Hospitals across Britain face rises in power bills running into millions of pounds as the spiralling cost of living crisis hits NHS trusts. As household fuel bills climb to unprecedented levels, the health service also faces soaring charges as a result of the escalating cost pressures. A survey of NHS trusts across England and Scotland shows they are facing rises of up to £29 million in the three financial years to date. Sharp rises in energy costs caused by factors including the end of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are also hitting the NHS, figures obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by Metro.co.uk show. In Nottingham, costs for gas, electricity and oil combined rose from £8.8 million in 2020 and 2021 to £15.8 the following year. The budget, and therefore forecast, for the current financial year is £37.9 million. At St George’s Trust in London , which runs one of the largest hospitals in the UK, the bill for gas and electricity is due … [Read more...] about Soaring fuel bills add to ‘dire’ cost pressures facing NHS
Ifta fuel tax
Vetting of airport staff fast-tracked to ease travel chaos
Security checks on aviation staff will be fast tracked in an attempt to cut delays at Britain's airports. The Department for Transport said it was speeding up the vetting process for new staff to help tackle the travel chaos that has plagued travellers for months. Holidaymakers faced more disruption on Saturday, with thousands of passengers at Heathrow hit by delays caused by a computer failure that left planes unable to refuel and "horrendous" scenes at the baggage reclaim area. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that by speeding up the vetting of new aviation security staff, the Government was "doing its bit to help deliver for passengers". Counter terrorism checks on staff, which previously took up to 20 days, are now being done in half the time, he said. New staff are also carrying out other training while their security checks are ongoing. Airlines are expected to announce a series of cancellations to summer flights next week aimed at minimising disruption in the … [Read more...] about Vetting of airport staff fast-tracked to ease travel chaos
Richard Desmond revives £1bn Isle of Dogs development blocked by Government
Media mogul Richard Desmond is reviving plans for a controversial £1bn housing development in London’s docklands even after the Government blocked the scheme. Accounts filed this week revealed the businessman has held early-stage discussions with lenders to bankroll the Westferry Printworks scheme on the Isle of Dogs. Mr Desmond’s holding company, Northern & Shell, said bankers had signalled their support for the project. Ministers blocked the 1,500-home development in November last year, overturning the decision of former housing secretary Robert Jenrick. Mr Jenrick’s verdict, which contradicted the advice of the planning inspector, was quashed after a High Court case filed by Tower Hamlets found “apparent bias” in favour of the businessman. The minister had exchanged text messages with Mr Desmond, a former adult magazine tycoon, shortly before the plans were approved. That approval came a day before Tower Hamlets Council brought in a new tax that would have cost the … [Read more...] about Richard Desmond revives £1bn Isle of Dogs development blocked by Government
With the Tories in turmoil, steel helps Boris Johnson show his mettle
Boris Johnson’s move to extend tariffs on imported steel by two years — a probable breach of World Trade Organisation rules — was welcomed by protectionist MPs from both sides of the political aisle. Industry also predictably lauded the decision, saying it will be protected from artificially cheap imports. Much like fishing, steel carries with it a disproportionate amount of political focus compared to its size — in 2020 the £2bn it contributed to the economy was the equivalent of just 0.1pc of total economic output and 1.2pc of manufacturing. But as the industry likes to point out: everything is made of steel. The metal goes into cars, aircraft, new buildings and the machinery that forms almost everything else. Without it, steel insiders say the logic of having a manufacturing industry in the UK would be considerably weaker — a fact that will not be lost on the Prime Minister. The move was pegged as an effort to “protect the steel sector”, Trade Secretary Anne-Marie … [Read more...] about With the Tories in turmoil, steel helps Boris Johnson show his mettle
F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: UK start time, TV channel, live stream, qualifying time, how to watch and race schedule
CHARLES LECLERC may have won in Bahrain but the battle for the F1 Drivers' Championship has only just begun. The Frenchman currently leads the standings by eight points ahead of fellow Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz as the season now heads to Saudi Arabia. With high hopes for Max Verstappen after his controversial Championship victory last season, the Dutchman was forced to retire three laps from the end with a suspected fuel pump problem. Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez spun out on the final lap promoting Lewis Hamilton onto the podium to finish in third place, ahead of team-mate George Russell. What Time is the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix? F1 heads to Saudi Arabia on the weekend of Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27. The race is set for 6pm GMT on Sunday. Read more on Formula 1 F1 CALENDAR 2022 Grand Prix schedule, dates, results for season as 2022 gets underway SAUDI SHOCK Saudi Arabia GP scare with F1 … [Read more...] about F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: UK start time, TV channel, live stream, qualifying time, how to watch and race schedule
Switzerland Bans Face Coverings In Public, Including Religious Wear | The Daily Wire
On Sunday, citizens in Switzerland voted to support a referendum banning the wearing of face coverings in public settings, including those that are worn for religious purposes. According to CNN , “[t]he controversial proposal gained support of 51.21% of voters and the majority of the country’s 26 cantons, according to official provisional results published by the federal government.” It includes a ban on niqabs and burqas when worn in public settings. One of the groups behind the proposal was the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), described as “right wing” according to BBC reporting. The party pushed for the proposal using slogans like “Stop extremism.” The people who are against the ban point out that “it appears to be mostly pointless,” according to CNN . Andreas Tunger-Zanetti is a researcher at the University of Lucerne who has reportedly “been studying Islam in Switzerland since 2007.” According to Tunger-Zanetti’s’ new book, almost no one in the country wears a burqa and the … [Read more...] about Switzerland Bans Face Coverings In Public, Including Religious Wear | The Daily Wire
Reference against Toshakhana controversy submitted to NA speaker: Ayaz Sadiq
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan regarding the Toshakhana controversy, and said that a reference has been filed in this regard and submitted to the speaker of the National Assembly. "The speaker will announce a decision within 30 days, after which the reference will be forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)," he maintained while addressing a press conference in Lahore along with Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique. Sadiq said that the previous government had inflicted "considerable damage to the country's economy by not signing agreements to purchase oil at cheaper rates." He also said that the coalition government will "block the way of those who want to spread chaos in the country." Sadiq further added that during Khan's tenure, the country's foreign relations were damaged because "all the countries had reservations about the then government." The minister also said that … [Read more...] about Reference against Toshakhana controversy submitted to NA speaker: Ayaz Sadiq
Nature in crisis: How can we prevent biodiversity loss?
The world is currently witnessing biodiversity loss at a rate and scale unprecedented in human history. Over 1 million species are at risk of extinction. Many are disappearing before we have had a chance to discover them. Climate change, pollution and disappearing habitats are among the forces that have pushed nature toward a cliff edge. The situation is so severe that scientists say we are facing the " sixth mass die-off " — the scale of which has not been seen since the dinosaurs were wiped out 65 million years ago. Yet 2022 presents a window of opportunity, with the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Canada set to bring together world leaders to discuss a road map to deal with the crisis in nature. In our latest Global Ideas web special we take a deep dive into why protecting biodiversity is so critical, and what the concrete and effective solutions are to tackling the problem. 'Biodiversity loss is the greatest threat to humanity' What impact does … [Read more...] about Nature in crisis: How can we prevent biodiversity loss?
Autobahn: Germany’s roads to nowhere
When German electronic band Kraftwerk released the iconic song "Autobahn" in 1975, they were celebrating freedom of movement on freeways where drivers could speed without limit. But these mythical superhighways are today a source of increasing division as the climate crisis demands countries curb road transport emissions. Though the autobahn's origins are wrongly ascribed to Hitler — he completed the first highways with forced labor, but they were a Weimar-period invention — today their legend is associated with Germany's failure to meet its climate obligations. Transport generates over 20% of German greenhouse gases. It was also one of only two sectors to fail its annual emission reduction targets in 2021. Yet new road construction projects — as opposed to low-emission electric railways or bicycle highways — dominate the 2030 federal transport plan. Some 850 kilometers (528 miles) of autobahns are on the drawing board. Activists call out autobahn 'disaster' Opposition … [Read more...] about Autobahn: Germany’s roads to nowhere
‘Biodiversity loss is humanity’s greatest threat’
Mass species extinction is taking place right before our eyes, and yet most of us hardly notice. The dying can't circulate online petitions or stage demonstrations. Often, we don't even know they exist. Of the estimated 8 million animal, fungi and plant species on our planet, only a fraction have been scientifically documented, according to the international biodiversity council IPBES. Yet according to scientists, the world may lose nearly 1 million species by 2030, with one species already becoming extinct every 10 minutes. This is catastrophic, because a world that lacks diversity is a dangerous place for all species, including humans. Later this year, at the second phase of the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Canada almost 200 countries hope to agree on a new international framework for the protection of biodiversity . The agreement text is being prepared this week in Nairobi, Kenya. Will the global community succeed in halting the extinction crisis? Here's … [Read more...] about ‘Biodiversity loss is humanity’s greatest threat’