Just after midnight on 27 December 2023, the government published the response to its imperial units consultation. On the same day, the BBC initially reported it under the headline “Metric measurement rules to stay after Brexit review”. Later that day, the BBC changed its headline to “Pint-sized bottles of wine to be sold after Brexit review” and buried the main story at the bottom of the rewritten article. The new pint size for wine bottles was not the main news item but a side issue. The BBC news report was changed to cover up the overwhelming public rejection of government plans to revive imperial units. Did the BBC bow to political pressure to cover up bad news for the government?
Continue reading “BBC covers up overwhelming public rejection of government plans to revive imperial units”Month: December 2023
Government confirms metric measurement rules to stay as 99% reject greater use of imperial units
Today, the government has responded to the imperial units consultation 16 months after it closed. Despite a consultation document banging the drum for the imperial system and a biased survey with leading questions designed to get the answers pro-imperial ministers wanted, respondents were almost unanimous in rejecting a greater use of imperial units. In response to the overwhelming rejection of government plans to bring back imperial units, the government has decided against any legislative changes.
Continue reading “Government confirms metric measurement rules to stay as 99% reject greater use of imperial units”Mismatch of units in the energy sector has led to thousands of billing errors
Seven years ago, mistakes arose after energy firms mixed up imperial and metric gas meters. At least 8000 customers were affected by these administrative errors. In response to these errors, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) wrote to all gas suppliers and other interested parties after a large gas supplier informed OFGEM about this issue. This issue should serve as a warning about the serious errors that can arise from the use of two rival systems of measurement.
Continue reading “Mismatch of units in the energy sector has led to thousands of billing errors”One in a million
We are mourning the death at the age of only 65 of Benjamin Zephaniah, the man for whom perhaps the term Performance Poet was invented. He was a man of many parts, poet, writer, performer, campaigner, anarchist, professor, doctor 16 times over, and last but not least, supporter of the UK Metric Association.
Continue reading “One in a million”Lady Kinnock of Holyhead obituary
Glenys Elizabeth Kinnock, Lady Kinnock of Holyhead, née Parry. Born 7 July 1944; died 3 December 2023.
We are mourning the death at the age of 79 of Lady Glenys Kinnock, whose husband, Neil Kinnock, is one of the patrons of UKMA. She was somebody who was much more than a political spouse, but rather a politician of note in her own right.
Continue reading “Lady Kinnock of Holyhead obituary”Government avoids awkward questions on imperial road signs
I tried to get answers from the Secretary of State for Transport via my MP about the issues I raised in two of my recent Metric Views articles. My MP told me that he is not going to put my question to the Secretary of State as there are no plans to replace the units on British road signs. Is this a convenient way to shield his ministerial colleagues from awkward questions about imperial road signs?
Continue reading “Government avoids awkward questions on imperial road signs”
Metric Views 