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Furniturebox transforms ecommerce dispatch times with a late 8pm cut off for next day deliveries

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Furniturebox co-founders Monty George and Dan Beckles unloading pallets 

Furniturebox has transformed ecommerce dispatch times with a late 8pm cut off for next day deliveries.

The disrupter brand – based at a new 88,000 square metre warehouse next to the M4 – is offering what is believed to be the latest next day delivery time on bulkier items ordered online.

Furniturebox – founded by two 17-year-old school friends just eight years ago – has been named by the Sunday Times as one of the UK’s fastest growing top 100 private companies for the past two years

Sales last year were £15.9 million and profits were £2.4 million – and the Chippenham-based firm has achieved 70% growth over the last three years.

A key part of that success has been free, super fast next day deliveries.

Co-founder Monty George, 26, said: “People don’t expect furniture quickly. It is one of the slowest-moving retail sectors to get with the ‘eCommerce times’. We’re helping to change that – Furniturebox is the industry disrupter. We believe in an exceptional customer experience, and speed of delivery is part of that.

“We were aware of a bit of a gap in the market for free next-day delivery with a later cut-off time, so we wanted to meet that demand and better help our existing and new customers get that luxury experience without the hefty price tag. We really believe that having your dream home should be accessible for everyone and want to offer the ultimate service and delivery experience. Life’s too short to be sitting around waiting for furniture.”

Furniturebox is offering the 8pm next day delivery cut off for most parts of the UK and will meet the deadline on locations as far away as Dundee which is 427 miles from the Wiltshire head-quarters. Scotland and the North East covers 16% of orders.

It means new home owners can move into their property and kit it out the next day with immediate deliveries.

George said: “We are yet to find a company that can do the large parcel and multi-box next-day delivery quicker than we can. We can’t be certain that we’re the only ones, but we’re definitely part of a small number at the innovative cutting edge of ecommerce, especially for the bigger bulkier items.”

Furniturebox funded the new £3 million warehouse HQ at St Modwen Park from existing profits.

All orders are delivered by couriers from the warehouse which has quick access to main distribution links.

Furniturebox’s Warehouse Management System means orders can be placed at 7.59pm, processed, picked and loaded onto a van in less than 15 minutes.

Netflix star Chloe Veitch – who has appeared in the hit show Too Hot To Handle – is one of thousands of customers who have benefited from Furniturebox’s super quick deliveries.

She posted on Instagram after ordering a Leonardo glass and chrome dining table and chairs, saying: “I ordered it 24 hours ago and it’s already here. This is my happy place, it feels like home.”

The 8pm cut off was trialled for a month between May and June this year and was achieved with 97% of orders. Revenue increased by 17% over the month and conversion rate was up by 5.88%.

Extra staff have been taken on to make it even more efficient and the next day delivery on all products which are not made-to-order is now permanent.

Co-founder Dan Beckles, 25, said: “We’ve got the infrastructure in place with our couriers, our tech and our team – this will be a pillar ‘unique selling point’ for us that will remain a core part of what Furniturebox offers to its customers. We don’t envisage it being difficult to sustain in the long run.We’ve tested the stability of the service and wouldn’t want to roll it out permanently if we weren’t confident it will work for us.”

Arsenal Women’s coach Jonas Eidevall extends stay at club

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Arsenal Women boss Jonas Eidevall has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

The Swede led the Gunners to a second-placed finish in the Women’s Super League in his first season in charge and they came third last term as well as winning the League Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Things have not gone as well in 2023/24, though, with Paris FC inflicting an early Champions League exit while they also lost their opening WSL game to Liverpool.

Eidevall said: “I’m aware of the huge privilege and responsibility that comes along with my role at Arsenal. 

“This is a special place with a special group of players and staff, and we all believe there is a great future ahead of us here.

“I am delighted to have agreed a new deal.”

Eidevall joined Arsenal from Rosengard in June 2021 and is pleased with his work so far, adding: “We’ve made great progress on and off the pitch over the last couple of years, and we are all working hard to continue that growth every single day. 

“Our ambition is to be competing for the highest honours in women’s football consistently, and we all believe we are capable of achieving that.

“I’d also like to say a special thank you to our supporters. 

“From the moment I arrived, I’ve felt your warm support, and it means the world. 

“Home or away, our supporters never fall short – to represent this club, this community, is an honour. Together, we can achieve so much.”

Sustainable business practices in London: How accommodation companies are at the forefront

London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. People from all over the globe have made the place their home, creating a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. It’s also steeped in history, boasting some iconic architecture, not to mention world-class museums, galleries, theatres and outdoor spaces.

The capital is London is also a global financial hub and a center for business and commerce. It offers a wide range of career opportunities across various industries, making it an attractive destination for professionals.

Currently, the city is making itself over into a city that aims to be net zero and fully green within a few short decades – and the accommodation industry is at the forefront of this movement. Here’s how…

Reduction in waste

A huge eighty-one percent of UK hotels are actively working on reducing their waste. There is a twofold benefit to this: as well as saving valuable resources and being more environmentally friendly, it also saves the hotel money: food not being wasted does not need to be replaced.

The growth of serviced accommodation ties into this move towards reduced waste. In a serviced apartment, the guest makes many choices to ensure not only a curated service that is perfectly tailored for their needs, but the provision of these needs by the hotel services can be designed for reduced waste too, with – for example – the provision of just enough breakfast provided to feed the guests, rather than a huge buffet display, of which some will be discarded after the meal, and some will be left on plates when guests overestimate their own hunger. 

Sustainable building materials 

New hotels are being built from sustainable materials. These include reclaimed bricks, those made using green methods (using less water, introducing fewer contaminants, and so on), and even new materials that offer more benefits. For example, cork that is too thin for use by the wine industry can be ground up and added to concrete: no strength is lost and the resulting material is of a lighter weight than pure concrete – and offers a measure of insulation to the building. 

Designed for eco-friendliness 

Studies of ancient desert buildings have revealed that these seemingly randomly placed buildings were actually carefully placed and engineered to keep themselves at a constant temperature, allowing a breeze to flow into the various vents in summer, yet remaining cosy in winter – and all without using any kind of fuel to achieve this desirable comfort.

Modern hotels are taking these ancient innovations and modernising them, creating buildings that maintain their own temperatures, that offer good air circulation (vital for good health) and that use renewable energy such as solar and wind power. These hotels often follow through with simple, but effective, measures such as encouraging guests to reduce the amount of laundry that is done. 

Smart buildings 

Finally, London’s accommodation industry is embracing the advent of the smart building. Even the most conscientious guest will occasionally leave a light on, or tweak the thermostat to a more comfortable temperature – which is, of course, perfectly acceptable! Smart building technology can sense these changes, and once the guest has checked out, the computer can lower the temperature, switch off the lights, and generally put the room into an energy efficient condition until the next guest comes along.

SIX MONTHS: the average time it takes for a graduate to find a job in the current climate

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Half of new graduates say it’s taken them over six months to find professional employment since leaving university, a new survey reveals.

The poll, conducted by staffing firm Walters People, found that 50% of graduates who studied post pandemic (2020-23) stating that they were unable to secure relevant work experience whilst studying, with a further 27% stating that what they found was only for a short-term basis (1-6 months).  

But those who have graduated in the last 12 months feel that their new graduate-status hasn’t earnt them much bargaining power on the jobs market – with 72% feeling that they don’t have ‘much of an edge’ on candidates who did not go to university.

Rip-off courses

A startling 45% of recent grads don’t think their degree has armed them with the skills necessary to be successful in the current jobs market – with almost 20% believing that work experience would have been more useful.

Earlier this year the government revealed plans to crack down on what they deem to be ‘rip-off degrees’ – categorised as those with a high drop-out rate or having a low proportion of students finding a professional job after graduating.

However, findings from the Walters People research has established that the struggle to find a job was across the board from graduates – and not those from a select few university courses – begging the question; what’s to blame for over half of graduates struggling to find professional employment – ‘rip-off’ degrees or a difficult jobs market?

Janine Blacksley, director of Walters People said: “New graduates are entering the most challenging jobs market seen in close to a decade – a mixture of less vacancies, salaries that don’t match the cost-of-living, and high competition bought about by access to remote & global talent – is certainly playing a part in the time it takes new graduates to find a suitable job role.

“Added to that, we have seen a trend emerge amongst Gen Z’s who – potentially having witnessed their parents or older siblings work in a pre-pandemic corporate world – now place much more emphasis on the enjoyment of their job, the values and purpose of the company, as well as well-being and work-life balance – which is all leading to a longer time being spent on the job hunt.”

Dwindling market value

Over a third (39%) of graduates now think their degree isn’t at all valued by the market, with a further 19% feeling it isn’t as valued as they expected. And they may not be wrong.

According to research from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE), the proportion of companies requiring at least a 2:1 qualification from graduates fell below 50% for the first time last year. New data from LinkedIn illustrates a +90% increase in the share of UK job postings that do not require a university degree at all.

In fact, the likes of Kellogg’s, Google, EY, IBM and BBC have dropped their traditional requirements for being degree educated – and with increasing prominence being placed on diversity, more companies are recognising that they are able to attract candidates from varying socio-economic backgrounds if they do not put an undergraduate degree as a requirement.   

Janine added: “The purse strings are indeed being tightened by companies – which in turn means there is less to spend on training, and so for companies work experience is far more attractive than a graduate with a degree & no experience.  

“With the market being as fragile as it is, employers are on the lookout for professionals that have the ability to hit-the-ground-running, rather than needing their hand holding”.

Degrees not matching jobs

Of those graduates who have found employment, over half (53%) have said that it isn’t at-all related to their degree.

Janine added: “Whilst it is becoming common for graduates to start roles in positions unrelated to the field which they studied – doubt is being cast over the suitability of many degrees given the cost it now takes to attend university.

“Unfortunately this is leading to a significant number of graduates having to rethink their entire career trajectory in order to secure employment.”

Stroll on! Aston Martin owner against Andretti plan

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Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has voiced his opposition to Michael Andretti’s proposals to launch an 11th team in Formula One.

Motorsport’s governing body, the FIA approved Andretti’s plan earlier this week but F1 are yet to rule on whether the all–American team can become part of the paddock.

The main objection from the current teams centre around the division of prize money.

Speaking at the announcement of Aston Martin’s return to Le Man, Stroll told Sky Sports: “The sport has never been in a better place, and I believe if it isn’t broken, you don’t need to fix it.

“I think F1, at the moment, the business is on fire.

“I’m a strong believer that it’s working really well with 10 teams right now, and believe that’s the way it should stay.”

Stroll is happy with the F1 brand is growing globally, and particularly in the United States.

He added: “There’s never been more fans and spectators at races, the audience is the highest it’s ever been.

“I continue to see substantial growth, particularly in the United States, which is the largest consumer market in the world.

“As you know, we now have three races in the States – we’re in our second year in Miami, we’re going to Las Vegas in November.

“So, I see tremendous growth possibilities going forward.”

F1 is expected to make their assessment of the 11th team over the coming months.

Stanislav Kondrashov Explores the Evolution of Dance Across Time

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Renowned writer and culture enthusiast Stanislav Kondrashov has unveiled his latest publication, “The Evolution of Dance.” In this comprehensive work, Kondrashov delves into the rich tapestry of dance forms, tracing their historical roots and cultural transformations through the ages. The piece sheds light on how dance has not only evolved but also shaped and been shaped by the social and emotional contexts of its time.

Key Highlights from “The Evolution of Dance” include:

Ballet’s Renaissance Roots: Kondrashov begins with an exploration of ballet’s origins in the courts of the Italian Renaissance during the 15th century. He highlights how ballet later evolved uniquely in France and Russia, setting standards for precision and elegance in dance.

Jazz and Tap Dancing in the Roaring Twenties: The 1920s saw the emergence of jazz and tap dancing, reflecting the rapid changes in society. Stanislav Kondrashov points out how these dance forms incorporated swift footwork and rhythmic innovation mirroring the fast-paced modern era.

The Passionate Rhythms of Latin Dance: Latin dance forms like tango, salsa, and cha-cha infused global ballrooms with passionate energy, as Stanislav notes, becoming an integral part of the cultural dance landscape.

Dance as a Symbol of Resilience During Wars: Swing, jive, and boogie-woogie served as symbols of resilience during World Wars. Even in times of conflict, these dance forms provided people with a sense of joy and normalcy.

Dance in Pop Culture: Stanislav Kondrashov explores the influence of pop culture on dance, from the disco era of the 1970s, epitomised by the iconic John Travolta moves, to Michael Jackson’s game-changing moonwalk in the 1980s.

Hip-Hop and Breakdancing: Kondrashov highlights the street-born art of breakdancing, or ‘breaking,’ which emerged in 1970s New York as a form of rebellion fueled by the beats of hip-hop.

Today’s Multifaceted Dance Scene: The publication also examines the contemporary dance scene, which is a fusion of styles from around the world. From the synchronised group dances of K-pop to the latest TikTok challenges, dance continues to evolve as a canvas of human expression.

In conclusion, Stanislav Kondrashov remarks, “In every shuffle, twist, hop, or leap, dance narrates humanity’s journey.”

“The Evolution of Dance” is a valuable resource for anyone intrigued by the intricate and dynamic world of dance, offering profound insights into its history, evolution, and cultural significance.

Readers are encouraged to explore this full publication and including a video, to delve deeper into this exploration of the evolution of dance. To stay updated with Stanislav Kondrashov’s work and insights, visit his social media channels and website at www.stanislavkondrashov.com.

Unaffordable childcare driving Londoners into debt

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More than half of parents and carers in London are struggling to afford their childcare, with the cost pushing many into debt, according to a new survey.

The poll asked more than 1000 parents and carers that use childcare services – in the capital by BusinessLDN and the Central District Alliance business improvement district – to rate their cost, accessibility and quality.

It revealed that on average, Londoners are spending more than a third (36%) of their monthly personal income on childcare, with 53% rating it as unaffordable, and nearly half (49%) saying the cost had pushed them into debt. Despite this, over two-thirds (68%) rated the quality of their childcare as good or excellent.  

With businesses experiencing chronic skills shortages and families facing a cost-of-living crisis, BusinessLDN is calling on the Government to take further steps to boost the affordability and availability of childcare to support labour market inclusion. 

Reformed childcare needed

Muniya Barua, deputy chief executive at BusinessLDN, said: “The current system of childcare is not working for families, businesses and the economy.  

“While the government has announced some helpful measures to expand free hours and provide extra funding for providers, these do not go far enough. A bold and comprehensive plan to reform childcare is needed to get more parents and carers into jobs and to help address the juggling act that they face. 

“At the same time, employers can also help by offering greater flexibility on working hours, boosting their maternity and paternity packages, and providing childcare vouchers.” 

Debbie Akehurst, CEO of Central District Alliance, added: “Following our Un_Biased Report earlier this year, where childcare was also identified as the most prominent barrier to success in women’s work lives, we are concerned about these latest findings.   

“The career progression of many is often restricted by a lack of affordable childcare, which inhibits their ability to work. With businesses facing high staffing vacancy and turnover rates, the need for a urgent reform of childcare provision is now more vital than ever.  

“By creating more affordable childcare solutions, more parents and carers will be able to rejoin the workforce or increase their working hours; not only relieving their own financial pressures but enabling businesses to flourish and boosting the economic growth of our business centres.” 

Support from employers

The survey also found that parents and carers value support from their employers to help with childcare, with the following most highly prized: paid maternity/paternity (67% rated positively or very positively), flexible working hours (67%) childcare vouchers (65%), working families network (65%), onsite childcare (62%) and returnership programmes (60%). 

In addition, many parents and carers are flexing their hours to accommodate their childcare needs, working either shorter hours (64%) or earlier or later in the day to make up time (65%).  

Later this autumn, BusinessLDN, KPMG and CDA will publish detailed recommendations to improve the current childcare system and boost labour market inclusion.   

10 overlooked business expenses that could save you hundreds of pounds

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Insurance experts from Toolbox by Admiral have revealed surprising business expenses that sole traders and self-employed tradespeople may be unaware of.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will allow you to claim lots of expenses. While most business owners probably already know about many of them, like office supplies, tools, and even your business vehicles, there are many more obscure deductions that could potentially save the UK workforce hundreds of pounds. 

As a sole trader or self-employed tradesperson, knowing what you can and can’t claim as a business expense can be a learning curve. It might seem easier to overlook some of your expenses just to avoid the paperwork. However, doing this means your business could lose money and profits in the long run.

Strict rules

HMRC has very strict rules on what you’re allowed to claim as expenses when you’re self-employed or a sole trader, and it’s vital to get clued up on them before filing your tax return.

For self-employed expenses to be classed as allowable expenses, they must have been explicitly incurred due to the running of your business. 

A spokesperson from Toolbox, who specialises in small business insurance, said: “As businesses navigate the ever-changing landscape of finance and expenses, it’s important to stay informed about the eligible deductions that can positively impact the bottom line. It can take a bit of effort to figure out which costs count as allowable expenses.

“To help, we’ve rounded up ten things you might not know count as a business expense – so you don’t have to.

“Whether you’re just starting out in business or are getting ready to file your tax return, we hope to help outline what business expenses you can claim as a sole trader or limited company.”

If you want to lower your tax bill even further, you should make sure you’re claiming all of these surprising and often lesser-known allowable expenses.

10 Surprising business expenses eligible for deductions:

1. Tax allowance for tools

If you need to buy tools or equipment for your business, you can exclude these costs from the calculation of your earnings as an expense. Please note that the tools and equipment shouldn’t be used privately by employees. 

You could also think about claiming a tool allowance if you’re an employee who buys tools for work. If you’re not reimbursed directly by your employer, you could claim tax relief through your tax code. 

2. Financial and legal costs

Many financial and legal costs will count as allowable business expenses and qualify for tax deductions. 

When it’s time to fill out your Self Assessment, don’t forget to include:

  • Fees for accountants, solicitors, surveyors, and architects for business reasons
  • Professional indemnity for insurance premiums
  • Bank, overdraft, and credit card charges
  • Interest on bank and business loans
  • Hire purchase interest
  • Leasing payments
  • Alternative finance payments, like Islamic finance

Please note that legal fines you’re given for breaking the law can’t be claimed, for example – a speeding ticket when travelling to work.

3. Unpaid invoices and bad debt

If you’ve ever dealt with, or are currently dealing with, a tricky customer where any invoices and debts can’t be recovered, this business expense could relieve some stress. If you use traditional accounting, you can claim back money that you won’t be receiving from the customer.

These are called bad debts. You can only write them off if you’re sure they won’t be recovered in the future. It’s worth noting that you can’t claim them if you use cash basis accounting either. 

There are some exemptions, such as debts that are not included in your turnover and debts related to the disposal of fixed assets.

4. Tax relief on charitable donations

Individuals can donate to charity without paying tax if they give through Gift Aid, or from their wages or pension through Payroll Giving.

Any donations you make through the Payroll Giving scheme are taken before your income tax is calculated. This means you won’t pay income tax on the amount you donate, but National Insurance will be applied.

5. Tax on business phone lines

Paying for you or your employees to have a home phone can include expenses such as telephone line rental, business-related call charges, and private call charges. Better still, if the phone is only used for business calls, you don’t have to worry about deducting or paying PAYE or National Insurance (NI).

This means you can remove the cost of running the business phone line from your profits as an allowable business expense. 

6. Plant and machinery

When you buy assets for your business, you could claim capital allowances on them*. In most cases, you can deduct the item’s whole value from your profits before paying pax. However, if you owned it before it was used in your business, or if it was a gift, you can only take away its market value.

You can claim capital allowances on business cars and vehicles, some fixtures like kitchens or bathrooms, and more!

7. Employee training payments

You can claim employee training costs as a business expense, as long as the travel, course, or textbooks are solely for work-related training. 

8. Employee clothing

You do have to report uniforms to HMRC, but you won’t have to pay tax or NI on most of them. This counts for protective clothing your employees need to do their job, and a uniform that they only wear for work. To be exempt from tax and NI, they’ll have to be essential work-specific items of clothing to class as an allowable business expense.

9. Marketing costs

Another allowable business expense you can claim on your Self Assessment is the majority of your marketing costs. HMRC allows businesses to claim for expenses like:

  • Advertising in newspapers or directories
  • Bulk mail advertising
  • Free samples
  • Website costs

There are some exceptions to this allowance, for example, you can’t claim for what you spend on event hospitality, or entertaining clients, suppliers, and customers. 

10. Tax relief on subscriptions

And lastly, businesses can add subscriptions and memberships to their expense claims if they’re work-related. If you have an annual membership with a professional trade organisation for example, make sure to add this to your file.

James punished for rant at officials

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Chelsea captain Reece James has been handed a one-match suspension and a fine of £90,000 by the Football Association for using insulting language towards a match official following his side’s 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa last month.

Despite not featuring in the game due to injury, the defender confronted the officials in the tunnel at full-time.

An FA statement read: “Reece James has been given a one-match suspension and fined £90,000 for breaching FA Rule E3 at Chelsea’s Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday 24 September.”

“The defender admitted to using ‘improper, insulting and abusive words and behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel after the final whistle’.”

James has had a torrid start to his first season as the club captain, being forced to sit out most of the fixtures so far this season due to a hamstring injury.

Chelsea won 2-0 at Fulham on Monday night and sit 11th in the Premier League table.

Save £200 per year on energy bills by using the cheapest kitchen appliances

Cornwall Insight has predicted that household bills will remain high for years to come, saying it does not expect bills to return to pre-2020 levels before the end of the decade.

With cash-strapped Brits looking to save every penny, energy experts have given a rundown of which kitchen cooking appliances are the cheapest to run per hour.

Quotezone.co.uk pitted a range of kitchen appliances against each other and revealed how much money can be saved by choosing more energy-efficient methods.

The experts compared the costs of cooking with an air fryer, slow cooker, pressure cooker, oven and microwave.

Energy-efficient appliances

According to the research, people can save up to £200 on their annual energy bills by opting for one of the most energy-efficient appliances which is a slow cooker.

This is after research reveals running the slow cooker for five hours would still be cheaper than turning on the oven for half an hour.

Air fryers appear fifth in the cost line up, costing households 42p to run per hour. However, many air fryer owners may find it to be much cheaper to cook their food in the appliance due to the reduced cooking times required compared to an oven.

The amount of food being cooked also affects the potential savings, as kitchen gadgets often don’t hold as much food as an oven, which means you may need to double up on batches.

Greg Wilson, Founder at Quotezone.co.uk, said: “People are increasingly choosing to use cooking gadgets that use less energy rather than conventional methods to cook their meals.

“Keeping costs down in the kitchen can make a big difference for households trying to amp up their energy savings amid the cost-of-living crisis.

“Each of these appliances has its own purpose and function so it’s good to know these comparisons to help families plan out energy efficient meals that can help them save money.”

Which cooking appliances should save energy and money?

  1. Slow cooker – 5p per hour

The most energy-efficient kitchen cooking appliance by far is a slow cooker. It only costs 5p per hour to run it and most of them are quite large, so you can cook bigger quantities. Slow cookers have low wattage, so even though it takes a few hours to cook a meal, you’ll still be saving money. Slow cookers are great for making low-cost casseroles, stews, pasta dishes, soups, pulled meats and curries.

  1. Pressure cooker – 28p per hour

A pressure cooker uses water and high pressure steam to cook food. Because there is minimal amount of steam escaping, pressure cookers consume 70% less energy than normal saucepans. Pressure cooking also retains nutrients well. It costs 28p to run them and their benefit over slow cookers is that it takes much less time to cook meals. Pressure cookers are great for making slow-cooked dishes, but with a fraction of the time that it would take with a slow cooker.

  1. Microwave – 32p per hour

Microwaves aren’t as versatile as other cooking appliances and are mainly used for reheating and defrosting. However, you can still use them for some types of cooking jobs, for example, melting butter and chocolate, softening onions and steaming vegetables. Cooking a jacket potato in a microwave takes about 8 to 10 minutes, whereas it would take about an hour to do it in an oven.

  1. Air fryer – 42p per hour

Air fryers have soared in popularity because they cook food faster and use less energy than ovens. Because they use hot air and not oil, they’re also a relatively healthy method for cooking fried food. They’re also good for cooking smaller portions, as you don’t need to heat up the whole oven, however if you’re making a large amount of food then you may need to do multiple batches.

  1. Oven – 60p per hour

Traditional ovens are the least energy-efficient method of cooking, costing about 60p per hour. Because of their size, they take a lot of time and energy to heat up the whole space. That explains why households are increasingly using alternative cooking appliances. Nevertheless, ovens are the most effective when it comes to cooking a large batch of food.