January 20, 2009 Archives

As Dom Littlewood found out, so-called "smart meters" are the next generation of gas and electricity meters which will be able to tell consumers and suppliers how much energy is being used in the home at any given moment.

The inaccurate, and often dreaded, estimated bill would be banished if smart meters are in use in a home.

But smart meters are not yet widely available.

There's an initiative set up by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which is being carried out by Ofgem, to try to set up smart meters in all UK households in the next 10 years.

Under a £10 million Government programme, match-funded by four energy suppliers, meters have been fitted in around 15,000 British homes to provide feedback on whether they help customers improve household energy efficiency.

Though most people don't have them yet, there are a few small companies that supply 3-4% of the market. Dom met Val and Alan Thame, their smart meter was supplied by a smaller company - First Utility.

However, it is the big six energy suppliers that will drive the smart meter roll-out in the future.

Should the roll-out of smart meters be speeded up? Would you welcome a smart meter into your home? Or are you content with the way you pay for your utilities? Add your comment.

Add your comment.

Barack Obama's election campaign was about change and hope. Now that he's been officially sworn in as President of the United States, what does it mean for black Brits?

The issue of role models for young black men is a perennial debate within and without the black community.

It's been said that by becoming the first African-American President, Barack Obama has created the notion and idea that anything is possible within the black community.

This particularly applies to young black males, many of whom never thought they would ever see something like this happen in their lifetime.

Obama is living proof of how one can better themselves to achieve, but will Obama's appointment change mentalities and raise hope in Britain?

For The One Show, Angellica Bell asked three prominent black people for their views on how Britain's black community will react to Barack Obama's presidency.

Angellica spoke to head teacher Sir William Atkinson, DJ and producer Jazzie B and judge Constance Briscoe.

It's a "positive signal" said Sir Atkinson "the message from Obama is that you need to keep on keeping on".

Jazzie B was cautious about the Obama effect in the UK, but added that "he did it, so we can".

Constance Briscoe told Angellica: "He gives me a certain amount of hope... no matter what your background is... you can achieve". But Constance did not believe she would see a black British prime minister in her lifetime.

Does Obama inspire you? What effect will President Barack Obama have on black people in Britain? Will young black people be aspired by his achievement? Or will it make little difference? Add your comment.

In the second film of his 'How to stay young' series, Michael Mosley met 62 year-old twins Gloria and Gillian. Gloria exercises twice and week and Gillian doesn't. Michael measured how much oxygen they use whilst doing exercise and looked at their dna to assess who is fittest and scientifically 'oldest'.

The results were.... drumroll, please...

Gillian, with her more sedentary lifestyle, was considered to be ten years 'older' than Gloria but with a mild increase in exercise, Gillian improved her oxygen levels to that of her sister's.

Does exercise keep you young? What exercise do you recommend? Pass on your hints and tips, please.