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BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Oswestry food company given permission to expand
A food company near Oswestry has been given permission to Food Express on Maesbury Road Industrial Estate, off Glovers Meadow, applied to add a 2,000 sq m extension to its existing said this was due to business growth and the move would create 15 new Perry, planning officer at Shropshire Council, said the extension was acceptable, would support the expansion of the existing business, and contribute to the county's economic growth. Further changes include filling in a canopy area currently used for loading and unloading HGVs to create more manufacturing space, removing a plant room and squaring off an adjacent a design and access statement from LDM Group, Savin Zannou said the design had been "carefully considered", adding: "The scale and height of the extension will match the existing building to promote a coherent and functional industrial environment."The company said the changes would result in one to two extra HGV trips per provision would be provided for 15 vehicles and an adjacent yard would be used as an overflow car park."I fully support this application on the basis that this will provide several additional jobs for local people," said Simon Williams, a business owner on the same industrial estate."The area is already industrial/commercial and this application merely extends a commercial building that has been there for over 60 years." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
ITV News
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- ITV News
Electric cars grant: Who will qualify for the £3,750 discount?
Grants for new electric cars are being reintroduced after being scrapped in 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced. Drivers will now be able to reduce the cost of purchasing a new electric vehicle by up to £3,750. Who will qualify for the government grant? The scheme is available for anyone who wants to buy a new electric car, but it's restricted to vehicles priced at up to £37,000. Amounts will be based on a car's sustainability criteria. The greenest vehicles will be in band one, which means a grant of up to £3,750. Band two vehicles will receive up to £1,500. Officials hope the measure will encourage more drivers to switch to electric motoring. Currently, drivers buying electric cars can benefit from tax breaks if their employer has a company car scheme, but there have been no universally available grants since they were axed by the Conservative government in June 2022. When does the new scheme come into place? Car manufacturers will be able to apply for the money through the Electric Car Grant from Wednesday. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money – it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century. "With over 82,000 public charge points now available across the UK, we've built the infrastructure families need to make the switch with confidence.' The grants will be funded through a new £650 million scheme. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said discounted cars should start appearing at dealerships 'within weeks'. He added: 'As the biggest savings will be given to cars with the strongest green manufacturing credentials, drivers will be picking models that are not only better for their wallets, but better for the planet too.' What changes have been made to charging electric vehicles? The DfT announced last week that road signs for electric vehicle charging hubs will be introduced on major A roads in England. It also launched a £25 million scheme for local authorities to support residents without off-road parking to recharge electric cars using cables connected to their homes, embedded in pavements. How will the new grant affect car sales? Under the government's zero-emission vehicle (Zev) mandate, at least 28% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero-emission, which generally means pure electric. The figure across all manufacturers for this in the first half of the year was 21.6%. Changes to the Zev mandate mean it will be easier for manufacturers who do not meet the targets to avoid fines. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in April that sales of new hybrids that cannot be plugged in will be permitted to continue until 2035. What has been the reaction to this announcement? Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon accused the government of 'forcing families into more expensive electric vehicles before the country is ready', adding the reintroduction of grants would mean 'more pain for taxpayers'. He said: 'Last year, only one in 10 private purchases of new cars was electric. This is a product people demonstrably do not want. "Last week, the Office for Budget Responsibility made clear the transition to EVs comes at a cost, and this scheme only adds to it. Make no mistake: more tax rises are coming in the autumn.' The Conservative Environment Network also described the grants as 'a waste of taxpayers' money', given declining prices for electric vehicles, but urged the government to invest in charging infrastructure instead, 'giving confidence to a new generation of drivers to go electric'.
Western Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Western Telegraph
Grants for new electric cars to be reintroduced
Drivers will be able to reduce the purchase cost of a new electric car by up to £3,750. Officials hope the measure – restricted to vehicles priced at up to £37,000 – will encourage more drivers to switch to electric motoring. The DfT said 33 new electric car models are available for less than £30,000. This EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money - it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary The Government has pledged to ban the sale of new fully petrol or diesel cars and vans from 2030. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money – it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century. 'And with over 82,000 public chargepoints now available across the UK, we've built the infrastructure families need to make the switch with confidence.' Drivers buying electric cars can benefit from tax breaks if their employer has a company car scheme, but there have been no universally available grants since they were axed by the Conservative government in June 2022. The new grants will be funded through a new £650 million scheme. As the biggest savings will be given to cars with the strongest green manufacturing credentials, drivers will be picking models that are not only better for their wallets, but better for the planet too RAC head of policy Simon Williams Amounts will be based on a car's 'sustainability criteria', the DfT said. The greenest vehicles will be in band one, which means a grant of up to £3,750. Band two vehicles will receive up to £1,500. Car manufacturers will be able to apply for the money through the Electric Car Grant from Wednesday. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the announcement is a 'clear signal to consumers that now is the time to switch'. He went on: 'Rapid deployment and availability of this grant over the next few years will help provide the momentum that is essential to take the EV market from just one in four today, to four in five by the end of the decade.' RAC head of policy Simon Williams said discounted cars should start appearing at dealerships 'within weeks'. While battery-only EVs are much cheaper to buy and run than most realise, surveys show that cost misperceptions are the primary reason for hesitance. A generous grant of this nature gives a new group of interested buyers a gentle nudge Dan Caesar, Electric Vehicles UK He added: 'As the biggest savings will be given to cars with the strongest green manufacturing credentials, drivers will be picking models that are not only better for their wallets, but better for the planet too.' Dan Caesar, chief executive of lobby group Electric Vehicles UK, said: 'While battery-only EVs are much cheaper to buy and run than most realise, surveys show that cost misperceptions are the primary reason for hesitance. 'A generous grant of this nature gives a new group of interested buyers a gentle nudge.' Ian Plummer, commercial director of online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, said 'any incentives' to help people buy an electric car are welcome as many drivers are 'put off by the high upfront cost'. The DfT announced last week that road signs for electric vehicle charging hubs will be introduced on major A roads in England. 28% The percentage of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year that must be zero emission It also launched a £25 million scheme for local authorities to support residents without off-road parking to recharge electric cars using cables connected to their homes which run along gullies embedded in pavements. Under the Government's zero emission vehicle (Zev) mandate, at least 28% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero emission, which generally means pure electric. Across all manufacturers, the figure during the first half of the year was 21.6%. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in April that sales of new hybrids that cannot be plugged in will be permitted to continue until 2035. Changes to the Zev mandate also mean it will be easier for manufacturers who do not meet the targets to avoid fines. Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon accused the Government of 'forcing families into more expensive electric vehicles before the country is ready', adding the reintroduction of grants would mean 'more pain for taxpayers'. He said: 'Last year, only one in 10 private purchases of new cars was electric. This is a product people demonstrably do not want. 'Last week, the Office for Budget Responsibility made clear the transition to EVs comes at a cost, and this scheme only adds to it. Make no mistakee: more tax rises are coming in the autumn.' The Conservative Environment Network also described the grants as 'a waste of taxpayers' money', given declining prices for electric vehicles, but urged the Government to invest in charging infrastructure instead, 'giving confidence to a new generation of drivers to go electric'.
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Cheapest petrol station in UK unveiled ahead of price spike but there's a catch
Even with petrol prices soaring to their highest in four years, there are still places you where can fill up on a budget — but not everybody will be able to access the UK's cheapest petrol The UK's cheapest petrol stations have been revealed, just as fuel prices begin to climb after hitting a four-year low. According to the latest figures from the RAC, unleaded petrol now averages 134.17p per litre — an increase of 2p from the start of June. This rise means filling a typical 55-litre family car now costs £73.79, a sharp increase of £1.07. Diesel drivers have been stung by an even steeper price hike, from 138.39p at the start of June to 141.21p at the end of the month — a jump of almost 3p a litre. These figures are up from 132.3p and 138.4p respectively at the end of May, when petrol and diesel prices were at their lowest since mid-2021. The recent surge in prices is largely attributed to geopolitical tensions. At the end of last month, the war between Israel and Iran disrupted crude oil markets, causing the price of a barrel to soar from around $64 (£47) to nearly $79 (£58) by June 19. There were widespread concerns Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz — a vital passage carrying around a fifth of the world 's oil supply — leading to oil prices surging sharply across global financial markets. On July 2, Brent crude — the international oil pricing benchmark — rose by three per cent after Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog amid renewed fears of higher US tariffs. But by the following morning, Brent crude had fallen by 0.65 per cent as market fears somewhat subsided. RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: "The arrival of summer has brought some wholly unwelcome increases to pump prices, with retailers wasting no time in putting them up following increased tensions in the Middle East. "Unleaded and diesel are now both at their highest levels since late April, although we see no reason for further increases as wholesale prices have come back down again. July will be a telling month — will retailers halt further price rises, or even cut them if wholesale costs continue to slide? Or will drivers be stuck having to pay an elevated amount for the foreseeable future?" According to the Sun, the current lowest price in the UK can be found at Costco Liverpool Automat, where petrol is available for 119.9p per litre. The Watford branch of Costco is a close second, offering petrol at 122.9p per litre. However, there is a catch — to access these discounted rates, you must be a Costco member. Membership is available to VAT-registered businesses or individuals working in certain professions, including NHS staff and police officers. Details about eligible professions and membership criteria are available on the Costco website. Costco is not the only retailer selling fuel well below the national average — Essar at Grindley Brook Garage in Shropshire is offering petrol at 122.9p per litre, as is Apple Green city services in Liverpool. However, not everyone agrees. Per the Roadtrip app, the top five cheapest fuelling stations to buy petrol as of Thursday, July 10 are: So even with petrol prices soaring to their highest in four years, there are still places where you can fill up on a budget — especially if you are a Costco member.
Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to drive with a bowl of water on their passenger seat
Petrol and diesel prices have risen for the first time in three months, with the cost of an average litre of petrol and diesel up by 2p and 3p on average in the space of a month Motorists are being warned to hit the road with a bowl of water in the passenger seat as petrol and diesel prices surge, leaving drivers dismayed. Breakdown specialists RAC have reported that fuel prices have climbed for the first time in three months, notching up an extra 2p on the average litre of petrol and a heavier 3p increase on diesel within just one month. According to RAC figures, unleaded now stands at an average price of 134.17p per litre, a 2p rise since June, bumping the fill-up cost for a standard 55-litre family car to £73.79, which is £1.07 pricier than at the start of the month. READ MORE: 'I'm a beauty writer - the new ghd curling wand gave me perfect waves in 15 mins' Diesel has experienced an even steeper hike – up nearly 3p (2.8p) per litre, shifting from 138.39p to 141.21p at the month's end and adding an additional £1.55 to the amount families need to find to top off their tank. Fuel experts mentioned that there's a glimmer of hope for reduced costs in the near future should wholesale prices slump. However, with current fuel costs hitting recent highs, it's a smart move to adopt fuel-saving measures. RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: "The arrival of summer has brought some wholly unwelcome increases to pump prices, with retailers wasting no time in putting them up following increased tensions in the Middle East. "Unleaded and diesel are now both at their highest levels since late April, although we see no reason for further increases as wholesale prices have come back down again." 'July will be a telling month - will retailers halt further price rises, or even cut them if wholesale costs continue to slide? Or will drivers be stuck having to pay an elevated amount for the foreseeable future? This is particularly topical given it was only two days ago that the Competition and Markets Authority noted how weak competition within the fuel retailing market is. '. 'Thankfully, we're a long way off the record pump prices of exactly three years ago - when the Russia / Ukraine conflict saw the average price of unleaded hit an unprecedented 191.53p a litre and diesel climb to 199.21p, with some retailers charging well in excess of £2 a litre." In light of rising fuel worries, motoring experts from have delivered a set of unique tips designed to keep your fuel spend thriftier during your drives. They recommend an odd but savvy tactic – place a bowl of water in the passenger seat, reports the Express. The experts said: 'Keeping an open bowl of water on your passenger seat is a great deterrent for unnecessary acceleration and braking. "It sounds a bit strange, but it is a simple and brilliant reminder to drive gently. If you hit the accelerator too hard, you'll see water pour out the sides. "Likewise, if you're driving too fast and braking hard you'll notice water on the seat. The best bowls to use for this are small cereal bowls, with water about an inch from the top" Other experts' tips include: Make sure you actually park your motor in the garage By keeping your motor warm in a garage, you can maintain an optimal temperature for fuel efficiency. This will cut down on your fuel usage by reducing the need for air conditioning to heat or cool your vehicle, particularly useful during this ongoing heatwave. Clear out your car Extra weight in your vehicle can significantly increase fuel consumption. It's wise to clear out your car daily - especially if you're carrying particularly hefty items. So ensure you're not commuting to work on Monday morning with your golf clubs still in the boot! Just don't do it Consider cycling or walking to your destination. Not only will this save you money on petrol, but you might also be able to cancel your gym membership. For instance, if your commute to work is five miles, you could save £416 annually - and increase your daily step count by 10,000.
