Discrimination of non-residents and more droughts

Steve and Sarah Barr were inspired by a friend's eco-home visit nine years ago, leading them to embark on a £500,000 project to transform a 17th-century schoolhouse in Middlewich, Cheshire. The retired couple are adding triple glazing, a heat pump, solar panels, a solar battery, and a ventilation system to make their home energy efficient while renovating the interior. Their goal is to demonstrate that even old buildings can be environmentally friendly and contribute to...

European Union nations are considering adjusting the binding gas storage targets to make them more flexible due to concerns over inflated gas prices, with countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands expressing reservations. The proposed changes include revising the requirement to fill gas storage to 90% of capacity by a range of October 1 to December 1, instead of the fixed deadline of November 1. The EU is also looking into burden-sharing tools to ensure...

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is providing compensation payments to around 57,000 benefit claimants who lost 'severe disability premiums' when transitioning from legacy benefits to universal credit. Following High Court rulings in 2018 and 2019, the DWP is hoping to complete the scheme by August 2025, with payments potentially reaching up to £5,000 per person. Eligibility for compensation requires receiving Universal Credit with an SDP element, and detailed information on the scheme has...

A coalition of leading charities is urging Labour to introduce new rental laws to prevent poorer tenants from being discriminated against by unfair guarantor rules. Research from Shelter shows that one in three renters struggle to provide a guarantor, affecting around 600,000 renters. The coalition is asking the housing secretary to amend the Renters' Rights Bill to limit guarantor liability and prevent landlords from abusing their power to request guarantors unnecessarily. Full Article

ESMA has issued a statement regarding the treatment of settlement fails under the CSDR penalty mechanism in light of the recent incident involving TARGET Services. The statement provides clarification on how to handle settlement fails, emphasizing the importance of adhering to guidelines to prevent future disruptions in the European financial markets. ESMA's guidance aims to ensure a more stable and resilient financial infrastructure in the EU. Full Article

Sir Keir Starmer has warned Vladimir Putin to take peace talks in Ukraine seriously and urged Western leaders to increase economic pressure to bring him to the negotiating table. A virtual summit of around 25 countries, including Britain, France, Australia, and Canada, will discuss how to support Kyiv in deterring Russian aggression. While there is hope for a ceasefire, Putin's resistance and delay tactics have raised concerns about his commitment to peace. Full Article