Latest news with #JohnHicks
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The Government's Chagos deal is a bewildering embarrassment
SIR – Sir Keir Starmer has a habit of making bad decisions that others have to correct, as with Labour backbenchers forcing a U-turn on his winter fuel cuts (Letters, May 22). Sometimes, however, this isn't possible. Despite an attempt to stop him, he has now given away the Chagos Islands ('Starmer's Chagos deal given go-ahead as 11th-hour challenge fails', May 22). This deal threatens to cost Britain at least £10 billion. The winter fuel changes would have saved £1 billion. As well as lacking judgment and a moral compass, it appears our Prime Minister is numerically inept. John Hicks Manchester SIR – I am at a complete loss as to why the Government has been so determined to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, when there is no legal requirement to do so. We are in enough financial trouble already; to heap yet another £10 billion on to our national debt, while losing a strategic asset, smacks of total incompetence – at best. Gp Capt G R James RAF (retd) Barnstaple, Devon SIR – We owned the Chagos Islands, which contained our major military base in the Indian Ocean. We have given them away to Mauritius, a country with strong links to China, for nothing. Now we intend to lease the base back for £101 million a year for the next 99 years. If I'm not missing anything, then surely, to any sensible person, this is a catastrophic mistake in every possible respect, akin to giving Gibraltar to Spain. John Kerry Fleckney, Leicestershire SIR – One of the many enormous disadvantages of the Chagos deal – there are no substantive advantages – is that Britain has ceased to be an Indian Ocean power. Among the Europeans, we now concede that position to France. While we talk of trade deals with India and advice on cybersecurity, we have little of hard strategic value in the region, and certainly – after Chagos – we will no longer have a seat at yet another top table. Geoffrey Van Orden Bildeston, Suffolk SIR – As well as being a strategic disaster, the decision to hand over the Chagos Islands betrays the Chagossian people. Thanks to Sir Keir Starmer, they have been denied the opportunity to decide their own future. David Lawson Dungannon, Co Tyrone SIR – Why is the Prime Minister allowed to make long-term deals with the European Union and over the Chagos Islands without proper reference to Parliament? Brian Farmer Carmarthen
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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Strong hybrids and BEVs cater to distinct buyers, says HSBC report
Strong hybrid cars and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are not eating into each other's market share in states where incentives have been offered to both segments, according to a report released by HSBC on Wednesday. States such as Uttar Pradesh, which last year began offering incentives for both types of cars, have seen both segments grow simultaneously, the report mentioned. Strong hybrid cars, launched by Maruti Suzuki and Toyota in September 2022, 'appear' to have gained market share from diesel variants during 2022–23 (FY23) and FY24. 'However, hybrids stabilised in FY25 as the share from diesel variants was stable during the year. This was despite incentives being offered by multiple states during the year. We think new model launches and government incentives will drive hybrid penetration growth in the near term,' HSBC noted. It said the growth rates for BEVs and strong hybrid electric vehicles (SHEVs) in FY25 were comparable, reinforcing the view that the two powertrains cater to distinct customer segments rather than competing for the same buyer. 'This trend aligns with the economic theory of complementary goods,' the report stated, referencing Nobel Laureate Sir John Hicks, and suggested that increased strong hybrid penetration may positively influence BEV uptake. EV penetration has improved significantly with the launch of new models in recent months. From 1.9 per cent in the first half of FY25, EV penetration rose to 3.2 per cent in Q1FY26 (quarter-to-date), driven by models like the MG Windsor and Mahindra's new launches. These new models addressed consumer concerns such as battery replacement costs and range anxiety through innovative leasing options and larger battery packs, HSBC noted. 'The perception that promoting strong hybrid cars will hinder EV adoption is misplaced, in our view. This is not a zero-sum game, but rather an incremental opportunity where incentivising strong hybrid cars contributes to the broader development of the clean mobility ecosystem, benefiting BEVs and advancing overall market growth,' it said.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New half marathon event set to take place in Motherwell
A new running event is set to take place in Motherwell this August. North Lanarkshire Council has announced that a half marathon will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility. The event is part of the council's programme of running events, which aim to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get active. Read more: Free food festival returning to Loch Lomond - everything you need to know The North Lanarkshire Half Marathon will also feature a 5K, 1K, 400m, and a Toddler Dash. Families attending can also enjoy a range of free activities, including soft play, bouncy castles, and fun games. Councillor Geraldine Woods, convener of communities, said: "This is a fantastic addition to North Lanarkshire's sporting calendar. "We want to encourage people of all abilities to get involved, whether they're experienced runners or just looking for a fun way to be active. "The mix of race options and family activities makes this a brilliant event for the whole community." Registration is now open, with information available on the website: The event is sponsored by Albert Bartlett. John Hicks, brand and marketing director at Albert Bartlett, said: "We're delighted to sponsor the 2025 North Lanarkshire Half Marathon. "It's a great event for the local community and visitors alike. "A healthy lifestyle is something we're passionate about, and we love that this event includes races for all ages – from the half marathon to the Toddler Dash. "Good luck to everyone taking part – we'll see you on 24 August."
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Clear-up to begin at fire-gutted collapsed cafe
A clear-up is set to begin at a cafe destroyed and left strewn across a street following a fire. The blaze at the Grade II listed Gorge Cafe in South Street, Dorchester, Dorset, broke out on 9 December, shortly after 03:30 GMT. The building, where novelist Thomas Hardy trained as an architect, collapsed into the street and the buildings on either side were severely damaged. Dorset Council has confirmed work is due to get under way to deal with the fallen debris and put up safety scaffolding. The authority said contractors were currently drawing up a plan for the work which was expected to start "sometime next week, subject to set-up and weather conditions". Once the work on the cafe site is complete further scaffolding will be put up on the neighbouring buildings, and timber hoarding rebuilt to create a new pedestrian access. The council added due to the need to "risk assess the buildings daily" a more detailed timescale had not yet been set out. About 50 firefighters tackled the blaze that swept through the cafe and spread to the roofs of neighbouring buildings. Since the fire, a stretch of South Street near the burnt-out building has remained cordoned off. No-one was injured in the fire. The building had a stone plaque on its front wall, in the centre of the first floor, honouring Thomas Hardy. It stated the novelist and poet trained at the building as an apprentice architect to John Hicks between 1856-1862. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Cafe fire collapse halts neighbouring shop revamp More of fire-ravaged cafe collapses after blaze Fire-ravaged cafe not safe for fire investigators Thomas Hardy building lost in fire Dorset Council Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
