Heat Pump rollout far behind schedule: Why do we need them anyway?
The government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) was criticised last week, for "seriously failing to deliver on its objectives" as it aims to encourage people to upgrade their home heating systems to low-carbon alternatives.
Under the programme, households could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
In a letter addressed to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Lord Callanan, Baroness Parminter, a member of the house of Lords, said: "The BUS is seriously failing to deliver on its objectives with a disappointingly low take-up of grants.
"If the current take-up rate continues, only half of the allocated budget will be used to help households switch
to low-carbon heating systems, a healthy market of installers and manufacturers will not be in place in time to implement other low-carbon heating policy measures smoothly, and the Government’s 2028 target is very unlikely to be met."
For heat pump uptake, the UK ranks second to last in Europe with only 412 units per 100,000 people. In contrast, Norway has one heat pump for every four people.
Public understanding of the BUS is low, with 62 percent of people having little or no awareness of the need to change the way homes are heated to reach "Net Zero." Meanwhile 80 percent of people have little or no awareness of air source heat pumps.
The UK will have achieved "Net Zero" when the carbon emissions emitted into the atmosphere by the UK are equal to the carbon emissions removed.
An integral part of the "Net Zero" target is reducing the amount of Carbon Dioxide the country emits, before the effects of climate change become irreversible.
What's wrong with our current heating systems?
Conventional methods of heating our homes rely on fossil fuels. In fact, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the top four methods of heating homes in the UK are fossil fuel based.
A dependence on fossil fuels is unsustainable. Firstly, as highlighted by the invasion of Ukraine, it can lead to political instability and unpredictable price variations. Many European countries are trying to reduce their dependency on Russian oil and gas.
Currently, 17.5% of all global greenhouse gas emissions are a result of the energy used in buildings, whether it be in heating or the powering of appliances.
What are heat pumps and how can they help?
Surprisingly, heat pumps have been a staple in our houses for decades. We rely on heat pumps to keep our food cool, but we call them fridges and freezers. They work by absorbing excess heat from a cold area and pumping it to a warmer area, which is why the inside of a fridge remains cold and the outside is warm.
A heat pump uses the same concept, but it works in reverse. It absorbs excess heat from the outside and pumps it inside the home, where it is released. Moving heat is much more efficient than generating it. In fact, heat pumps are three times more efficient than typical fossil-fuel dependent heating systems, such as gas or oil fired boilers.
They can match conventional methods in terms of heat output, whilst emitting a fraction of the greenhouse gases.
Why are heat pumps crucial to "Net Zero"?
As part of the UK's green industrial revolution, the country is undergoing a gradual, but crucial, change to its energy grid. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, tidal and biomass systems, are being heavily invested in and our dependence on fossil fuels is starting to decline.
As the UK's energy network transforms, the electricity needed to power the heat pumps will become more and more sustainable and one day, it could be possible that heating our homes emits hardly any greenhouse gases at all.
By rolling out heat pumps in anticipation of this revolution, the UK can increase its chances of meeting its "Net Zero" goals by 2050.
What are the specifics of the Boiler Upgrade System?
One government grant is available per property. There are three options available:
- £5,000 towards an air source heat pump
- £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump
- £5,000 towards a biomass boiler
There are three criteria that must be met for eligibility. Applicants must:
- own the property they're applying for
- have installed (or plan to install) a new heating system on or after 1 April 2022
- be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric)
More information on the scheme and how to apply is available on the government webpage.
Richard Dentith death: boy, 17, pleads not guilty to murder charge
The trial of a 17-year-old boy who is charged with the murder of a Sheffield man began today.
Richard Dentith, 31, was stabbed to death in the early hours of 7 April 2022.
The incident occurred outside the Earl Marshall Guest House on Grimesthorpe Road, Burngreave, Sheffield Crown Court heard today.
Four other men were arrested in connection with Mr Dentith’s death. Two, aged 22 and 49, were released on bail, with the others, aged 33 and 58, released without charge.
The young defendant, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
Due to his age, Ms Danielle Marron will be acting as an intermediary to communicate on behalf of the boy.
Twelve jurors were selected and sworn in by her honour Judge Sarah Wright, who is leading the proceedings.
The court adjourned until 28 Tuesday February, when the trial will officially open.
The case continues.
Local businesses feel Brexit pinch despite £4.55 million Sheffield Council funding approval
Local businesses continue to feel the funding hole created by Brexit despite the Council's approval of a £4.55 million funding package last Wednesday.
Part of the central government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the package is designed to replace the EU Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and help support businesses across various dimensions.
The program, which will be rolled out over the next three years, will target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to reduce inequalities in Sheffield.
Cllr Paul Turpin, the spokesperson for the Economic Development and Skills Policy committee, said: "Until those inequalities are reduced, we are failing, Sheffield is failing.
"We don't want winners and losers, we want everybody to be a winner."
According to data from the Department for business, energy & industrial strategy, private sector businesses across the UK have continually decreased since 2020.
Nevertheless, with South Yorkshire and the Humber placing second in terms of numeric private business decrease in 2022, councilors believe this funding will not be enough to achieve the council's objectives. These include:
- Launchpad (£850,000), which will focus on start-up and early-stage businesses.
- Productivity and digital innovation grants (£2.1 million), providing SMEs with access grants to support productivity gains and digital adoption in the business.
- Low carbon (£1.3 million), aiming particularly at improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon consumption and running costs.
- RISE (£300.000), a partnership program providing funding to create graduate jobs in Sheffield SMEs.
Yvonne Asquith, the head of Business Sheffield, said: "UKSPF funding is not significant — those four key elements will not provide the transformational change that we need in Sheffield.”
That said, with UKSPF funding estimated at a £10 million cut from its EU equivalent, the three-year running time of the package is concerning councillors in terms of the long-term viability of Sheffield businesses.
Cllr Minesh Parekh, said: "UKSPF was established to provide local authorities with the money they would have received if we were in the EU.
"So, there is an immediate, real-terms drop in funding now, but also potential for far, far less in the future too."
In the meantime, it seems the council is committed to continuing to explore new ways of supporting local businesses.
Cllr Tom Hunt added: “We should, as a committee, retain our focus on the transformational change that’s needed to get us to a high-wage, high-productivity, high-growth, low-carbon economy.”
Sheffield Hallam students raising funds for period poverty awareness
A group of Sheffield Hallam University students are raising funds of Roundabout Homeless Charity, as part of their campaign to raise awareness of period poverty.
Mental health nursing students have already smashed their £100 GoFundMe target, raising £420 in three days.
Daisy Drakeford, 21, who is leading the fundraiser, said: "One in 10 females or people with female organs can't afford them (sanitary products). So they have to improvise with other sanitary wear, which a lot of the time is a sock or tissue paper, which isn't very sanitary.
Period poverty is a critical issue facing women nationally and internationally. A 2018 report from Plan International UK found that 1 in 7 girls have had to borrow sanitary wear from a friend due to affordability issues.
"We've spoken to Roundabout and they've essentially told us that since COVID they've been getting a massive influx of young girls coming into their services. So they're in desperate need of sanitary products.
"You're not going to just sit around with blood in your pants. It's horrible. People do that. But that's only because it's so expensive."
A 2019 report from Bloody Good Period found that women in the UK spend an estimated £4800 on periods during their lifetime.
The Plan International UK also found that 1 in 5 women have changed to a less suitable sanitary product due to the cost.
Roundabout commented on Daisy and her team's efforts: “Period poverty is a big problem, especially for the young people who use our services who are disproportionately affected.
"As such, we are delighted to be able to support Daisy and her group's fundraising efforts to help raise awareness and vital funds for those we support in our services and alleviate the problem of period poverty and the stigma surrounding it.”
Donations can be made through Daisy's GoFundMe page.
Sheffield Wednesday make history with record-breaking unbeaten run
A 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic on Saturday saw Sheffield Wednesday set a new club record for games unbeaten in the league.
A Liam Palmer goal in the ninth minute means the Owls have now gone 20 games without losing a league game.
The last time Wednesday lost a League One fixture was 4 October, a 2-1 defeat to title rivals Plymouth Argyle.
Since then Wednesday have picked up 14 victories and six draws.
Speaking after the match, Owls boss Darren Moore paid tribute to the players who helped make the run possible.
He said: “High praise and accolades to the players, well done to the boys. Excellent to achieve that in the history of the club and we’re really, really pleased.
“We’ve just got to keep going.”
The result keeps Wednesday at the top of the League One table as they continue their push for a return to the Championship.
A loss for second place Plymouth Argyle means the Owls have extended their lead at the top to three points, and 8 points over Ipswich Town in third, with a game in hand over both.
The win over Charlton means Wednesday’s streak has surpassed the previous run record set in 1961, when they went 19 games without defeat on the way to a second place finish in the First Division.
Having already kept more clean sheets in a season than any previous Wednesday team, Moore's squad now have a few more history making statistics in their sights, including most points in a season, and most league wins.
Despite the chance to set new records, Moore says his side remain focused on the league.
He said: “We have this record but we’ll put it to one side and keep going.
“We don’t look at anybody else, we focus on us as a group and as long as we’re being competitive and showing our level best then we can’t argue with anything.”
Rotherham United and Swansea City set for style clash in Monday night’s Championship fixture
Rotherham United manager Matt Taylor feels his side are in good spirits heading to Swansea City tonight following an impressive mid-week victory over Sunderland.
The Millers will be hoping to build on their first win since early January, but face a stern test even with the Swans being on a poor run of form themselves.
A win for the Yorkshire side will see them move eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Swansea will be looking to stop themselves falling further into the bottom half.
Taylor said: “There’s a bounce from both the performance and the points. We certainly feel better about ourselves going into this game.
“We’ve been playing football in the right areas, pushing the opposition backwards and going towards their goal.”
The game is set to be a contrast of styles, with both managers commenting on the way their opponents play in the build up to the match.
Swansea City head coach, Russell Martin said: “Rotherham are very good at what they do. They run and work very hard, they’ll be aggressive in their approach and make it as difficult as possible.”
Taylor equally believes the Swans will pose his side a tough test despite being on a poor run themselves.
He said: “We know how difficult it will be, certainly on their home patch at their stadium which really suits the way they play. We have to find a way of putting them under pressure with or without the ball, and that will be a process that we’ll go through over the weekend.”
Swansea have made a name for themselves under Martin by keeping the ball very effectively, and have both one of the highest percentages of possession while also making the most progressive passes. Rotherham are on the complete other end of the spectrum, relying on direct passing, combined with the physicality and work-rate, of striker Jordan Hugill.
This contrast is reflected in the quality of chances both sides have created and conceded. Rotherham have the worst difference between Expected Goals (xg) for and against in the division, while Swansea actually have the 6th best despite currently being in 15th place.
The Millers will have to hope they put in a performance similar to the 1-0 win against Sheffield United in November in order to add to their only two away wins so far this season.
Injury news:
Rotherham: Ben Wiles and Sean Morrison remain out, Lee Peltier could move into the middle of defence following an injury to Grant Hall. Ollie Rathbone could make a return depending on the status of his groin injury.
Swansea: Steven Benda remains out for the rest of the season with a cruciate injury, Luke Cundle and Jay Fulton could be side-lined after sustaining knocks.
Sheffield knit and natter group launch appeal for donations to help dementia and anxiety
A Sheffield knitting group is asking for materials to make 'twiddle mats' to ease sensory issues and stress.
The knitted creations are designed to help those who also suffer from dementia and anxiety by distracting them with something to fiddle with.
Knit and Natter community coordinator Emily Hearne, 30, said: "Given the cost of living crisis, there are lots of people struggling with their mental health so its really good to take part in something that can make people feel a bit calmer."
The group was formed as part of Zest, a warm community space in Upperthorpe which runs knit and natter for free on Thursdays between 1:30-3pm.
There are currently more than 25 people working on the project across the Knit and Natter group and the Monday arts and crafts session.
Isobel Beckitt, 53, who came up with the idea, said: "The social aspect of the group has really helped me. I wouldn't see anyone before and felt very isolated since I had to quit my job due to illness.
It allows us to all pass on our skills and stay active."
She originally found the idea on Pinterest, with the hope that it would improve other people's confidence.
Ms Hearne said: "People use arts and crafts for their own mental health as well, so the actual process of making the mat to help someone else's mental health might also help your own."
The group are hoping to make as many twiddle mats and fiddle mitts as they can, but their main obstacle is a lack of funding.
Anyone in need will be able to pick up a fiddle mitt from Zest for free.
If anyone has any enquiries they can contact Emily via email: emily.hearne@zestcommunity.co.uk
Apprenticeship event will offer nearly 100 places to Sheffield students
Opportunity Sheffield, run by Sheffield City Council, are ‘very excited’ to be running their annual apprenticeship event for the first time in person since the pandemic.
Apprenticeships: Be Inspired will be held at Sheffield Wednesday Football club on 9 March from 12pm-4pm.
Stephen Arundel, the Social Value Manager for Sheffield City Council, works for the Employability and Skills team behind Opportunity Sheffield.
He said: “Apprenticeships have been part of the fabric of working life in South Yorkshire for centuries, yet they are still viewed as a second class choice to Higher Education.
“Opportunity Sheffield understands the positive impact that apprenticeships provide for our city, and will always strive to support our local employers and the young people of Sheffield to get the best start into their world of work.”
Apprenticeships are paid opportunities which offer on-and-off-the-job training and lead to nationally recognised qualifications.
Aimed at teens in school Years 11-13, there have been over 20 Sheffield schools who have signed up to the event.
In 2021 and 2022, Be Inspired took place online and saw a lower number of students and employers attending.
Mr Arundel said: “It didn’t allow for the engagement that comes with face to face interaction.
“There’s a great sense of excitement within our team and with the employers knowing that nearly 100 students will secure an apprenticeship from this one event.”
Confirmed to be attending the event are 60 employers, including Forgemasters, Rolls Royce, and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Local employers who are interested in exhibiting at the event are encouraged to send an email to apprenticeshipready@sheffield.gov.uk by 28 February.
Sheffield schools to be hit by teachers’ strike
A National Education Union walk-out in the North, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber regions begins tomorrow.
The teachers union, who had a national strike on 1 February and plan more national strikes in mid-March, want a 12 percent pay rise rather than the below-inflation pay rises that many teachers are being offered.
State school teachers are striking, but independent and private schools will not be affected.
Institutions such as Birkdale School and Westbourne School have confirmed to us that there will be no closures, and classes will continue as normal.
There is particular worry from parents of Year 11 pupils about how strikes may affect their children who will be taking their GCSE's in just a few months.
A letter from Mr Crook, principal of Penistone Grammar School near Barnsley, informed dismayed parents that the school would be shut for all year groups tomorrow.
For a group already hit by previous strikes and the COVID-19 pandemic, some parents are worried about the effect this will have on their exam preparation.
Other schools, though expecting strike action, have managed to keep Year 11s in class.
King Edward VII school in Broomhall has told pupils in Year 10 and below not to come into school, but that Year 11s on study leave must still attend their trial examinations.
Silverdale School, a comprehensive in South West Sheffield, and Sheffield Springs Academy in South East Sheffield, will both prioritise Year 11 pupils tomorrow.
Silverdale has told the children to come in as usual, and arranged for Year 10s and below to stay at home and learn remotely. Sheffield Springs is doing the same with their Year 11s and 9s at school, but Years 7, 8 and 10 at home.
Similarly, Astrea Academy in North Sheffield is closed for Year 10's and under, with Year 11's in for a shorter, non-uniform day.
The Birley Academy in South East Sheffield is closed for all pupils, apart from Year 11's who have mock exams.
However, some state-funded academies are not expecting disruption at all. Notre Dame High School, a catholic academy in Fulwood, has said they will be "open as usual."
Likewise, Chaucer School in North Sheffield is fully open, with all students expected to attend.
Police are investigating illegal raves in Sheffield after noise complaints this weekend
Police are investigating a series of raves which have kept thousands of Sheffield residents awake overnight.
There were allegedly two events which were thought to be in the Ringinglow and Darnall areas. These happened between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Phil Howells on Twitter said: "It is concerning that even though the police have fitness assessments, it seems the whole of Sheffield police force seem to be hard of hearing and can not locate not one rave, but two raves, that disturbed thousands of people last night, as they are "still investigating"!"
There have been mixed responses from residents across the city, with both support and anger towards the raves.
Other residents have shown their sympathy for the music, believing there is no harm in a night or two of uproar.
One said: "At the end of the day, we were young once so if they are not harming anyone, let them enjoy themselves."
Others changed their mind after finding out this was not a simple house party.
One local of Encliffe Vale Road said he was angered at first, claiming he was woken up by the noise at two in the morning.
He could still hear the music as late as nine o'clock on the Sunday morning as he walked up to the Botanical Gardens.
Despite the rude awakening, he had no issues with the events. He said: "I respect that someone put a party on, I do not think there is enough of it these days."
‘Stories from the Pandemic’ exhibition opening brings tales of lockdown Sheffield to life
Diverse experiences of the pandemic are being showcased at Sheffield's Millennium gallery in an exhibition which opened on Friday night.
“Stories from the Pandemic” features endless tales of love, loss and solidarity which unfolded across the city during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Mike Fitter from Broomhall, Sheffield, who contributed his story of losing his wife Gina to Covid, said: “Some people think you have to get over grief, but someone very dear to you dies, they don’t just go away - that grief is always there.
“But the grief is not always depressing. I like to use the metaphor that the it will stay within me, but I somehow grow around it.”
The exhibition, which opened on 24 February, is a collaboration between Compassionate Sheffield, social enterprise Opus and Sheffield City Council.
Moving accounts of pandemic life are arranged across the exhibit, which is furnished as if it was a lockdown house, complete with hand sanitiser and a stash of toilet rolls.
Cllr Paul Taylor, Head of Customer Services at Sheffield City Council and coordinator of its Covid memorial activities, said: “It’s not just about loss, it’s about how the community came together and how everybody found a way through it, and all of that is captured here which is brilliant.
“We don’t want to lose the bonds the community formed with each other during the pandemic."
The masses of stories collected will be stored in the city’s archives, and some will be incorporated into a new memorial set to be unveiled on the second anniversary of the UK’s first lockdown (23 March 2023).
The sculpture, designed by architect George King, will be on display at Balm Green Gardens close to Sheffield City Hall.
It will commemorate the lives lost to Covid and the efforts of those who worked to keep the country safe during the pandemic.
Nick Deayton, Programme Manager at Compassionate Sheffield, said the pandemic may have faded from some of our memories, but the lessons learnt have changed society forever.
He said: “We’re stumbling into the next catastrophe with the cost-of-living crisis, and I don’t think people have properly healed from the pandemic.
“I hope people feel encouraged and inspired to do the small things that make a massive difference to people’s lives, and that sense of collectivism and compassion built in the pandemic will see us through.”
Sheffield City Council and Compassionate Sheffield’s joint Covid memorial work has so far included more than ten community exhibitions, film screenings and food events across the city.
It has also facilitated up to £2000 of grants made available to community groups and organisations.
‘Stories from the Pandemic’ is free to enter at the Millennium Gallery until Sunday 5 March.
Sheffield Clean Air Zone goes live today
Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone has come into place this morning, meaning that drivers of the most polluting vehicles will be required to pay a fare.
Certain polluting vehicles that drive in the Clean Air Zone, which covers the inner ring road, parts of the Sheffield Parkway A57 and the city centre, will be subject to a daily charge.
This means older taxis and vans will have to pay £10 to enter the zone, and £50 for older buses, coaches and HGVs. Private cars will be exempt from this daily charge policy.
Sheffield City council’s website states: “This is a class C chargeable zone for the most polluting heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs), vans, buses, coaches and taxis that drive within the inner ring road and city centre.”
The clean air zone was introduced in hopes to tackle the estimated 500 deaths per year that are caused by air pollution.
Signs have been in place around the city, warning drivers about the incoming rule change and marking out where the zone begins and ends.
The roundabouts at major junctions are not included, meaning vehicles travelling towards the city centre can circle around to avoid the charge.
There are some exceptions and extensions to who might need to pay the fee.
The council also said: “If you or your business is based in Sheffield or Rotherham, and runs LGVs, then you could be eligible to apply for a temporary exemption until 5 June 2023.
“If you own a Hackney Carriage taxi licensed with Sheffield City Council you will not be charged until 5 June 2023 – the exemption will be set up automatically.”
Sheffield becomes the ninth English city to tax drivers of older diesel vehicles to improve air quality, after the implementation of similar programmes in Newcastle and Gateshead.
With nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in the city exceeding legal limits for years, the government urged Sheffield to install its new clean air zone to minimise pollution.
You can find a full, comprehensive list, of the vehicles which need to pay the daily charge here.