Breaking News, Business, Financial and Economic News, World News from EconoTimes

Become a contributor

Bookmark Econotimes

Sun, Jun 22, 2025 05:26 AM All times are UTC

Follow Series

©Econometrics LLC . All Rights Reserved.

Brenda Boardman

Brenda is an Emeritus Fellow at the ECI following her retirement in September 2008. She is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter. At the ECI, Brenda was the former head of the Lower Carbon Futures team and a co-director of the UK Energy Research Centre Her main research focus is on how to achieve demand reduction in energy across the UK economy, but in particular the built environment.

Brenda's main research focus is on energy efficiency and the way that energy is used in British homes, particularly by low-income households, i.e. fuel poverty. She considers the economic, social and technical aspects of the subject and her work has a strong policy emphasis. She is widely viewed as one of the most experienced in her field and was awarded an MBE in 1998 for her work on energy efficiency and received the Energy Institute's Melchett Medal in the same year.

Brenda's second book, Fixing Fuel Poverty: Challenges and solutions is available in both paperback and hardback. The book examines why the numbers of households in fuel poverty are rising – currently 5 million in the UK – despite the government's legal obligation to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016. Many of the lessons from the UK are germaine to other countries beginning to experience worsening fuel poverty, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe. The European Commission now requires action on fuel poverty in all Member States, through the revised Electricity Directive. Brenda has given a series of presentations about the book to various professional and academic audiences in the UK, in Brussels and in Prague.

Who is in fuel poverty? The government has no idea as it moves to cut winter fuel payments

Sep 16, 2024 05:54 am UTC| Insights & Views

Energy is an unusual commodity as it imposes running costs and capital expenditure. The main way to permanently reduce running costs is to spend money on more efficient use of energy: better insulated homes, more modern...

Economy

UK Unveils £10 Billion Industrial Strategy to Boost Jobs and Innovation

The UK government is set to unveil a 10-year industrial strategy aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and investment across high-growth sectors. Part of Prime Minister Keir Starmers Plan for Change, the...

Middle East Conflict Spurs Oil Surge and Market Uncertainty as U.S. Weighs Involvement

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, investors are bracing for potential U.S. military involvement and its economic ripple effects. Markets are watching closely as the Trump administration considers joining...

Russian Stocks Flat as MOEX Index Stalls, Commodities Mixed

Russian equities closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index posting no change at 0.00%. Market activity remained muted, with top-traded stocks like AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS), Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT), and...

South Korea's Trade Minister Heads to U.S. Amid Tariff Talks and Economic Pressure

South Koreas Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo is scheduled to visit the United States from June 22 to 27 to continue critical trade negotiations aimed at easing tariffs, the trade ministry announced Saturday. During the visit,...

Japan Cancels Security Talks with U.S. Amid Defense Budget Dispute

Japan has canceled a high-level security meeting with the United States after the Trump administration increased pressure for higher defense spending, according to the Financial Times. The annual 2+2 security talks,...

Politics

U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers to Guam Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

The United States is deploying B-2 stealth bombers to Guam, U.S. officials told Reuters, as President Donald Trump considers whether to support Israel in its escalating conflict with Iran. The move comes amid heightened...

Columbia Grad Mahmoud Khalil Vows to Continue Pro-Palestinian Activism Amid Deportation Fight

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-born Columbia University graduate, has pledged to continue his pro-Palestinian activism after being released on bail from U.S. immigration detention. Greeted by supporters and Representative...

Israel Signals Possible Solo Strike on Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site Amid Tensions

Israel is signaling urgency to act against Irans Fordow nuclear facility, potentially without U.S. support, as concerns mount over Irans nuclear ambitions. Sources say Israeli officialsincluding Prime Minister Benjamin...

Pakistan Backs Trump for Nobel Peace Prize Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

Pakistan has announced its intention to recommend U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in halting a brief but intense conflict with India earlier this year. Trump claimed credit for...

Erdogan Accuses Israel of Sabotaging Iran Nuclear Talks

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday accused Israel of deliberately escalating tensions with Iran to derail upcoming nuclear negotiations between Tehran and the United States. Speaking at a meeting of the...

Science

SpaceX Starship Explodes in Texas During Test, Citing Nitrogen Tank Failure

SpaceXs Starship spacecraft exploded in a dramatic fireball during a late-night test at the companys Starbase facility in Brownsville, Texas, on June 18, 2025. The 400-foot Mars-bound rocket, a key part of Elon Musks...

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Recover After Boeing Starliner Delay

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are steadily recovering after spending nine unexpected months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeings Starliner capsule. Initially intended...

SpaceX Starship Test Flight Reaches New Heights but Ends in Setback

SpaceXs massive Starship rocket, central to Elon Musks vision for interplanetary travel, launched its ninth uncrewed test flight from Starbase, Texas, on May 27, 2025. The two-stage vehiclecomprising the upper-stage...

Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

Jared Isaacman, billionaire, CEO and nominee to become the next NASA administrator, faced questions on April 9, 2025, from members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during his confirmation...

Lab-grown meat: you may find it icky, but it could drive forward medical research

Lab-grown meat causes heated debates. Proponents see benefits for the climate and animal welfare. Opponents worry about a Frankenstein food they regard as risky and unnatural. Whatever your opinion, the technology...

Technology

Meta and Oakley Launch AI Smart Glasses with Meta AI and Camera Features

Meta has expanded its wearable tech portfolio by partnering with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, following the strong market response to its Ray-Ban Meta line. The collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, parent...

US Considers Revoking Chipmaker Authorizations in China Amid Trade Tensions

The U.S. Department of Commerce is reportedly weighing the revocation of special authorizations granted to global chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC, potentially limiting their access to American chipmaking equipment...

Apple Reportedly Eyes AI Startup Perplexity Amid Rising Search Tech Competition

Apple is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, according to Bloomberg News. The internal discussions, which involve Apples MA chief Adrian Perica, services head Eddy...

Meta and Oakley Unveil AI Smart Glasses for Athletes and Adventurers

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has partnered with Oakley to launch the Oakley Meta HSTN, a high-performance AI smart eyewear product blending advanced technology with athletic design. Targeting athletes and active...

BBC Considers Legal Action Against AI Firm Perplexity Over Content Use

The BBC is reportedly preparing legal action against AI search engine Perplexity for allegedly using its content without permission to train artificial intelligence models. According to the Financial Times, the UK public...