Ben Schofield

Jan 24, 2025 | yahoo.com | Ben Schofield

The energy industry expects more plans to emerge to convert countryside into solar farms after the government pledged to treble the UK's capacity to generate solar power over the next five years. Critics say they will harm rural settings, but others say they are a necessary part of battling human-driven climate change. According to the Planning Inspectorate, there are developed plans for 10 large solar farms across the East of England and Northamptonshire.

Nov 19, 2024 | yahoo.com | Ben Schofield

The Home Office underestimated how many zombie knives and machetes would be surrendered ahead of a recent ban, documents show. Research by the BBC also suggests some owners may have been offered more in compensation than their knives cost. An MP said there were "huge flaws" in the government's original impact assessment for the scheme, while another queried why compensation was not capped.

Oct 31, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Ben Schofield

Over the past 12 months, Peterborough's Conservatives lost the leadership of the city's council and saw a new Labour MP elected by just 118 votes. At their regular curry night, party members and councillors admitted it had been a tough time. Nationally, as the Tories chose between Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick, supporters shared what qualities they looked for in a leader and who could steer them to victory.

Oct 14, 2024 | ca.news.yahoo.com | Ben Schofield

Suffolk's Humber Doucy Brewing Company is one of the companies told not to use more water [Ben Schofield/BBC]Businesses in a "seriously water stressed" area have been told not to use any more water than they currently consume. No new business connections will be approved in the zone, centred on the town of Eye in central Suffolk. Firms were "carrying the burden of water rationing", according to one lobby group.

Sep 28, 2024 | aol.com | Ben Schofield

September 29, 2024 at 12:31 AMDiana Minns volunteers at The Haven and said women-only services were "essential" [Ben Schofield/BBC]A support service for vulnerable and homeless women has opened in Cambridge. A volunteer at The Haven said the women-only space was "essential". Women "come with trauma and they can be re-triggered", she said. The service is open two nights a week for a one-year pilot. The Haven is open twice a week from 8pm to 8am.