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23/03/2011
Other UK News In Brief
Politicians Must Have An 'Honest Debate' About Health, Say Doctors
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has called on all the political parties to have an ‘honest debate’ about the health service as they campaign for the Scottish Parliament elections in May. The call came ahead of a BMA Scotland Health Hustings in Edinburgh. Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: “An honest debate is needed in this election campaign. Our politicians need to recognise the reality of the choices facing NHS Boards and cannot afford to make unrealistic commitments to secure votes. There is room for improvement on how the Scottish Government manages the health service, in particular the role of clinicians in planning and developing services for the benefit of patient care. This should not be a process stymied by bureaucracy but a partnership between managers and doctors to improve the efficiency of our services whilst protecting the quality of care. It is this message of leadership that we will be campaigning on throughout this election period.” Dr Keighley also warned that the spending cuts facing the NHS mean that politicians would have to decide what the NHS can and cannot afford to deliver. Doctors are pleased that across the political spectrum, parties are as committed as we are to an NHS that is properly resourced, comprehensive, free at the point of delivery and provides equal access for all. These are the principles upon which the NHS was based and upon which it must continue. Dr Keighley added: “However the range and level of services available now are more comprehensive and complex and patient expectations higher. To protect the principle of universal free healthcare, politicians must lead an open and honest debate with the public about what the NHS can and cannot deliver.”
Appeal Following M25 Fatal Collision
Traffic police are appealing for witnesses and information following a fatal collision on the M25 last week. Police were called at approximately 9.30pm on Thursday 17 March to the M25 between junction 24 and 25 to reports a car transporter had fallen on its side across the carriageway. A number of cars which were loaded on the transporter had also come away from the carriage. Officers, ambulance service, fire brigade and units from Hertfordshire Police attended the scene and parts of the motorway were closed off to traffic. The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed. The driver has been formally identified as David Sciberras, 42, from Malta. A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as multiple injuries and an inquest opened and adjourned at Barnet Coroner's Court on Monday 21 March. Officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit at Chadwell Heath are conducting enquiries into the circumstances of the collision. The lorry was a fully loaded, Maltese registered transporter and overturned just prior to the off slip to junction 25 on the M25. Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the incident or observed anything unusual about the vehicle as it travelled around the M25 to get in touch.
Huhne Invests Energy In Scottish Renewables
Chris Huhne vowed to leave no stone unturned in support of Scottish renewable energy projects.
The Energy and Climate Change Secretary said: “If we are to meet our climate change targets, Scotland will be mission critical. Success here will define our low carbon legacy. I know that every day that projects are delayed is an extra day we rely on dirty energy, an extra cost for the industry - and an extra cost for consumers. My job as Energy Secretary is not to give you warm words. My job is to go through step-by-step, breaking through the barriers - so that you can get on with the job of delivering renewable energy in the simplest, quickest and cheapest way.” Speaking at the Scottish Renewables conference in Glasgow, he announced a new agreement between DECC and the Ministry of Defence, Department for Transport, Civil Aviation Authority, National Air Traffic Service, Scottish Government and the renewables industry to urgently seek solutions to unlock opposition from aviation - radar problems in particular - to onshore wind. He also asked his officials to examine what scope there may be for him to use his powers under section 185 of the Energy Act 2004 to adjust transmission charges for renewables in a particular area, such as the Scottish islands, once Ofgem has finished its Project TransmiT review of transmission charging arrangements.
(BMcN/GK)
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has called on all the political parties to have an ‘honest debate’ about the health service as they campaign for the Scottish Parliament elections in May. The call came ahead of a BMA Scotland Health Hustings in Edinburgh. Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: “An honest debate is needed in this election campaign. Our politicians need to recognise the reality of the choices facing NHS Boards and cannot afford to make unrealistic commitments to secure votes. There is room for improvement on how the Scottish Government manages the health service, in particular the role of clinicians in planning and developing services for the benefit of patient care. This should not be a process stymied by bureaucracy but a partnership between managers and doctors to improve the efficiency of our services whilst protecting the quality of care. It is this message of leadership that we will be campaigning on throughout this election period.” Dr Keighley also warned that the spending cuts facing the NHS mean that politicians would have to decide what the NHS can and cannot afford to deliver. Doctors are pleased that across the political spectrum, parties are as committed as we are to an NHS that is properly resourced, comprehensive, free at the point of delivery and provides equal access for all. These are the principles upon which the NHS was based and upon which it must continue. Dr Keighley added: “However the range and level of services available now are more comprehensive and complex and patient expectations higher. To protect the principle of universal free healthcare, politicians must lead an open and honest debate with the public about what the NHS can and cannot deliver.”
Appeal Following M25 Fatal Collision
Traffic police are appealing for witnesses and information following a fatal collision on the M25 last week. Police were called at approximately 9.30pm on Thursday 17 March to the M25 between junction 24 and 25 to reports a car transporter had fallen on its side across the carriageway. A number of cars which were loaded on the transporter had also come away from the carriage. Officers, ambulance service, fire brigade and units from Hertfordshire Police attended the scene and parts of the motorway were closed off to traffic. The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed. The driver has been formally identified as David Sciberras, 42, from Malta. A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as multiple injuries and an inquest opened and adjourned at Barnet Coroner's Court on Monday 21 March. Officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit at Chadwell Heath are conducting enquiries into the circumstances of the collision. The lorry was a fully loaded, Maltese registered transporter and overturned just prior to the off slip to junction 25 on the M25. Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the incident or observed anything unusual about the vehicle as it travelled around the M25 to get in touch.
Huhne Invests Energy In Scottish Renewables
Chris Huhne vowed to leave no stone unturned in support of Scottish renewable energy projects.
The Energy and Climate Change Secretary said: “If we are to meet our climate change targets, Scotland will be mission critical. Success here will define our low carbon legacy. I know that every day that projects are delayed is an extra day we rely on dirty energy, an extra cost for the industry - and an extra cost for consumers. My job as Energy Secretary is not to give you warm words. My job is to go through step-by-step, breaking through the barriers - so that you can get on with the job of delivering renewable energy in the simplest, quickest and cheapest way.” Speaking at the Scottish Renewables conference in Glasgow, he announced a new agreement between DECC and the Ministry of Defence, Department for Transport, Civil Aviation Authority, National Air Traffic Service, Scottish Government and the renewables industry to urgently seek solutions to unlock opposition from aviation - radar problems in particular - to onshore wind. He also asked his officials to examine what scope there may be for him to use his powers under section 185 of the Energy Act 2004 to adjust transmission charges for renewables in a particular area, such as the Scottish islands, once Ofgem has finished its Project TransmiT review of transmission charging arrangements.
(BMcN/GK)
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28 March 2013
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Record High For Scotland's Renewable Energy
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has said Scotland generated 7% more renewable energy in 2012 than the previous year. In its latest report, it said 14,600 Gigawatt hours were generated in Scotland from renewable energy sources such as wind and hydro.
24 September 2008
EDF To Takeover British Energy
The Government welcomed EDF's proposed £12.5 billion takeover offer for British Energy Group and the British Energy Board's recommendation of the offer to its shareholders. The Government has committed to accept the cash offer of 774p per share for its 36% stake held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF), subject to certain conditions.
EDF To Takeover British Energy
The Government welcomed EDF's proposed £12.5 billion takeover offer for British Energy Group and the British Energy Board's recommendation of the offer to its shareholders. The Government has committed to accept the cash offer of 774p per share for its 36% stake held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF), subject to certain conditions.
02 August 2004
Wave power gets £50m research funding
A £50 million fund aimed at harnessing wave and tidal stream power as a potential source of renewable energy has been announced by Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt today.
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15 October 2008
Marks & Spencer To Launch Energy With SSE
Marks & Spencer has announced a partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to launch M&S Energy. M&S Energy will supply electricity and gas to domestic customers and reward them with M&S store vouchers for helping the environment by reducing their energy usage.
Marks & Spencer To Launch Energy With SSE
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22 February 2011
Energy Forum Marks Milestone In Efforts
Speaking at the International Energy Forum (IEF) ministerial meeting in Saudi Arabia today, UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry highlighted the importance of international efforts to stabilise the cost of energy sources.
Energy Forum Marks Milestone In Efforts
Speaking at the International Energy Forum (IEF) ministerial meeting in Saudi Arabia today, UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry highlighted the importance of international efforts to stabilise the cost of energy sources.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
