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Going Green is the New Black
MOST of us are
wasting hundreds of pounds every year just by failing to turn off
lights and other appliances around the home. With energy bills
supposedly on the increase, saving cash around the house is a bonus
for everyone. And going green is very much the new black in light of
the Government having just announced plans to make Britain the 1st
nation in the world to set legal limits on its carbon emissions.
Global warming is a big issue, and recent flooding in some areas
across the UK really highlights just how important it is that we all
make some life changes to help the situation. Even small changes
will make a big difference and there is no need for them to cost the
earth! Reducing carbon emissions from your home will reduce the
impact you have on the environment and shrink your carbon footprint.
The Oil Firing Technical Association, OFTEC, is recommending a few
simple steps that could help you to save the pennies and the planet
too. OFTEC's Barry Edge said:- "If householders make a
few simple changes they will be amazed by how much money they can
save, just by turning the television off or by being more careful
with the water they use. Being kind to the planet is becoming
increasingly important to everyone and these simple steps could also
save cash."
Here are OFTEC's top tips:-
Cut the power
Turning off televisions, stereos and computers when they are not in
use is an easy way to save money and reduce power usage.
Adjust your
thermostat
Turning down your thermostat by just one degree can save you money
on your heating bills and saves fuel.
Insulate your home
Make sure your home is properly insulated. Houses lose a third of
their heat through outside walls.
Use energy
efficient products
Most home appliances (white goods) have an energy efficiency rating.
G is the least efficient and A is the highest. Efficient goods will
reduce energy needs.
Keep your heat in
Heat escapes through windows so make sure they're properly sealed
and close your curtains at dusk. Perhaps consider getting double
glazing.
Change your boiler
for a condensing one
Oil condensing boilers have efficiencies of up to 97% and so will
dramatically help you to reduce carbon emissions, as well as saving
money on your fuel bills.
Opt for renewable
energy
Renewable energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines
are becoming increasingly popular and will reduce your home's carbon
dioxide emissions. OFTEC has a program underway to agree upon a
suitable blend of liquid biofuel for the heating sector, so that oil
users can change over with minimal cost as biofuel becomes
increasingly sustainable.
Don't waste water
Save water and energy by only boiling what you actually need when
you use the kettle. Having a shower rather than a bath will reduce
water wastage and means you aren't heating so much water. Fixing
dripping taps also stops you from paying to heat water which is then
going straight down the drain.
Set your clock
Most people will have a programmer that allows you to control when
your heating and hot water goes on and off. If you haven't you might
consider investing in one so you aren't paying to heat space or
water for nothing.
Recycle
Reducing household rubbish is easy if you recycle and it means that
there is less rotting rubbish in landfill sites. Old rubbish
produces methane which is 20 times more dangerous for the
environment than carbon dioxide.
Don't waste heat by
Investing in a Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV), a valve fitted to
radiators where you set the desired heat rather than the flow, will
regulate heat. These are inexpensive and prevent unnecessary output
from your radiators. Ask your plumber for further details.
Most of the energy used by washing machines is on heating up the
water, so turning the temperature down to a slightly cooler wash
could save you lots of money. Wait until you have a full load of
washing, or use the half load button, to save energy.
OFTEC operates a Competent Persons Scheme. All of its members are
competent, qualified and insured to carry out oil firing work in
your home. They can also advise on energy efficiency. Any work
done on heating systems or appliances, except for routine service
and maintenance, must be notified to Local Authority Building
Control (LABC). OFTEC advises that you always use a fully qualified
trades person, who will register the job properly. The Department
for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) maintains a list of
'Competent
Persons' schemes for England & Wales, with fully qualified and
registered trades people.
Anyone belonging to the OFTEC Registered Technicians scheme can self
certify and approve their own work on oil installations without
involving LABC. But if you choose to use someone who isn't
registered with a 'Competent Person' scheme like OFTEC, then you
will have to obtain a Building Control Notice and arrange for an
inspection which can be costly and time consuming. Either way, you
should receive a certificate stating that any works undertaken in
your home comply with the current Building Regulations. Not only
does this provide peace of mind, but could come in handy when
selling your home and proving that any work done meets legal
requirements.
There are over 9,500 Registered Businesses and Technicians
throughout the UK and Ireland. To find an OFTEC Registered
Technician in your area log on to
www.oftec.org. You can
also find a list under the OFTEC logo in the 'Heating Engineers'
section of your local pages.
SPEED CUT FOR BOY RACERS
BOY racers in
Southport could be forced into the slow lane if a proposal to cut
the maximum speed limits of cars is agreed in Brussels next week.
The plan is part of a report on curbing CO2 emissions from new cars
written by local Euro-MP Chris Davies.
The Liberal Democrat spokesman on the environment in the European
Parliament is calling for average emissions from new cars to be cut
by more than a quarter by 2015, and by 42% by 2020, purely by
technical improvements. On Tuesday 12 September the
environment committee will vote on Mr Davies package of proposals.
Fast car enthusiasts across the world are in uproar at his most
controversial move to limit the maximum speed limit on new cars. Mr
Davies says that new vehicles should not be awarded type approval if
they are built to exceed the maximum speed limit of 130 kilometres
per hour applying in most European countries by more than 25%
(162kmh or 101mph).
The Liberal Democrat MEP said:- "Cars designed to go at stupid
speeds have to be built to withstand the effects of a crash at those
speeds. They are heavier than necessary, less fuel efficient and
produce too many emissions. At a time when Europe is worried
about its energy security it is sheer lunacy to approve the sale of
gas guzzling cars designed to travel at dangerous speeds that the
law does not permit."
The MEP is also calling for a major shift in the advertising of new
cars, with 20% of all space devoted to information about fuel
economy and CO2 emissions.
Mr Davies said:- "We give information to smokers about the
effects of cigarettes, so why should we not insist that car makers
give customers more information about emissions from the vehicles
they sell?"
Some 19% of all Europe's carbon emissions come from passenger cars
and light-commercial vehicles. Absolute volumes of CO2 continue to
rise because of the growing number of cars on the roads, their
greater size and much increased power.
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TREASURY WAITS VULTURE-LIKE FOR FIRST BABY BOOMER GENERATION TO POP
ITS CLOGS
THE UK is
highly unlikely to follow the French example of a relaxation in
Inheritance Tax (IHT) laws* – as the spoils due from the ageing baby
boomer generation are crucial to the Exchequer’s long-term planning,
argues WAY Group. With the first wave of the 17 million** baby
boomers born between 1945 and 1965 now in or preparing for imminent
retirement, Paul Wilcox, chairman of fund manager and IHT planning
specialist WAY Group says an onerous UK IHT policy is here to stay.
“Chancellor Alastair Darling, like his predecessor Gordon
Brown, will be loathe to extend any tax breaks to this group – the
first truly well off generation for the most part property wealthy
individuals,” he says. “The fact is that the revenue
from IHT is central to the Government’s core planning, and the
current baby boomers who are now retired or about to retire will
start to die off within the next decade or so, and the Treasury is
licking its lips in anticipation of some bumper pay days.”
As a result of increasing property prices, increasing numbers are
being hit by 40% tax on everything they own over the IHT threshold
when they die.
“Revenues are up by more than 50% in the past 5 years and the
Government expects to raise £4bn from death duties in this tax
year,” adds Wilcox. “Even accounting for longer
life expectancy because of medical advances, less smoking and more
informed diet and exercise programmes, the first true baby boomer
generation – those born immediately after the end of WW II – should
be putting serious IHT planning in place. Property continues
to be a major source of IHT revenue for the Government”.
The number of homes valued above the IHT threshold has nearly
doubled in 5 years (Halifax House Price Index, August 07), with the
average detached house in London, the South East and the South West
worth more than £300,000.
“When you think that those first baby boomers most likely
bought their first homes in the mid to late Sixties, when the
average semi could be picked up for less than £5,000, you get an
idea of the kind of wealth built up in many of these families.
Even if they are short of cash or other assets, the vast majority of
households from this generation are not in a position to give away
their homes before they die to bring their net wealth under the IHT
threshold of £300,000.”
Baby boomer facts:-
Every 40 seconds someone in Britain turns 50
By 2035 over 40% of the UK will be over 50
Over 50 year olds control 80% of the nation’s personal wealth
*Up to 95 per cent of the French population will not have to pay
inheritance tax upon the death of their parents, following changes
to IHT laws. The new legislation raises the inheritance tax
threshold from €50,000 to €150,000 per parent for each child. For
nephews and nieces the new threshold will only be €7,500, while for
brothers and sisters the threshold rises from €5,000 to €15,000.
** ONS August 2007
The
Bishop of Liverpool wishes to appoint an...
- INCUMBENT to the
parish of St Luke Formby (The Church in the Pinewoods). A
friendly and hardworking parish (electoral role 250) with
growth potential situated in a pleasant coastal location.
-
- We are guided by scripture
in our mission in the parish and have a significant overseas
link.
We seek someone who can show:-
- experience of inspirational leadership
- a balanced approach to ministry and worship
- a gift to connect with young families
- commitment to outreach
- ability to care for the congregation
- commitment to bible based teaching
- We can offer you:-
- - shared desire to grow the
church
- supportive, friendly and hardworking membership
- modern house next to the church
- delightful area with good schools
Website:-
http://stlukes.merseyside.org
THIS POST WILL ALSO
BE SUBJECT TO A SEARCH FOR SUITABLE CANDIDATES
Information pack and
application form available on request from:-
Mrs Barbara Mackie, Secretary to the Archdeacon of Liverpool....
St. James’ House, 20 St. James Road, Liverpool L1 7BY
Phone:- 0151 705 2154 or
email.
Closing Date:- 5
October 2007 Interviews:- 19 October 2007
Post subject to CRB enhanced disclosure 'The Diocese of
Liverpool' is committed to equal opportunities in all
appointments.
83 year old man wounded in St Helens
MERSEYSIDE
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information following a
wounding incident in which an 83 year old man suffered two broken
legs.
The incident happened at 4pm on July 13 at the canal side on Todd
Road, near to the Matalan store. The 83 year old man and his 51 year
old nephew were packing up fishing equipment when they noticed a
group of youths walking towards them. The older man turned to face
the canal as the group walked passed and both he and his nephew were
pushed into the canal.
The younger man did not suffer any injuries in the incident but the
older man broke both his legs. He remains in hospital and may not be
able to regain his ability to walk.
Following the incident, the group of youths are believed to have
left in the direction of Watts Clift Way.
The victim's 78 year old wife, who has asked not to be identified,
named only as Margery, said:- "It is an absolute disgrace what
has happened and the people responsible should have their names
published in the paper when they are caught, so that people know who
they are and what they did.
It was so cowardly what they did."
Margery said she visits her husband daily in hospital:- "He
keeps apologising to me for having to visit the hospital. It is
typical of him to think of others first.
These youths have stopped him from fishing and they have taken the
joy from his life - he lived for his fishing.
If you know anything about the youths who did this, please contact
the police.
Devastating effect"
Merseyside Police has also released CCTV images of three youths they
believe may hold information which is vital to the investigation.
Detectives are urging them to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Brunskill said:- "We are
treating this offence as wounding. It has had a devastating effect
on the victim, as well as his wife and family.
This incident happened at quite a busy location, close to the
Matalan store, and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at
the time and believes they may have witnessed something to come
forward.
I am particularly keen to speak to the three people whose images we
have released today. I believe they may have information which could
prove vital to our investigation. If you are the parents of one of
the youngsters pictured, please make contact with police."
Anyone with information is asked to contact St Helens CID on 0151
777 1577 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Southport International Street Market September 2007
GERAUD Markets
Liverpool Limited, has confirmed the Rendez-vous for the 1st
Southport International Street Market of 2007 on Lord Street and
Chapel Street from 14 to 16 September 2007. The new International
Street Market for 2007 promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The market will consist of over 40 traders from France, Germany,
Holland, Italy, Iran, Poland, UK and Spain offering a wide range of
Continental goods. Products on offer include fruit,
vegetables, cheeses, craft items, jams and preserves, olives,
antipasties, German/Polish/French bread, Dutch plants plus many
traditional dishes to take away such as Bavarian Sausage, Spanish
paella, garlic potatoes, French crepes, waffles and toasted
baguettes.
The market will operate from 9.00am Friday and Saturday in Lord
Street and Chapel Street and finish at 5.00pm. On Sunday the
opening hours will be from 10.00am to 5.00pm.
Groupe Geraud Chief
Executive, Andy Burnett, said;- “The Company is very happy
with the progress it has made during its partnership and looks
forward to building upon the previous success.
This year’s
International Street Market events are expected to be even better
than before and the company looks forward to giving the town it’s
first truly “International Experience.””
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