Jun202017

Press release: Government’s clean energy drive invests £35 million in innovative projects

HM Government

Speaking today (Tuesday 20 June) at the Rushlight Showcase, Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Claire Perry announced funding for 2 innovative clean energy projects which will create local investment opportunities across the country.

Rushlight, a leading provider of clean technology events in the UK, hosts the Summer Showcase which is sponsored by BEIS and Innovate UK. At the event, Claire Perry announced that £35 million funding, from the BEIS Energy Innovation Programme, will go towards smart heating systems and innovation in using hydrogen as a potential heat source.

Under the new investment, £10 million will sponsor the second phase of work by the Energy Systems Catapult on its Smart Systems and Heat Programme. The programme will help develop local energy plans alongside Local Authorities, and bring down the cost of energy bills, while supporting the development of the UK’s low carbon heating projects.

A further £25 million will be invested in potential uses of hydrogen gas for heating, testing the possibility of domestic gas pipes for hydrogen and developing a range of innovative hydrogen appliances such as boilers and cookers.

Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Claire Perry said:

The UK government is committed to leading the world in delivering clean energy technology and today’s investment shows that we are prepared to support innovation in this critical area.

Our aim is for the UK to be a global leader in innovation, science and research and our Industrial Strategy will help us to deliver our ambitious CO2 reduction targets while, creating jobs and opportunities for people across the country.

This investment follows the government’s commitment to double energy innovation investments set out in the Industrial Strategy green paper, to £400 million per year by 2021.

Philip New, Chief Executive of the Energy Systems Catapult, said:

This is very welcome. It is a reflection of the Energy Systems Catapult’s growing track record in delivering challenging and innovative programmes that have impact on some of the most intractable questions in the transformation of the energy system. Phase 2 will see our team working with others, building the foundations for innovative energy service business models, encouraging a new generation of energy service providers and testing new offers for British households.

More details of the BEIS Energy Innovation Programme and funding are available from the GOV.UK Energy Innovation page.

  1. The government is investing £34.8 million in energy innovation projects: £25 million will be invested in hydrogen gas for heating and £9.8 million will be invested in the Energy Systems Catapult on its Smart Systems and Heat Programme.

Jun202017

Scientists from British Geological Survey scoop major impact award

British Geological Survey

A team of scientists from the British Geology Survey (BGS) has won Team of the Year at the Praxis Unico Impact Awards 2017 aimed at recognizing knowledge exchange and commercialization professionals. The award was received by BGS’s GeoAnalytics and Modelling Directorate as a result of their consistent excellence in adding value to the vast datasets held by the BGS in addition to building relationships and overcoming challenges.

Jun202017

£345 million cut for over 200,000 people with mental health conditions under this Government  – Debbie Abrahams

Labour

£345 million cut for over 200,000
people with mental health conditions under this Government  

A new Freedom of Information
response published today by the Department of Work and Pensions shows that over
200,000 people with mental health conditions will have their income slashed by
Conservative cuts to Employment and Support Allowance introduced in April this
year.  

This data flies directly in the
face of the Prime Minister’s commitment to end the “burning injustice” of the
treatment of people with mental health conditions.

With the cut to Employment and
Support Allowance Work Related Activity Group amounting to a £1,500 reduction
per person, these new figures show that over £345 million will be taken from
the pockets of people with mental health conditions.  

Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary
said: 

“These cuts to people with mental
health conditions just go to show that you cannot trust a word the Tories
say. 

“They have boasted about offering
‘parity of esteem’ to mental and physical health. In reality this just means
equal austerity for all. 

“Labour is committed to reversing
the Conservatives’ pernicious cuts to Employment and Support Allowance, as well
as the cuts to Personal Independence Payments introduced by emergency
legislation in March also affecting people with chronic mental health
conditions.

“We want to transform the social
security system so that it is there for anyone of us in our time of need.”