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Today
Visit Scotland To Close All 25 Visitor Centres By 2026 - Statement By Lord ThursoThumbnail for article : Visit Scotland To Close All 25 Visitor Centres By 2026 - Statement By Lord Thurso
Statement By Lord Thurso, VisitScotland Chair.   I have been Chair of VisitScotland for eight years and in that period we've seen huge changes to the way people access their travel information, not to mention advances in technology and shifts in the economic landscape.  
Today
New Housing Bill Published - Long Term Rent Controls For Private Tenancies
New legislation which aims to keep people in their homes and help prevent homelessness has been published.   The Housing (Scotland) Bill will introduce an ‘ask and act' duty on social landlords and bodies, such as health boards and the police, to ask about a person's housing situation and act to avoid them becoming homeless wherever possible.  
Today
The Minimum Wage Is The Single Most Successful Economic Policy In A Generation, And Has Boosted The Wages Of Millions Of Britain's Lowest Earners By £6,000 A YearThumbnail for article : The Minimum Wage Is The Single Most Successful Economic Policy In A Generation, And Has Boosted The Wages Of Millions Of Britain's Lowest Earners By £6,000 A Year
The introduction of the minimum wage in the UK in 1999 is the single most successful economic policy in a generation, raising the pay of the nation's lowest paid workers by £6,000 a year compared to their earnings simply rising in line with typical wages, according to new Resolution Foundation analysis published today (Wednesday).   Happy 25th birthday to the minimum wage examines how the introduction of the minimum wage in April 1999 has affected low-paid workers in the UK over the past 25 years.  
Today
National Chef Backs Food Payment PushThumbnail for article : National Chef Backs Food Payment Push
Superchef Gary Maclean has urged people to check whether they may be newly-qualified for a benefit which helps with the cost of buying healthy food, milk and first infant formula.   Best Start Foods is up to £39.60 via a pre-paid chip and pin card every four weeks to spend on food from pregnancy until a child turns three.  
Today
Happy New Tax Year - Six Big Changes To Pay, Tax And Benefit Policy Thumbnail for article : Happy New Tax Year - Six Big Changes To Pay, Tax And Benefit Policy
The beginning of April brings a new tax year, and a flurry of tax, benefit and pay policy changes coming into effect.  Benefit levels are finally returning to their pre-pandemic levels after a difficult few years.  
Today
Labour Market Outlook Q2 2024 - Happy 25th Birthday To The Minimum WageThumbnail for article : Labour Market Outlook Q2 2024 - Happy 25th Birthday To The Minimum Wage
This year's minimum wage uprating is large: roughly 1.6 million workers stand to benefit directly on 1 April when the adult rate rises to £11.44 - giving a cash increase of 9.8 per cent and a real-terms increase of 7.8 per cent.  These are the third largest annual increases in the minimum wage's history.  
Today
Public Attitudes To The NHS And Social CareThumbnail for article : Public Attitudes To The NHS And Social Care
A 2023 study on the British public's satisfaction with the NHS and social care services, and their views on NHS priorities, principles and funding from The Kings Fund.   This report draws upon responses to the latest British Social Attitudes survey to explore public satisfaction with the NHS and social care.  
Today
Critical Report By Audit Scotland - Moray Council Failing To Make Sufficient ProgressThumbnail for article : Critical Report By Audit Scotland - Moray Council Failing To Make Sufficient Progress
Moray Council must accelerate plans to transform how it works and delivers services, demonstrating it can sustain the pace and momentum to change.   In a new report, the Accounts Commission says the council has been told in repeated reviews over the past 18 years that while it has made improvements, these have not been fast enough.  
Today
Slipping Into Recession - GDP Quarterly National Accounts, UK October To December 2023
UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have fallen by an unrevised 0.3% in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2023, following an unrevised fall of 0.1% in the previous quarter.   The economy decreased for two consecutive quarters, while GDP for 2023 as a whole is estimated to have increased by an unrevised 0.1% compared with 2022.  
Yesterday
NHS Highland Latest Report Show Despite Scottish Government Help Cuts Are LikelyThumbnail for article : NHS Highland Latest Report Show Despite Scottish Government Help Cuts Are Likely
The NHS Highland board meeting today (26 March 2024) saw the latest financial position and similar to Highland council it makes grim reading.   Despite efforts the deficits remain as can be seen by all the red numbers in the report.  
Yesterday
Recent Trends In Public Sector Pay - How Has Public Sector Pay Changed In Recent Years? Which Type Of Workers Have Done Better And Which Have Done Worse?Thumbnail for article : Recent Trends In Public Sector Pay - How Has Public Sector Pay Changed In Recent Years? Which Type Of Workers Have Done Better And Which Have Done Worse?
Pay for some public sector workers has risen much more than the economy-wide average in recent years.  In particular, public sector workers on lower rates of pay have seen substantial, inflation-beating pay rises.  
Yesterday
Wick Public Service Obligation Celebrates Successful Second Year Subsidising Wick Aberdeen FlightsThumbnail for article : Wick Public Service Obligation Celebrates Successful Second Year Subsidising Wick Aberdeen Flights
The Highland Council is delighted to confirm a highly successful second year for Public Service Obligation (PSO) flights between Wick and Aberdeen.   The period from April 2023 to March 2024 has seen a substantial increase in passenger numbers, with several months seeing over 1,000 passengers using the service, and overall the service has seen year on year growth of 25%.  
Yesterday
Expert Explains Why Tax Planning Is Important When Selling Your BusinessThumbnail for article : Expert Explains Why Tax Planning Is Important When Selling Your Business
Holly Bedford, K3 Tax Advisory Managing Director explains why tax planning is so important when selling your business.   Holly is a transaction tax specialist advising on corporate sales and acquisitions, MBOs, group reconstructions, private equity-backed corporate finance investments and sales to EOTs.  
Yesterday
Scotland Excel - Scottish Companies In Grounds Equipment Framework
Scotland Excel has just launched two multi-million pound frameworks that will support Scottish councils in delivering their essential construction and transport services.   The grounds and plant equipment framework has been awarded to 32 UK-based suppliers - 24 of which are Scottish - and is expected to be worth £32 million over its four-year term.  
Yesterday
Agricultural Support Is Changing - Information On Future Farming Payments From 2025
Further details about the actions farmers and crofters will have to take to receive agricultural support payments from 2025 have been unveiled.  The new criteria for support will help farmers and crofters meet more of our food needs sustainably, and farm and croft while working to protect nature.  
Yesterday
The WASPI Pension Row Has Highlighted Important Lessons For Policy MakersThumbnail for article : The WASPI Pension Row Has Highlighted Important Lessons For Policy Makers
An Ombudsman report into pension age change highlights big lessons for government.   The Parliamentary Ombudsman has been looking at whether women were properly informed of the rise in state pension age to bring them into line with men.  
Yesterday
Population Estimates For The UK, England, Wales, Scotland, And Northern Ireland - Mid-2022Thumbnail for article : Population Estimates For The UK, England, Wales, Scotland, And Northern Ireland - Mid-2022
National and subnational mid-year population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries by administrative area, age, and sex.   The UK population at mid-year 2022 was estimated to be 67.6 million, an increase of 6.8% since 2011.  
Yesterday
Petal Fold Reusable Rocket Technology Successfully Patented InternationallyThumbnail for article : Petal Fold Reusable Rocket Technology Successfully Patented Internationally
Orbex, the only UK owned orbital launch services and rocket manufacturing company, has successfully patented its REFLIGHT reusable rocket technology following patent approval in several European markets as well as the United States.  This protection was based on the patent grant by the European Patent Office.  
Yesterday
The Effect Of Health-care Privatisation On The Quality Of Care - Published In The Lancet
Over the past 40 years, many health-care systems that were once publicly owned or financed have moved towards privatising their services, primarily through outsourcing to the private sector.   But what has the impact been of privatisation on the quality of care? A key aim of this transition is to improve quality of care through increased market competition along with the benefits of a more flexible and patient-centred private sector.  
Yesterday
Championing Care-experienced Children And Young People
Care experienced children and young people will receive further support to improve attainment, attendance and wellbeing throughout their education and beyond.   The Scottish Government will provide £10.5 million to be shared by local authorities across Scotland through the Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund.