7 h. ago Make electricity cheaper so households benefit from heat pumps, advisers urge

The Climate Change Committee has called for policy costs to come off electricity bills in an ‘optimistic’ first report on Labour’s climate progress.

Society

20 h. ago Livingston school crowned champions in Mitsubishi Electric ‘Pump It Up!’ Challenge

More than 850 third-year pupils from nine West Lothian’s secondary schools were tasked with devising innovative methods of using heat pumps to combat environmental issues, while showing an understanding of sustainable energy.

Politics

22 h. ago St Margaret's Academy top of the class with heat pump success

St Margaret’s Academy in Livingston is celebrating after being crowned champions in this year’s Mitsubishi Electric ‘Pump It Up!’ Challenge.

Politics

31 h. ago Scheme to give heating engineers free heat pumps ‘boosts confidence’ in the tech

The programme is to be rolled out to thousands of professionals after a small-scale pilot found it boosted technical knowledge and understanding.

Science

8 d. ago Work starts to transform Watersports Centre at Strathclyde Country Park

A key element of North Lanarkshire Council’s regeneration project is to reduce the building’s carbon footprint by at least 80 per cent by retro-fitting super-efficient insulation and generating energy from a heat pump in the loch and from solar panels on the roof.

Politics

8 d. ago Bank unveils green loans plan to unlock trillions for climate finance

IADB’s proposals involve lenders using public money to buy up renewable energy loans in poor countriesAn innovative plan to use public money to back renewable energy loans in the developing world could liberate cash from the private sector for urgently needed climate finance.Avinash Persaud, a special adviser on climate change to the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), who developed the proposals, believes the plan could drive tens of billions of new investment in the fledgling green economy in poorer countries within a few years, and could provide the bulk of the $1.3tn in annual climate finance promised to the developing world by 2035. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Army veteran's 'heat pump hell' after firm fitted faulty system then set debt collectors on him

Dave Mundy and wife Mira spent months with no hot water before the firm admitted its heat pump wasn't compatible with his home set-up.

Economics

1 week ago Young people in West Lothian tasked with designing alternative uses for heat pumps

The renewables sector in Scotland is in need of a wave of new blood

Politics

2 w. ago This vision for Britain’s nuclear future is to be warmly welcomed

Editorial: When it comes to the UK’s long-term energy supply, Ed Miliband is right to seek greater plurality. As well as guaranteeing cheaper electricity, Sizewell C will also underpin the wider adoption of renewable sources

Events

2 w. ago Partnership equips West Lothian students to turn up the heat with key green technology

The college has teamed up with Mitsubishi Electric to tackle a shortage of heat pump installers

Society

2 w. ago Disability cut impact could be even worse than expected warns food bank charity

Research commissioned by food bank charity Trussell found that 340,000 people in disabled households will be pushed into severe hardship by benefit changes being brought in by the Government

Events

2 w. ago ‘Momentum is building’: Green industries praise clean energy rules for new homes

The Government has announced proposals to require new builds to fit solar panels and heat pumps.

Politics

2 w. ago Most new homes must have solar panels and heat pumps under Government proposals

The future homes standard (FHS), set to be published in autumn, will likely require new builds to have solar panels and heat pumps by default.

Politics

2 w. ago DWP minister issues message to 'all pensioners' in Pension Credit update

The latest set of Pension Credit statistics shows that an additional 58,800 households have been awarded the means-tested benefit since last summer's Winter Fuel Payment announcement

Politics

3 w. ago Take up of heat pumps ‘may be boosted if households shown running cost savings’

UK Finance said action is needed to help drive demand for ‘green’ home upgrades.

Society

3 w. ago London mayor reverses TfL ban on ads calling for abortion decriminalisation

Sadiq Khan seeking ‘urgent review’ of decision to ban adverts from British Pregnancy Advisory ServiceThe mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has stepped in to reverse a ban on adverts on the London transport network calling for abortion to be decriminalised.It is understood that the mayor is seeking an “urgent review” of a Transport for London (TfL) decision to ban the adverts from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas) charity on the grounds they may bring the Metropolitan police into disrepute. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Will we see 'noisy heat pump' rows as Ed Miliband lets homeowners put them right next to neighbours?

Before the announced change, homeowners needed planning permission if they wanted to install a heat pump within one metre of their neighbour's property.

Society

3 w. ago Winter fuel payment: Options to reintroduce the benefit for millions of households

The decision to make the Winter Fuel Payment available only to those who claim pension credit last year meant those claiming the benefit fell by almost 90% and saved around £1.5 billion a year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimates

Economics

4 w. ago Universal Credit payment boost for over one million people this month

Households will benefit from an extra £420 this year following a DWP rule change.

Economics