Tag: gov
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The Elder Scrolls 6 release date is absolutely a long way off at this point, with the still-unknown Starfield release date set way before the next Bethesda RPG game that dives into the world of Tamriel. While we all wait for the release date, it looks like the UK government may already know it, even if they have smartly redacted any mention of it from official documents.
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Plan for three-hour blackouts revealed in gov documents – here’s exact time your home would be affected
A PLAN for three-hour blackouts has been revealed in government documents – and they show the time your home would be affected.
The Electricity Supply Emergency Code (ESEC) gives the PM sweeping powers to introduce rolling blackouts across the UK to conserve electricity.
Blackouts could cause misery for millions across the UK if they take place this winter[/caption]
Blackouts would be introduced in case of an emergency scenario where there is a massive shortage of gas.
Government documents, which were created before the current energy crisis, show how this would play out.
It comes as the National Grid warned that power cuts could become a regular occurrence during cold January and February nights if electricity generators run out of gas.
The gov plans are split into several stages with the first being direct appeals to the public to reduce their power consumption.
The second is slapping restrictions on companies’ electricity usage by requiring them to drop their consumption by a certain per cent.
The final stage, dubbed “rota disconnections”, would be rolling blackouts for homes across the UK.
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The documents also break down where and when the blackouts could take place in an emergency scenario using “load blocks”.
Power in Britain is provided by a handful of suppliers who divide their distribution into 18 of these blocks, which work like postcodes.
Each “block” is assigned a letter between A and U, except for the letters F, I and O, which are not used.
You’ll be able to find yours in an electricity bill. If not, get in touch with your electricity provider to find out.
For example, looking at Level 1 on the document (above), if you live in block A, you would have a power cut on Monday 12:30am to 3:30am, Wednesday 3:30pm to 6:30pm and on Sunday 12:30am to 3:30am.
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These blackouts will be based on where you live and how power is supplied to your home, which means your neighbours might not experience a blackout while you do.
Households belonging to each “load block” are scattered across the country, so one area isn’t in complete blackout at the same time.
Blackouts could occur every day of the week in eight three-hour slots, with the first starting at 00:30 to 3:30am and ending with 9:30pm to 12.30am, according to the document.
Power cuts will be based on a 18 levels of severity which differ depending on the availability of gas supplies.
The first would see rolling blackouts three to four times a week, either at the start or the end of the week.
Level two would see power cuts occur six times a week and level three will disrupt electricity flows to households for 27 hours a week.
Level nine is the point at which homes face spending more time without power than with while the most feared scenario is a “total shutdown” of power supply indefinitely.
Certain “protected sites” like hospitals, food manufacturers, oil refineries, some ports, financial services, essential water and sewerage installations, major airports and digital and telecommunication services will dodge the worst of it – but not for long.
They may be forced to reduce consumption in the worst of circumstances, while priority is given to the “maintenance of life” and to “minimising the risk of disasters”.
Meanwhile, the BBC has prepared secret scripts for use during blackouts this winter.
The scripts set out how the broadcaster would attempt to reassure the public should there be a “major loss of power”.
Brits would be advised to use car radios or battery-powered receivers to listen to emergency broadcasts on FM and long-wave frequencies usually reserved for Radio 2 and Radio 4, according to a Guardian report.
One draft script, seen by the paper, warns a blackout could last for as long as two days, with hospitals and police put under “extreme pressure”.
Russia has threatened to turn off gas supplies to Europe this winter in retaliation over its support for Ukraine.
Moscow has already been accused of sabotaging the Nord Stream pipelines with “pig” drones packed with explosives, which suffered catastrophic damage earlier this month.
Though the UK does not rely on imported gas from Russia, it will be hit by a supply shortage in Europe, which is where it sources most of its gas and electricity.
A Government spokesperson said: “The UK has a secure and diverse energy system.
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“To strengthen this position further, we have put plans in place to secure supply and National Grid, working alongside energy suppliers and Ofgem, will launch a voluntary service to reward users who reduce demand at peak times.’
“But Britons are already preparing for the worst case scenario by stocking-up on portable generators and torches in addition to winter clothing, thermal underwear and candles, according to industry reports.”
Brit families could face average energy bills of up to £5,000 after Gov policy U-turn
BRITS could face energy bills of up to £5,000 from April, it was reported last night.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that the energy price guarantee, which limits average bills to £2,500, will come to an end in the spring.
The move would mean that energy bills could go uncapped for the majority of households[/caption]
Energy bills were initially set to be frozen for the typical household for two years, but this policy will now end in April, pending a government review.
After April, help will be targeted at hard-up households, although details of this were not revealed yesterday.
It could see some families’ energy bills skyrocket to as much as £5,000, according to The Times.
It comes as the new Chancellor announced a number of mega mini-Budget U-turns yesterday in a bid to calm markets.
He ripped up the planned 1p cut to the basic tax rate indefinitely, as well as scrapping VAT for foreign tourists visiting the UK and freezing alcohol duty rates from next year.
Only a handful of policies survived, including the Stamp Duty cut and reversal of National Insurance rate hikes.
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He also announced the energy price guarantee scheme, which rolled out in October 1, will only be in place until April – and it could mean the £2,500 cap will be ditched after that.
It could mean millions will see their energy bills soar once the guarantee is up.
Mr Hunt said a Treasury-led review on how energy bills will be supported after April will be launched.
He said help after this point would be targeted to those most affected by big price rises, and will incentivise energy efficiency.
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He said it “would not be responsible” to carry on the cap after that considering the “volatility” of the energy market.
The Energy Price Guarantee is a cap just on what firms can charge customers for each unit of gas and electricity.
This means that your bill could be higher depending on how much energy you use – so if you use more, expect to pay more.
The Prime Minister Liz Truss‘ initial plan was due to save the average household around £1,000 a year, and protects billpayers from further expected rises over the coming months.
Before the guarantee, bills were expected to soar this winter to over £3,500.
Instead, the most hard-up households will have the wholesale price of gas and electricity capped, while everyone else will no longer be protected from market prices.
This would mean that the prices for each unit of gas and electricity could fluctuate daily and lead to higher bills.
Laura Suter, head of personal finance at AJ Bell, said: “Scrapping all but six months of the Energy Price Guarantee will send shockwaves through households in the UK, who are once again going to be exposed to soaring energy prices and the prospect of a struggle to pay their bills.
“The indication from Mr Hunt is that help will be targeted at those who need it the most from April onwards, rather than universal support regardless of income. However, there’s no guarantee that the support will be meaningful after April.”
What energy bill help is coming?
From October the first, all households will start to receive a £400 energy bill discount.
The payment will be dished out by your energy supplier and will be split across six discounts between October and March next year.
Households will receive a £66 energy bill discount in October and November and a discount worth £67 in December, January, February and March.
In November, a £300 one-off “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” will be paid out to eight million households.
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It will be given to those who already get the winter fuel payment – which is worth between £100 and £300 for those over the state pension age.
Millions of households are in line to get the £150 Warm Home Discount between December and March 2023.