Sarah Jones - 'Free advice will help pubs and venues save cash on energy bills'
Our hospitality sector has been hit incredibly hard, with thousands of pubs serving pints and providing a meeting place for our communities closing their doors one last time over the last 15 years.
These establishments scattered across our country, that are steeped in British tradition and heritage, are being swallowed up because of matters out of their control.
Many of our favourite pubs and venues have faced soaring energy costs as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine – leaving us at the whim of global oil and gas prices.
That is why we are driving towards clean power, getting us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices.
We are also rolling out schemes to provide direct support for our cash-strapped hospitality sector – helping to protect your local boozer or café.
Over 600 pubs, hotels, restaurants and cafes will take part in a trial to receive free advice on how they can become more efficient and cut their energy bills, as part of the government's Plan for Change.
This will save small businesses £3 million, so they can keep more money in their pockets to grow their business, employ local people and continue to serve your pint of lager or fish and chips.
Businesses will have the expertise at their fingertips to make straightforward changes to save money and cut emissions so they can focus on growing the businesses they are passionate about.
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This is exactly what businesses have been asking for, with a recent report from the Federation of Small Businesses finding that 64% of small businesses think sustainability should be a high priority for the government, but only 26% of small businesses believe they have the know-how to make their business net zero.
Through this support, businesses are also estimated to cut 2,700 tonnes of carbon over the year – helping the sector go green while cutting their bills.
By delivering this support, we are continuing to move forward with our plan to support British businesses - turbocharging growth, creating thousands of good jobs and a building a more sustainable future for our country.
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The Independent
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On the surface, it was a dream reciprocal alliance. Musk reportedly contributed some $250m to support Trump and other Republicans in the November elections, while Trump, impressed with the disruptive energy of the tech billionaire, got him to head up the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). But just five months later, their relationship appears to be blowing up in a spectacularly explosive fashion. This week, Musk, whose Tesla business has been hit hard by his association with the president, slammed Trump's flagship tax and spending bill, calling it a 'disgusting abomination'. The outburst came just days after an Oval Office send-off from the president, which was attended by Musk sporting a black eye. Trump presented him with a brown box containing a large golden key emblazoned with the White House insignia, which he said he only gave to 'very special people'. Less than a week has passed and that special relationship is now becoming one of enmity and rage. Musk's resentment toward Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', was on full display on X/Twitter when the tech billionaire wrote: 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore, this massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that Trump was aware of Musk's stance on the bill, a package that cuts trillions in taxes while scaling back programmes like Medicaid and subsidies that benefit Tesla. Leavitt tried to downplay the conflict, saying Musk's view 'doesn't change the president's opinion' of him, though tensions have clearly been simmering. The Independent noted this week that concerns Musk raised about the administration's crackdown on immigration (he wanted access to the world's best scientific brains, regardless of where they're from) were routinely ignored. 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STV News
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The Independent
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