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A government-backed scheme to fit homes with external wall insulation has left thousands of households worse off, with many experiencing damp, mould, and other serious issues.The National Audit Office found almost all homes fitted under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme – which was launched under the previous Tory government – are facing major issues and need major repairs due to poor oversight.Independent readers criticised the scheme, arguing that older UK housing is often unsuitable for such retrofits. Some even suggested the country needs a complete refresh of its housing stock rather than doubling down on “dangerous” modifications.While some acknowledged that new builds now meet higher insulation standards, others argued Britain overvalues older properties at the expense of safety and efficiency. Many emphasised that insulation alone cannot solve issues such as condensation, urging households to combine ventilation, heating, and lifestyle changes.Many also felt that the inadequate work backed by the scheme was an inevitable consequence of favouring large, distant contractors over local tradesmen, leaving smaller firms excluded and households with limited support if problems arise. Several readers blamed civil service incompetence, saying officials must be held accountable to prevent repeated failures.Here’s what you had to say:Condensation requires more than insulationInsulation on its own is not the answer. To avoid condensation and mould growth, adequate heating and ventilation must be provided too, along with a change in lifestyle. Windows must be opened when bathing, showering, or cooking. Clothes should not be dried indoors, and the home should be properly aired once a day. I know this always results in long faces and excuses from householders, but it is the only way to combat condensation and mould growth in homes. Fur-QThe structure of the schemes need to be changedThis scheme, like most government schemes of the sort, cannot be accessed by the smaller (and therefore more local) tradesmen. This is probably not important in London, where most civil servants believe the population lives, but out in the sticks it means that anyone in Cumbria, Durham, or Northumberland can only be serviced by firms based in Newcastle. If I were spending my own money, I would never use such a company, whatever their reputation, because it is more important to have a local base to contact in case of trouble. The structure of the schemes needs to be fundamentally changed to be fully supportive of the local building industry. MorphanielGoals not realisticThis is a result of the desired result not being realistic nor achievable. Just because old housing is not suited to heat-loss reduction doesn’t mean it can be retro-adapted. A lack of awareness on the part of those who set these goals. They should be publicly named as an example to future governments. McCluskey seems to have put his head on the block. Geoff AllibonePerhaps we need new housingHonestly, if so many homes have been made worse or dangerous because of these works, instead of assuming every installer is an incompetent cowboy, maybe UK homes just do not work with this type of work and should be pulled down and replaced with new housing. Obviously, this could not happen overnight, but plans should be put in place immediately to refresh our housing stock. daysocksCivil service incompetenceAnother example of civil service incompetence. We really need a fundamental change that enables prosecution of officials as they do in the US. All that will happen is another enquiry where lawyers get rich, and no one is held accountable. From Grenfell to grooming gangs to the Post Office again and again, we are let down and lives ruined by public officials. JSMill88What a mess. I know people who’re still waiting on problems caused by cavity wall insulation being remedied. So God knows how long this mess will take to rectify. Works are not being properly supervised or inspected. SweetswingNew buildsWe have neglected installing proper insulation for far too long. It should surely be installed as standard on all new builds, and we should install solar panels on all south-facing roofs in new houses. 49ninerLevel older propertiesWe do have decent insulation standards on new builds, and solar panels must be fitted on all new build homes by 2027. Part of Britain’s problem is that we fetishise older properties on spurious “heritage” grounds when we should be levelling them and starting over. Once upon a time, “slum clearance” was seen as a desirable objective. SteveHillSome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

Sir Keir Starmer is looking to cut “red tape” believed to impede pubs from hosting live music and food pop-ups. The prime minister, calling pubs “the beating heart” of UK communities, has launched a four-week “blitz” survey of landlords, customers, and neighbours. This initiative could lead to a bonfire of old licensing rules, amid fears some historic venues have shut due to noise complaints or advertising concerns.It also means pubs could be granted extended opening hours, allowing them to keep serving longer into the night, according to the BBC.Under current licensing rules, English and Welsh pubs do not have universal opening hours. Local authorities are responsible for granting licences to individual pubs.“Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities,” Sir Keir said, and added that the government was “backing them to thrive”.He continued: “This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together.“When our locals do well, our economy does too.”Business and trade secretary Peter Kyle said: “This review will help us cut through the red tape that has held back our brilliant hospitality sector, giving them the freedom to flourish while keeping communities safe.“That is the balance we’re trying to strike.No more last orders? Pubs could be allowed to keep serving pints longer into the night More

The government’s decision to expand police powers to crack down on repeated protests has sparked a strong reaction from Independent readers.Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the move just hours after hundreds were arrested at a Palestine Action demonstration in London. She had previously called on protest organisers to pause the demonstrations as a mark of respect for the Jewish community following the terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester, during which two people were killed.But her warnings were ignored – and she has now announced plans to change the law to give the police additional powers to restrict repeated protests which cause communities to feel “scared to leave their homes”.It comes as Sir Keir described the pro-Palestine university protests planned for Tuesday as “un-British,” saying they demonstrate a lack of respect for others.Many readers criticised the crackdown as an attack on civil liberties, arguing that peaceful demonstrations are being unfairly suppressed and that the home secretary is conflating opposition to Israel with antisemitism. Commenters highlighted that most protesters are targeting the actions of the Israeli state, not Jewish communities, and stressed that free speech and the right to protest are fundamental in a democracy.Some acknowledged that certain protests may be disruptive or linked to criminal activity, but the overwhelming sentiment was that the state’s response has been disproportionate.Here’s what you had to say:Peaceful protest is a fundamental rightI totally oppose the police or government being given the right to ban demonstrations. Such powers would inevitably be abused and have no place in a democratic society. Every time a politician says they support the right to protest, they immediately then propose restrictions that could prevent it. The Jewish community are not to blame for the Israeli Government’s offensive in Gaza and have the right to feel safe in their own country. What Hamas did on 7 October 2023 was grotesque, but so has much of the Israeli Government’s response. Banning protest in this country and downplaying the slaughter in Gaza, as until recently the Government has, are both immoral and wrong.ex post officeDesignated protest zonesAs has been said by a number of people, we need designated protest zones. This could be a spot outside of town properly set up with stages for speakers, facilities, security, an area for marching, etc. If you want to protest something, you can book the protest zone; everything will be set up for when you arrive. saghiaHysteria is getting out of handIf anyone wants to protest over Gaza, there are regular events they can attend. The right to protest isn’t being suppressed. If Palestine Action has been banned, the home office probably has evidence that it is a threat to security in some way. There are legal cases currently in the pipeline, which is presumably why that evidence can’t be released yet, but if and when it can be made public, it should be. The hysteria surrounding this group is getting out of hand.Tanaquil2People have a right to protestCommunities in Britain, including the Jewish community, do not support genocide. Until things change, people have a right to protest. It was the government that banned a peaceful organisation under law, forcing police to make these unnecessary arrests. It’s not the police’s job to arrest people peacefully protesting. KateTime to stand upAll very well to say that the protests should be stopped due to the tragic killings of Jews. But if there are no protests now as a deal is at last in sight, we will soon see Gaza being sliced up as real estate as Trump wants, or the Palestinian people yet again being sidelined and made stateless.Sometimes the most difficult challenges are the ones we should grasp; otherwise, this conflict will go on for another 80 years and blood will be shed every few years in pointless military actions.Adrian FoxPeaceful protest over-policedThe overwhelmingly peaceful, seated London protest could have been policed by half a dozen officers.The other 500 were there for the sole purpose of arresting decent people with strongly held views. This is what happens when you start to delegitimise freedom of assembly and peaceful protest.SteveHillMy heart has ached every dayFor two years my heart has ached every day with the latest news from Gaza, as with most normal people. It’s just heartbreaking! I do not understand when the demonstrators want peace for all parties, for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and for those responsible to be held accountable for the war crimes they have committed. We just want peace and dignity for the Palestinians. What is so wrong with wanting justice?Maggie20Conflating protest and antisemitismDealing with pro-Palestine protests is separate from the issue of rising antisemitism, but the government’s attempt to conflate the two is troubling.Rising antisemitism is an issue, but we need to be clear-eyed about the current causes – a major one of which is Netanyahu. He commits antisemitic acts every day. By conflating antisemitism and Israel, he reduces some complaints about Israel’s actions and makes life easier for himself. DanFrostThe government has boxed itself in on this protest issue. The more they crack down, the less support they will have. Labour voters are traditionally centre and left-wing and do not like authoritarianism or being ordered what to do. So Labour will not gain support; they will lose it through this action.RichardtheLionheartDraconian legislationSo the home secretary wants to put through draconian legislation that would ban repeated protests. Under such legislation, the Chartists’ protests of the 19th century, which won the franchise for working people, and the Suffrage protests that gained women the vote – and put this home secretary into parliament – would have been banned.Clobber2Massive overreachThe government wanting to enact legislation to further restrict our rights to protest is a massive overreach. As has been stated many times, this power will be abused in the future to suppress further free speech. The continuing protest against the banning of Palestine Action can be brought to an end by providing evidence that it was necessary to prevent terrorist activity.ChuckiethebraveRight to call out genocideAntisemitism has no place in this country, but surely it is right for people to call out the genocide that Israel is pursuing in Gaza. The word genocide is not being used carelessly but echoes the opinion of respected UN institutions. To change the law to ban protests is worrying. Why is this government so reluctant to call out and take action to stop the actions of Israel?SpeculatorUndemocraticExpanding police powers to stop peaceful protest is wholly undemocratic, unlawful, and I would wager, with comfortable confidence, that it will kick-start a far greater public backlash on the streets than anticipated. No one wants to live in a police state; of that I am pretty confident.Moo100Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

Nando’s customers are now being restricted to only one glass of full-sugar Coca-Cola due to new government regulations aimed at tackling obesity.Diners at the popular chicken chain have previously been able to refill their soft drinks for free while they ate there, with Nando’s famous for the “bottomless” drink option.However, Coca-Cola is now limited to one serving due to its sugar content, while other drinks that are low- or zero-sugar options, like Sprite Zero and Fanta Zero, are still unlimited.Pictures posted on social media showed a sticker on drinks machines at the fast food restaurant, reading: “Want Coca-Cola Classic? It’s one glass only. Based on new government laws, we’ve had to limit Coca-Cola Classic to one glass per customer. Still thirsty? Help yourself to one of our low-sugar fizzy bottomless soft drinks.”Nando’s said it is complying with the law. Other venues across the hospitality industry will also fall under the new rules.A spokesperson for UKHospitality, the trade body for hospitality in the UK, said: “From 1 October, hospitality businesses will be complying with new regulations that have introduced a ban on free refills of sugar-sweetened drinks in hospitality. Venues work hard to ensure that customers have a wide range of drink options to choose from when they visit our sector, and will continue to ensure that is the case.”Nando’s diners have previously been able to refill their soft drinks for free with the famous ‘bottomless’ drink option More

Nando’s customers are now being restricted to only one glass of Coca-Cola Classic due to new government regulations aimed at tackling obesity.Diners at the popular chicken chain have previously been able to refill their soft drinks for free while they ate there, with Nando’s famous for the ‘bottomless’ drink option.However, Coca-Cola Classic is now limited to one serving due to its sugar content, while other drinks that are low- or zero-sugar options, like Sprite Zero and Fanta Zero, are still unlimited.Pictures posted on social media showed a sticker on drinks machines at the fast food restaurant, reading: “Want Coca-Cola Classic? It’s one glass only. Based on new government laws, we’ve had to limit Coca-Cola Classic to one glass per customer. Still thirsty? Help yourself to one of our low-sugar fizzy bottomless soft drinks.”Nando’s said it is complying with the law. Other venues across the hospitality industry will also fall under the new rules.A spokesperson for UKHospitality, the trade body for hospitality in the UK, said: “From 1 October, hospitality businesses will be complying with new regulations that have introduced a ban on free refills of sugar-sweetened drinks in hospitality. Venues work hard to ensure that customers have a wide range of drink options to choose from when they visit our sector, and will continue to ensure that is the case.”Diners at the popular chicken chain have previously been able to refill their soft drinks for free while they ate there, with Nando’s famous for the ‘bottomless’ drink option More

A protest group campaigning against the proscription of Palestine Action as a terror organisation has promised civil disobedience in key cities and towns across Britain after the home secretary announced police would be given greater powers to restrict demonstrations.Defend Our Juries (DOJ) warned of a “major escalation” in its campaign after Shabana Mahmood’s announcement on Sunday, which followed a protest held by the group on Saturday, when there were almost 500 arrests.Under the greater powers, Ms Mahmood said officers would be allowed to consider the “cumulative impact” of repeated demonstrations, saying repeated large-scale protests had caused “considerable fear” for the Jewish community. In response, DOJ said it will escalate its campaign to lift the ban on Palestine Action ahead of the legal challenge against its proscription being heard in the High Court. The Judicial Review hearing will take place between 25 and 27 November, with civil disobedience across cities and towns planned for between 18 and 29 November, it said.Protesters taking part in a demonstration in support of Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square, London, on Saturday More

A senior police officer has declared “enough is enough” after “exhausted” officers arrested hundreds of people at a Palestine Action protest in London, days after the Manchester synagogue attack.Met Police said 492 people were arrested at the protest in support the proscribed group, which was classed by the UK government as a terror organisation earlier this year. The bulk of the arrests were made at Trafalgar Square, where around 1,000 protesters sat silently, some holding signs backing Palestine Action, despite calls by Sir Keir Starmer and police chiefs to stay away following the terror attack in Manchester. Amnesty International, meanwhile, said it should not be the job of the police to arrest people “peacefully sitting down”, and that the arrests amounted to a breach of the UK’s human rights obligations. The Met said many of those arrested had to be carried out of the square after refusing to walk, with each person taking up to five officers to move away safely. Some were pictured holding their hands in the air defiantly. Police officers detain a protester during a mass demonstration organised by Defend our Juries, against the British government’s ban on Palestine Action More

A company linked to Tory peer Michelle Mone has been ordered to repay almost £122 million to the government for breaching a contract to supply surgical gowns during the Covid-19 pandemic.The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) sued PPE Medpro at the High Court over allegations that it breached a deal for the 25 million gowns because the items were “faulty” by not being sterile.Baroness Mone criticised the High Court judgment on Wednesday, calling it a win for the “establishment”, while her husband, Doug Barrowman, said it was a “travesty of justice”.Meanwhile, health secretary Wes Streeting said: “PPE Medpro put NHS staff and patients in danger with substandard kit whilst lining their own pockets with taxpayers’ money at a time of national crisis.”But the peer, who is on a leave of absence from the Lords, has claimed she is the target of a “vendetta” by the government.Born in Glasgow, Baroness Mone left school at 15 with no qualifications and gave birth to her first child at 18 More