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Majority of UK SMEs remain focused on improving their environmental sustainability despite COVID-19, according to Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s Business Barometer. More than half (54%) of UK SMEs reported that becoming more environmentally sustainable is important to their business – ten points fewer than the proportion that said the same in 2019 (64%). Paul Gordon, Managing Director, SME & Mid-Corporates, Lloyds...

Projects of energy advice for expectant mothers and families with low income, reducing risk of fuel poverty for harder to reach and BME communities and in-depth support for 1,500 vulnerable households are among the projects to secure funding in the latest round of the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. Managed and delivered by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of...

The minimum price of a single use carrier bag is set to increase from 5p to 10p in Scotland, with the Scottish Parliament to be asked to approve the increase from the 1st April 2021. The carrier bag charge was first introduced in Scotland in October 2014. Prior to this, 800 million single use carrier bags were issued annually in Scotland. Environment...

The Welsh Government has published a White Paper setting out plans for a Clean Air (Wales) Bill, which seeks to protect the health of the nation and defend ecosystems from pollutants in atmosphere, in law. Consultation on the White Paper has also been launched. Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, commented:  "Breathing clean air and having access...

As part of plans to give Wales 'the most comprehensive building safety regime in the UK', a new white paper has been launched for consultation. The Building Safety White Paper sets out proposals to reform legislation that contributes to building safety in Wales, covering all multi-occupied residential buildings from houses converted into two flats to high-rise apartment blocks. Housing Minister Julie...

The Environment Agency seeks views on a new nuclear power station design as it publishes its assessment so far of the UK Hualong Pressurised water Reactor (UK HPR1000). The UK HPR1000 is based on the Hualong one power plant, which is designed by China General Nuclear Group. Alongside the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency assesses the acceptability of new nuclear...

Consumer Council for Water (CCW), an independent representative of household and business water consumers in England and Wales, has launched a consultation on their draft blueprint for 2021 to 2024. The draft strategy sets out CCW's mission, strategic objectives and campaigns for the next three years. To deliver their mission to 'secure a fair deal for water consumers now and in the...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce that the UK will commit at least £3 billion to climate change solutions that protect and restore nature and biodiversity over five years. The funding will be allocated from the UK’s existing commitment of £11.6bn for international climate finance. Programmes supported by the funding will include the Blue Planet Fund for marine conservation,...

Alok Sharma has been appointed as full-time President of the UN COP26 climate conference in Glasgow this November, while Kwasi Kwarteng has been appointed as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The COP26 President will be based in the Cabinet COP26,Office, continuing as a full member of Cabinet, and will chair the Climate Action Implementation Committee to...

Electric bikes, food growing equipment and glazing to improve energy efficiency are among the total of 279 projects, which will be funded through the Community Climate Asset Fund. The Community Climate Asset Fund is administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of the Climate Challenge Fund initiative. The recipients of the Fund include: Blood Bikes Scotland who have been awarded £24,896...