Latest News
29/10/2024
Heating Oil Security Reminder
Residents in rural areas are reminded to review the security of their heating oil tanks following several thefts in the Huntly area. Heating oil tanks have the potential to store thousands of pounds worth of fuel and are often located in remote areas - this can make them an attractive target for thieves.28/10/2024
Could 'Modern Monetary Theory' Save The World? | Ash Sarkar Meets Stephanie Kelton
For those of you who look at this web site regularly you will have seen videos from Richard Murphy explaining Modern Monetary Theory and today we are grateful for him pointing to the video interview with Stephanie Kelton. It may seem like a video for economy students but it gives good easy to understand explanations.
28/10/2024
In Her First Budget, The Chancellor Faces A Minefield Of Risks
Ahead of the new government's first budget on October 30, chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed her determination to change borrowing rules that will allow her to boost investment spending. The overriding goal of the government is to promote economic growth, after more than a decade of stagnation in living standards.
28/10/2024
Decentralise Asylum Accommodation To Tackle Soaring Costs And Substandard Quality, Says Ippr
The escalating costs and poor standards of accommodation provided to people seeking asylum in the UK can be halted and reversed by ending national outsourcing contracts with private companies and instead decentralising budgets and powers to regional bodies, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Reliance on hotels has led to asylum accommodation and support costs soaring from £17,000 per person in 2019/20 to £41,000 in 2023/24. Muhammad said: "Asylum accommodation traps people in unhealthy, unsafe conditions".
28/10/2024
Stromar Floating Wind Farm Off The Caithness Coast Consultation
Stromar is a floating offshore wind farm development off Caithness in northern Scotland, around 80km north of Fraserburgh. Generating up to 1.5GW of power it could be one of the world's largest floating offshore wind farms.
28/10/2024
Government's First Budget Will Invest In Britain's Future The Prime Minister Says In Speech Today
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will pledge that his government's first Budget will put Britain on a new path, one that chooses long-term growth to put more money in working people's pockets and rebuild public services instead of a return to austerity. Prime Minister will say government’s first Budget will fix the foundations to deliver on the promise of change.28/10/2024
TUC - More Than Half Of Business Leaders (59%) Say They Are Losing Staff Time Due To Poor State Of Public Services
A New Poll Of Business Leaders reveals public services causing problem for businesses and staff. 94% say public services important to success of the UK economy.28/10/2024
Rachel Reeves' Increase In Employers' National Insurance Is Going To Cost The NHS Dear - Richard Murphy
If, as expected, Rachel Reeves increases employers' national insurance next week, and she doesn't compensate the NHS, education, local authorities and other departments for the cost. Then the impact on public services is going to be very big - and in some cases bigger than any budget settlement they might get.
28/10/2024
Buy-to-let Rates Drop As Landlords Brace For Budget
Buy-to-let fixed rates stand at their lowest since the start of September 2022, according to the latest analysis by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk. However, the upcoming Budget could reveal tax raids on landlords.27/10/2024
Chancellor To Unlock Housing In First Budget
The Budget will deliver more affordable housing, ensure social housing is available for those who need it and turbocharge the delivery of 1.5 million homes. The announcement covers England but will affect Scotland with increased funding via he Barnet formula.27/10/2024
Government Protects Education Priorities In Face Of Inherited £22 Billion Blackhole
Chancellor confirms steps to protect education and early years priorities as part of her first Budget. This announcement applies to England with capital spending in Scotland made by the Scottish Government.27/10/2024
Scottish Government Struggles To Win Over Business Community
Just 9% of Scottish firms agree that the Scottish Government understands the business environment in Scotland, compared to 64% of businesses that disagree for the second year in a row. This is according to the latest Scottish Business Monitor, a survey of over 350 firms conducted in August and September, produced by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde.
27/10/2024
Autumn Budget 2024 - Background Briefing
On 30 October 2024, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will deliver the new Labour government's first Budget. She is the first female Chancellor and will be the first woman to deliver a Budget.
27/10/2024
What Is The Budget? - An Explanation
The Chancellor will deliver the Budget on 30 October 2024 and the government will later introduce a Finance Bill to implement it. This Insight looks at what differentiates a ‘Budget' from other fiscal statements the government has delivered recently, and an overview of what happens during and following the Budget.26/10/2024
New National Quantum Laboratory To Open Up Access To Quantum Computing, Unleashing A Revolution In AI, Energy, Healthcare And More
Newly opened National Quantum Computing Centre will be home to new quantum computers, designed to push the boundaries of what is possible with the technology. Newly-opened National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) will help deliver breakthroughs in AI, energy, healthcare and more the new facility at Harwell will be home to 12 quantum computers, each designed to push the boundaries of what is possible with this emerging technology.
26/10/2024
Major Defence Reforms Launched, With New National Armaments Director To Tackle Waste And Boost Industry
The biggest reform of the Ministry of Defence in over 50 years to fix what the Public Accounts Committee calls the ‘broken' defence procurement system and to strengthen UK Defence, has been launched by the Defence Secretary. Major reforms kicked off today to match increasing threats, tackle waste and strengthen UK Defence.26/10/2024
DIO And Royal Navy Sign Contract For Construction Project In Cornwall
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Royal Navy mark milestones in major project at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Royal Navy have concluded a contract-signing and groundbreaking ceremony for a major construction project at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall.
26/10/2024
Viral Respiratory Diseases (including Influenza And Covid-19) In Scotland Surveillance Report
Overall assessment 14 October to 20 October (ISO week 42): Calls to NHS24 for respiratory symptoms and patient attendances to GP practices for influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection are at low levels, usual for this time of year. Influenza A test positivity in the community (CARI) surveillance system and in laboratory confirmed tests remained stable this week.26/10/2024
Budget Will Invest In Foundations Of Future Growth
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in Washington D.C. for her first IMF Annual Meetings, where she will say that the Budget is about investing in future growth.
26/10/2024
