Liverpool turns off appliances the most to save energy

AUTO switching energy service 'The Labrador' has released extraordinary research into the full array of ways that we as a nation; with a focus on Liverpool; attempt to save money. From the wacky and weird to the savvy and slick, Brits also revealed their most common cash saving methods. With so many in the Region trying to save money by not turning the heating on, The Labrador, delivers savings of up to ₤537 per annum, presenting a much easier alternative to the disheartening cut backs.

They found that Liverpudlians are the most likely in the country to unplug or turn off appliances at the wall rather than leaving them on standby. They are also the most likely to freeze food past its sell by date as a money saving technique. The data shows that 25% of respondents in Liverpool have washed their children in the same bathwater to save money, 28% of respondents also admitted to using washing up water to water the garden. The research shows that 12% of those in Liverpool have washed their clothes in the shower whilst they are still in there.

Within Liverpool the statistics found that:-

► 64% of us unplug or turn off appliances at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.

► 22% have stocked up on free condiments from cafes and restaurants.

► 12% of us wash our clothes whilst we are also in the bath or shower.

► 56% freeze food to eat after its use by date.

► 5% use office or gym shower facilities to reduce home utility bills.

► 60% put on extra layers so they don't have to turn on the heating.

► 8% keep a jug of water close to the sink for multiple rounds of washing up.

► 11% would take their children out of School to save money on a term time holiday.

► 28% reuse washing up water to water the garden.

► 8% steal office supplies, such as toilet roll or washing up liquid, to use at home.

From a nationally representative sample of 2,007 respondents, thrifty revelations include:- washing our clothes in the shower with us, to allowing friends to take over on our beauty treatments, all resulting with the ultimate saving falling short of the effort invested.

►  13.5 million people (26%) have stocked up on free condiments from cafes and restaurants.

►  10% - nearly 5 million of us wash our clothes whilst we are also in the bath or shower.

►  52% - over 27 million of us unplug or turn off appliances at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.

►  48% freeze food to eat after its use by date.

►  7 million (13%) use office or gym shower facilities to reduce home utility bills.

►  28 million of us (55%) put on extra layers so they don't have to turn on the heating.

►  4 million Brits (8%) keep a jug of water close to the sink for multiple rounds of washing up.

►  15 million people would take their children out of School to save money on a term time holiday.

►  27% reuse washing up water to water the garden.

►  7 million (13%) steal office supplies, such as toilet roll or washing up liquid, to use at home.

►  25 million (48%) buy in bulk to save costs on household produce.

►  Nearly 6 million (11%) get to the hairdressers with wet hair to avoid the full cost of wash, cut and blow dry.

►  28% ask friends to carry out our beauty treatments or cut our hair rather than visit professionals.

►  12.5 million (24%) wash the kids in the same bathwater while another 23% would do in the future.

►  3.5 million (7%) take a vacation or go away at Christmas to save having to buy gifts for others.

The resounding statistics unveil the true extent of the nation's commitment to saving money, with many of the measures revealed requiring a truly extensive dedication of time and effort.

Jane Lucy, CEO of The Labrador, commented on the research saying:- "The money saving measures revealed in this survey; as imaginative as they are; require a huge amount of time and effort just to save a few pounds. We need a new kind of service that takes the burden away from the consumer and hands them back their free time and cheaper energy for life. Services like Labrador, that leverages smart technology to disrupt the energy switching market by automating and making accurate, energy switching for residential consumers.."

But as many in Liverpool would add, using the well known advertisement slogan:- "Every penny counts."  So what we think Jane Lucy should say is:- "In addition to those savings, why not use services like 'Labrador Retriever' to add even more pounds to your pocket."

What are your views on this report?  Do you agree?  Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Liverpool Schools Investment Programme helps City students achieve more

WITH this year's GCSE results fresh in, students in Liverpool have seen their grades rise compared with previous years.

The number of GCSE students gaining a 4 (the equivalent to a C) or higher has risen to nearly 60%. Figures for Maths results at grade 4 or higher have risen to nearly 65%and the City is now higher than the national average for English results, with 72% of students achieving grade 4 or above.

It's a testament to the hard work and determination of the young people and their families and the passion and professionalism of their teachers.

Part of this year's success could also be attributed to the fact that many of the City's students have benefited from ultra modern new learning environments thanks to the Liverpool Schools Investment Programme (LSIP).

The Liverpool Schools Investment Programme (LSIP), was created in the wake of the scrapping of the national Building Schools for the Future programme in 2010.

Spearheaded by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, the scheme generated more than ₤180M in Council and Government funding. In just five years a total of 22 Schools have benefited from the project.

It meant that 15 of the City's Schools have been completely re-built, 3 more have benefited from significant new builds, whilst a further four have received new extensions and other buildings.

One of those to benefit was the new Archbishop Blanch School in Picton. The ₤16m new building includes new sports facilities, theatre and dance studio, plus a new prayer room with stained glass from the 2 founding Schools. This year the School has celebrated its best ever GCSE results.

Archbishop Blanch Headteacher Heather Duggan is 1 of those who believes the modern environment has had an impact on learning.

Heather said:- "It's a building which inspires young people when they walk through the doors, in terms of achieving, giving them a positive feel. A lot of what you see in our new School and a lot of the impact we have had with the results has been because we have been able to plan in strategies in terms of behaviour management, in terms of teaching and learning, through the design of the building and the interior. The concept of the new School design was a very brave decision because I don't believe another authority that has been able to, in a short space of time, design, build and deliver on so many new Schools that the Mayoral scheme has seen."

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson recently revisited the new Archbishop Blanch School to see the improvements at 1st hand.

Mayor Anderson said:- "This is an amazing building which is helping to bring real improvements to our children's education. This was a real win; win situation for us because we are using the site of the old Archbishop Blanch School to develop the ₤1bn Paddington Village site. In turn, the development of this site will undoubtedly open up opportunities for our young people in years to come. The investment in our School building programme was an investment in our future generations and the future of our City."

For more information on the Liverpool Schools Investment Programme visit:- Liverpool.Gov.UK and search:- 'Liverpool Schools Investment Programme.'