The post-Brexit future of farming
In an article headed "UK farmers risk seeing incomes halve after Brexit", the Financial Times writes today that UK farmers...
10 Oct 2017
Wera Hobhouse MP urges government to incentivise solar power
29 Feb 2024
Another nail in Clegg's coffin?
Just what is Nick Clegg playing at? Is he waving the white flag or is he taking a pragmatic approach to what he views as political reality? I am, of course, referring to the former Member for Sheffield Hallam's 'advice' to people wishing to stop Brexit to join either the Tory or Labour Parties and to work for this aim rather than to join his own party. Is that it then for breaking the mould? Can we expect him to put his money where his mouth is?
JM
10 Oct 2017
Plan needed to upgrade changing room facilities across Rugby says Cllr Tim Douglas
Councillor Tim Douglas has written to the local papers about the questions he is asking at Council and the need for a strategic policy and plan in place with regards to upgrading changing room facilities.
RLD
9 Oct 2017
Former Parish Council chairman to stand for Lib Dems
Allan Bird, a former Chairman of Great Sankey Parish Council, is to stand for the Liberal Democrats in the Chapelford and Old Hall Borough Council by-election on Thursday.
AR
9 Oct 2017
Council seeks “mash-up” of powers to “criminalise” CYCLING - and what else?
In an absurd proposal, Dacorum Council is consulting on a plan to ban cycling on several public roads in Hemel Hempstead, as part of their hotch-potch "Public Space Protection Order" (PSPO), which allows fines at the Council's discretion, for cycling and a mixed bunch of various other things. Former Lib Dem opposition councillor Lloyd Harris says: "The idea that a ban can be proposed which is not specific enough to recognise differences between various parts of town, where different things happen, shows a lack of basic common sense in drawing up this order." The Council's map shows the PSPO area would cover Waterhouse Street, Bridge Street, Combe Street and the High Street, parts of which are public highway used by cars, bikes, buses etc. "Please join me in asking that these muddled plans be thrown out; we need to encourage cycling for health, and provide activities for kids - not make it a criminal offence to be bored! Let's have proper cycle-paths in Hemel, routes that bikes and skateboards can be used
9 Oct 2017
Council seeks “mash-up” of powers to “criminalise” CYCLING - and what else?
In an absurd proposal, Dacorum Council is consulting on a plan to ban cycling on several public roads in Hemel Hempstead, as part of their hotch-potch "Public Space Protection Order" (PSPO), which allows fines at the Council's discretion, for cycling and a mixed bunch of various other things. Former Lib Dem opposition councillor Lloyd Harris says: "The idea that a ban can be proposed which is not specific enough to recognise differences between various parts of town, where different things happen, shows a lack of basic common sense in drawing up this order." The Council's map shows the PSPO area would cover Waterhouse Street, Bridge Street, Combe Street and the High Street, parts of which are public highway used by cars, bikes, buses etc. "Please join me in asking that these muddled plans be thrown out; we need to encourage cycling for health, and provide activities for kids - not make it a criminal offence to be bored! Let's have proper cycle-paths in Hemel, routes that bikes and skateboards can be used
9 Oct 2017
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, called on the government to provide incentives for energy providers to develop solar power in the UK.
Mrs Hobhouse slammed the government for falling behind on meeting the UK’s renewable targets for solar energy capacity. The government plans to deploy 70 GW of solar power across the country by 2035. However, as of 2022, the UK had only installed 14.3 GW of solar pv.
Following a visit to a rooftop solar system installed by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) at Beechen Cliff School last year, Wera Hobhouse is keen to encourage the development of similar solar projects across Bath. The solar system is predicted to significantly cut the school’s fuel costs and reduce their carbon emissions by 52 tonnes a year.
In the House of Commons on the 27th February, the Bath MP noted that the UK is lagging behind the rest of the world in renewable energy investment, she urged the government to offer incentives to energy providers to improve solar capacity.
However, Andrew Bowie, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, ignored Hobhouse’s proposals, failing to describe the ways in which the government could incentivise solar energy. Instead, Bowie said that the government’s Solar Taskforce would publish recommendations for solar power and reiterated the government’s target to deploy 70 GW by 2035.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, commented:
“The Conservatives are falling dangerously behind on meeting our targets for renewable energy production. It is no good the government setting an ambitious 70 GW solar target if they are nowhere near reaching it.
“It is clear that they have no plan to get us back on track to reach Net Zero. Evidently, they are more than happy to dismiss perfectly good proposals like incentivising solar power. That is why I am so proud that Bath is home to many community energy projects like the solar system at Beechen Cliff School, so that we can lead the way in renewables.”
“It is not just our climate targets harmed by the Conservatives’ delay. Families in Bath and across the country are struggling to pay soaring energy bills which investment in renewables could curb. That is why we Liberal Democrats would build significantly more renewable energy, aiming to generate 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030.”
Peter Capener, Managing Director of Bath & West Community Energy said:
“Our work with schools is really demonstrating the value of community energy in both addressing the climate crisis and reducing fuel bills. Rooftop solar installed last year has already saved local schools a combined total of £134,209 and has reduced carbon emissions by 224.3 tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,173 journeys from Bath to Edinburgh by train!”
