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So, Alexandra Burke has been crowned X-Factor Winner of 2008, but was the final result fixed?
Don’t get me wrong. I am happy for the twenty year old Londoner. Alexandra may well be the best talent to come out of the X-Factor (bar Leona Lewis) but Simon Cowell certainly wasn’t taking any chances with the British voting public.
First there were Simon’s references to Eoghan Quigg “representing Northern Ireland,” which was bound to generate anti-Eoghan feelings. Then the duet with Beyoncé was a blatant “Superstar” endorsement tactic, if ever I saw one. It meant that Ms Knowles’ fans would definitely tune in and should more than likely vote for Alexandria, too.
British Gas is putting prices up by 15% or £85 for gas and 15% or £54 for electricity. The price hike comes into effect immediately and will hit standard tariffs, potentially affecting over half its 16 million customer accounts and adding an extra £139 on to the average dual fuel customer’s household energy bill. Bills are now set to rise from £912 to £1,051.
The move comes despite British Gas reporting record half year profits of £533 million - almost £3 million a day and up by £676 million year-on-year – off the back of lower wholesale prices. According to Citigroup, British Gas’ projected 2007 year end profits are set to hit almost £639 million – more than six times the £95 million British Gas made in 2006. The projections suggest that, for residential supply alone, the giant will see its profit per customer increase fivefold from £5.93 to £39.92.
For British Gas customers it means further pricing misery after enduring a three year run of price increases when dual fuel bills rocketed by 85% or £513 (2004 – 2006). This came to an end last year when British Gas dropped prices by 19% or £208. Today’s move shifts British Gas back into its old position as Britain’s most expensive gas supplier.
British Gas prices going up by 15% or £85 for gas and 15% or £54 for electricity
Average household bill for a dual fuel British Gas customer will go up from £912 to £1,051 – only £64 cheaper than when prices were at an all time high
Gas customers will suffer most, as British Gas will now be the most expensive supplier for gas – gas bills will go up from £568 to £653 a year
Increases are on standard tariffs – over half its 16 million customer accounts will be affected
British Gas reported record half year profits of £533 million, but Citigroup predicts that year end profits will hit almost £639 million – more than six times the £95 million it made in 2006
Average British Gas dual fuel bill rocketed by 85% or £513 (2004 – 2006) but only fell by 19% or £208 last year
However, customers are being warned to expect further price blows as British Gas recently indicated that it is considering regional pricing for gas – a ‘postcode lottery’ policy which will see consumers paying different prices for gas based on where they live in the UK.
If British Gas does introduce regional pricing for gas, other suppliers are likely to follow suit - some consumers can expect to pay close to £100 more for their energy compared with others living elsewhere in the country.
Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, comments: “Today’s increase is the thin end of a wedge – British Gas has left the door open for a change in pricing policy that will see consumers paying different prices for gas based on where they live in the UK. If this ‘postcode lottery’ policy is adopted across the board by all suppliers then previous estimates that price rises would add an extra 15% or £150 onto household bills in 2008 could fall short.”
The Master of the Household has received Her Majesty’s command to invite Mr. Paul Boakye to a Reception to be given at Buckingham Palace by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on Monday, 12th November, 2007 at 6.00 p.m.
To raise awareness of Black History Month, ArtsWom have prepared the following Q&A interview to be published at www.artswom.co.uk alongside the replies of others.
Rather than simply editorialising about the aims and ambitions of the month, ArtsWom have contacted a number of bloggers who they feel might know more about the influence of black history and culture. The first five questions are sent to everyone. The last and sixth question is personal to each respondent. Continue reading →
Black Oxford: Untold Stories is competing against nine other projects in the Best Heritage category for the chance to win The National Lottery Awards 2007.
Black Oxford: Untold Stories was set up to highlight the presence and contribution of Oxford University’s black scholars. It was noted that there were no black tour guides registered at the Guild of Guides in Oxford and that the current city tours neglected to point out the significant black presence at the University and in Oxford.
Black Oxford: Untold Stories has addressed this issue by creating the first black heritage guided walking tour. The heritage tour is a two hour history lesson featuring contextual information on the early black British presence, the contribution of black people in the First and Second World War, the Windrush generation, and the presence and contribution of Oxford black community and the University’s black scholars.
Black Oxford: Untold Stories is pioneering in that it is the first and only black heritage project to train members of the community to a recognised and competent level with in-depth knowledge of black British, African American and Caribbean history, tour guiding techniques, marketing and promotion.
Black Oxford: Untold Stories is a unique and innovative project that is slowly helping to change the perception that Oxford is a purely white middle-class city. The project has made tour guiding accessible to the community. The tours have made Oxford’s black heritage accessible to a range of people who had no previous knowledge of Oxford’s black scholars or of the city’s black history. The tours are educating the local community, school children and tourists on the impact that the black community has had on the city.
The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. The Awards aim to celebrate and recognise the difference that those projects have made to people, places and communities all across the UK.
Pamela Roberts, Founder of Black Oxford: Untold Stories said, ‘we’re delighted that Black Oxford: Untold Stories has reached this far in the National Lottery Awards. It is recognition of our hard work, from the initial concept to a project that is really starting to change the perception of Oxford and recognise the presence and contribution of Black people’.
To vote for Black Oxford: Untold Stories visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards
and click through to The National Lottery Awards page. From there click on the heritage category and then vote for Black Oxford: Untold Stories!
Alternatively you can call 0845 386 8114 to register your phone vote (calls cost no more than 1.5p). Every vote counts so if you do have time to vote it is appreciated!
Voting closes on 3rd August.
For further information please contact
Pamela Roberts, Director, Black Oxford on 01494 535 684, 07950 785 050 email info@blackoxford.net
Made a wrong turning on Google News and ended up at the Daily Mail website reading yet another disparaging article on Naomi Campbell. Now I know already what you’re going to be thinking. If you’re in the public eye then you deserve a dressing down from time to time and that Naomi Campbell, well, that girl she is a bitch!
Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale (Doctor Who)
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"Strictly Come Dancing" Annual 2009
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Me Cheeta: The Autobiography
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The New Contented Little Baby Book: The Secret to Calm and Confident Parenting
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Your Pregnancy Bible: The Experts' Guide to the Nine Months of Pregnancy and the First Weeks of Parenthood. New updated edition
I Can Make You Thin (New edition - book & CD)
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Dreams That Glitter: Our Story
At My Mother's Knee ...
Delia's How to Cheat at Cooking
The Girl Who Played with Fire
