News Archive
21/10/2022
10.1 Per Cent Benefits Rise Due Next April Crucial To Helping 10 Million Working-age Families Through Deepening Cost-of-living Crisis
CPI inflation increased by 10.1 per cent in September - driven by surging food prices – which should prompt a significant increase in benefits next April that will help to support families through the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the Resolution Foundation said on Wednesday 19 October 2022. The Foundation notes that inflation in September was driven by rising food prices, which are rising at their fastest rate since 1989, and partially offset by falling petrol prices (which have since stabilised).21/10/2022
Does Funding Follow Need? An Analysis Of The Geographic Distribution Of Public Spending In England - Could the Principles Be Applied In Highland
This report is from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The full report is in Pdf form and has 224 pages.
21/10/2022
Council strikes could return within weeks, says UNISON
UNISON, and sister trade unions Unite and GMB, are threatening pull out local government school staff and refuse workers on strike again. Strike action was suspended after UNISON members voted for an offer which was made to them by COSLA on 2nd September 2022.21/10/2022
Across The Pond - Rising Inflation Expectations Pose A New Threat To Fed Efforts
eep within Friday's University of Michigan (UMich) numbers was a worrisome sign for the Federal Reserve's inflation-fighting efforts. While the focus of the UMich releases tends to be on their consumer and current conditions surveys, another of their reports suggests an entrenching of inflation expectations both over one- and five-to-ten-year periods.21/10/2022
The Rationale For Employability Support - How To Reduce Government Spending In The Least Bad Way
An Article from the Fraser of Allender Institute. Recent events have placed great pressure on both the UK and Scottish governments to find savings to public spending.21/10/2022
Public Sector Finances UK September 2022
Public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks (PSNB ex) was £20.0 billion in September 2022, which was £2.2 billion more than in September 2021 and the second highest September borrowing since monthly records began in 1993, being £8.2 billion lower than in September 2020 at the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Central government current (or day-to-day) expenditure was £79.3 billion in September 2022, which was £5.8 billion more than in September 2021; this largely reflected a £2.5 billion increase in debt interest payable, and a £4.4 billion increase in net social benefit payments being partially offset by a £1.4 billion reduction in subsidy payments.21/10/2022
Retail Sales Great Britain September 2022
Retail sales volumes fell by 1.4% in September 2022; making them 1.3% below pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) February 2020 levels. While retailers continue to mention the effect of rising prices and the cost of living on sales volumes, data for September 2022 are also affected by the bank holiday for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, when many retailers closed.
21/10/2022
Business Insights And Impact On The UK Economy
In September 2022, just over a quarter (26%) of trading businesses reported their turnover was lower compared with August 2022, while 14% reported their turnover was higher (a net 12% of businesses saying turnover decreased); the accommodation and food service activities industry reported the largest percentage of businesses whose turnover was lower, at 52%. In early October 2022, more than a third (35%) of trading businesses reported economic uncertainty was having an impact on their turnover; while one in five (21%) trading businesses expect their turnover to decrease in November 2022.
21/10/2022
Millions Of Britons Struggling With Bills Warns Regulator The Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found 7.8 million people are finding it a heavy burden to keep up with their bills, an increase of around 2.5 million people since 2020. The FCA has published a snapshot of the latest edition of its landmark Financial Lives survey, which was carried out between February and June 2022.21/10/2022
How To Find Company Information - Free Of Charge
Find out how you can use Companies House Service to view the details of limited companies. Follow companies for free Follow is a free service on Find and update company information which sends you email alerts of company transactions.
21/10/2022
Independent Review Of Qualifications And Assessment - Views Sought
A consultation has been launched on how qualifications and assessment should be reformed to ensure learners' achievements are fairly recognised. Young people, parents, carers, teachers, education staff and all learners are among those being encouraged to give their views.21/10/2022
Claim Liz Truss Will Have £115,000 Allowance As Ex-prime Minister Is True
Many comments about payments to Liz Truss have been investigated by The Ferret and the full facts of it are shown in the article published on 20 October 2022. The payments do not kick in until she leave office as an MP.21/10/2022
Tackling The Energy Cost Crisis - Additional 150,000 Households In Extreme Fuel Poverty
First Minister convenes second summit with energy companies and advice organisations. Further actions to support consumers and businesses through the winter have been agreed at a virtual summit between energy companies and advice organisations and Ministers.20/10/2022
Orbex Secures £40.4 Million Funding For Rocket Launch From The Space Hub Sutherland Spaceport Near Tongue
UK-based spaceflight company Orbex has secured £40.4 million for its Series C funding round, led by a new investor, the Scottish National Investment Bank. The new round of funding will allow the company to scale up its resources as it counts down to the first vertical launch from UK soil, as well as unlocking additional funding to support future projects.
20/10/2022
Energy Bill Relief Scheme - Businesses, Charities And Public Sector Organisations To Get Support With Energy Bills This Winter
The government's Energy Bill Relief Scheme is open for businesses, charities and public sector organisations to get support with energy bills this winter. The scheme provides support to eligible non-domestic consumers by providing a discount on gas and electricity unit prices from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.
20/10/2022
Prime Minister Commits To Triple Lock On Pensions - 19 October 2022
At PM Question time today (19 October 2022) Liz Truss replied to a question from Ian Blackford MP and confirmed the government's commitment to the triple lock for pensions. This would mean that pensions would be increased in line with inflation.20/10/2022
Dingwall and Highland Mart Ltd - Sale 19 October 2022
Dingwall and Highland Mart Ltd., (October 19th) sold 456 weaned and store calves. Bullocks (237) averaged 217.3p and sold to 271.1p per kg for a 225kg British Blue cross from 1 Obbe Road, Leverburgh and £1,400 gross for a 617kg Charolais cross from Ballone, Abriachan Heifer (207) averaged 210.0p and sold to 298.4p per kg for a 605 Limousin cross from Shop Farm, Scotscalder and £1,400 gross for a 660kg Beef Shorthorn cross from Auchmore Farm, Muir of Ord.20/10/2022
Near Me - Accessing Healthcare from Home
Near Me is a video consultation platform enabling patients across Highland and Argyll and Bute to attend appointments from the comfort of their own home - or anywhere else convenient. In September 2022, over 1900 individual consultations in NHS Highland took place using Near Me.20/10/2022
Double Hit For The Nation's Shopping Baskets
As inflation hits 10.1% Retail expert Dr Gordon Fletcher from the University of Salford Business School says our shopping baskets are being hit doubly hard, with rising process and shrinking quantities combining to create real difficulties for a lot of people. Dr Fletcher said: "As inflation returns to the reported rate from July it is a timely reminder that these are figures last seen in the year of the Prince of Wales' birth and the premiership of Margaret Thatcher.20/10/2022
