Day: 10 July 2026

Standard Life donates £1.1 million to carers charities over two years of ‘Caring for Carers’ initiative

Stuart Mitchell

This yeas Carers Week, Standard Life marked the two-year anniversary of Caring for Carers. Caring for Carers aims to help unpaid carers stay in or return to work, build financial confidence and access practical support. The initiative was set up for Standard Life colleagues, customers, and communities outside of the business, who often face challenges balancing their caring commitments with work. Since its launch in 2024, Standard Life has supported 65,196 carers directly, with over 2.3 million supported indirectly. Alongside this, it has donated £1.1 million for carers charity partners. …

Read More

Over half of UK adults are considering solar as energy price fears rise

Stuart Mitchell

British households are turning to solar panels at a pace as energy costs continue to climb and global instability fuels concerns about future price shocks. New research commissioned by Good Energy reveals that 91% of UK adults are concerned geopolitical instability will continue to drive up long-term electricity prices. While just 15% UK households currently have solar panels installed, more than half (51%) say recent geopolitical instability has increased their interest in installing solar in the next one to two years. This rising anxiety comes against a backdrop of already‑stretched…

Read More

National Grid’s £250k Community Matters Fund (Green Spaces) is now open for applications.

Stuart Mitchell

This summer, National Grid Electricity Distribution, in partnership with Localgiving, will support organisations that improve access to, protect, and enhance green spaces for local communities. The latest phase of the highly impactful Community Matters Fund will provide £250,000 to support communities across the Midlands, Southwest England and South Wales to enhance their local environments and create healthier, more connected places is now accepting applications.  The Fund opened on Tuesday 9th June and will close at 5pm on Friday 26th June.  The fund will award grants of up to £2,000 for unregistered organisations. Registered charities and non-profit companies can apply…

Read More

Detected from space: 20 years of data shows declining photosynthesis in UK and surrounding waters

Stuart Mitchell

A new study by scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has revealed a significant long-term decline in ocean productivity across large parts of the north-east Atlantic, raising concerns about the future health of marine food webs, fisheries and the ocean’s ability to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide.  Using more than two decades of satellite observations, researchers analysed changes in microalgae net primary production – the process by which microscopic marine plants convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into organic matter, which forms the foundation of marine ecosystems.  The study, led by PML’s Dr Gavin Tilstone and Dr Peter Land, examined satellite data spanning 1997 to 2018…

Read More

The Earth is accumulating heat at an accelerating rate. Global warming reached 1.37°C in 2025

Stuart Mitchell

Strong and consistent evidence shows that the entire climate system is continuing to heat, driving rapid global warming. Human activities pushed global warming to 1.37°C in 2025, and its level is projected to surpass 1.5°C in about four years. Crucially, the rate at which heat is accumulating in the Earth system suggests high levels of future warming. These are some of the key findings from the latest Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC) report, published recently in Earth System Science Data. An international team of more than 70 scientists, including…

Read More