Within a matter of weeks, the UK has resembled a modern Ruritania, then endured a failed social and economic experiment and now’s facing imposition of severe austerity caused by it. Tax cuts for the wealthy may have gone but the price is being paid by the poor and homeowners through looming cuts in public services and rising interest rates. Its… Read more »
I was a toddler during the Cuban missile crisis. But I recall my parents telling me of the real fear that they had about nuclear war. Those fears were justified as at least twice only heroic refusals by individuals to follow orders stopped missile launches and President Kennedy’s adviser Dean Acheson later said that catastrophe was only avoided thanks to… Read more »
Heading back to London this week sees me writing this whilst travelling on the East Coast Main line. It’s my commute of choice, the journeys enjoyable and the ability to work’s helpful. There’s been some inconvenience with rail strikes and more to come. But I still support the workforce and believe that so do most of my fellow passengers. It’s… Read more »
MACASKILL TO INTRODUCE BILL TO ABOLISH HIGHER STANDARD CHARGES FOR PRE PAYMENT METER CUSTOMERS Kenny MacAskill MP, the ALBA MP for East Lothian will today (Wednesday) introduce a Ten Minute Rule Energy Costs (Pre-payment Meters and Social Tariffs) Bill to abolish higher standing charges for pre-payment meter customers and to compel energy companies to introduce a social tariff as happens in… Read more »
Fuel poverty campaign groups Energy Action Scotland who work in Scotland and National Energy Action, who operate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Age Scotland who advocate and campaign on behalf of older people in Scotland are backing Kenny MacAskill MP’s Ten Minute Rule Energy Costs (Pre-payment Meters and Social Tariffs) Bill to abolish higher standing charges for pre-payment meter customers and to compel energy companies to introduce… Read more »
The closure of Edinburgh’s Filmhouse is a bitter blow to the cultural life of the capital, just as much as the loss of employment to its staff. It’s also sent tremors through other charitable organisations, as well as smaller entertainment and hospitality venues, as fuel prices rise. There’s a real danger that indigenous cultural venues will be lost, just as small… Read more »
I was delighted to see Pope Francis speak out for peace in the Ukraine and for an end to nuclear madness. Yet again the Pontiff being a voice for decency and sanity in a troubled world. Actions, not just rhetoric, is becoming ever more belligerent and as an article in the American journal “The Atlantic” was detailing, once you step on the nuclear escalator it’s hard to get off. None of the scenarios posed or… Read more »
I was to go to the cinema last Friday to see a friends partner’s movie but that fell through as the Edinburgh Filmhouse went into administration. Partly it seems through reduced patronage post Covid but also through the increasing costs of energy. It won’t be the only business or venue to shut as the support on offer from the UK… Read more »
It’s hard to believe that things could get worse with Johnson gone, but they are, and we’ve not yet hit rock bottom. We’ve only had the economic agenda for this paradise for the superrich that they’re seeking to create. There’s still their social agenda to be rolled out and believe me that’s going to be worse. Within the space of… Read more »
I saw mention on social media last week that the North of Scotland’s domestic electricity had been supplied some days entirely by renewables. With Scotland having 60% of the UKs onshore wind and 25% of Europe’s offshore wind capacity things are only going to get better or so you’d think. But there’s an absurdity and indeed perversity in our energy… Read more »