Highland energy drive is ‘green insanity’

Energy drive is just a pantomime

It’s that festive time of year again and time for parody and panto. As we look at what is happening to our country we realise we are in the grip of an out of control spiral of green insanity that is pushing up our bills, increasing fuel poverty and committing ecocide.

The public are like Alice following the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole into a world of mayhem and dishonesty. Far from a wonderland, it is a land of obsession and craziness with Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the March Hare offering treats that we reach for in hopeful anticipation, only for him to snatch them away again.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves must be the Queen of Hearts demanding, instead of their heads, everyone’s hard-earned income and pensioners’ winter fuel allowance.

Energy Minister Ed Miliband is the Mad Hatter. Could he really be anything else? He promises us cheaper energy bills, yet every step he takes will surely increase them as rapidly as he boosts the profits of the global investment companies he courts while chasing his impossible green dream. A dream that the enlightened can see will cost us more and leave us reliant on the weather for our lighting, heating and transport. Dreams are not reality and when he finally comes to he will surely wonder what on earth he has done.

Here in Scotland we have our own members of the cast. First Minister John Swinney as the Dormouse, asleep at the wheel as ruthless Big Energy takes everything we hold dear just so they can make an obscene amount of money from the consumers so shamefully let down by their elected representatives.

Scottish Energy Minister Gillian Martin, with her new unlikely alliance with the Mad Hatter, can only be the Cheshire Cat. Smiling and dismissive as she delivers her predictable rhetoric that we must suffer if we want to be world leaders in turning green and first in the race to Net Zero (whatever that is). She then just disappears without explanation or empathy.

Finally the inhaling Caterpillar played by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes; blowing smoke at her Highland constituents while her roadshow is sponsored by a wind developer and sitting on a fence instead of a mushroom when asked to stand up for those who voted her in.

Our rural communities' festive wish is for Big Energy’s relentless roaring engines of industrial hardware, rattling diggers, incessant buzzing helicopters and whining drones to be silenced.

May your home be warm, your lights stay on and your communities, the environment and wildlife around you be safe and at peace.

Lyndsey Ward

Spokeswoman for Communities B4 Power Companies

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Support for those struggling with cancer

This is such a special time of year. A chance to celebrate and create lasting memories with those closest to us. It’s also a time when we miss our loved ones the most.

But spare a thought for those people facing the last festive season with a loved one, or the first without them - this can be particularly challenging and difficult to navigate. Many families need help to get them through the season, and don’t know where to access the support they need.

Marie Curie believes everyone should have expert care and support at the end of life, free from unnecessary pain, and have the dignity and respect they deserve, whatever their illness or where they live.

Our free support line and webchat is open over the festive season, including New Year’s Day, offering practical and emotional support on everything from managing symptoms, navigating care to financial information, including how to get help with energy bills, and bereavement support.

Our trained support line officers are there if you need support or a listening ear, as well as our telephone companion service that offers regular calls at a time that suits you.

Whatever your question, we’re here to help you.

If you or someone close to you needs support please contact Marie Curie for free on 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/support to chat online.

Matt Williams

Marie Curie associate director, information and support

Thanks for supporting charity in 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Dogs Trust this year. Your generosity and dedication have made a huge difference to dogs in need.

I am proud to share that, with your support, we have found new homes for thousands of dogs this year, and while these dogs waited for their forever families, we made sure they were cared for in a safe and happy place

This would not have been possible without our dedicated Dogs Trust team, and an army of volunteers, who selflessly give their time and energy to support our work.

From walking and playing with our dogs to helping with administrative tasks, tackling the mountain of washing in our centres, and even reading to dogs in kennels, every moment they spend with us makes a real difference.

Our foster carers also play a vital role, providing temporary homes for dogs until they find their forever family. To all of them, we are incredibly grateful.

Throughout this year, I have been inspired by the fundraising support we have received, too. Whether running marathons, climbing mountains, or attending our events, each effort helps us go beyond our mission.

Thanks to this generosity, we've also been able to provide services that keep dogs and their owners together, such as our free behaviour support line, which has helped more than 7000 dog owners in the last year.

We also offer training classes through Dog School, and many of our rehoming centres and charity shops run pet food banks, helping owners meet the needs of their dogs.

The support we received also means we can work alongside charities supporting people experiencing homelessness or escaping domestic abuse, helping keep loyal dogs and committed owners together in the most challenging circumstances.

So, as we approach the new year, on behalf of everyone at Dogs Trust, I'd like to wish all our supporters a very Happy New Year, one in which we look forward to helping dogs find their forever homes and continue to be a force for good in dog welfare.

For further information about our work and our wonderful dogs who all deserve to be in loving homes, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk

Owen Sharp

Chief executive

Dogs Trust

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