Barometer | 22 October 2011

• Mummy’s secret recipe
A terminally ill taxi-driver from Torquay has volunteered to be mummified for a Channel 4 documentary. Here is what Egyptian mummification involved, according to Herodotus:
— Extract brain through nostrils.
— Cut opening in side of torso with sharp stone and remove contents.
— Wash cavity with palm wine and pounded spices.
— Fill with crushed myrrh and cassia.
— Sew up opening and place body in natural salts. Cover and leave for 70 days.
— Wrap in linen.

• The green stuff
David Cameron has summoned energy companies to explain why their prices are rising so fast. A few possible explanations:
Renewables obligation (the requirement for energy companies to source some of their electricity from expensive green sources such as Dave’s father-in-law’s wind farm: £16 on average bills this year
European emissions trading system (obligation to buy carbon permits): £13
Carbon emissions reduction target (obligation to subsidise insulation): £48
Feed-in tariffs (obligation to buy electricity from Guy Ritchie’s solar panels and other micro-generation plant): £3
Community Energy-Saving Programme (obligation to fund energy improvements in low income areas): £3
Source: Ofgem