Bryan McGrory, of BMG Surveys, scooped the Energy Consultant/Consultancy of the Year accolade.

An Airdrie company boss took home a top prize at the Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards.

Bryan McGrory, of BMG Surveys, won the Energy Consultant/Consultancy of the Year accolade.

The firm, based at Alexander Street, is one of the largest providers of structural roof loading reports to the UK solar industry.

There were 13 categories up for grabs at the awards ceremony at Crown Plaza, Glasgow, attended by individuals and companies throughout Scotland that are involved in the energy efficiency industry.

Energy Efficiency Awards chairman Gary Braybrooke said: “The organisations and individuals recognised through these awards are operating in a period of real uncertainty in the sector.

“Despite that, they continue to deliver, to innovate and to hold standards high. That matters.

“Now in their 12th year, the Energy Efficiency Awards are about recognising leadership where it counts – in practical delivery, collaboration and professionalism.

“The winners are not just responding to policy ambition; they are creating real outcomes for homes, communities and businesses across the UK.

“These projects and people show that working together – across supply chains, local authorities and communities – remains the most powerful way to deliver meaningful, lasting change.”

Event organiser Kenneth Campbell added: “Our awards recipients have delivered commitment to improving energy efficiency and carbon savings, and their hard work in reinforcing the standards the sector will need as delivery scales up is recognised.

“We hope the awards continue to provide both recognition and reassurance – a reminder that, even in uncertain times, the sector has the talent and capability to move forward with confidence.”

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UK households have been given a two-week deadline as the Ofgem energy price cap is rising from July 1

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Households across the UK are being urged to take a single photograph before 1 July, in guidance previously echoed by Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder Martin Lewis. The Ofgem energy price cap is set to rise from the start of July, meaning numerous households on standard variable tariffs will pay more for each unit of gas and electricity they consume.

However, according to one energy specialist, the most significant error people can make is presuming their supplier will automatically know how much energy was used before and after the price change. Justin Nielsen, energy consultant at Wolf River Electric, says a straightforward meter reading could help avoid billing confusion and lower the risk of households being charged at the incorrect rate, reports the Express.

He said: “The one thing I would tell every household to do before July 1 is take a clear meter reading and keep a photo of it. It takes less than five minutes, but it gives you a record of exactly where your usage stood before the new rates came in. The price cap does not mean your bill is capped. It caps what suppliers can charge per unit of energy and standing charge, so your final bill still depends on how much you use. That is why accurate readings matter so much.”

Justin’s guidance mirrors that of Martin Lewis, who regularly urges households to capture a swift photograph of their meters, particularly as part of his recommendations for ‘Meter Reading Day’. He previously stated: “I would still get your phone out and take a picture of your meter today just in case of a future dispute, you don’t need to do anything with it, you might want to email it to yourself so you’ve got proof.”

On the MSE website, the team of specialists also advise: “The easiest way is to take a picture of your meters, so you have the readings to hand. Then you can log in to your online account and enter the readings.”

Why should you take a meter reading before July 1?

When the price cap adjusts, suppliers must split consumption between the previous and updated rates. For households with a functioning smart meter, this should typically occur automatically. However, those with conventional meters, defective smart meters, or accounts that rely on estimated readings may still need to submit a manual reading.

Justin cautioned that relying on an estimate can create difficulties, particularly if a household has consumed less energy than typical before July. He stated: “If your supplier does not have an up-to-date reading, they may estimate how much energy you used before the price change and how much came after it. That estimate might be reasonable, but it is still a guess.

“The risk is that some of your cheaper pre-July usage could be pushed into the more expensive period. Even if the difference is not huge for every household, nobody wants to pay more than they should because of an avoidable estimate.”

He continued: “A photo is useful because it gives you proof. Make sure the numbers are visible, and if your phone records the date automatically, even better. Keep it until your next bill has arrived and you are happy the reading has been used properly.”

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Who needs to submit a meter reading before 1st July?

The advice is most critical for households without a smart meter, those with a smart meter that isn’t transmitting readings correctly, or those who have previously received estimated bills. It equally applies to those who have recently relocated, switched supplier, amended their direct debit, or experienced a period where bills appeared incorrect.

Justin said: “If your bills regularly say ‘estimated’, you should not wait until the next statement lands. Take control of the reading yourself. Estimated bills can catch people out because they often do not notice until weeks later. By then, it is harder to remember what your usage looked like at the time.”

He went on: “This is particularly important for households that have made an effort to cut usage in June. If you have been using less heating, drying clothes outside, cooking differently, or trying to keep costs low, you want that lower usage recorded accurately before the higher rates begin.”

How should you take a meter reading correctly?

Households need to record readings for both gas and electricity, unless their property only uses electricity. For a standard meter, note down the numbers from left to right, disregarding any red numbers or digits following a decimal point.

For digital meters, press the display button until the reading shows. For prepayment meters, the procedure can differ, so households should consult the supplier’s instructions.

Justin said: “Do not just scribble the number on a piece of paper and lose it. Take a photo, submit the reading through your supplier’s app or website, and keep a note of the confirmation if you get one. If you cannot access your meter safely, do not put yourself at risk. Ask your supplier for help, especially if the meter is too high, outside, locked away, or difficult to reach.”

He also advised taking the reading as near to July 1 as feasible, while not waiting until the final moment if the supplier’s app or telephone lines are engaged. He said: “The best time is usually the evening before or the morning of the change. But if you know you will forget, doing it a day or two earlier is still better than doing nothing. The key is to avoid going into July with an old reading on the account.”

Smart meter households should continue to verify their account

While smart meters are intended to transmit readings automatically, Justin stated households shouldn’t presume everything is functioning flawlessly. He said: “A smart meter can make this much easier, but I would still log into your account and check that recent readings are actually showing.

“Some smart meters lose communication, some accounts do not update properly, and some households have in-home displays that look fine even when the supplier is not receiving the data.”

He continued: “If your bill says estimated, your smart meter is not doing the job you think it is doing. That is when you need to contact the supplier and ask what is happening.”

Additional energy checks to complete before July

Justin also encouraged households to utilise the price cap adjustment as a prompt to review their tariff, direct debit and daily energy practices. He stated: “This is a good moment to review the whole account. Check whether you are on a fixed deal or a variable tariff, look at your standing charge and unit rates, and compare your direct debit against your real usage.

“Do not cancel a direct debit because you are frustrated with the amount, but do challenge it if it looks completely out of line with what you are using.” With the warmer months arriving, he suggested numerous households might also squander money on fans, portable air conditioners and appliances without being aware of it.

Justin stated: “People often think summer bills will automatically be low because the heating is off, but that is not always the case. Fridges and freezers work harder in warm kitchens, fans get left on in empty rooms, and portable air conditioners can be expensive if they are used badly.

“A fan should cool you, not an empty room. If nobody is in there, switch it off. With portable air conditioning, keep doors closed, seal the window properly and do not set the temperature unrealistically low.”

The straightforward rule to prevent bill shock

The energy adviser said homes should regard the July 1 adjustment as a financial dividing line. He stated: “Think of it like taking a photo of your mileage before selling a car. You are creating a record, and that record protects you if something does not add up later. The most expensive energy mistake is often the one you do not notice straight away. A bad estimate, a faulty smart reading or an unchecked tariff can quietly cost you over time.”

Justin continued: “My advice is simple: take the reading, submit it, photograph it and check your next bill. If the reading has not been used, query it straight away. People cannot control global energy prices, but they can control whether their own account is accurate. That small bit of admin before July 1 could make the difference between a bill you understand and one you have to fight later.”

Asked whether he had the support of enough colleagues to be the one that ousts Sir Keir, Mr Streeting replied: “As much as I can, I am going to resist being drawn into politics, process, personalities, because I want the contest to be a battle of ideas, not just a clash of personalities or an obsession with political drama.

Speaking at England’s World Cup media centre in Kansas City, Bullingham delivered a strong defence of the governing body’s decision to extend Tuchel’s contract before the tournament.

The FA has faced criticism for rewarding Tuchel with fresh terms without knowing the final outcome of his initial mission, given the 52-year-old’s target upon his appointment was to win England’s second World Cup.

But Bullingham said: “The reality is he’s a top-level manager who would be in demand and we knew we had someone who was doing a really good job and we can’t just expect someone to wait around and just leave it and see how you go.

“That’s not the reality of life in any profession. We have someone doing a really good job, we thought we could sign him up for two more years – it’s a home tournament (Euro 2028) where the pressure is even bigger and we have a manager who has been there and done it.”

Bullingham also made clear that the FA was keen to avoid the scenario of uncertainty over its manager’s future overshadowing the World Cup.

He said: “You never really want that hanging over you when you get into a tournament.”

Bullingham pointed out that anyone on a fixed-term contract would need to consider their future as such a deal neared its end.

“It was more about looking to 2028,” he added. “It’s a very important home tournament for us and we wanted the best chance to do the best we can and we felt we had a very good manager, so why not extend?

“They are two different projects. So the 2028 project, we want the best manager in place – we have signed him up. We are still looking at this World Cup to give ourselves the best possible chance and we said at the time we felt he gave us the best possible chance. We still feel that.

“If you look back at any tournament and you work back from it, you look at who is the best manager you want, when can he be available, when can you sign him up. I would argue it’s a bigger risk the other way.”

Claire Freemantle, 49, is accused of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving

The motorist whose 4×4 ploughed into a primary school, claiming the lives of two eight-year-old girls, has been photographed for the first time as she attended court.

Claire Freemantle, 49, faces two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and seven charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in connection with the tragic incident in July 2023.

Pupils Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau died and seven others sustained injuries, including three adults, after Freemantle’s Land Rover Defender crashed through the barriers at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, South West London, as youngsters enjoyed an end of term outdoor tea party.

Freemantle appeared today at Westminster magistrates’ court, where she only spoke to confirm her name, date of birth and address. She was not required to enter pleas.

Looking visibly distressed and dressed in a black trouser suit, Freemantle entered court. She was permitted to sit behind her barrister in the courtroom rather than viewing proceedings from the dock after her barrister Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC expressed concerns that the strain of being in the dock could provoke an epileptic attack, reports the Mirror.

Ms Bennett-Jenkins KC informed the judge Freemantle had experienced a recent seizure in the past three weeks. Freemantle was granted unconditional bail.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring informed Freemantle: “All nine charges must be sent to the Crown Court. You will have to appear at the Central Criminal Court on the 14th July this year. If you don’t, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.”

The Met has subsequently issued an apology for its initial handling of the incident and the “impact on those affected”, pledging that it will be “fundamentally resetting how [the force] investigates fatal and serious collisions”.

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Enquiries are ongoing, and police have reiterated their appeal for anyone with information to contact them on 101.

Two vehicles and a number of electronic devices have been seized during searches linked to a bomb attack on Dunmurry Police Station on 25th April.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit, assisted by Local Policing and Operational Support officers, conducted searches in West Belfast earlier today, Tuesday 16 June, as part of the investigation.

Shortly before 10 past 10 on Saturday, 25th April, a call was made to a Chinese takeaway requesting delivery to Summerhill Park in Twinbrook.

Around 10:45 pm, the delivery driver arrived in the area, got out of his vehicle and was threatened by two men armed with a pistol.

One man then placed a gas canister-type bomb in the rear of his vehicle, and the driver was told he had 30 minutes to bring the vehicle to Dunmurry Police Station before a bomb would explode.

The delivery driver arrived at the station and raised the alarm before the device detonated at 11:15 pm as police officers were evacuating the area.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Terrorism Investigation Unit, assisted by Local Policing and Operational Support officers, conducted searches in west Belfast earlier today, Tuesday 16 June, as part of an investigation into the attack at Dunmurry Police Station. The attack took place on the night of Saturday, 25 April.

“Today, two vehicles and a number of items, including electronic devices, were seized.

“Enquiries are ongoing, and police have reiterated their appeal for anyone with information to contact them on 101.

“Alternatively, Crimestoppers, who are a charity and independent of police, can be contacted with 100% anonymity on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”

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