Nathalie Thomas

I probably live in the world’s worst city to avoid alcohol. Within a 15-minute walk of my home in Edinburgh, I can count at least eight pubs or bars. In one direction. It brings a whole new meaning to 15-minute cities – and not exactly the one urban planners might endorse. At this time of year especially, when Scotland’s streets shine with wintry rain, there would be nothing better than returning warmth to soaked toes with a dram. Except I have given up alcohol. For me, January, December and ev…

Dear reader, Is the UK now a hostile environment for investors in net zero technologies? Next week’s King’s Speech is likely to revive the debate. People close to Rishi Sunak are already suggesting the prime minister will introduce legislation to commit to more oil and gas licensing. There are other setbacks. The government failed to attract any bids from offshore wind developers in an important contract auction in September. In addition, Sunak recently pushed back the 2030 ban on the sale of…

Britain’s car industry has a problem: ditherers like me. I have been planning to buy an electric vehicle for several years. This process has so far been more enjoyable than buying the actual car. I have conducted in-depth research on charging options, affordability and projected prices. And I have procrastinated. Just when it looked as if I could put off a purchase no longer, Rishi Sunak has come to my rescue. The UK prime minister has delayed the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars…

Industry says projects are less viable because costs have rocketed but the price they receive for electricity has not

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

It’s a simple enough equation. To permanently reduce high household energy bills, cut the amount used in the first place. Yet for all its simplicity, it’s a sum that successive UK governments have struggled to solve. The UK’s record over the past 10 years in upgrading its energy inefficient housing stock — among the leakiest in Europe — is embarrassing. Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron in 2011 promised a “revolution” in upgrading British property by 2020. But programme after pr…

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Costs are falling but uptake will have to accelerate if the country is to hit net zero

Britain’s energy regulator has been accused of being “asleep at the wheel” in its monitoring of electricity and gas suppliers found to have been using court warrants to install prepayment meters in customers’ homes. The behaviour of energy companies has come under fresh scrutiny following allegations on Thursday that debt collection agents acting on behalf of British Gas, the biggest supplier, broke into the homes of vulnerable customers to fit expensive prepayment devices. It is estimated tha…

Governor Andrew Bailey expresses optimism that the worst is over

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

UK government says money is to aid wholesale purchase of electricity and gas for failed group’s 1.5mn customers

The UK government has proposed banning the installation of traditional gas boilers in homes from 2026 and replacing them with “hydrogen ready” heating systems. Under the consultation, published on Tuesday, new boilers installed after that date would continue to use natural gas but would have to be able to switch to hydrogen, which does not emit carbon dioxide when burnt, at a later date. Replacing gas-fired boilers is a key part of the UK’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with the…

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Changing the pattern of electricity use in homes can help manage demand and meet climate targets

Britain lags behind other countries that are throwing subsidies at the low-carbon fuel

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

FT conference hears of various ‘unlikely’ scenarios in which UK might not have sufficient energy

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication