News Archive
14/7/2022
First Minister Publishes Latest Push For Independence
First Minister: ‘Independence can strengthen and embed democracy in Scotland'. The only way Scotland can ensure decisions are taken in the best interests of its people is with independence, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said, as new analysis is published showing the extent to which the UK Government can override decisions taken by the Scottish Parliament.13/7/2022
Wetherspoon's Business Model A Double-edged Sword
J D Wetherspoon has today announced a trading update: Like-for-like sales in the first 11 weeks of quarter 4 of the current financial year were minus 0.4%, compared to the same, pre-pandemic, period in 2019. Losses for the current financial year (FY22) will be higher than expected at approximately minus £30m, reflecting higher labour, repair and marketing costs.
13/7/2022
Britain Must Get Serious About Its Toxic Combination Of Low Growth And High Inequality That Has Left Typical Families £8,800 Poorer Than Their Counterparts In Comparable Countries
Britain's toxic combination of low growth and high inequality has left it trailing behind the comparable economies of Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands, with disastrous consequences for low- and middle-income households. But a new economic strategy aiming to address this failure needs to be serious about the scale of change required, and go far beyond promises of tax cuts, according to a major new book published today (Wednesday 13 July 2022) by the Resolution Foundation and Centre for Economic Performance at the LSE.13/7/2022
Postmasters Impacted By Horizon Who May Have Been Made Bankrupt
The Insolvency Service is seeking information from postmasters who believe they may have been made bankrupt due to the Horizon IT system. The Post Office launched the Historic Shortfall Scheme on 1 May 2020 and invited applications from current and former Postmasters who had experienced shortfalls related to the Horizon IT system.13/7/2022
Strengthened Controls To Protect The Public From Medically Unfit Gun Holders
New digital marker system for GPs rolled out to improve monitoring of the health of firearms holders in England. Strengthened controls for licensed gun owners will be in place from this week to better protect the public from those who are medically unfit to own a firearm.13/7/2022
Call To Check Vehicles Before Travelling As 41,500 Breakdowns Caused By Tyre Issues
More than 41,500 people broke down on National Highways roads last year because of tyre issues - that is over 20% of all breakdowns. Many of those breakdowns could have been avoided if drivers had carried out basic vehicle checks before setting off including checking their tyres.
13/7/2022
Cost Of Living Support
Almost £3 billion to help households with rising prices. Family benefits, free school meals and concessionary travel are part of support helping households to mitigate the increased cost of living.13/7/2022
Trade Secretary Launches Uk-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce
International Trade Secretary has launched the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce alongside Ukrainian Minister for Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov. The first UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce meeting saw commitments made by the UK to deliver temporary housing and longer-term infrastructure projects to help the nation rebuild in the wake of Putin's illegal war.13/7/2022
Mental Health Staffing Boost
More than 950 additional frontline workers recruited. A commitment to recruit an additional 800 mental health staff to frontline roles across Scotland has been exceeded.13/7/2022
Contract Signed For Mesh Removal Surgery In United States - Costs Covered by Scottish Government
Patients can visit Dr Veronikis for mesh removal surgery in the US. A contract, to enable NHS patients to visit Dr Dionysios Veronikis in the United States to receive transvaginal mesh removal surgery, has now been signed.13/7/2022
Scotland Office And OAG Annual Report And Accounts 2021-22 Published
Accounts reports may not always be the most exciting things to read but this one does provide an interesting overview of some aspects of Government in Scotland and its relationship to the UK government. In the light of a possible impending independence referendum learning more about how things work may help decision making on the vote.13/7/2022
Ofgem Seeks Improvements From 12 Suppliers In Relation To Customer Direct Debit Setting
In April, Ofgem launched a Market Compliance Review to assess how suppliers set and review customer direct debit levels. This was in response to growing concerns regarding sharp increases in direct debit levels across the domestic energy market.12/7/2022
Another Shock For Energy Prices Coming Soon Revealed in Parliament
Can energy prices get any higher? Well the answer unfortunately seems to be yes. The energy price is now higher than at the time of last price cap estimate according to the Ofgem Chief at a parliamentary committee yesterday.12/7/2022
Homeworking In The Uk - Regional Patterns: 2019 To 2022
Homeworking during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, focusing on changes and how they have altered the distribution of labour across the UK. Between October to December 2019 and January to March 2022, homeworking in the UK more than doubled from 4.7 million to 9.9 million people.
12/7/2022
How Our Spending Has Changed Since The End Of Coronavirus (covid-19) Restrictions
Online shopping, hobbies and habits — the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on where our money goes. As the cost-of-living increases, we look at what has happened recently to retail and the story behind our financial transactions.
12/7/2022
Urology Hub Bringing Down Waiting Lists in Scotland
A urology hub at Forth Valley Royal Hospital is helping to drive down waiting lists by redesigning the way services are delivered. The hub, part of the Scottish Government's £70 million Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan, provides a one-stop diagnostic and treatment service for patients Team members worked with GPs to develop the service which sees procedures carried out by a new specialist Surgical Care Practitioner, supported by consultants.12/7/2022
Fuel Poverty Set To Break The 50% Barrier In Parts Of Scotland
Energy Action Scotland published this article in March 2022. Things have gotten significantly worse since then but it does set out the problems April's energy price rises will see more than 40% of households in large parts of Scotland move into fuel poverty.
12/7/2022
Super Sponsor Scheme Paused As Ukrainian Numbers Surge In Scotland
Ensuring support can continue after large increase of new applications. A three-month pause on new visa applications for displaced Ukrainians to come to Scotland will be in place from 9:00 am on Wednesday 13 July.12/7/2022
UK Provides Increased Support For Ukraine's Energy Sector
Business Secretary announces a £5 million support fund for providing safety and security equipment to Ukraine's civil nuclear sector. UK government announces further £5 million to support Ukraine's energy sector, helping provide safety and security equipment for their civil nuclear sector.
11/7/2022
