News Archive
5/8/2022
Waste Strike to Hit Edinburgh Festival
Following the notice of strike action served on (Thursday 4 August) by our sister trade union Unite in waste and recycling services for the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC), GMB Scotland members in the service will join the strike action scheduled to run from 05.00 hours Thursday 18 August until 04.59 hours Tuesday 30 August. GMB Scotland Organiser Kirsten Muat warned:"Waste will pile during the Edinburgh Festival unless a significantly improved pay offer for local government staff is tabled for our members' consultation.5/8/2022
COSLA leaders ‘duck responsibility' over council pay, says UNISON
In response to COSLA meeting with the Scottish government today (Friday 5 August 2022), to discuss local government pay increase. Johanna Baxter, UNISON Scotland head of local government said: "The failure of council leaders to come up with a solution today just demonstrates that they and the Scottish government have ducked responsibility on this.4/8/2022
COSLA leaders must make substantially increased offer to avert strikes, says UNISON
COSLA leaders meet tomorrow (Friday 5 August 2022) to discuss the local government pay offer and how they can avert substantial, long term, strikes in 1200 schools and early years centres and waste and recycling centres in councils across Scotland . UNISON is urging COSLA to use this leaders meeting to agree a substantially improved pay offer to avert serious disruption across Scotland - otherwise few if any councils will avoid some level of significant disruption.4/8/2022
Ofgem Confirms Changes To The Price Cap Methodology And Frequency Ahead Of New Rate To Be Announced Later This Month
Today (Thursday 4 August 2022) Ofgem has confirmed that the energy price cap will be updated quarterly, rather than every six months, as it warned that customers face a very challenging winter ahead. Today's change will go some way to provide the stability needed in the energy market, reducing the risk of further large-scale supplier failures which cause huge disruption and push up costs for consumers.4/8/2022
Capital Gains Tax Take Up 42% As HMRC Rakes In £14.3 Billion
Capital Gains Tax take up 42% to £14.3 billion in 2020-21 from £10.1 billion in 2019-20. 323,000 taxpayers footed the CGT bill in 2020-21, an increase of 53,000 from the previous year.4/8/2022
Cyber Security Boosted For Scottish Organisations
A £500,000 contract to extend cyber resilience training to more than 250 organisations across the country has been awarded by the Scottish Government. The grant will enable the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) to run online and in-person workshops for public services and third sector health, housing, and social care bodies to ensure they are better prepared and protected.4/8/2022
40 Jobs May Go At BSW Group's Sawmill In Boat Of Garten
The Convener of The Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban has expressed deep concern at the latest news of potential job losses in the timber industry in the Highlands. He has called for action in response to the announcement that 40 jobs may go at BSW Group's sawmill in Boat of Garten.4/8/2022
Bank Rate Increased To 1.75% - August 2022
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 3 August 2022, the MPC voted by a majority of 8-1 to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 1.75%.4/8/2022
Biggest rate rise in 27 years as Bank of England plays catch up - but where next?
Bank of England tightens monetary screws. Rates now the highest since January 2009.4/8/2022
Renewable Energy Innovation Boosted By £37 Million Government Funding Across The UK
Innovative biomass projects across the UK have today been awarded £37 million in funding. £32 million government funding to increase UK production of sustainable biomass, which can be used as a renewable energy source.
4/8/2022
Energy Bills Could Rise Faster With Ofgem Shift
GMB, the energy union, said that the change in the frequency of the price cap update will create unnecessary uncertainty for households. The regulator OFGEM said today [Thursday 4 August 2022] that the price cap, which is currently in place for six months, will be changed so that it can be updated every three months.4/8/2022
Energy Support Programme - a new support programme from the North Highland Initiative
The North Highland Initiative ("NHI") was established in 2005 as a direct result of His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay's involvement in bringing together the farming community, local businesses, and the tourism sector to support the people and businesses of the North Highlands. NHI operates across the three counties of Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, and our goals remain the same today.4/8/2022
What Does The Bank Of England Interest Rate Rise Mean For You?
The Guardian has a good article on what the interest rate rise to1.75% announced by the Bank of England today means for many people. From first-time home buyers to credit card users.4/8/2022
UK's Hinkley Point B Closes After 46 Years
Electricity generation in Somerset, the UK's Hinkley Point B NPP in Somerset closed on 1 August 2022 when the Hinkley Point B 1 reactor was permanently shut down after more than 46 years. The Hinkley Point B 2 reactor was closed on 6 July 2022.
3/8/2022
High Noon For Biggest Interest Rate Rise Yet On 4th August
Many prediction around that the next interest rate rise by the Bank of England will come on Wednesday 4th August at 12 Noon. Investors anticipate a 70% chance of a half-point increase in the BOE's benchmark rate to 1.75%, the highest since the global financial crisis in 2009.3/8/2022
Ground-breaking Fishing Research Projects Given Funding Boost
17 projects awarded funds from major £100m investment to research sustainable fisheries practices as UK Seafood Fund is extended until 2025. Projects to help minimise the impact of lost fishing nets on the environment and innovative research into new trawl designs to reduce the number of other species accidentally caught by fishermen (bycatch) are among those to receive funding from the £100 million UK Seafood Fund, the UK Government announced today (Wednesday 3 August 2022).
3/8/2022
Detecting Tachograph Violations Is Getting Easier
From the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency. We are trialling remote tachograph sensing equipment in Britain, to make it easier to detect drivers and operators who are breaking drivers' hours rules.3/8/2022
New Funding To Boost UK Business Exports Abroad Through The Recognition Of Professional Qualifications
Government announces launch of Recognition Arrangements Grants Programme, providing grants of up to £75,000 to help regulators seek mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Government to fund professional bodies and regulators to agree deals to support the recognition of professional qualifications with overseas counterparts.
3/8/2022
Education Maintenance Allowances 2020-21 In Scotland
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) provides financial support for young people aged 16 to 19 years from low-income households to overcome financial barriers to participate in school or college courses, or in an Activity Agreement. It is also available to those who are home-educated.3/8/2022
