News Archive
14/3/2024
Pension Scams - Cold Calling About Pensions Is Illegal And Is Likely To Be A Scam - Trading Standards Report
There have been recent reports of cold callers offering pension reviews. One woman agreed to have a review carried out and was told that she could have a more substantial, easier to manage pension.
14/3/2024
A Beginner's Guide To The Taxes You'll Hear About This Election Season
National insurance, income tax, VAT, capital gains tax, inheritance tax... it's easy to get confused about the many different ways we contribute to the cost of running the country.
14/3/2024
Demand For Computer Chips Fuelled By AI Could Reshape Global Politics And Security
A global race to build powerful computer chips that are essential for the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools could have a major impact on global politics and security. The US is currently leading the race in the design of these chips, also known as semiconductors.
14/3/2024
Clarification On The Role Of MCR Pathways' Coordinators And Mentors In Highland Schools
The Council remains committed to supporting mentoring in our schools, including the support that is currently delivered through the MCR Pathways programme. Highland Council is currently undertaking a review of Employability Support provided by a number of different council services and how these relate to the work carried out by external partners and in our schools.13/3/2024
New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower Emissions
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development. Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.
13/3/2024
Some Nations Have Done Well Out Of Russia Being Sanctioned - Here's Why
Since the start of the Ukraine war, the US, EU, UK and other countries including Japan and Canada have increased sanctions on Russia. By late 2023, Russia became the most sanctioned country in the world with over 18,000 restrictions on different items - more than the combined number of sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Syria.
13/3/2024
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Article In The Telegraph - 12 March 2024
You can't protect national security without delivering energy security. The war in Ukraine reminded us all of that.
13/3/2024
UK And Irish Local Authorities Come Together To Work On Place Branding
Local authorities from Ireland and the UK gathered in Dublin on 12 March 2024 in an event organised by British Embassy Dublin to discuss the topic of ‘place branding'. On 12 March 2024, sixteen local authorities from Ireland and the UK will gather in Dublin to discuss the important topic of ‘place branding' and how the associated techniques and strategies can be applied to the economic, political and cultural development of cities and regions.
13/3/2024
GDP Monthly Estimate UK - January 2024
Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in January 2024, following a fall of 0.1% in December 2023. Real GDP is estimated to have fallen by 0.1% in the three months to January 2024, compared with the three months to October 2023.
13/3/2024
Teen Carers Urged To Apply For Scottish Benefit
Young people may be missing out on help because they don't realise they're carers. On Young Carers Action Day (13 March) teenagers who look after others are being urged find out if they’re eligible for a grant available only in Scotland.13/3/2024
Index Of Production UK - January 2024
Production output growth is estimated to have fallen by 0.2% in the three months to January 2024 when compared with the three months to October 2023. At the sector level, in the three months to January 2024, there were falls in "mining and quarrying" (3.3%), "electricity and gas" (1.6%), and "water supply and sewerage" (1.0%); this was partially offset by a rise in "manufacturing" (0.3%).13/3/2024
UK Trade - January 2024
The value of goods imports increased by £0.9 billion (2.0%) in January 2024, with rises in fuel imports from both EU and non-EU countries. While there has been recent disruption to shipping in the Red Sea, there is no evidence that this has affected imports in January 2024.
13/3/2024
Index Of Production UK - January 2024
Production output growth is estimated to have fallen by 0.2% in the three months to January 2024 when compared with the three months to October 2023. At the sector level, in the three months to January 2024, there were falls in "mining and quarrying" (3.3%), "electricity and gas" (1.6%), and "water supply and sewerage" (1.0%); this was partially offset by a rise in "manufacturing" (0.3%).13/3/2024
Construction Output In Great Britain - January 2024
Construction output is estimated to have decreased 0.9% in the three months to January 2024; this came solely from a decrease in new work (4.5% fall), as repair and maintenance increased by 4.0%. The decrease over the three months came from infrastructure new work and private housing new work, which fell 9.3% and 5.2%, respectively; with the main positive contributions coming from non-housing repair and maintenance, and private housing repair and maintenance, which increased 3.2% and 3.3%, respectively.13/3/2024
Thousands More To Train In Future Tech Like AI As Government Unveils Over £1.1 Billion Package To Skill-up UK
Science Secretary Michelle Donelan outlined plans to upskill millions across the UK in AI, quantum and beyond in a speech at the Maths Summit in London. Science and Technology Secretary sets out detailed plans to upskill millions across the UK.
13/3/2024
Disruptions In Key Global Shipping Route - Suez Canal, Panama Canal, And Black Sea - Signal Unprecedented Challenges For Global Trade Affecting Millions Of People In Every Region
Maritime transport, the backbone of international trade, is responsible for 80% of the global movement of goods. Attacks on shipping affecting the Suez Canal add to geopolitical tensions impacting shipping routes in the Black Sea, and severe drought due climate change disrupting shipping in the Panama Canal.
13/3/2024
UK Signs Trade Pact With Second Biggest Us State - Texas
UK and Texas sign a trade pact to boost investment and trade cooperation. Texas is the largest and eighth US state to conclude a trade pact with the UK, bringing the combined GDP to £5.3 trillion - a quarter of US GDP' Statement of Mutual Cooperation will strengthen trade between the UK and Texas' Pact will benefit key sectors including energy, life sciences, and professional services .
13/3/2024
High Levels Of PFAS Forever Chemicals Found Flowing Into River Mersey - New Study
Huge volumes of toxic and cancer-causing forever chemicals are flowing into the River Mersey in north-west England. With a busy, industrialised skyline and both Manchester and Liverpool nearby, it's the second-most populated river catchment in the UK after the Thames.
13/3/2024
Age Scotland Identifies Concerning Drop In Social Care Packages
Age Scotland has warned that difficulties accessing social care assessment and long waiting times for packages are likely to be behind a significant drop in the numbers of older people receiving social care. Figures from Public Health Scotland, published today, show a 4.1% drop in over 65s receiving social care packages in 2022/23 compared to the period pre-pandemic.
13/3/2024
