Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

EUROPE

EURO BLACKOUTS: EU Prez tells Europeans to STOP using energy to “flatten curve” amid crisis  

EUROPEAN Union president Ursula Von Der Leyen has signalled that Europeans must stop using energy at peak times to “flatten the curve” as Europe faces blackouts amid the energy crisis caused by the War in Ukraine.

Europe – which was once once of the worlds most advanced regions is getting poorer by the day, with Germany, France and Ireland all facing energy crisis’ even greater than the UK. 

Von Der Leyen said that the EU will propose a “mandatory target for reducing electricity use at peak hours” and will “work closely with the Member States to achieve this” as well as capping the revenues of low-carbon electricity providers. 

The calls came as Ireland prepared for mass blackouts with “emergency drills” to test the countries readiness for blackouts.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Irish Department for Energy said: “These emergency exercises, as before, will involve key stakeholders in the energy sector, including Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid, ESB Networks, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).”

“This year, a joint exercise will involve bodies from both the gas and electricity sectors – reflecting a broadening of the scenarios under consideration.” 

ENERGY CRISIS 

The crisis in Europe hasn’t trickled down as much to the UK due to Britain being less reliant on Russian gas – being used as a weapon in the War in Ukraine.

New PM Liz Truss has vowed to tackle soaring energy bills in the UK and confirmed her plan, expected to freeze household bills at around £2,500, will be set out in Parliament.

She rejected the idea of using a windfall tax on the bumper profits made by oil and gas giants to fund the package, reported to cost up to £150 billion.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Ms Truss told the Commons: “I will make sure that in our energy plan we will help to support businesses and people with the immediate price crisis, as well as making sure there are long-term supplies available.

“I understand that people across our country are struggling with the cost of living and they are struggling with their energy bills.

“That is why I, as Prime Minister, will take immediate action to help people with the cost of their energy bills and I will be making an announcement to this House on that tomorrow and giving people certainty to make sure that they are able to get through this winter and be able to have the energy supplies and be able to afford it.”

LABOUR: BRING IN WINDFALL TAX 

In response to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has pushed for a levy on the £170 billion of “excess profits” that oil and gas producers are expected to enjoy over the coming years, Ms Truss rejected a windfall tax.

“I am against a windfall tax, I believe it is the wrong thing to be putting companies off investing in the United Kingdom just when we need to be growing the economy,” she said.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Sir Keir said refusing to tax the profits made by oil and gas firms as a result of the high global prices would leave taxpayers footing the cost of the energy freeze for decades.

“The  Prime Minister knows she has now choice but to back an energy price freeze, but it won’t be cheap and the real choice, the political choice is who is going to pay,” he said.

“Is she really telling us that she is going to leave this vast excess profits on the table and make working people foot the bill for decades to come?”

DON’T MISS…

Big Brother

BIG Brother is set to launch in weeks with its biggest ever outdoor set and leaked pictures taken from a drone reveal that ITV...

Big Brother

BIG Brother bosses have revealed that they have cast housemates for the upcoming ITV2 reboot who want to take part in the iconic reality...

Entertainment

PHILLIP Schofield‘s relationship with runner Mathew McGreevy on ‘This Morning‘ is set to be made into a TV drama – three years after Politicalite...

CELEBITE

ELON Musk and Andrew Tate are backing Russell Brand amid his sex scandal as 61% of Politicalite readers say their opinion on the comedian...

Entertainment

DAVINA McCall wants to keep her relationship away from the spotlight to “keep it really magical”.  The ‘My Mum, Your Dad’ host – that’s...

Royals

THE PRINCESS OF WALES visited HMP High Down in Surrey on Tuesday ahead of Addiction Awareness Week to hear about the efforts of The...

Media

IN THE ever-evolving world of video content, quality is key. Whether you’re a content creator, a filmmaker, or simply someone who loves capturing precious...

CELEBITE

STING can’t get enough brown sauce on his food. The 71-year-old musician’s friend and frequent collaborator Shaggy has revealed that he has a huge...

Horse Racing

IN THE glamorous world of horse racing, where all those glittering events and high-stakes competitions take centre stage, the spotlight often shines brightest on...

Tories

AMERICAN XL bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year following a series of attacks, Rishi Sunak has said. The Prime...

Entertainment

RUSSELL Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse by four women.  The 48-year-old comic, who is expecting his third child...

CELEBITE

RUSSELL Brand issued a furious denial of accusations of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse levelled at him by four women in a video...

Latest

A MONTHS-WORTH of rain could fall across parts of the UK by the end of Monday after the South-West was hit by flash floods...

Weather

HURRICANE Lee will bring “heavy and persistent” showers to western areas of the UK on Tuesday after storms brought heavy rains, thunder and lightning...

Entertainment

ALAN Fletcher has revealed that he felt “quite nervous” about the return of ‘Neighbours’ on Amazon’s freevee as the show returned to UK television...

Royals

MIKE Tindall believes men find it particularly “hard” to open up about the “challenges” they face and is encouraging guys to speak out more...

MUSIC

TROYE Sivan, the South African-born Australian singer, songwriter, and actor, has made waves in the UK music industry with his smash-hit single Rush –...

CELEBITE

BOBBY Brazier has split from his girlfriend Liberty Love as the couple become another tale of the curse of Strictly Come Dancing, Politicalite can...

CELEBITE

KEVIN Costner and Christine Baumgartner have agreed the terms to settle their divorce. The ‘Yellowstone’ actor has been locked in a bitter dispute with...

Latest

CBD oils, “top-of-the-range” marijuana, THC-infused drinks… We take a look at the cannabis brands launched by celebrities. After wine (Sarah Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt...

Advertisement