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Renewable vs. non-renewable power generation across the region (updated every 30 minutes)
Renewables includes biomass(2%), nuclear(33.8%), solar(0.4%) and wind(45.3%). Excludes imports
The Summer Mobile Scams Brits Need To Know About In 2026
Photo: spusu
With millions of Brits set to travel abroad and attend festivals, concerts and events across the UK this summer, mobile phones will play a key role in staying connected. However, increased usage during peak holiday periods also creates more opportunities for mobile fraud.
P.ublished 6th June 2026
How 87 Email Addresses Became 50,000 Disruptions: Global Signal Exchange Enables Large Scale Criminal Referral In West Africa
Image by Davie Bicker from Pixabay
UK Minister praises GSE's 'significant progress' as Industry Accord signed in Vienna names platform alongside Google, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft
P.ublished 16th May 2026
Tim Peake Returns To The National Space Centre
Photo: National Space Centre
Ten years to the day since Tim Peake’s dramatic return to Earth, Britain’s most renowned astronaut will be returning to the National Space Centre to celebrate not only the milestone, but also the continuation of his inspirational legacy. Visitors can expect a truly immersive experience.
P.ublished 16th May 2026
Wired Headphones Make A Comeback As Searches Hit 2.6 Million, With Gen Z Driving The Return To “Old Tech”
Image by Arifur Rahman from Pixabay
Searches for “wired headphones” have risen 68% month-on-month as shoppers rethink wireless tech, wellness claims and retro accessories Wired headphones are making an unexpected comeback, with new search data showing shoppers are once again looking for older, cheaper and more recognisable tech.
P.ublished 9th May 2026
Opinion
How Data Insight Can Enable More Collaborative Approaches To Care And Address Demand Issues
Mark Hindle, Tunstall Healthcare
As care needs across the UK continue to evolve and pressure on an already stretched workforce intensifies, the shift from reactive to proactive care can no longer be viewed as aspirational - it is an operational imperative. Delivering better outcomes for people depends on health, housing and social care providers working collaboratively, aligning across data and delivery.
P.ublished 11th June 2026
Ultra-Fast Broadband Provider Fibrus Celebrates 150,000 Customers
The company, which is bringing Full Fibre broadband to rural Northern Ireland and Cumbria has reached the milestone of its 150,000th customer. Since connecting its first customer in Northern Ireland in 2019, Fibrus has hit the figure just four years after bringing its network to Cumbria.
P.ublished 27th May 2026
North East School Children Take Part In World-First Transmission Into Space
Hot on the heels of Artemis II’s return to earth, St Mary Magdalen’s primary school pupils from Seaham, County Durham, have sent messages into space using new laser communications technology developed in the North East, as part of Durham University’s Light Years programme.
P.ublished 30th April 2026
Seven Tips To Improve Mobile Reception
We’ve all been there: you’re halfway through a phone call, the sound becomes crackly and then… silence. If your signal tends to drop out, there’s no reason to put up with this, as there are ways to improve it. Here, SIM-only mobile provider spusu, explains seven things to try if your mobile reception needs a boost.
P.ublished 25th April 2026
Why Is A Pizza Like A World Map?
When you’re eating a triangular slice of delicious floppy pizza, do you sometimes find the tip of the pizza droops - so it’s harder to point it to your mouth? Most pizza, if it’s been cooked right, has the same floppiness as a piece of paper (with the added weight of toppings) - so if you hold one end, the other end will naturally curve downward.
P.ublished 18th April 2026
Artemis II: 10 Stunning Facts And Figures
1During the initial takeoff stage the rocket will burn through six tonnes of fuel per second.
P.ublished 2nd April 2026
Why Switching To Sim-Only Could Save You Hundreds In 2026
Photo: spusu
Mobile contracts often rise quietly, leaving millions of people paying more than what they bargained for. In fact, Ofcom estimates that around six in ten UK customers are on broadband or mobile contracts subject to annual price increases. With rises approaching again in April 2026, consumers face a simple question: are they paying for convenience, or value?
P.ublished 14th March 2026
Outbound Call Centres Are Pushing The Public Too Far
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
In South Africa we call it a braai, while it’s a barbie in Australia, a cookout in the USA and a barbecue in the UK and elsewhere, but although the name of the event can differ, the core activities are the same: grilling food, drinking beer and a lot of chat.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
Five Tips For Tackling AI Customer Service Bots Including The Magic Words To Reach A Human
Jane Hawkes
Consumer Expert
Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
IT is one of the most frustrating things to face if you are dealing with a complaint or trying to return an unwanted item - an AI chatbot. But now I reveal how to best deal with robots and automated systems, and the quickest route to a real-life person.
P.ublished 14th February 2026
Is Climate Change Down To Nature Or Man?
Photo credit: geralt/Pixabay
Climate expert Dr Chris Tuppen gives a straightforward explanation of how man-made and naturally occurring climate change are not the same thing. To understand whether climate change is down to nature or man we must first look at what we mean by global warming. Some atmospheric gases act like a blanket around the planet that traps some of the sun’s warmth.
P.ublished 8th February 2026
What 2025 Taught US About Mobile – And What 2026 Holds
Across the Mobile Ecosystem Forum’s (MEF) events, research and member dialogues, one theme stood out in 2025: mobile is being rebuilt around trust, automation and richer user experiences. In 2026, these trends will deepen, changing how networks are exposed, how brands engage customers, and how people pay, prove their identity and stay safe.
P.ublished 24th January 2026
Groundbreaking Project To Unlock Nuclear Energy's Role In Hydrogen And Clean Fuels
Teesside University is working with the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) on an ambitious project to explore how nuclear energy can do more than generate electricity, by co-producing hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and heat for industrial and domestic applications.
P.ublished 18th December 2025
The Top Five Gifts At Risk This Christmas
Brits should have their wits about them this festive shopping season, with cybercriminals looking to get hold of the most in-demand items this Christmas.
P.ublished 29th November 2025
Cyber War: Why We’re All Foot Soldiers Now
In the shadowy world of cybercrime, the battlefield is digital, the weapons are psychological, and the targets - increasingly - are us. From rogue hackers to state-sponsored actors, the tactics are evolving. Gone are the days of clumsy spam emails from imaginary princes.
P.ublished 1st November 2025
Expert Shares Five Tips For Preventing Phone Theft
Image: Spusu
Figures from police forces across the UK have revealed a national surge in mobile phone thefts, with more than 225 devices stolen every day. The data, which was obtained through Freedom of Information requests, shows there were at least 83,900 phone theft offences recorded in the 12 months to July 2024 — almost double the five years previously.
P.ublished 11th October 2025
Sleeping With Your Smartphone? Experts Explain The Hidden Health Risks
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
It’s reported that more than 7 in 10 people sleep with their phones next to them (71%), an alarming dependency that carries risks.2 With this in mind, Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay, has revealed the hidden health risks of sleeping next to your phone and spoke to Dr. Hana Patel to find out if phones really do cause cancer.
P.ublished 4th October 2025
England Has The Unhappiest Children In Europe – Will Rejecting Smartphones Help?
Image by Pexels from Pixabay
England apparently has the unhappiest children in Europe. One-in-five English children have a mental health issue, as well as one-in-four young people aged 16 to 24. A combination of factors is to blame for this crisis in youth health, but the effects of one in particular has shown worrying effectiveness in crushing youth happiness – mobile phone addiction.
P.ublished 22nd September 2025
The Rise of the Relationship-Driven Lender: Why People Still Matter in a Digital World
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
In today’s fast-moving world of finance—shaped increasingly by automation, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic decision-making—the idea that relationships still matter might seem a little old-fashioned. But for businesses across Lancashire and beyond, especially SMEs navigating uncertainty and change, trusted human connections remain not just relevant, but essential.
P.ublished 13th September 2025
Britain’s Tech Shame: The Nation Is Neglecting To Clean Its Most Frequently Touched Items
More than 50% of Brits admit they have NEVER cleaned some of the most frequently touched items in their homes Mobile phones, laptops and remote controls are the main items being left off the list Cleaning experts share how and when we should be cleaning them, with guides to beat the filth
P.ublished 30th August 2025
Top Tips To Prevent A Devastating Cyber-Attack Before The Year-End
A technology expert has shared his advice on how businesses can avoid a crippling cyber-attack. As we enter the last quarter of the year, Roy Shelton, CEO of managed services provider Connectus Group warned that business leaders needs to be increasingly vigilant to rising threats. Mr Shelton said: “Hostile actors thrive on a lack of vigilance.
P.ublished 30th August 2025
Which Tech Is Being Used To Replace The Traditional Password?
In June 2025 there was a major data leak, exposing 16 billion login credentials linked to platforms such as Apple, Facebook, and Google. This underscored the growing inadequacy of the old password-based security. This extraordinarily large leak, compiled from various infostealer attacks over time, highlights a persistent vulnerability that cybercriminals are only too eager to exploit.
P.ublished 16th August 2025
Digital Marketing And The Rise Of Threads
After an explosive start, things have slowed down for Threads, but two years on since the launch of Meta’s version of microblogging, Threads is an undeniably strong business. While it has not yet surpassed X in terms of reach, its monetisation strategy may have already outpaced the well-established Twitter/X platform.
P.ublished 19th July 2025
Keyhole Surgery Improves Outcomes In Cattle
A Cumbrian veterinary practice is at the forefront of using cutting edge keyhole surgery in cattle. Paragon Veterinary Group was one of the first in the country to embrace the innovative technique which involves using laparoscopy to repair cases of twisted stomachs or left displaced abomasa (LDA).
P.ublished 15th July 2025
The Four Reasons Why AI Should Worry You
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
Many people view Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the greatest thing since sliced bread. However, even sliced bread has its detractors (highly processed ingredients for starters), and there are plenty of folk far from keen to embrace AI.
P.ublished 28th June 2025
Chipping Heat Project Wins Parliamentary Praise
L-R: Chipping Energy's Martin Hawkin, Kelvin Whiteside, Simone Hore, Paul Hunt, Keith Chase and Paul Smith
A clean energy initiative in the Ribble Valley has been hailed in Parliament as a “brilliant” example of how rural communities can lead the way in delivering greener, more affordable energy solutions.
P.ublished 23rd June 2025
What’s On This May Half Term At The National Science And Media Museum
Prepare for a fun-filled May half term at the National Science and Media Museum with something for the whole family to enjoy – from nostalgic hands-on gaming to extraordinary interactive experiences exploring science’s big questions. As well as Wonderlab and the Kodak Gallery, this half term marks the exciting launch of new permanent gallery, Power Up.
P.ublished 24th May 2025
Northumbrian Water Makes History By Appointing Its First Ever Archaeologist
From prehistoric settlements, Roman walls and roads, medieval villages, and industrial heritage...the North East is rich in archaeological treasures. And for the first time ever, a water company has recruited a specialist in-house archaeologist to help it protect the past, while it builds for the future.
P.ublished 24th May 2025
Hundreds Of Genetic Links To Osteoarthritis Unlocked In Landmark Research Study
The findings pave the way for the development of potential drug treatments and personalised therapies for people living with the degenerative condition. Over 900 genetic links to osteoarthritis, including 500 that have never been reported before, have been uncovered in breakthrough research involving Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
P.ublished 1st May 2025
Castle Howard Wins Grant To Explore Green Geothermal Heating For Entire Village
The Castle Howard Foundation (“CHF”) has been successful in its application to the Community Energy Fund for a grant to conduct detailed feasibility work into a geothermal system to decarbonise the heating of all the properties in the village of Coneysthorpe. The grant has been awarded alongside match-funding by Third Energy (a local energy company) and Castle Howard Estate Limited.
P.ublished 12th April 2025
Five "Overlooked" Hacks To Avoid Driving Lesson Scams In 2025
According to research from Lloyds Bank, driving lesson and test scams have skyrocketed by 92% in the last six months. Nationwide searches for ‘driving lessons’ have also risen by 1,207% in the last seven days, highlighting the growing need for caution before booking.
P.ublished 22nd March 2025
Spusu Mobile Continues Price Freeze Throughout 2025
Image spusu
As most UK mobile operators prepare to raise their prices this April, SIM-only mobile provider spusu, which joined the UK market in 2023, has committed to protecting its customers from mid-contract price increases. As a result, the company has announced the continuation of its price freeze throughout 2025. This applies to both new and existing customers of its SIM-only plans.
P.ublished 18th March 2025
Tech Will Be A Game Changer For Stroke Survival - New Landmark Report
Photo credit: geralt
Use of technology such as prehospital video triage (PVT) could transform stroke care and boost survival rates of the UK’s fourth leading cause of death, according to the Stroke Association’s new report which comes ahead of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan. The Stroke Association has launched its report called Unlocking potential: a bold vision for stroke care in England.
P.ublished 17th March 2025
With More Than A Third Of Phone Users Out Of Contract Expert’s Seven Tips On How To Secure The Best New Deal
Jane Hawkes
Consumer Expert
Image by Tran Mau Tri Tam from Pixabay
Our consumer expert has advised people to check their mobile phone contracts after it emerged more than one third of pay-monthly mobile phone customers are out of contract. According to reports over the weekend, the regulator Ofcom estimates that 37 per cent of all phone users are in line for new deals.
P.ublished 1st March 2025
Opinion
AI In Education Takes Centre Stage In Leeds
The conversation around AI in education is heating up, and Leeds is right in the centre of thediscussion. The University of Leeds, a long-standing innovator in AI, recently hosted education leaders from across the UK to explore the future of ethical AI in higher education.
P.ublished 24th February 2025
Rising Concern Over Mobile Phone Theft: How To Protect Your Device
Mobile phone theft in the UK is surging at an alarming rate, with new figures revealing a sharp rise in incidents that show no sign of slowing. According to recent Freedom of Information (FOI) figures, obtained by The Independent, at least 83,900 mobile phone thefts between July 2023 and 2024, nearly doubling the 45,800 reported over the previous five years.
P.ublished 22nd February 2025
Does Your Business Need To Embrace Cloud Native?
At software conferences or tech meetups, the term 'Cloud Native' is thrown around like confetti. Along with it comes an avalanche of buzzwords: containers, orchestration, microservices. But what does it all really mean for your business? Let's cut through the jargon and explore why Cloud Native has become such a hot topic – and more importantly, whether it's right for you.
P.ublished 15th February 2025
Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind: How To Beat Phone Distractions Behind The Wheel
In January 2025, rapper Stormzy was banned from driving for nine months after being caught using his phone at the wheel. Although drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a crash while using their phone, many still find the distraction all too tempting. In this article, SIM-only mobile provider spusu offers its advice for a safer driving experience.
P.ublished 8th February 2025
The Expert’s Checklist For Shopping Refurbished Smartphones
Buying a refurbished smartphone can be a budget-friendly choice for upgrading your device while being kind to the environment. Doing a little research helps to ensure you’re getting a device that’s reliable and worth the investment. Shing Pang, CEO of Mobile Federation has provided a comprehensive guide on what to consider when purchasing a refurbished device.
P.ublished 8th February 2025
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 9 January 2025
Image by Bruno from Pixabay
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
P.ublished 9th January 2025
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 3 January 2025
Image by Angelo Esslinger from Pixabay
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
P.ublished 4th January 2025
Possible Science And Technology Breakthroughs In 2025
Richard Trinder
Managing Editor
Photo credit: geralt
2024 has been a tumultuous year for developments in Science and Technology across a multitude of different disciplines. Next year looks certain to continue the explosion with huge breakthroughs poised to hit the mainstream in space research, quantum computing and the much-discussed and, I think, under-hyped area of Artificial Intelligence.
P.ublished 1st January 2025
AI-Driven Scams Are Targeting Christmas Shoppers With Fake Discounts
Image by BearyBoo from Pixabay
As the Christmas shopping season is in full swing, AI is revolutionising industries and enhancing productivity but it is also fueling a concerning trend: discount fraud. Coupon company Voucherbox warn of the ways cybercriminals are leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to create shockingly realistic fake websites, emails, and discount offers to dupe consumers.
P.ublished 23rd December 2024
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 19 December 2024
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
P.ublished 19th December 2024
Advice Accepted On Spring 2025 COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The government has accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for the spring 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme.
P.ublished 12th December 2024
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 12 December 2024
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
P.ublished 12th December 2024
Hepatitis C Infections In People Who Inject Drugs Fall
Chronic hepatitis C infections have fallen in people who inject drugs in the last 6 years.
P.ublished 11th December 2024
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