As temperatures drop, demand for electricity rises. For the first time, energy customers are set to be paid to cut consumption. Also today, Boris Johnson has entered the Ukraine tanks row, above.
National Grid ready to pay customers to switch off
Turn off to earn. Households will be paid for reducing their electricity use for the first time today under plans being drawn up by the National Grid. As temperatures are expected to plummet to -2C, ramping up pressure on Britain’s power network, its operator is planning to ask consumers to use less electricity between 5pm and 6pm to help it manage supplies. Around a million people have signed up to the scheme, under which they will be paid as much as Ā£10 per day to use less electricity at certain times. This could mean avoiding running a washing machine or dishwasher during that period. Rachel Millard reports that, in a further sign of the strain on the energy supply, National Grid has also asked for extra coal-fired power plants to supply back-up electricity.
Boris Johnson weighs in over tanks for Ukraine
Former prime minister Boris Johnson has added to the pressure on Germany to authorise tank deliveries to Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv. He said “this is the moment to double down, and to give the Ukrainians all the tools they need” after touring the bombed suburbs of Ukraine’s capital. Mr Johnson, whose firm support made him highly popular in the country, was greeted by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky outside his presidential office. In a video, Mr Zelensky thanks Mr Johnson for Britain’s aid as the two sit face-to-face in a gilded conference room. Reporting from Kyiv, Roland Oliphant explains how Mr Johnson’s comments will be interpreted as a jibe at Berlin.
After chancellor Olaf Scholz once again dodged questions of whether Germany will send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, it has been reported that American officials read “the riot act”. The reports of a furious dressing down came as Poland suggested it and other Nato allies may organise their own “tank alliance” without Berlin in response to the refusal. Ukraine says it needs modern Western main battle tanks to push Russia out of occupied territory. Associate editor Dominic Nicholls and Joe Barnes explain why Ukraine so desperately wants the Cold War-era tanks, which are more than just a one-trick pony.
‘No evidence that 60mph limit cuts pollution’
Air pollution speed limits that force motorists to drive at 60mph should end, campaigners have said, after it emerged they have lasted twice as long as originally proposed without producing evidence they work. Drivers on some stretches have had their speed limited to see if driving more slowly helps reduce emissions. But the restrictions, which were only supposed to last between 12 and 15 months, have now been running for more than two years ā despite no evidence to show they are effective. Science editor Sarah Knapton says there are even questions over whether the increased congestion may have actually increased pollution.
Also in the news this Monday
PM to rule on ex-boss | Rishi Sunak faces having to decide whether his former boss should remain as BBC chairman amid a row over conflicts of interests linked to his appointment. Noā10 is facing questions over the role Richard Sharp played in helping to arrange a guarantee on a loan of up to Ā£800,000 for Boris Johnson. It emerged yesterday that Mr Sharp, was involved in talks about financing Mr Johnson’s Downing St lifestyle.
The suspect in a California dance studio shooting that left 10 people dead and 10 others injured has shot and killed himself, police said last night. The authorities identified 72-year-old Huu Can Tran as the man they believe to have carried out the attack at a Lunar New Year celebration on the outskirts of Los Angeles. He was found slumped behind the wheel of a white van in Torrance, about 30 miles from where the shooting happened. David Millward reports on the evidence found.
A Swat team stormed a van around 30 miles from the scene of the shooting Credit: BBC
Business briefing: Tories warned to avert civil war
The Conservatives need to focus on boosting growth rather than arguing among themselves over tax cuts, the head of British industry has warned. Tony Danker, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, will weigh in on the escalating tax row in a speech today. Meanwhile, there is just over a week to go before the tax return deadline on January 31, but nearly five million people are yet to file. In the rush to meet the deadline, these are the lucrative tax perks that could be missed.
Here is a selection of articles we think you’ll be interested in today.
Ms Braverman ordered a review in the wake of the event for civil servants in the Homeland Security Group earlier this month.
Attendees had been told not to call each other āmateā or use the words āhomosexualā and ātranssexualā as part of a 12-slide presentation on gendered language.
But Ms Braverman distanced her department from the guidance and is understood to have been frustrated by the seminar on the ārightā words for staff to use.
āThe Home Secretary has made her views very clear ā she doesnāt want to see this kind of politically correct nonsense in the department,ā a Home Office source told The Telegraph.
A joint effort of several authors who do find that nobody can keep standing at the side and that āEveryone" must care about what is going on in todayās world.
We are a bunch of people who do not mind that somebody has a totally different idea but is willing to share the ideas with others and to be Active and willing to let others understand how "todayās decisions will influence the futureā. Therefore we would love to see many others to "Act today".
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Some View on the World 