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Britain plans to build eight nuclear power plants by 2050

The UK plans to build eight new nuclear reactors by 2050, writes the BBC. This will increase the energy independence of the country and stabilize prices. The need for additional sources has become more urgent for most European countries against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, due to which already raised gas prices began to rise again.

A new regulator, Great British Nuclear, will oversee the construction and launch of new stations, as well as support for nuclear power. Preliminary plans for the construction of two reactors in Suffolk have already been made public. According to government plans, by 2030 up to 95% of electricity in the UK will come from low-carbon sources.

As part of the new strategy, the government will also pay attention to renewable sources - wind energy, hydrogen energy and solar energy. The authorities intend to speed up the process of obtaining permits for the construction of new wind farms, to simplify the rules for installing solar panels in homes and commercial buildings, and to increase the production of hydrogen.

General practitioners asked to work overtime

Traditionally, general practitioners in England leave for the Easter weekend (this year it falls on April 15-18), which puts extra pressure on emergency departments. However, the situation is deteriorating now, as hospitals struggle to cope with the backlog in patient care caused by the pandemic, as well as to accept new cases of covid.

To address the issue, the NHS has ordered GPs to work extra hours over the next two weeks to make up for lost time over the Easter weekend and relieve pressure on A&E departments. Hospitals, in turn, must discharge all those who no longer need emergency medical care, writes The Telegraph.

Doctors believe that such measures are ineffective and dangerous. Royal College of General Practitioners chairman Martin Marshall said therapists often push themselves to the limit, burn out and leave the profession. Previously, the NHS required all medical practices (GPs) in England to see patients on Saturdays.

British airports advise passengers to check in luggage the day before departure

Airports remain understaffed and many UK residents are at risk of not enjoying their holidays abroad. The Telegraph reports that 1,236 flights were canceled between March 28 and April 12, four times as many as in the spring of 2019.

Passengers whose flights have not been canceled are forced to spend several hours in queues for check-in. To avoid crowds, Stansted's management advised vacationers to check in their luggage the day before departure and return to the airport as soon as check-in opens.

Motorists are asked to refrain from traveling on Good Friday (April 15) if possible and reschedule their planned trips to Saturday, otherwise they risk getting stuck in traffic jams for many kilometers. 27.6 million car trips are expected this Easter weekend.

The operator of the Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) has launched additional trains to cope with the influx of tourists. Representatives of the company claim that the last time such a level of traffic could be observed at Easter in 2019.

Demand for dog walking services on the rise again in the UK

During the coronavirus pandemic, many Britons have decided to get pets to brighten up quarantine everyday life. According to official data, the number of pet dogs alone has increased by 3.5 million, from 9 million in 2019/20 to 12.5 million in 2020/21.

The pandemic boosted the revenues of some pet-related businesses, such as pet stores and pet insurance firms, who benefited. However, professional dog walkers, dog sitters and trainers were left almost idle: the owners looked after the pets, says the BBC. Demand for such services began to grow only after the peak of the pandemic, by the end of 2021: due to the return to offices, dog owners needed additional help. Now the schedule of some walkers and trainers is scheduled until September 2022.

The behavior of domestic dogs during the lockdown has also changed: some of them are so used to being next to a person 24/7 that they can no longer be alone. “Despite the fact that people used to be able to leave the animal at home for several hours, now many dogs cannot live on their own for 30 seconds!” says Olivia Litley, founder of the Biker Girl Dog Trainer project.

'Cultural vandalism': Marks & Spencer flagship store demolished in London

In 2021, Marks & Spencer announced a decision to demolish the iconic Oxford Street building that houses its flagship store and replace it with a new 10-story building containing office space, a store and a gym.

Independent experts from Save Britain's Heritage, an organization that advocates the preservation of historic buildings, tried to protest the demolition of a building with almost a century of history. Designed in Art Deco style, Orchard House is a landmark and hallmark of Oxford Street, they say. Environmentalists were also outraged: they calculated that the carbon footprint of the new project would be too large, and reproached the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, for not taking the city's carbon neutrality by 2030 seriously.

Despite this, Sadiq Khan approved the start of renovation work, according to The Evening Standard. The mayor's office claims that the project was approved taking into account emissions into the atmosphere. Now only UK Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government Michael Gove can stop the project. British historian, Professor Suzanne Lipscomb called what is happening cultural vandalism.

Programs for refugees from Ukraine: answers to the most common questions from an immigration lawyer

The first refugees from Ukraine arrive in the UK under two new programs: family (for those who have relatives in Britain) and sponsorship (for those who are ready to be taken in by friends or strangers). Kommersant UK collected the most frequently asked questions in this regard and asked them to Inessa Pobeda, an immigration lawyer at Immigration UK.

— How can Ukrainian refugees get to Britain?

- In principle, all immigration programs that existed before the war can also apply to Ukrainian refugees. But now it is worth noting two main programs designed specifically for them. The first program is designed for those Ukrainians whose relatives live in the UK and have either British citizenship, or a residence permit, or pre-settled status.

The second program, which started only on the evening of March 18, is called Homes for Ukraine - it implies that people can move to the UK from Ukraine with the assistance of a sponsor, that is, a familiar or unfamiliar person who lives in the UK and is ready to open the doors of his house to Ukrainians.

Under the program for family members, a visa is issued immediately for three years. Under the Homes for Ukraine program, a visa is valid for six months, with a subsequent possibility of extension up to three years.

Yes, these programs have been “rocked” for a long time, they have been accepted for a long time, but the benefits that refugees from Ukraine now have are unprecedented and full-scale. The unprecedented nature of these programs is that they provide access to medicine, the labor market, education and social assistance. The country literally opened its shirt and said: "We are ready to do the maximum for you - we allow you to work, we give you the opportunity to be treated and educate your children."

— Under what program is it faster to get to the UK from Ukraine: family or sponsorship?

— It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally, because the checks are carried out for each program, and they are very similar - this is the verification of the authenticity of documents, a criminal record check (criminal check), etc. I find it difficult to say whether it is faster to get a visa under the family program or sponsorship, because the second program started only on March 18th.

If you are already familiar with the sponsor and write down all his data in the questionnaire, then technically this is equivalent to a visa for relatives, because the documentation is clearly provided on both sides. If the sponsor is unfamiliar with the family in need of housing, then there may be additional checks and additional interviews to make sure the people are a good match. The emotional background is very strong now, many people want to help... But even for the majority it is obvious that living with strangers (and with acquaintances, even close ones) in the same territory is not always easy. So, yes, it will probably be a little longer than with a family visa, but here the Home Office (Home Office) seeks to protect the interests of both parties, so that people are comfortable.

- Approximately what time period are we talking about?

- If we talk about family visas, then their consideration can take approximately two to seven days. Here I am on the side of the Home Office: they prioritize the consideration of applications from those refugees who really need a visa.

- Is it possible, having arrived on a family program, to switch to a sponsor visa already inside Britain? Some families, trying to take their loved ones out of Ukraine, faced the fact that their living conditions are rather modest...

- Technically, it's not written anywhere. The transition from one program to another within the country is not provided for by law. No one forbids relatives to live at a different address if there are people who are ready to help them with separate housing. However, it is worth noting that these programs somehow imply that you take some responsibility for the fact that you brought your relatives.

But it is worth noting that Ukrainians who arrived under the new programs have the right to work, both for hire and as a self-employed person. That is, people do not just move and sit on the neck of the state. Everyone who is able to work, who can work, has the opportunity to improve their standard of living on their own. They themselves will be able to subsequently decide whether to stay with relatives or rent a room or separate housing. Everyone has this choice.
In the case of older people, they can also apply for subsidies, for housing benefits, which will help pay for the rent of a house or a larger apartment. There will be no single itinerary for everyone, because everyone's circumstances are different.

- And if a Ukrainian was already in Britain before February 24 on a visa that restricts his stay here, for example, on a tourist visa, will he be able to switch to a new visa program for Ukrainians without leaving Britain?

– Yes, he will be able to switch to another visa category, including under the new family program, but he will not be able to apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, since the conditions of this visa require that a person be outside the UK (at least at the moment this is the case). Homes for Ukraine is more of a humanitarian aid. Many people tell me: “We want to apply for asylum.” But refugee is when you flee a country because you cannot live there because it is the state that does not give you such an opportunity, persecuting you for racial reasons, political views, or because you belong to a sexual minority. In Ukraine, the situation is completely different: despite the fact that we generalize a group of people, calling them all refugees, people are not fleeing from Ukraine, but from Russian aggression on the territory of Ukraine, from the war. These are completely different concepts.

Refugee can only be requested in the first safe country bordering Ukraine. However, the humanitarian program we are talking about was created for everyone who could get somewhere. In whichever country they feel comfortable and safe, there they ask for temporary asylum and humanitarian protection. And this protection depends on how the situation changes. Therefore, at first a visa is given for six months, but with the possibility of extension. If, say, in a year, the international community considers that the territory of Ukraine has become safe, technically the British government has the right to suspend visas and suspend valid visas so that people return home if they do not switch to other programs. However, this is a gradual stage, we are not talking about an instant solution.

— Who can become a sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine program?

- Any person who meets the criteria can become a sponsor. The requirements are now changing and being updated, all the latest information must be checked on the GOV.UK website (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions), where you can subscribe to updates. Please, always refer to official sources, because, unfortunately, there are already cases when someone uses the system, profits from someone else's grief and gives out incorrect information.

About criteria. The Home Office has published guidelines for district administrations (councils) on who can sponsor and under what conditions. In principle, a sponsor can be any person who has the right to reside in the UK for more than six months and who owns or rents a home. If you are a tenant, then you need to obtain the consent of the landlord for the residence of certain persons. This is very important, because otherwise you yourself will break the law.

The program clearly states that accommodation for Ukrainians arriving under the sponsorship program cannot be rented. It is also stated that people should live in decent conditions: it cannot be a walk-through room or a room the size of a closet (box room), it should at least be a full-fledged room that closes and where residents feel comfortable.

— Are there any other requirements for living space that can be provided for living under the Homes for Ukraine scheme?

Yes, there are such requirements. There is an understanding of how old a baby can live in a room with their parents. Simply put, a married couple without children can live in one room. At least there should be a double bed and a wardrobe, there should be a passage. There is an understanding up to what age same-sex and opposite-sex children can sleep in the same room. There should be conditions for a decent life, not survival, this is not a place to sit out for a short time. Yes, when you are shot over your head and you come to another country, it seems that even the smallest room will do. But the UK has clearly stated its criteria for decent housing for every person.

- Under the Homes for Ukraine program, the British government promises to pay the host country 350 pounds per month. What is this amount for?

- Black and white, the state has prescribed that residents of Britain do not have the right to take rent from people who live with them under the Homes for Ukraine program. But utility bills will rise, and given that the country's gas and electricity bills have already risen very much, then, obviously, 350 pounds is the amount that compensates for the increase in utility bills due to an increase in the number of people living on living space of the receiving party.

- What happens after the Ukrainians come to Britain and settle down in the housing provided to them? Who will help them with administrative matters, such as opening a bank account, registering with a doctor, etc.?

- According to state websites, volunteers and charitable organizations will help. That is, we are not saying that the host family must necessarily be involved in all these issues, but often in practice it turns out faster. Or you can turn to individuals for help: lawyers, accountants - those who do this on a daily basis.

- How can those who come under new programs from Ukraine quickly access financial benefits?

— All existing programs are notthey mean that a person is going nowhere. We are not talking about refugees in the form when a person arrives at the border and has no one and nothing. Even when a person arrives under the Homes for Ukraine program, he is usually met and goes to a specific person's home. People who are ready to accept one person or family have common sense and are ready to support people at first. Therefore, if we talk about registration and payments, everything will depend on the person, on the help that they are ready to provide. You have reached the house, opened the computer and can register.

To open an account with a full-fledged bank, you need to provide proof of address, which can take up to a month. If a bank card or an online card is enough for relatives to transfer funds to you, this can be done in minutes.

Someone will take the first job that is offered to him, someone for some reason will look for a job that suits him for a long time. Each case must be considered individually.

“Many host families are thinking about providing refugees not only with shelter, but also with work, for example, as cleaners or housekeepers. How legal and ethical is this?

- From the point of view of ethics, I think everyone will decide for themselves. From a practical point of view, it is worth noting that the immigration law gave those coming from Ukraine under new programs the right to work for hire and as individual entrepreneurs. Many people will be looking for work, and of course it would be easier for them to work for someone they at least know and trust, especially since many of the language skills are lacking or at an elementary level.

The issue of ethics, it seems to me, should be decided individually within families, and very clear boundaries should be drawn so that people do not become hostages of the situation and think that since they live here, they are obliged to thank the owners. I hope for the prudence and respectful attitude of the British to the guests. If there is an opportunity to give work and if people do not mind, then you are welcome. But it is important to remember: there is always an option to find a job elsewhere.

— How will relations between host families and refugees be built? Do any documents on housekeeping, etc., need to be signed?

— The program is built on the human factor. It is not a set of rules, as is the case with employer and employee. There are requirements specified in the questionnaire that sponsors fill out: there must be access to a bathroom and toilet, to a kitchen, there must be a private space. And people who come under this program should at least be aware that they are going to another country (especially if they will live with strangers). I have lived in the UK for a long time and I know the difference in mentality, and I would advise from the very beginning to discuss the rules of this or that house, what is acceptable and what is not. These can be completely different things, from washing at a certain time of day (because some households use a nightly rate) to understanding the rules for cleaning the house. Then people will be much more comfortable from the very beginning. To avoid conflict, it is advisable to discuss everything in advance, write it down in writing and, if possible, translate these rules from English. This is more correct than silence and general discomfort. For example, when we arrive at the hotel, there is a reminder for the guests. I believe that people from both sides should make every effort to be comfortable living together.

- Can Ukrainians who arrived under the new programs leave the territory of the UK?

- There were a lot of talks about this. The Homes for Ukraine program is not a refugee, they don’t take your passport away from you. A Ukrainian passport with a chip gives the right to a visa-free travel regime with other countries, and a person has the right to travel if he can physically and financially afford it. But it is worth adding that you cannot ask for help in several countries at the same time, although for some reason many people think about it.

— Is it possible to organize the arrival of a friend or relative from Ukraine if he does not have a passport, for example, due to the fact that he had to leave the country as soon as possible and he could not take the documents?

— It is possible, but the information changes all the time, so the procedure will be different from what it is now. People who already have passports can apply online. All airlines are notified that people will take biometrics upon arrival and receive a residence permit for three years in the form of a plastic card. Those who do not have a passport, no documents, will take biometrics in the country from where they apply for a visa.

I personally contacted the consulates of Ukraine: they do not issue passports now, because it is impossible to conduct a quality check on the part of Ukraine. Despite this, in Ukraine there is an excellent program "Diya", which makes it possible to save your documents at least in electronic form - then it turns out that the documents technically exist. countries accept Ukrainians even simply by a birth certificate (for example, people gave their passport for exchange and did not have time to get a new one). Each host country compromises, but the process ends up taking longer.

- Children who come from Ukraine can immediately go to kindergartens and schools?

- Yes it is. It is not yet clear whether any document will be issued that educational services for these children are provided under a separate program, but schools are always ready to take the side of visitors. It is enough to apply through the website of the local district council (council), and there they must find a school in their place of residence. Most likely, children will also be provided with free school lunches, as many parents will be out of work for some time.

- What will be the process for a child from Ukraine, who has already identified developmental features, if additional support or a specialized school is needed?

- Of course, documentation will be needed, since without a diagnosis it is impossible to correctly provide assistance to the child. Here you have to go through the family doctor (GP). At the same time, you can enroll in a school. Application forms for the school are designed in such a way that there is always a question about whether the child needs additional support, whether he has a disability. You can describe in your own words what problems the child has. You will most likely need additional medical advice. But you can deal with doctors in parallel so as not to waste time, because, of course, to get an appointment with a specialist in Britain, it usually takes more time than in Ukraine.

Night Tube will fully return to London on the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Northern lines

Transport for London has announced the resumption of nighttime operation of the Underground on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, according to The Evening Standard. Jubilee trains will begin running on a regular basis from May 21, with start dates for the Northern and Piccadilly lines to be announced at a later date.

However, there is a risk that the work of the night metro may be hampered by a strike of machinists. In December 2021, the National Union of Transport Workers (RMT) announced the start of protests on the Central and Victoria lines, which will run until June 17, 2022. Now the machinists working on the Jubilee line can join the strikers.

The metropolitan metro began operating at night in 2016, but in March 2020 the city hall decided to reduce the number of trains due to the threat of infection and due to a sharp decrease in passenger traffic.

In 2021, the capital's mayor's office was criticized several times for refusing to reopen the night metro. One of many petitions for the return of night trains has gained more than 165,000 signatures, with women's rights advocates saying the lack of transport during the late hours creates a dangerous environment.

Great British Rail Sale: Train tickets will be 50% cheaper

The UK Department for Transport has decided to reduce the cost of railway tickets by 50% in some areas. According to the head of the department Grant Shapps, this will help reduce the burden on family finances during inflation and boost the local tourism industry, which is recovering from the pandemic.

The sale starts on April 19; tickets can be purchased on the National Rail website for off-peak fares from April 25 to May 27. The discount will apply to 1 million tickets. The cost of a trip from York to Leeds under the new program will be 2.8 pounds, from London to Edinburgh - 22 pounds, from Manchester to Newcastle - 10.3 pounds.

In the last quarter of 2021, the British made about 285 million rail trips, which is 62% of the pre-pandemic average, writes the BBC. Experts cite the cost of tickets as one of the main reasons for the low passenger traffic: the new fares introduced in England and Wales in March 2022 turned out to be the highest in the last nine years.

Women from the poorest regions of England live almost 8 years less than their more affluent compatriots

The life expectancy of women in the poorest regions of England is 78.7 years, writes The Guardian, citing a study by the charity Health Foundation. Among OECD countries, only Mexico has a lower figure of 77.9 years. However, women in the country's most affluent regions live an average of 86.4 years, higher than life expectancy in all OECD countries except Japan (87.3 years).

Overall, the UK ranks 25th out of 38 OECD countries in terms of life expectancy at 83.1 years.

The lowest income areas are Blackpool, Knowsley, Liverpool and Middlesbrough, the most prosperous are Chiltern, Hampshire, Hart and Rutland. Experts say the coming cost-of-living crisis will further widen the gap between the rich and the poor. The pandemic has already hit the finances of millions of families, and rising prices will force them to forego essentials in favor of paying their energy bills.

The participation of Elizabeth II in the celebration of the platinum jubilee is in question

From 2 to 5 June, festivities will be held in Britain to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth II to the throne. The Queen planned to take part in most of these events, according to Buckingham Palace sources, but mobility issues could play havoc. Therefore, the presence of the queen will not be known until June, writes The Telegraph.

Starting in 2021, the Queen has been forced to miss several events for health reasons - the last time she did not appear at Easter services on April 14 and 17. Instead, the last solemn ceremony was led by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their two older children, eight-year-old Prince George and six-year-old Princess Charlotte.

Insiders report that Elizabeth II refused to use a wheelchair in public places and is trying to move around without assistance. Now she regularly holds meetings online and continues to work with government papers.

Discounter Mere left the UK

In the UK, the Mere discounter, a chain developed in Europe by the manager of the Svetofor low-price supermarket chain, Alexander Chkalov, has stopped working. It is reported by The Grocer. Mere's only store opened in Preston in 2021, with three more to open in March 2022.

On March 3, store management notified employees and suppliers of the closure. The decision was made in connection with the actions of Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine: according to representatives of Mere, this made it difficult to continue doing business in the UK.

The Svetofor supermarket chain was founded in 2009 by the Schneider family from Krasnoyarsk. The international expansion of the network began in 2017, new stores opened in Germany, Poland, Romania, Serbia and the Baltic countries.

Great Britain may become a transit country for natural gas to Europe

The UK may become a transit country for natural gas to Europe amid attempts by other states to reduce dependence on Russian resources, writes The Telegraph. The gas that enters the country from Norway, is transported as LNG by tankers from around the world and is produced in the North Sea, can then be transported to Europe via pipelines to Belgium and the Netherlands.

British energy company National Grid expects gas exports to Europe to rise over the next six months as the continent starts filling up storage ahead of winter. The company expects exports to Europe to reach 5.1 bcm in the summer, slightly above the 2015-2020 average but seven times higher than in 2021, when there was little surplus to sell.

Now European countries receive 40% of gas through pipelines from Russia, but they intend to reduce this volume due to the conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, there is a risk that Russia will stop exports completely in response to sanctions.

The UK government plans to issue its own NFT. State non-fungible token will appear by summer

British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has tasked the Royal Mint with creating and issuing NFTs. The state non-fungible token should appear by the summer of 2022, reports The Independent. The treasury secretary also announced a desire to make the UK a global leader in the cryptosphere and to bring digital assets under closer scrutiny by regulators.

To ensure the country's leadership in the field of cryptocurrency, the government intends to take the following measures: introduce stablecoins into the country's payment system - types of cryptocurrencies whose quote is pegged to a regular currency. In addition, the authorities are going to explore the possibility of using the blockchain to work with debt instruments, writes The Telegraph. Sunak's deputy John Glenn spoke about this at the Innovate Global Finance Summit 2022.

British economists criticized Sunak's decision: someone called the news about the NFT a belated April Fool's joke, someone called it a PR stunt. Labor Shadow Economy Minister Tulip Siddiq urged the government to deal with more pressing issues first - electricity prices and rising social security contributions.

A non-fungible token (NFT) is a digital certificate based on blockchain technology that confirms the right to own a virtual asset. Those who wish can purchase the original meme, a musical composition, and even a tweet. The NFT is unique and cannot be counterfeited or replaced with another. However, financial regulators and critics of the technology point out that it is not reliable enough for tokens to remain unchanged for a long time.