Under the Freedom of Information Act it has been revealed, following a request from the Opposition Labour party, that 141 of the 150 councils responsible for Britain’s street lights have either dimmed them or completely switched them off as budget constraints hit. The report found: 106 of the 141 councils are either switching off or dimming their […]
Osborne’s Red Ed Moment
In what could be seen as a stunning example of forgetfulness, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has weighed into the debate on energy prices by launching an “investigation” in to whether energy suppliers are passing on the fall in oil and gas prices to customers. As we have covered elsewhere, the fall in oil prices […]
Will the falling oil price affect my business energy costs?
In the latest in our series of Ask the Boss we ask Business Juice bosses the topical question of: Will the falling oil price affect my business energy costs? Business Juice: Whilst many naturally expect a direct correlation between the price of oil, which quite frankly is tanking, and the cost of gas, the truth is […]
81% of SMEs don’t shop for energy
Opus Energy, the business only energy supplier have laid bare the experience of SMEs in the energy market through the publication of their ‘Business Boost’ report. 56% of the 500 SMEs surveyed believed the long-term future for their business was optimistic But to achieve this level of hope 71% of SMEs were “time pressured” and […]
Power cut helpline delayed until 2016
In what could be a microcosm for the state of UK energy policy, the Opposition Labour party have revealed that the single number power cut helpline designed to simplify the myriad of numbers and postcode guessing game currently in place for people and businesses suffering from blackouts, will not be “up and running” for another […]
UK blackout preparedness in question
The unusually mild winter might save us this time around but blackouts are now a greater risk than at any time in recent history. Decades of under investment and political infighting have taken its toll on the ability for the UK to support itself in its energy needs as a developed nation. That predicament alone is a […]
Fine times table #4
In the final 2014 instalment of our Fine Times Table series we look at the energy market since our 2009 inception and the number of times, and amount, the Big 6 energy suppliers have been fined for various market misdemeanours. Recently Ofgem have been busy fining suppliers and generators for failings under the CESP scheme. Amongst the Big 6, British […]
Cameron takes a swipe at renewable energy
DECC’s figures for H1 2014 have revealed that renewable energy in Scotland has overtaken nuclear power as the largest source of electricity North of the border but the rapid growth the industry has achieved is now in doubt after the depth of opposition from the coalition government has become clear. First the good news, Scottish […]
Strong recruitment growth predicted for 2015
A different twist has arisen on the public vs. private sector debate and who to trust. These days most would say neither could be trusted but the truth is somewhat more involved. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicted that the rate of hiring amongst businesses in the UK will fall in 2015 whilst results […]
Osborne promises business rates revolution
One of the biggest bugbears of small businesses may be about to be resolved following George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s, apparent commitment to restructure business rates in his Autumn Statement The tax take from business rates is expected to have increased 40% between 2008 and 2018 with an increase of £133m in this […]