Daily Archives: November 14, 2011
Has Cameron Given Up ‘Greenest Government’ Pledge? By Adrian Ramsay
Has Cameron Given Up ‘Greenest Government’ Pledge? By Adrian Ramsay
As Christmas presents go, the coalition government’s plan to slash feed-in tariffs and jeopardise the future of the solar industry is a pretty miserable one to say the least. It’s all very well hugging a husky in promotional photos, but we need action from this government if it is to deliver on even its own targets for greenhouse gas reductions – and yet the government’s actions seem to be taking us in the wrong direction.
So why the fuss? Solar panels or photovoltaic panels use the energy emitted in solar rays and convert it to electricity. This way of sourcing energy is not only environmentally friendly but also a secure way of meeting our energy needs and keeping prices down in the future.
The UK is a long way behind other European countries in terms of the proportion of our energy that is produced from clean, renewable sources – even though we are blessed with huge potential from wind, wave and solar power.
Since the solar feed-in tariffs (FIT) were introduced in April 2010 we have started to catch up. Organisations and individuals have seen that they will be able to get a financial return on the investment they put into solar installations and this has given the UK solar industry the kick-start it needs. There have been some 100,000 solar installations, the creation of more than 25,000 jobs and almost 4,000 new businesses.
But the government plans to cut FIT payments from 43p per Kwh to just 21p – a move which will dramatically undermine the progress we have been making. And furthermore the date when the new rate is brought in has been moved from 6 April 2012 to 12 December 2011 – earlier than the deadline for its own consultation on the issue!
Not only does this further undermine the credibility of government consultations but it is putting many solar businesses at risk whilst forcing other organisations and households that have been planning solar installations to think again. Thousands of solar panels will be delivered to businesses gone bust. Thanks to the lack of notice of the change, residents who have bought into the scheme but not yet had their panels installed are now being hung out to dry by the government. Many customers have cancelled orders concerned that they wouldn’t be able to meet 12 December deadline.
At a time when the UK is being held to ransom by the big energy companies and dwindling fossil fuel reserves thrusting 5 million into fuel poverty, I am unable to understand the logic of the government’s decision. The solar industry was expecting a review of the FIT rate, but not one that cut it by halve and not one that came in four months earlier than planned.
As a country we urgently need to be investing in measures that will create a secure energy supply for the future and tackle fuel poverty. This means a nationwide programme to insulate people’s homes and investment in clean, renewable energy. This is a far more efficient use of taxpayers’ money than the huge government subsidies needed for new nuclear power stations. But sadly this government is taking us in the wrong direction and seems to have completely given up on its pledge to be the ‘greenest government ever’.
As always it is those on the lowest incomes who will suffer the most. This cut will jeopardise free solar schemes for people unable to afford the upfront costs of solar panels and is forcing councils to review schemes to install solar panels for council tenants and on other council buildings – schemes which, under the current FIT rate, were enabling local councils to generate a profit that can be invested in services that are under threat from government cuts.
By investing in renewable technologies, not only does the government help combat climate change and create jobs but it gives councils a further incentive to help the fuel poor and increase local authority revenue. It seems perverse that the solar industry should be so dramatically punished for doing well at a time when financial institutions are being rewarded for failure. This topsy turvy mentality appears to be the hallmark of this government
Don’t let this happen again in 2012, Salford needs change
The Badge does not offer you the best candidate.What you must do is see further look at how Labour have performed and judge them on results.
Be Honest with yourself and ask why do you vote Labour
In Swinton South we have the Ex Leader of the Conservative Party who got a Job working for Hazel Blears and then after election is never seen.
We have the deselected Councillor from Barton who prior to this sat in Walkden, and surprise when we asked the questions in or recent survey could any one name him,no one had a clue.
And the Latest is the failed candidate from Boothstown,seems like she was keen to fight for the area she lives in CAMPIGNED she was the only local candidate. good local fighter working for the people.Until she thinks she can get a safer seat.
And that my friends puts me back to why vote Labour? read the Salford Star look at the state of the finances
of the city under Labour.try to get into Manchester in the Morning,look at the Roads,the Sink Estates,the shops after the riots,Children’s services,Try getting a Job,the shootings,the Drug and Alcohol issues. All this under Labour.
AND STILL PEOPLE VOTE FOR THEM,WHY?
SALFORD COUNCIL MAD BUDGET CUTS .pi—up and BREWERY comes to mind…
Star date: 14th November 2011
SALFORD COUNCIL LOSES UP TO £100K TO SAVE £60K!
Salford City Council has managed to lose up to £100,000 trying to save £60,000 at Lledr Hall, its well regarded outdoor education centre in Wales. How did it manage this?
The House of Commons is refusing to sell recycled Christmas cards because they would be "vastly inferior" to ones already on offer.Snobs?
The House of Commons is refusing to sell recycled Christmas cards because they would be “vastly inferior” to ones already on offer, the Standard can reveal.
The Speaker’s Art Fund has turned down a request from Green Party leader Caroline Lucas to provide recycled cards on the grounds of quality.
The decision has sparked a backlash among MPs led by Ms Lucas, who said: “The House of Commons should be setting an example of environmental best practice, yet on this issue it is completely failing to do so.” A Commons spokesman said recycled cards could be more expensive, and that plans were being put in place to offer electronic cards in future years.
The Speaker’s Art Fund is a charitable trust which helps manage art in the Commons.
Great to see Mrs Merret the Labour candidate from Boothstown last year jumping to Swinton South and trawling for votes already.I wonder what’s next
Salford City Council is asking communities secretary Eric Pickles to tighten planning rules on mobile advertising after a campaign by Labour activist Dr Gena Merrett.
Gena, former headteacher at Buile Hill High School, was one of a number of residents annoyed by advertising on parked vehicles in Swinton.
She delved into the planning rules and learned that there’s no law against putting advertising hoardings on a vehicle whose main purpose is transport.
Mrs Merret after your Short Stay an Buile Hill and you failure last year against the Tories if you want something
with a little meat on try asking people about the Crescent. There’s a good place to start.
PS DO YOU FEEL YOUR £100 A GO TO THE KIDS AT BUILE HILL WAS AGOOD IDEA?
More Fun than train spotting
Is this the Man Britain is pinning it’s hopes on? The Tories rip the Country apart and this is labours answer,some how things don’t bode well.
And the Tories say they don’t want to Privatise the NHS ASK them or their camp followers the Liberal Democrats next time they knock on your door.
The first private company to take over an NHS hospital has admitted in a document seen by the Observer that patient care could suffer under its plans to expand its empire and seek profit from the health service.
Circle Health is already feeling a strain on resources due to its aggressive business strategy, the document reveals, and the firm’s ambition to further expand into the NHS "could affect its ability to provide a consistent level of service to its patients", it says.
The company, run by a former Goldman Sachs banker, was awarded management of Hinchingbrooke hospital in Cambridgeshire last week in a ground-breaking move lauded by ministers as a "good deal for patients and staff".
However, the government was forced to answer an urgent question in the Commons after the move sparked furious accusations that the deal was privatising the NHS and putting jobs and health services in jeopardy. Concerns over the future of the health service were further heightened when David Cameron, in a speech on regulation and the economy, said he wanted the NHS to be a "fantastic business for Britain".
