday until Saturday will see strike action

Britain will go through a second consecutive week of postal strikes this week.

Brown's 'appalling weakness' on Royal Mail

Opinion Former Articles

BSIA launches new access control guide for the utilities sector

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has just launched a free guide to assist the utilities sector in the use of access control systems. The guide explains how access control systems can better improve the protection of sites such as water, oil and nuclear plants as well as administrative or production offices within the sector. It also provides case studies to exemplify the work of BSIA members with utilities companies, and brings attention to any legislation that should be considered when employing the technology.

‘Charging for roadworks should apply to all,’ says RHA

The underlying logic of the Department for Transport’s new consultation on charging utilities for peak period road works should be applied also to publicly-funded road maintenance.

IET: Failure to Focus on Consumers Risks Power Shortages by 2017

Expert urges consumer-centric energy programme to overcome challenges facing consumers, government and utilities

NEA: Is the price right?

Royal Mail strike to go ahead

The strike will go ahead as planned, it was announed today

The Royal Mail strike will begin at midnight tonight after talks broke down between postal workers' leaders and management.

Brown's 'appalling weakness' on Royal Mail

Brown: weak on the unions and backbenchers?

Gordon Brown's "appalling display of weakness" in not privatising Royal Mail has triggered the upcoming strike, David Cameron said today.

60 per cent rise in energy bills 'possible'

The energy regulator has announced that UK energy bills could rise up to 60 per cent by 2016 due to climate change.

European water use 'unsustainable'

A hot issue? Europe needs to use less water

The current levels of water being extracted and consumed across Europe are "unsustainable" and must be reversed, experts have warned.

Tories worried by low gas storage levels

Gas supplies were four days short of dry in February

Britain had just four days of natural gas in storage during the recent cold weather, it has been revealed.

Govt fuel poverty scheme 'in tatters'

A government scheme to aid those in fuel poverty is not fit for purpose, leading charities have claimed today.

Householders 'can't afford energy prices'

Up to ten million households will struggle to afford another hike in energy prices, a new survey has revealed.

Rising fuel bills spell trouble for Labour

Domestice gas use is going to get more expensive

A Centrica report on rising domestic gas bills has triggered a torrent of abuse from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, who are calling on the government to do more to help poorer households before the winter.

Tories on offensive over car taxes

Plans to reform North Sea oil taxation were announced yesterday

The government's support for expanded nuclear energy plans and simultaneous hints at a deferral of the 2p increase in fuel duty have prompted criticism from the Conservatives.

Thousands without power as generators halted

In total, seven power stations were shut down

Thousands of people were without power yesterday as British Energy halted generation from both units of its Sizewell B plant, along with five other stations.

Hutton: "Strong" interest in new nuclear power stations

Hutton maintains industry wants to build new nuclear plants

The government's plans for a new generation of nuclear power stations have moved a step forward.

Govt to ban bottled water from offices

Tap water only to be offered at govt meetings

Bottled water is to be banned from government offices amid increasing concerns about its environmental impact.

Government's 2010 fuel poverty targets 'to be missed'

The government's fuel poverty targets will be missed

A target of ending fuel poverty by 2010 will be missed, government advisers have claimed.

Johnson calls for England-wide fluoridation

Alan Johnson wants flouride added to all tap water

The health secretary has urged the NHS to add fluoride to all water supplies across England in a bid to improve oral health.

Blears touts community contracts

Councils and residents to agree best practice

The government wants councils to promise to improve local areas in return for local residents agreeing to cooperate.

Lib Dems warn British Gas price hike hits poorest

British Gas's 15 per cent energy price increase will hit Britain poorest families, claimed Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.

Critics pre-empt government support for nuclear power

Govt decision on nuclear power due tomorrow

Government support for a new generation of nuclear power stations has been condemned, the day before it is formally announced in the Commons.

Darling intervenes as energy bills soar

Darling requests meeting over rising prices

The chancellor has staged a surprise intervention after the UK's fourth largest energy supplier warned customers to expect substantial increases to their gas and electricity bills.

Fly-tipping threat 'ignored'

The Environment Agency is concerned about fly-tipping increases

The government is ignoring the Environment Agency's (EA) concerns about the impact its 'pay-as-you-throw' proposals will have on fly-tipping, it has emerged.