Prof Matt Hannon
@matthannon.bsky.social
Director of the Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities
Prof of Sustainable Energy Business and Policy at Strathclyde Business School
Co-founder and host of Local Zero Podcast
Chair and trustee of South Seeds (charity)
Prof of Sustainable Energy Business and Policy at Strathclyde Business School
Co-founder and host of Local Zero Podcast
Chair and trustee of South Seeds (charity)
And let us for a moment understand the full gravity of what going without these essentials means. It's shameful to think 7 millions homes are experiencing this.
I believe reversing this will be the true test of a successful Labour government and will be the only way to counter the rise of Reform.
I believe reversing this will be the true test of a successful Labour government and will be the only way to counter the rise of Reform.
November 7, 2025 at 10:22 AM
And let us for a moment understand the full gravity of what going without these essentials means. It's shameful to think 7 millions homes are experiencing this.
I believe reversing this will be the true test of a successful Labour government and will be the only way to counter the rise of Reform.
I believe reversing this will be the true test of a successful Labour government and will be the only way to counter the rise of Reform.
Labour and their forthcoming budget have one big problem to fix.
It's this:
"In the 6 months to May 2025, 7.1 million low-income households (60%) were going without essentials. This number has been at least 7 million since October 2022"
The question is not if it should be fixed but how.
It's this:
"In the 6 months to May 2025, 7.1 million low-income households (60%) were going without essentials. This number has been at least 7 million since October 2022"
The question is not if it should be fixed but how.
November 7, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Labour and their forthcoming budget have one big problem to fix.
It's this:
"In the 6 months to May 2025, 7.1 million low-income households (60%) were going without essentials. This number has been at least 7 million since October 2022"
The question is not if it should be fixed but how.
It's this:
"In the 6 months to May 2025, 7.1 million low-income households (60%) were going without essentials. This number has been at least 7 million since October 2022"
The question is not if it should be fixed but how.
"Traditional Conservatives strongly identify with the need to respect our environment, and use this language when they talk about these issues."
So who do these voters turn to now?
I suspect the Lib Dems will capture this fertile centre ground & do rather well out of it in some constituencies.
So who do these voters turn to now?
I suspect the Lib Dems will capture this fertile centre ground & do rather well out of it in some constituencies.
October 7, 2025 at 1:20 PM
"Traditional Conservatives strongly identify with the need to respect our environment, and use this language when they talk about these issues."
So who do these voters turn to now?
I suspect the Lib Dems will capture this fertile centre ground & do rather well out of it in some constituencies.
So who do these voters turn to now?
I suspect the Lib Dems will capture this fertile centre ground & do rather well out of it in some constituencies.
Revisiting what bonkers decision it was from the Tories to commit to scrapping the Climate Change Act we find the recent report from @climateoutreach.bsky.social, which finds:
1. People are very worried about climate change harming nature and wildlife
2. This 100% includes Traditional Conservatives
1. People are very worried about climate change harming nature and wildlife
2. This 100% includes Traditional Conservatives
October 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Revisiting what bonkers decision it was from the Tories to commit to scrapping the Climate Change Act we find the recent report from @climateoutreach.bsky.social, which finds:
1. People are very worried about climate change harming nature and wildlife
2. This 100% includes Traditional Conservatives
1. People are very worried about climate change harming nature and wildlife
2. This 100% includes Traditional Conservatives
Labour's Local Power Plan has not yet launched but GBEnergy's latest strategic statement from DESNZ retains a commitment to it, with further details due later this year (i.e. soon)
A little more detail too here on what it will include
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c807...
A little more detail too here on what it will include
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c807...
October 3, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Labour's Local Power Plan has not yet launched but GBEnergy's latest strategic statement from DESNZ retains a commitment to it, with further details due later this year (i.e. soon)
A little more detail too here on what it will include
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c807...
A little more detail too here on what it will include
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c807...
And in numbers.
October 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
And in numbers.
Spot the difference.
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
This is what I suspect is (partly) driving a political push back against net-zero.
It illustrates out some of the excellent thinking in this piece too:
theconversation.com/port-talbot-...
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
This is what I suspect is (partly) driving a political push back against net-zero.
It illustrates out some of the excellent thinking in this piece too:
theconversation.com/port-talbot-...
October 2, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Spot the difference.
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
This is what I suspect is (partly) driving a political push back against net-zero.
It illustrates out some of the excellent thinking in this piece too:
theconversation.com/port-talbot-...
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/envi...
This is what I suspect is (partly) driving a political push back against net-zero.
It illustrates out some of the excellent thinking in this piece too:
theconversation.com/port-talbot-...
It's subtle but it's there.
The shift from "very concerned" to "unconcerned" is present in UK Gov's attitudes tracker.
This trend is of course paradoxical, when year-on-year, people are experiencing first-hand the worsening impacts of climate change.
Humans are far from rational beasts.
The shift from "very concerned" to "unconcerned" is present in UK Gov's attitudes tracker.
This trend is of course paradoxical, when year-on-year, people are experiencing first-hand the worsening impacts of climate change.
Humans are far from rational beasts.
October 1, 2025 at 10:10 AM
It's subtle but it's there.
The shift from "very concerned" to "unconcerned" is present in UK Gov's attitudes tracker.
This trend is of course paradoxical, when year-on-year, people are experiencing first-hand the worsening impacts of climate change.
Humans are far from rational beasts.
The shift from "very concerned" to "unconcerned" is present in UK Gov's attitudes tracker.
This trend is of course paradoxical, when year-on-year, people are experiencing first-hand the worsening impacts of climate change.
Humans are far from rational beasts.
That background hum is bees, not traffic.
Ivy is one seriously important food for insects at this time of year.
Ivy is one seriously important food for insects at this time of year.
September 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
That background hum is bees, not traffic.
Ivy is one seriously important food for insects at this time of year.
Ivy is one seriously important food for insects at this time of year.
With UK Gov's policy to establish transmission line Community Benefit Funds, we're now heading into a very complicated space of overlapping and nested funds; all with varying degrees of community involvement across the UK.
Things are about to get pretty complicated.
Things are about to get pretty complicated.
September 11, 2025 at 8:16 AM
With UK Gov's policy to establish transmission line Community Benefit Funds, we're now heading into a very complicated space of overlapping and nested funds; all with varying degrees of community involvement across the UK.
Things are about to get pretty complicated.
Things are about to get pretty complicated.
There *may* be examples of where mergers could yield cost-savings & won't -ve impact upon employee/student experience. It's a debate we must have
What I will say however is real-term decline in fees has helped force the issue alongside rising uni costs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#academicsky
What I will say however is real-term decline in fees has helped force the issue alongside rising uni costs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#academicsky
September 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
There *may* be examples of where mergers could yield cost-savings & won't -ve impact upon employee/student experience. It's a debate we must have
What I will say however is real-term decline in fees has helped force the issue alongside rising uni costs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#academicsky
What I will say however is real-term decline in fees has helped force the issue alongside rising uni costs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#academicsky
It appears that the regional funding will be covered via price control costs (RIIO T3), i.e. the allowable funding that Ofgem (regulator) signs off on.
The local CBFs however will be covered via a separate
funding request.
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
The local CBFs however will be covered via a separate
funding request.
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
August 29, 2025 at 9:05 AM
It appears that the regional funding will be covered via price control costs (RIIO T3), i.e. the allowable funding that Ofgem (regulator) signs off on.
The local CBFs however will be covered via a separate
funding request.
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
The local CBFs however will be covered via a separate
funding request.
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
CORRECTION.
SPEN has one transmission licence area (was getting mixed up with distribution).
They expect the following:
"We anticipate that projects delivered during RIIO-T3 will be eligible for £92 million in community benefit funding."
That's £18.4 pa across 1 of Scotland's 2 licence areas.
SPEN has one transmission licence area (was getting mixed up with distribution).
They expect the following:
"We anticipate that projects delivered during RIIO-T3 will be eligible for £92 million in community benefit funding."
That's £18.4 pa across 1 of Scotland's 2 licence areas.
August 29, 2025 at 8:57 AM
CORRECTION.
SPEN has one transmission licence area (was getting mixed up with distribution).
They expect the following:
"We anticipate that projects delivered during RIIO-T3 will be eligible for £92 million in community benefit funding."
That's £18.4 pa across 1 of Scotland's 2 licence areas.
SPEN has one transmission licence area (was getting mixed up with distribution).
They expect the following:
"We anticipate that projects delivered during RIIO-T3 will be eligible for £92 million in community benefit funding."
That's £18.4 pa across 1 of Scotland's 2 licence areas.
The TNO model for generating community benefits is becoming clearer, following recent UK Gov guidance on transmission community benefits
SPEN's model (below) is 2-tier: regional & community
Former covered by price control (RIIO) but unsure about latter
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
SPEN's model (below) is 2-tier: regional & community
Former covered by price control (RIIO) but unsure about latter
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
August 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
The TNO model for generating community benefits is becoming clearer, following recent UK Gov guidance on transmission community benefits
SPEN's model (below) is 2-tier: regional & community
Former covered by price control (RIIO) but unsure about latter
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
SPEN's model (below) is 2-tier: regional & community
Former covered by price control (RIIO) but unsure about latter
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/fi...
August 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Erm, that's not good.
As climate change worsens, the British public appear to this we ought to be spending less on climate action.
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
As climate change worsens, the British public appear to this we ought to be spending less on climate action.
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
August 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Erm, that's not good.
As climate change worsens, the British public appear to this we ought to be spending less on climate action.
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
As climate change worsens, the British public appear to this we ought to be spending less on climate action.
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Garbage isn't it. But when you look at the travel split, you can explain (but not excuse!) the policy decision in terms of voter share.
August 18, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Garbage isn't it. But when you look at the travel split, you can explain (but not excuse!) the policy decision in terms of voter share.
Local Zero podcast can be found here:
www.localzeropod.com
A taste below of some of our recent episodes.
www.localzeropod.com
A taste below of some of our recent episodes.
July 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Local Zero podcast can be found here:
www.localzeropod.com
A taste below of some of our recent episodes.
www.localzeropod.com
A taste below of some of our recent episodes.
We don't really talk about this enough but the electricity market in the UK has been through dramatic changes over the past 5 years. Octopus and Ovo now make up the new Big 5, with numerous companies failing along the way to enter into that exclusive club (eg Bulb)
www.ofgem.gov.uk/retail-marke...
www.ofgem.gov.uk/retail-marke...
June 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
We don't really talk about this enough but the electricity market in the UK has been through dramatic changes over the past 5 years. Octopus and Ovo now make up the new Big 5, with numerous companies failing along the way to enter into that exclusive club (eg Bulb)
www.ofgem.gov.uk/retail-marke...
www.ofgem.gov.uk/retail-marke...
I contributed a number of quotes to the below article:
'New game, old rules': How Scottish communities should benefit from net zero project rush
If you have a subscription you can read a high rest version here:
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/new...
'New game, old rules': How Scottish communities should benefit from net zero project rush
If you have a subscription you can read a high rest version here:
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/new...
June 6, 2025 at 8:19 AM
I contributed a number of quotes to the below article:
'New game, old rules': How Scottish communities should benefit from net zero project rush
If you have a subscription you can read a high rest version here:
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/new...
'New game, old rules': How Scottish communities should benefit from net zero project rush
If you have a subscription you can read a high rest version here:
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/new...
To all listeners of the Local Zero pod, WE NEED YOU 🫵
We're planning forward our episodes for the remainder of 2025 & we're keen to know what you'd like to hear more about on the pod
Please let us know by commenting below or DMing me
We can't wait to hear from you
Thanks 👍
www.localzeropod.com
We're planning forward our episodes for the remainder of 2025 & we're keen to know what you'd like to hear more about on the pod
Please let us know by commenting below or DMing me
We can't wait to hear from you
Thanks 👍
www.localzeropod.com
June 4, 2025 at 12:59 PM
To all listeners of the Local Zero pod, WE NEED YOU 🫵
We're planning forward our episodes for the remainder of 2025 & we're keen to know what you'd like to hear more about on the pod
Please let us know by commenting below or DMing me
We can't wait to hear from you
Thanks 👍
www.localzeropod.com
We're planning forward our episodes for the remainder of 2025 & we're keen to know what you'd like to hear more about on the pod
Please let us know by commenting below or DMing me
We can't wait to hear from you
Thanks 👍
www.localzeropod.com
Net-zero's challege in a nutshell.
Convince the populace to pay today, to save tomorrow.
Yes, that's saving money *and* the planet.
Costs peak in 2029. Net cost saving from 2041.
I am immediately taken by how many voters will not be alive to reap the dividends of either.
How to convience them?
Convince the populace to pay today, to save tomorrow.
Yes, that's saving money *and* the planet.
Costs peak in 2029. Net cost saving from 2041.
I am immediately taken by how many voters will not be alive to reap the dividends of either.
How to convience them?
May 16, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Net-zero's challege in a nutshell.
Convince the populace to pay today, to save tomorrow.
Yes, that's saving money *and* the planet.
Costs peak in 2029. Net cost saving from 2041.
I am immediately taken by how many voters will not be alive to reap the dividends of either.
How to convience them?
Convince the populace to pay today, to save tomorrow.
Yes, that's saving money *and* the planet.
Costs peak in 2029. Net cost saving from 2041.
I am immediately taken by how many voters will not be alive to reap the dividends of either.
How to convience them?
I'd be fascinated to pull this apart with a justice lens, to ask which kinds community and locally owned energy might most productive in delivering a just transition.
energysavingtrust.org.uk/wp-content/u...
energysavingtrust.org.uk/wp-content/u...
May 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
I'd be fascinated to pull this apart with a justice lens, to ask which kinds community and locally owned energy might most productive in delivering a just transition.
energysavingtrust.org.uk/wp-content/u...
energysavingtrust.org.uk/wp-content/u...
It becomes clear what is keeping families awake at night when looking at the below.
It's not just energy but all costs that are hurting household finances.
@citizensadvice.bsky.social helping x2 no of households vs pre-COVID.
Energy ~1/3 of these cases.
public.flourish.studio/story/1634399/
It's not just energy but all costs that are hurting household finances.
@citizensadvice.bsky.social helping x2 no of households vs pre-COVID.
Energy ~1/3 of these cases.
public.flourish.studio/story/1634399/
May 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
It becomes clear what is keeping families awake at night when looking at the below.
It's not just energy but all costs that are hurting household finances.
@citizensadvice.bsky.social helping x2 no of households vs pre-COVID.
Energy ~1/3 of these cases.
public.flourish.studio/story/1634399/
It's not just energy but all costs that are hurting household finances.
@citizensadvice.bsky.social helping x2 no of households vs pre-COVID.
Energy ~1/3 of these cases.
public.flourish.studio/story/1634399/
In 2023:
- 1 in 3 Scottish households were fuel poor.
- 1 in 5 were living in extreme fuel poverty.
A perennial and pernicious issue that we just never ever seem to want to get a grip on.
This energy crisis isn't over and the next one is around the corner.
www.gov.scot/publications...
- 1 in 3 Scottish households were fuel poor.
- 1 in 5 were living in extreme fuel poverty.
A perennial and pernicious issue that we just never ever seem to want to get a grip on.
This energy crisis isn't over and the next one is around the corner.
www.gov.scot/publications...
May 9, 2025 at 8:34 AM
In 2023:
- 1 in 3 Scottish households were fuel poor.
- 1 in 5 were living in extreme fuel poverty.
A perennial and pernicious issue that we just never ever seem to want to get a grip on.
This energy crisis isn't over and the next one is around the corner.
www.gov.scot/publications...
- 1 in 3 Scottish households were fuel poor.
- 1 in 5 were living in extreme fuel poverty.
A perennial and pernicious issue that we just never ever seem to want to get a grip on.
This energy crisis isn't over and the next one is around the corner.
www.gov.scot/publications...