Today NASA has published five stunning science-quality images from the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) that give us a deeper understanding of our place in the Universe, and just how much there is still to discover. The National Space Centre is hosting a day dedicated to Webb, to help people know more about what these images show, what we should expect in the future, and ask any questions they may have. This special day will include interactive activities themed around Webb and an expert panel discussion. Come along and see the first images released by the Webb telescope at the cutting edge of space observations and find out how they’ll transform our understanding of the cosmos. To find out more, or to book your tickets, visit https://spacecentre.co.uk/event/james-webb-space-telescope/

£90 boost available to help thousands of Leicestershire families to buy food over the summer holidays, Support is here for some 14,000 families. Food vouchers will be available to families with children eligible for free school meals Thousands of Leicestershire families struggling with the surging cost of living will get help to feed their children over the summer holiday. Leicestershire County Council is again running a school meal voucher scheme for some 14,000 eligible county children so their parents and carers can buy £15 worth of food per week for the six week-long summer holiday which starts next week. The scheme is being funded with through the council’s Household Support Fund (HSF) from £3.6 million of Department of Work and Pension money. Schools and early years settings have already started issuing vouchers to eligible families ahead of the end of term on Friday (8). "Everywhere you look it is obvious that vulnerable people in Leicestershire are feeling the bite of the cost-of-living crisis. We, as a council, cannot control some of the major economic factors pushing up costs but we are in a position to help families who may be finding things harder than others. We’re continuing with our long-standing free school meal vouchers which we know make a huge difference to families who struggle to put food on the table during the holidays and we recognise six weeks is a long time to be without the support they rely on in term time – so we’re stepping in with the £15-a-week offer again." said: County council lead member for resources councillor Lee Breckon Further support for families is also available this summer through the county council. County council deputy leader and cabinet member for children and families Councillor Deborah Taylor said: “We’re also working with our partners Active Together to deliver our Summer 2022 Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, Leicestershire Holidays Together, which will provide free holiday clubs for children living in Leicestershire who are eligible for free school meals.” The sessions will take place at venues across the county, run by schools, voluntary and community organisations, childcare providers and sports clubs. Children and young people can access up to 16 holiday club sessions over the summer – totally free of charge. The sessions will offer a variety of fun activities, including sports, music, arts and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop new skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day. This can come in the form of food and fuel vouchers issued to eligible people who have been referred by a professional support worker or agency. Over 12 months £7.2 million of support has been available to Leicestershire residents through the Household Support fund. These can include charities, schools, food banks, council housing officials or care teams and GPs or other NHS staff. More information on accessing HSF support is available on the council’s webpage. Leicestershire County Council News

Leicestershire’s population is set to grow by 20 per cent over the next few years, highlighting the need for increased planning for the future. Leicestershire is growing – and a new video is showcasing how we are shaping the county of tomorrow. With new homes and business space being created across Leicestershire, we’re supporting communities by putting the right infrastructure in the right place. From schools to transport, we’re creating a 21st century county and working closely with district councils, developers, and others. This includes investing £100 million over the last five years to create an extra 5,000 school places, including six new schools. Over £15 million has also been invested in new residential accommodation, supporting older people those with learning disabilities and those living with mental health conditions. Other achievements include the creation of the £3 million Snibston Colliery Park, expanding green space across the county, the rollout of superfast broadband to 75,000 houses, hundreds supported into skills and employment and the advancement of the East Midlands freeport. Read more about the latest census figures. Video © 2022 Leicestershire County Council. County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RA

Leicester is home to the most clued up drivers on the Highway Code in the UK, new research has revealed. A study of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by Vertu Motors, found that motorists in Leicester have the best overall understanding of both new and established Highway Code rules, followed by Plymouth and Wolverhampton. These findings follow Vertu Motors’ research, which concerningly revealed that less than half of UK drivers could identify more than one of the new Highway Code rules, introduced on 29 January 2022. When it comes to knowledge of specific rules, 55 per cent of drivers in Leicester know that the gap between cars should be at least two seconds, while more Leicesterians knew that this should double in the rain (53%). Moreover, 70 per cent of motorists in Leicester know that the national speed limit is 70mph on the motorways, compared to the national result of 50 per cent. Almost two thirds (64%) of drivers in Leicester know that if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and traffic should give way. Only 48 per cent of drivers in the UK correctly identified this rule as part of the Highway Code. Furthermore, more than half of drivers (52%) in Leicester know that according to the new rules, drivers should consider cyclists like another motor vehicle, which is 16 per cent more than UK drivers overall. Meanwhile, 56 per cent know that drivers are prohibited from using their phone even if their vehicle is stationary, whereas only 41 per cent of UK motorists understand this new guidance. Exploring drivers in Leicester’s attitudes towards the Highway Code, 48 per cent think knowing the Highway Code is essential for being a good driver. On the other end of the spectrum, Leeds was found to be home to the least knowledgeable drivers in the nation. Only one quarter of Leeds drivers could identify the latest guidance for using handheld devices, while just 16 per cent understand the revised hierarchy of road users at a junction crossing. A spokesperson at Vertu Motors commented on the research: “It is interesting to see the differences in knowledge of the Highway Code between different cities in the UK. “Leicester road users will surely be relieved to hear that their city had the best overall understanding of the Highway Code. Nevertheless, there are still many drivers in Leicester who lack necessary knowledge of the Highway Code, with even more motorists across the UK not being aware of its latest guidance.. “Regardless of how experienced a driver you are, you should always keep up to date with the Highway Code. Re-read the rules at least once a year to make sure you and other road users are kept safe.” To help drivers improve their knowledge of the new Highway Code rules, the experts at Vertu Motors have shared guidance of what motorists need to know about this update. https://www.vertumotors.com/news/the-highway-code-update-what-do-i-need-to-know/

The 2022 Birmingham Queen’s Baton Relay will arrive in Leicester this week as part of the build-up to 11 days of spectacular sporting action at this summer’s Commonwealth Games. Representing a journey that brings together communities across the Commonwealth, the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay will be welcomed to Leicester on Sunday (10 July), with a busy schedule of sporting activities for people to enjoy. From 11am to 3pm, people will be able to enjoy free activities provided by the city council and the city’s professional sports clubs in Green Dragon Square and Jubilee Square – with some entertaining street performers lining the Baton’s route through the city centre too. At 12:02pm, the Baton – which has been beautifully crafted from copper, aluminium and steel – will arrive in Green Dragon Square, where there’ll be wheelchair rugby with the Leicester Tigers Foundation and basketball fun with the Leicester Riders. The Baton will then continue its journey through the city centre via Gallowtree Gate, the Clock Tower, High Street, Carts Lane, Loseby Lane, St Martins, the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Peacock Lane, Applegate and – finally – Jubilee Square, where it’s due to arrive at 12:14pm. Providing free activities in Jubilee Square will be Leicester Hockey Club, Leicester City’s Urban Fox programme and Leicestershire County Cricket Club. There will be a brief opportunity for people to take photos with the Baton, before it continues its onward journey to Nottingham at 12.24pm. Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: "Leicester is a city with a proud sporting history, so we are delighted to play our part in the build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. "There's nothing like sporting success to bring people together, and the achievements of our professional sports men and women over the years have given us plenty to celebrate. "This shared love of sport will unite us again on Sunday, when we look forward to welcoming the Queen's Baton Relay to our city centre." Phil Batty, Director of Ceremonies, Culture & Queen's Baton Relay, said: “We hope that communities across Leicester will join the excitement and line the streets to cheer on our incredible Batonbearers and celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.” The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when The Queen placed Her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and passed it to four-time Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox (pictured), who had the honour of being the first of thousands of Batonbearers to carry the Baton. Since then, the Baton has visited Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas. It will also be touring the Home Nations, and starts its tour of England today (Monday 4 July). The Baton will finally arrive in the West Midlands for the Opening Ceremony of Birmingham 2022 on Thursday 28 July 2022. For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place from 28 July until 8 August 2022. The programme of free entertainment supporting the arrival of The Queen’s Baton Relay in Leicester on Sunday 10 July is as follows: From 11am-3pm: Jubilee Square: Leicester City Hockey Club – hockey skills and games zone Jubilee Square: LCFC/Urban Foxes – football skills and Parkour Jubilee Square: cricket fun with Leicestershire County Cricket Club Green Dragon Square: Wheelchair rugby with the Leicester Tigers Foundation Green Dragon Square: Basketball with the Leicester Riders The Queen’s Baton Relay’s route through Leicester will be as follows: 12:02pm: Baton arrives in Green Dragon Square 12:05pm: Clock Tower 12:10pm: The King Richard III Visitor Centre 12.14pm: Jubilee Square 12:24pm: Baton departs Leicester

RED carpets will be laid across the platform at Leicester station later this month to welcome the arrival of a BODYSNATCHER. But it’s nothing to do with the living dead … just a vintage diesel engine that will be hauling the luxury Northern Belle train. The huge Class 57 locomotives were nicknamed Bodysnatchers or Zombies by rail enthusiasts during the last century. And this one will be hauling the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle on a slap-up trip to Llandudno and Conwy Castle in Wales. The train, once part of the iconic Orient Express group, was described by actor Bill Nighy as “the Grand Duchess of luxury travel”. He said passengers had been “lapping up the luxury” when it featured on Channel 5’s World’s Greatest Railway Journeys programme last year. Each of the seven gleaming umber and cream-painted carriages is individually hand-decorated with murals, tapestries and mosaics. One once even used to make up part of the Queen’s Royal Train. Yorkshire businessman David Pitts, who owns the Northern Belle, boasts: “Nothing is too good for our passengers. We like to pamper them from the moment they step on board.” Tickets for the day out from Leicester on Friday July 29 don’t come cheap at £430 each. But for that passengers are welcomed with champagne before tucking into a slap-up three-course brunch on the way to Wales. Then there is another champagne reception in the evening after which a five-course dinner with wine is served during the journey home. The train will return to the city in November for a trip to Bath. For more details see www.northernbelle.co.uk

A defendant whose punches led to the death of a man in the city centre has today been jailed for five years and two months. Joe Baldwin was outside Natterjacks in Braunstone Gate during the evening of Friday 27 August last year when he was involved in a disagreement with 49-year-old Charles Neeson. During the incident, 28-year-old Baldwin of no fixed address, punched Mr Neeson twice which resulted in him hitting his head on the ground. Mr Neeson was taken to hospital with serious injuries and sadly died two days afterwards. The post-mortem examination revealed Mr Neeson suffered a significant brain injury and multiple skull fractures. Baldwin left the scene but was arrested the following morning, initially on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) but following Mr Neeson’s death he was charged with manslaughter. At a hearing last week Baldwin pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced today (Wednesday 6 July) at Leicester Crown Court. Detective Inspector Mark Parish from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Murder Investigation Team, said: “There are absolutely no winners in this situation. What was initially believed to be a scuffle ended in such a devastating loss. “In my experience as a senior officer I wouldn’t say this was a prolonged violent assault – CCTV captured the incident and supporting evidence confirmed that Mr Neeson was punched twice. This resulted in him falling to the ground and hitting his head on the pavement - that impact then led to Mr Neeson suffering fatal injuries. “What this case demonstrates is how the punches led to Mr Neeson suffering such catastrophic injuries. Baldwin now faces a significant term in prison and Mr Neeson’s family will have to live with his loss for the rest of their lives.” Leicestershire Police News - 6th July 2022

The hugely popular Bosworth Medieval Festival is to make a welcome return in August, following two years in which it didn’t go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The two-day event – which attracts thousands of visitors, re-enactors and traders from across the UK and beyond – will take place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August this year, at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. The event will once more feature battle re-enactments by the Wars of the Roses Federation – including the Battle of Bosworth as the finale on both days – living history encampments to explore, author talks and a medieval craft market, as well as entry to the award-winning exhibition and free car parking. Destrier’s horsemen and women will be returning with their mounted skill at arms and cavalry display and the fascinating Death of Richard III presentation, which was a huge hit with the crowd in 2019. They will also play a major role in the Battle of Bosworth re-enactments, representing Richard and Henry and their standard bearers on the battlefield. The full programme is still being confirmed and more attractions will be added to the line-up in the coming weeks to ensure that Bosworth Medieval Festival returns with a bang this year. Councillor Christine Radford, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for heritage, leisure & arts, said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome Bosworth Medieval Festival back to our events calendar in August after two years without it. “It is a great event with lots of activities for all the family, which attracts people from all over the UK and further afield and is always one of the highlights of the summer. Leicestershire has a rich and proud heritage to showcase and the Bosworth Medieval Festival does just that, as well as commemorating the Battle of Bosworth. “I am really looking forward to its return on 20 and 21 August this year. It will be a great event for residents and visitors alike.” The Battle of Bosworth was a pivotal moment in English history, which saw King Richard III lose his life and his crown to Henry Tudor – bringing the Tudor dynasty to the throne. The re-enactment aims to help visitors to learn more about this crucial point in English history, as well as honouring those who fought and died on both sides. Keep an eye on the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre website at www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk for updates to the programme and ticket details. Picture Credit : Cheltenham Media.

A new fully electric bus service is being launched to provide sustainable transport on routes connecting Leicester’s three main hospitals. The Hospital Hopper service is having a complete upgrade, including replacing the current diesel vehicles with a fleet of fully electric buses, with features such as free USB chargers, passenger information screens and a new eye-catching livery. The electric bus service is being launched in partnership with the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), and bus operator Centrebus. It is part of the Leicester Buses Partnership - an ambitious bus partnership programme of work between Leicester City Council and all local bus operators to improve services, routes and vehicles across the city. The new Hospital Hoppers will become part of the new Greenlines electric bus network, which already serves all three Park and Ride sites in the city. The new electric Hospital Hopper buses were launched at Leicester’s Jubilee Square on Thursday, June 23, and will come into operation on Monday, June 27. The service will continue to run half-hourly between Hamilton and Beaumont Leys via Leicester General Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, the city centre and Glenfield Hospital. There will also be new bus shelters together with real-time information displays at all stops, and in due course will use a new bus lane being installed along Groby Road . Each accessible bus stop will also have a “text-to-speech” facility giving audible bus arrival times for passengers with visual difficulties. There will also be next-stop announcements onboard the new buses. BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ady Dayman – born and bred in Leicester – will be the local voice giving the real-time bus information. As well as helping to meet the city’s climate emergency goals to reduce emissions, boost air quality and tackle traffic congestion, the new electric service will also help UHL on its journey towards net-zero carbon emissions. The electric buses and other associated new features for the UHL-funded Hospital Hopper service have been financed by the council’s successful Transforming Cities Fund bid made to central government. Leicester deputy city mayor for transport and the environment, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “The launch of these new fully electric buses is another big step forward in improving public transport in the city, while also striving to meet the demands of tackling our climate emergency. “Passengers will be able to take advantage of free USB chargers, new and improved service information panels and a quieter, more pleasant journey. “Creating and expanding upon this Greenlines network over the next eight years will make a huge improvement to the city’s air quality, cutting emissions and making high-quality public transport accessible to all.” Electric buses reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 34 percent, and don’t emit any particulates or nitrogen dioxide. The overall improvements are designed to make the service more attractive to users, encouraging more people to choose them over car travel. The measures are vital both for the local environment and Leicester's move toward Net Zero. The Leicester Buses Partnership also aims to introduce a network of 30 frequent, reliable, affordable and easy to use electric bus routes over the next eight years. At the launch of the electric Hospital Hoppers, Leicester’s Hospitals chief executive, Richard Mitchell, said: “The new Hospital Hoppers are a great opportunity to work with partners, to reduce our carbon footprint and to make it easier for people to access health care in Leicester. I look forward to using the Hoppers myself.” Centrebus director David Brookes added: “The new Hospital Hopper electric buses will provide an improved journey experience for our passengers whilst reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the city. “Passengers will be able to make use of enhanced features such as USB charging ports, digital information screens and next stop announcements. We’re proud to have worked in partnership with the city council and the hospital trust to deliver this project and we look forward to further electrification of our fleet later this year.” More details are available on www.leicesterbuses.co.uk

Leicester’s new, multi-million-pound, net zero carbon bus station at St Margaret’s is due to open to the public next week. The city council has confirmed that the new bus station will be back in operation for local bus users from Monday 27 June, with National Express coach services due to return the following week. It follows 18-months of construction which saw the old 1980s building almost completely demolished and stripped back to its partial steelwork frame, which was reused in line with the high eco-standards of the project. By reusing major elements of the previous building and retaining and repairing the existing concrete on the main area for bus arrivals and departures, the ‘embodied’ carbon cost of constructing the new building has been dramatically reduced by an equivalent of over 575 tonnes. The new landmark building creates a striking gateway into the centre of the city. It features a glazed concourse to maximise natural lighting and cut energy consumption and a curved aluminium roof where a solar array of 390 photovoltaic panels will generate more clean, green power than is needed to run the building. The building has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with the highest possible rating of A+ and a score of -4. This means that the new bus station building will be better than net zero carbon in terms of its operational emissions. Bus passengers will benefit from a completely redesigned, improved and more spacious internal layout with better seating, a new café, modern toilets complete with a Changing Places accessible facility, and real-time digital passenger information. The new building also provides significantly more capacity for national and regional services, with the number of available bays increased by a third from 18 to 24. Electric bus charging points have been installed and the new building will offer secure storage for up to 100 bicycles, as well being the latest location for a docking station as part of the city’s new e-bike share scheme, Santander Cycles Leicester. Improvements to footpaths and roads next to the bus station are also complete. These include new and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, safer crossings, new landscaping and more tree planting. The work will help strengthen and improve links between key development sites and the city centre, including the new Savoy Street which will provide a quick, direct pedestrian route link between St Margaret’s and Haymarket bus stations. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “The new St Margaret’s Bus Station represents an ambitious and important step forwards in our efforts to become a carbon neutral city. We believe that this is the first net zero carbon bus station building in the UK. “It shows our commitment to decarbonising our public buildings and will build on our work to promote sustainable transport and help improve services for bus passengers in and around the city, through our new Leicester Buses Partnership with local operators. “You can’t help but notice what a positive difference this investment has already made to the area. We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to the new St Margaret’s Bus Station and into this striking new net zero carbon building when it reopens in a few days’ time.” Visitors will have an opportunity to have a look around the new St Margaret’s Bus Station as part of a formal opening of the building on Sunday 26 June, from 12.30pm. During the open afternoon, Leicester Transport Heritage Trust will be inviting visitors to explore the history of bus travel with a display of vintage vehicles. There will also be a chance to take a trip back in time with a free vintage bus service between the new St Margaret’s Bus Station and Abbey Pumping Station. The event runs until 4pm. Local bus services which were temporarily relocated from the bus station are then due to return from the morning of Monday 27 June when the new building will be back in operation. Information will be posted at all affected bus stops. National Express is due to begin operating from its new premises inside St Margaret’s Bus Station from Tuesday 5 July. Ed Rickard, service delivery director at National Express UK, said: “Leicester is an important hub for National Express customers and we look forward to commencing services from the new St Margaret’s Bus Station. The redeveloped station will provide vastly improved facilities for our passengers’ convenience and comfort, connecting the city with frequent and affordable services to destinations across the UK." City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The new St Margaret’s Bus Station is an important project for Leicester and the completion of this fantastic new building marks the beginning of a revival of this part of the city. “This new investment is providing a huge boost for public transport. It will also act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this important gateway into Leicester, helping to attract even more investment into the city. “The award of over £10million of government funding is a tremendous endorsement of the importance of this scheme and I am very grateful to everyone involved in helping to deliver this challenging project to such a tight deadline in difficult circumstances.” The £14.3million bus station redevelopment is part of the St Margaret’s Gateway regeneration project. This has been supported by a £10.5million allocation from the Getting Building Fund, a pot of government money awarded to the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) for shovel-ready infrastructure projects to help create jobs and support economic recovery across the country. Andy Reed OBE, Interim Chair of the LLEP Board, said: "The Getting Building Fund was designed to develop future infrastructure quickly and the St Margaret's Gateway project has achieved that. "This new bus station was funded to kickstart short and long-term economic growth and it does so both inclusively and sustainably. "A tired building has been transformed into a modern, useful, efficient alternative which will serve as a catalyst for further regeneration." The construction of the new building was carried out by the city council’s appointed contractors, leading construction and regeneration specialists Morgan Sindall. The company has previously worked with the city council on the delivery of the award-winning King Richard III Visitor Centre. The installation of the new building’s array of photovoltaic panels was supported by a grant of £95,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of Leicester City Council’s successful bid for over £4million of match-funding to support a range of transport-related projects that aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

A man who befriended a teenage girl on Snapchat – before sexually abusing her and her friend has been jailed for more than six years. Twenty-six-year-old David Nwosu – who was already subject to multiple Sexual Harm Prevention Orders – added the victim on the social media platform in October 2020. He asked her to meet him in his home city of Birmingham but she declined – instead inviting him to her home in Hinckley. Three days later, Nwosu travelled to Leicestershire, buying alcohol en-route, where he immediately began to make the victim – aged 15 – feel uncomfortable. Her friend, also aged 15, went to the address a short time later and Nwosu continued giving them alcohol. He even left to go and buy more, but did not drink himself. He then engaged in sexual activity with both girls inside the address before leaving and returning to Birmingham that afternoon. The mother of one of the victims called Nwosu and he provided a fake name and age. The matter was reported to police and Nwosu was arrested on 1 December 2020. During hearings at Leicester Crown Court in February and April this year, Nwosu – of Langford Grove, Birmingham – pleaded guilty to: Five counts of breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order Four counts of sexual activity with a child One count of sending a letter/electronic communication/article with intent to cause distress or anxiety – which relates to providing a false name and age Today (Friday 17 June) at the same court, Nwosu was sentenced to a total of 76 months’ imprisonment. He is also subject to an additional 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told he must serve an extended period on licence of 24 months. Detective Constable James Alcock was the investigating officer. He said: “Nwosu is a predator who preys on young girls in order to fulfil his own sexual gratification. He bought alcohol in order to ensure they were intoxicated – and in the hope they’d comply. He even tried to cover his tracks by providing a false name to both victims and one of the victim’s mum.” “Despite evidence showing Nwosu had engaged in sexual activity he only recently pleaded guilty to this crime which has meant both young victims had to wait to the last moment not knowing if they would have to relive the horrific ordeal in front of a jury. “Nwosu is a dangerous individual and I am pleased he is now set to serve a significant time in prison. “Both young victims and their families have shown incredible bravery in giving an account to police and I hope they can move on with their lives.” There are a number of different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting http://leics.police.uk

Hundreds of council houses and other affordable homes in Leicester are set to benefit from a rolling programme of solid wall insulation. Leicester City Council is rolling out an £8million programme of work that will see external insulation fitted to over 400 homes, including council houses and housing association properties. The work will help people reduce the cost of heating their homes and contribute to a citywide commitment to cutting carbon emissions. The first phase of work is now underway in the Saffron area of the city where 65 homes are being fitted with external wall insulation. This is backed by £1million of funding following the council’s successful bid to the Government’s Green Homes Grant Scheme. When installed, the new insulation will help people save up to an estimated £200 per year on energy bills and reduce household carbon emissions by around 900kg per annum. A second phase of work due to get underway later this year will see around 300 more homes in the city benefit from new solid wall insulation. This will be backed by £7million from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, following a successful joint bid by the city council and local housing associations. Around 170 of the properties will be council homes, with the remainder set to be a mix of properties owned by Maynard Co-operative Housing Association, Midland Heart, Pinnacle Housing and Ross Walk Housing Co-operative. Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, assistant city mayor for housing, said: “Officers have done a fantastic job securing millions of pounds in funding for energy efficiency improvements to hundreds of homes across the city which will make a real difference to people’s lives. This ambitious programme of insulating properties across the city will help tenants cut the carbon cost of heating their homes and save money on their energy bills – something that is becoming increasingly important in these challenging times.” Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “The need to retrofit older buildings to make them energy efficient is among the many challenges presented by the climate emergency. “This new funding to retrofit hundreds of homes with energy efficient insulation is the next step in an ambitious programme that is already seeing huge investment in cutting the carbon cost of our schools, libraries, leisure centres and other buildings. “It also just one part of a major, multi-million programme of investment in the city that will help us make an important step forward in our citywide response to the climate emergency. “Now, more than ever, it is vital that we work with local partners to maintain this momentum and continue to urge central Government to support Leicester’s vision to be carbon neutral.” The city council is working with E.ON UK to deliver the insulation to the hundreds of homes covered by this first phase of investment. Work is expected to be complete by summer 2023. Green Homes Grant funding is also available to owner occupiers and landlords of privately rented properties. To find out more contact the Green Homes Grant team at E.ON on 0333 202 4820 (Monday to Friday 9am-5.00pm) or email Greenhomesgrant@eonenergy.com with your contact number. To find out more about a range of energy efficiency grants on offer for local homes and businesses through Leicester City Council, visit www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/policies-plans-and-strategies/energy-efficiency Leicester City Council News