Primary school places budget squeeze

As birth rates continue to climb in the UK, local governments are seeing their budgets squeezed as demand for primary school places rise. It is estimated that already 100,000 5 to 7 year olds are in classes over 30 pupils and that in the next three years another 130,000 primary school places will need to be provided.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-28937664

UK must adapt to changing weather says Environment Agency

Britain must prepare better for more droughts and more floods in the future, says the Chairman of the Environment Agency. Some rivers like the Ouse and Tyne sank to historic lows and highs within a 4 month period. He said that the UK would have to look into increasing the amount of small reservoirs as well as improving th etransfer of water between dry and wet areas. He also said that more homes will have to be protected from flooding.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21651067

Construction to start on 93 new flood defences

The government has announced that construction will start on 93 new flood defences. 64,000 homes are expected to receive better protection at the cost of £2.3 billion. The flood defences are being improved in coastal and river locations.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21364056

EU Plans Fishing Reforms

The EU has voted to introduce reforms for the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The reforms aim to protect endangered stocks and to end discarding (throwing unwanted fish back into the sea). Discards are believed to account for about one quarter of all fish caught. It is hoped that depleted stocks can recover by 2020. It is hoped that this will happen by moving from the current bartering overs quota and moving to a system of maximum sustainable yield (MSY).


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21352617

Huge Energy Potential off Scotland's Coast

Giant waves off the Western Isles could offer enormous energy potential. Buoys placed 5 miles off the island of Lewis recorderd average wave height of 14 metres on Monday. The heighest wave was 23 metres in height. Scientists have calculated that "based on average wave power of 75kW/m and a 200km coastline from Butt of Lewis to Barra, the total mean power would be 15GW - equivalent to 12 modern nuclear power plants, such as Torness." However, based on Monday's waves this could rise to the equivelant of 120 nuclear power stations.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-21324654

60th Anniversary of Great Flood

Today is the anniversay of the great 1953 storm that killed over 300 people. The south east of the UK was hit by a wall of water caused by storm surges and spring tides. Unfortunately 60 years ago there was little warning and many perished. Today many lessons have been learnt from this storm; defences have been introduced along much of the coast and teh Environemnt Agency and Met Office coordinate their warnings and responses. However, some scientists are warning that without further investment, our coasts might be vulnearble again because of rising sea levels and stronger storms.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21258341

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21272289

Flood Warnings as Snow Thaws

Forecasters have warned that there might be localised flooding as warming temperatures thaw snow and rain moves in. Snow has covered much of the UK for over 10 days creating temporary surface stores. The melting snow will be unable to infiltrate as much of the UK is already saturated from a wet 2012. With no where to go the snow will run down hill to low lying areas and river valleys.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21217480