Plans for Inverness heat networks to be progressed further
Properties could be warmed by one or more facilities that extract heat from air, water or underground.Biomass, hydrogen and systems that draw thermal energy from warm water that households flush down drains could also be used.Many of the properties are currently heated by mains gas.Current estimated costs of a heat network in Inverness range from £30m to £54m.One of the proposed zones, the west bank of the River Ness has a "high level" of social housing and risk of fuel poverty, according to a report discussed by councillors this week.It also contains buildings with high heating demands, including Highland Council's headquarters, Eden Court arts venue, Inverness Leisure swimming pool complex and the city's botanic gardens.Another of the buildings, Inverness Ice Centre, has been struggling with its energy costs.Council officers said the area could benefit from a heat network.They said an energy centre could potentially be built on council-owned land near Highland Rugby Club's stadium.
The officials said the city centre was one of the highest density areas in Inverness with more than 298 buildings.They include shops, offices, hotels, Eastgate Shopping Centre and also Inverness Castle and the Town House.Longman is an industrial area and officers have suggested waste water heating and hydrogen systems could be used.Raigmore includes housing, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness Campus and new prison HMP Highland.
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
UK student bank accounts: the best perks, from railcards to cheap meals
This month, hundreds of thousands of students across the UK will receive some life-changing news that will determine where they spend the next few years of their lives. However, amid all the celebrations, as sixth-formers find out if they got into their first-choice university, and the (hopefully temporary) sorrows, as those whose exams did not go to plan scramble for a place through clearing, there are some important financial matters to think about. One of these is sorting out a student bank account. If you are heading to university, this account will be your constant companion over the next few years, so it is vital to pick one that works well for you. Many people select a student bank account after the A-level or Scottish highers results day, when they know where they are going. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, results day is 14 August, while in Scotland it is this coming Tuesday (5 August). At this time of year, high street banks and building societies dangle various tempting goodies in front of young people, knowing full well that some will stay on as customers for years – or even decades – after they have finished their studies and entered the world of work. However, for many, the most-important feature will be the size of the interest-free overdraft on offer. You are not required to have a student bank account – you could opt for a standard current account. However, those aimed at university-goers typically offer features you cannot get elsewhere. 'Students may be enticed by the free perks, but it is essential they compare the whole bundle alongside the 0% overdraft in the first instance,' says Rachel Springall, a finance expert at the website Interestingly, this year Martin Lewis's and the Save the Student website have chosen the same providers when it comes to their top four student accounts: Santander, NatWest and its Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) brand, and Nationwide. Once again, NatWest and RBS have been highlighted as the banks offering the most generous interest-free overdraft deals – up to £3,250 in the third year of study. That's assuming you are eligible for that amount. Santander is not as generous but it scores highly. That is partly because, with most banks, the quoted overdraft amounts are 'up to' and may only be available in your final year at university or only to those with a decent credit rating, whereas with Santander you are guaranteed the full £1,500 in years one to three, provided you meet the basic criteria, explains the Save the Student money advice website. Santander's free four-year young person's railcard is also a big draw. Here we look at the perks and interest-free overdrafts on offer from the main players. The freebies: £85 cashback (although down from £100 last year) and a free tastecard, valid for four years and offering two-for-one meals out and other dining discounts. NatWest and RBS say the tastecard is worth £79.99 a year, although at the time of writing, annual membership was available for £29.99. Interest-free overdraft: up to £2,000 from year one (limited to £500 in your first term). Up to £3,250 from year three onwards. Anything else? NatWest and RBS again came top in Save the Student's banking survey earlier this year, with student satisfaction scores of 4.34 and 4.32, respectively, out of five. The freebies: the Edge student account comes with a free four-year 16-25 railcard that the bank says is worth £115, offering students up to a third off most rail fares. There's a prize draw for those who open, or transfer to, the account before 17 October this year, with prizes ranging from £20 to £100,000. Also, you can pay into a regular savings account paying 5%, and get access to cashback and offers via the bank's Santander Boosts rewards programme. Interest-free overdraft: £1,500 for the first three years, provided you meet the basic criteria (registering for online banking and paying in a certain amount). This can increase to £1,800 in year four and £2,000 in year five if students continue with their studies. Anything else? Santander was once again the most commonly used bank among those surveyed by Save the Student, although its market share has dropped slightly to 18% from 21% last year. 'Even when I was at university, Santander were very popular,' says Tom Allingham, the communications director at Save the Student. 'They definitely make a conscious effort in that space.' However, in terms of overdrafts, NatWest and RBS 'are offering more than £1,000 more at the maximum level', he adds. The freebies: the building society offers £100 cashback and £120 worth of Just Eat vouchers, paid out as £10 a month over the first year. Interest-free overdraft: provided you meet the basic criteria, you are guaranteed a £1,000 0% overdraft in year one. It is then up to £2,000 in year two, and up to £3,000 in year three (and beyond, if applicable). Anything else? If you have, or open, a savings account with Nationwide as well, you could get an annual Fairer Share scheme payment. For the last three years running it has paid out £100 to eligible members. Some students will like the fact that Nationwide is a mutual (owned by its members rather than shareholders), gives 1% of its profits to charities, and has made a pledge to keep branches. The freebies: £100 cashback (down from £110 last year), plus £90 in Deliveroo vouchers (£15 a month for six months) provided they make a minimum number of transactions. Interest-free overdraft: up to £1,500 in years one to three, and then up to £2,000 in years four to six (if applicable). Anything else? With Lloyds's Everyday Offers scheme, students can earn up to 15% cashback at selected retailers. If they sign up to Deliveroo Students at the start of term, they will pay no delivery charges with Deliveroo Plus Silver on takeaway orders above £15 (restaurants) or £25 (grocery and retail shops). The freebies: no major freebies for new student account customers at the time of writing. Interest-free overdraft: up to £1,000 when you open the account. You can ask for an increase to up to £2,000 in year two and up to £3,000 in year three. Anything else? Students can access the bank's home&Away scheme, which offers discounts on matters such as shopping, dining and travel. They are also able to put money into an HSBC regular savings account paying 5%. The freebies: no major freebies on offer at the time of writing. Interest-free overdraft: up to £1,000 in year one (up to £500 during the first term), then up to £1,500 in year two and beyond. Anything else? Barclays has been the subject of demonstrations by anti-war activists and others. It has been criticised by some for providing financial services to defence companies supplying Israel. It says: 'Barclays provides a range of financial products and services to UK, US and European defence companies that supply Nato and its allies … Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.' The freebies: £100 cashback (down from £110 last year), plus £90 in Deliveroo vouchers (£15 a month for six months) provided they make a minimum number of transactions. Interest-free overdraft: up to £1,500 in years one to three, and then up to £2,000 in years four to six (if applicable). Anything else? With Halifax's Cashback Extras and Bank of Scotland's Everyday Offers, students can earn up to 15% cashback at retailers including Costa Coffee, Just Eat and Sainsbury's. The freebies: no major freebies on offer at the time of writing. Interest-free overdraft: £500 in the first six months, rising to £1,000 in months seven to nine, and up to £1,500 from month 10. Anything else? Students can earn 5% interest on account balances up to £500. They can access offers and discounts via the bank's My Rewards portal. As a student there will be many mornings where you stare lamentably at your bank balance. So you might as well pick an account that can offer some respite. In my case it was the Santander Edge student current account. I was sold on the free four-year 16-25 railcard. Throughout each year at university my railcard has come up trumps in a variety of ways. In my first year at university, it made home feel just that little bit closer. With a 33% saving on each fare, I was constantly spotted on platform 1 with a big bag of laundry. In my second year, my railcard served as a gateway to explore more of the country. I've ticked off new sporting venues, as well as Bristol and Stansted airports. Moving into my final year, as the crunch begins, my railcard will act as an enabler to complete valuable internships and work experience. My account also comes with a 0% overdraft, which is a reassuring presence should any part of university life catch up with me. There were a variety of options that didn't quite capture my eye. NatWest offered a tastecard letting you take advantage of restaurant deals and food discounts. In my case I found that after the first semester, the likelihood of eating out quickly diminishes. Student finance only stretches so far! Other accounts offered cashback at certain retailers, which, considering my limited record of high street spending, would have been wasted on me. Talking of the high street, the fact that there's a Santander branch in my university town was also a factor. My family is still wedded to the chequebook, so a place to deposit cheques, even in 2025, is greatly appreciated. Alfie Howlett is studying a three-year BA journalism degree at the University of Gloucestershire
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Rachel Reeves says Heathrow expansion ‘essential' for growth plan
Rachel Reeves has vowed to face down the threat of legal challenges by Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, over plans for a third runway at Heathrow. The chancellor said on Friday that the expansion of Britain's largest airport was 'essential' to her plans for growth and would boost exports for businesses in Scotland and across the country. She signalled her strong support for the planning proposal and stressed the decision was up to ministers rather than City Hall. The question of a third runway at Heathrow has blighted successive governments since the idea was first mooted in 2003, with years of wrangling over costs and the complexity of designs. However, Sir Keir Starmer is keen to push ahead and Heathrow bosses this week submitted plans to allow 276,000 more flights each year. Proposals for a 3,500m 'northwestern' runway were submitted to ministers as part of a wider £49 billion expansion programme, intended to facilitate 66 million more passengers annually. The plans also include the construction of a new terminal, T5X, the expansion of Terminal 2, and the rerouting of the M25. Heathrow said its runway and airfield plan would be privately funded at a cost of £21 billion, attributing the increase from its estimate of £14 billion in 2018 to 'construction inflation'. Despite an escalating row within Labour between the Treasury and City Hall, Reeves brushed off the threat of legal action by Khan. 'It is essential that we increase airport capacity in the UK,' she said, during a trip to Scotland. Pressed on Khan's opposition, Reeves said: 'These are decisions the national government makes and this Labour government backs Heathrow expansion. 'It will create new jobs, not just around Heathrow, but all around the UK, as it gives new export opportunities to businesses right across Britain.' Residents in villages around Heathrow have raised objections to the expansion ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Government sources also said Khan would not get 'any deferential treatment' just because he is a Labour mayor. They played down the prospect of a major legal hold-up again by pointing to ministers' plans to introduce legislation that will curb the ability of campaigners to use judicial reviews to block infrastructure projects. However, they stressed any decisions would be for the courts. Khan stood by the threat of a legal challenge, warning about a possible breach of the UK's climate targets. Khan said: 'I remain unconvinced that you can have a new runway, delivering hundreds of thousands of additional flights every year, without a hugely detrimental impact on our environment. 'City Hall will carefully scrutinise the new Heathrow expansion proposals — including the impact these would have on people living in the area and the huge knock-on effects for our transport infrastructure, which would require a comprehensive and costed plan to manage. I'll be keeping all options on the table in how we respond.' A survey by YouGov for the Times revealed that 30 per cent of people backed a third runway, while 18 per cent opposed it. The remainder said they did not fit into either category, or that they did not know. The survey suggested an increase in public support for upgrading the country's air infrastructure. YouGov polling in February found that participants generally favoured investing in other forms of transport infrastructure.
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
Trump played the EU at its own game... and won
Squaring off across the table from Ursula von der Leyen was Donald Trump, banging his fists and demanding a 30 per cent blanket tariff. The clubhouse of the Trump Turnberry golf course had become the unlikely setting of a face-off between the two global superpowers – and ultimately, the EU's humiliation. The Telegraph has spoken to insiders who were in the room when the negotiations were taking place and has seen diplomatic notes that paint a clear picture. It's one of Mrs von der Leyen, the European Commission president, bowing to pressure from the US and being beaten at the bloc's own game. She had just agreed to the US imposing 15 per cent tariffs on EU goods entering America, while Britain had come away with a rate of 10 per cent. And at the end of it all, she and her team of EU negotiators had to put their thumbs up, their smiles not reaching their eyes, as they stood next to Mr Trump who boasted of the 'biggest deal ever made'. US officials had played hardball for the weeks and months leading up to the high-stakes showdown. Panicked European officials had turned to their Japanese counterparts for advice before flying to Scotland, asking for their advice on how to be successful like them. But ultimately, the EU was beaten by a dealmaker who played the bloc's game better than they could have played it. Over the years, Brussels has used the size of its single market to reinforce the need for trading partners to make concessions, rather than the other way round in talks over deals. And European leaders have voiced their frustration at the move. France's leaders described it as a 'dark day' for Europe and that the bloc hadn't been feared enough going into the talks. Trump plays hardball After a round of golf, the stage was set for the American negotiating team, including Mr Trump. A no-deal deadline was set for Friday, Aug 1. Without a pact Brussels would be subjected to the 30 per cent tariffs set out by the president in a letter to Mrs von der Leyen just two weeks earlier. European firms doing business in America would have become uncompetitive overnight if the EC president didn't shake hands on a pact. To secure this deal, the German eurocrat was told she would have to stomach a number of concessions, signing on the dotted line of an agreement that would be considered one-sided in favour of the Americans. Brussels also knew this agreement was needed to avert a nastier, more chaotic transatlantic trade war that would have left Europe without its most important ally until at least January 2029, when Mr Trump's second term comes to an end. To achieve this, member states agreed that they would have to stomach a blanket tariff because of a belief that the US president wouldn't settle without one, a source familiar with the negotiations told The Telegraph. Maros Sefcovic, the EU's trade commissioner, had briefed capitals that they simply wouldn't be able to do business in the US if that tariff rose to the 30 per cent demanded by Mr Trump. Therefore, they needed to settle on a number that would be an increase on the status quo originally charged on European imports into America – 14.8 per cent, according to one official. Some might argue that this was the EU being made to take a taste of its own medicine, with the bloc usually the first negotiator to reach for hard deadlines and use its size and strength to extract concessions from prospective partners. And it worked, the bloc had blinked. Before Mrs von der Leyen headed to Scotland, European capitals signed off on a mandate, perhaps for the first time, that would use a trade deal to increase tariffs from the current number. Behind the scenes For 24 minutes, the US President and the commission chief held an impromptu press conference under the eight chandeliers in the glamorous ball room at Trump Turnberry. With the Brussels and White House press packs ushered out, the real talks could begin. Mr Trump opened with his gambit of 30 per cent tariffs on all European products imported into America. The commission's first offer was 'high single digits', a source briefed on the wrangling said. The White House delegation stood firm as their European counterparts began slowly ratcheting their number closer to the American's figure. But ultimately, the commission's team kept their cool, at the recommendation of the Japanese, the most recent country to sign an agreement with the US. The Telegraph can reveal that a top aide to Mr Sefcovic had reached out to his Japanese counterpart for help on handling the Americans before the talks. 'They come in shouting the high number, and all you have to do is hold your cool and they diminish as you push back,' a source said, describing the advice. The other tactic deployed by the Europeans was to woo Mr Trump with some large numbers presented to him on a single sheet of A4 paper. Eurocrats had used their build-up to prepare an offer on paper that the US president would see as a major victory. That was an offer to buy billions of dollars worth of American military technology – born out of Nato's recent decision to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP. The EU pledged to purchase $750bn (£565bn) worth of energy from the US over the next three years. And then there was a further promise that European companies would invest $600bn (£452bn) by 2028. These, European officials claim, are non-binding, not really worth the paper they were written on. The numbers were calculated using publicly available order information and information from trade associations. But this was enough to convince Mr Trump to settle at a tariff rate of 15 per cent, covering about 70 per cent of EU exports and totalling about €780bn (£588bn) worth of trade. In return, US imports into the EU will not face higher tariffs. 'This is probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity, trade or beyond trade,' Mr Trump declared. 'It's a giant deal,' he added, referring to the $600bn and $750bn promises. 'That's going to be great.' The US president's claims of victory and the deal were met with derision in Europe. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said the bloc hadn't been 'feared' enough in the talks, which opened the door to the concessions. François Bayrou, Macron's prime minister, described it as a 'dark day' for Europe and accused the Commission of bowing to American pressure. Michel Barnier, the EU's former Brexit negotiator, said accepting tariffs was an 'admission of weakness'. 'This weakness is not inevitable. It results from poor choices that ensure neither the sovereignty nor the prosperity of the continent and its states,' he wrote on social media. Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, meanwhile said it would cause 'considerable damage' to his country's economy, the largest in the Eurozone. In comparison, Britain had negotiated a tariff rate of 10 per cent, five less than the EU, in its own deal with Washington. This was hailed by Brexiteers as evidence that leaving the bloc was the right thing to do. Paris and Berlin had been the two capitals pushing hardest for the bloc to take a more robust stance in the trade talks. The French had especially pushed for a package of €93bn (£81bn) of retaliatory tariffs to be unleashed to bring Mr Trump and Washington to heel. There were also calls from Paris to clamp down on American tech firms doing business in Europe. 'This was a big red button nobody was willing to push,' an EU diplomat told The Telegraph, spelling out fears that Europe's economy is reliant on American payment services. But Mrs von der Leyen, who was particularly dovish, argued that this would spill over into other sectors and potentially spell an end to what is a crucial alliance for Europe, especially in security. Fears that the White House and Pentagon would withdraw security guarantees for Europe and cut off weapons supplies to Ukraine overshadowed the talks. But the commission president and her top officials also steeled member states for a longer-term game. Devil in the detail Gabrielius Landsbergis, a former Lithuanian foreign minister, said: 'The only way I can explain to myself why the EU commission would choose to humiliate Europe by accepting the 15 per cent tariff is that they hope to appease Trump enough for him to maintain US security commitments in Europe.' Now Mr Trump has his victory, the devil would be in the detail as the terms are finalised, Mrs von der Leyen's team told member states. The commission will be looking to quietly enlarge a list of products that are exempted from tariffs in more technical talks with Washington. Eurocrats are already briefing that Britain's deal, despite having a lower tariff rate, doesn't protect key European industries, such as beef farmers.
