News Archive
27/8/2022
Ofgem's announcement today (Friday) that the energy price cap is set to increase from £1,971 to £3,549 this October, and is likely to rise further in January, means that monthly energy bills could be three times higher this winter than last year, at around £500 a month, according to new Resolution Foundation analysis. The analysis, which incorporates both Ofgem's confirmed price cap for October (£3,549) and Cornwall Insight's latest price cap forecast for January (£5,386.71), shows that energy bills this year (2022-23) are set to be around £2,277 higher than last year at £3,749 - extra money that families simply can't afford.
27/8/2022
A new group established to help Scotland's retail sector as it recovers from the pandemic has discussed soaring energy costs and the impact of Brexit. At its first meeting, the Retail Industry Leadership Group (RILG) also considered how to deliver the Scottish Government's Retail Strategy and began drafting priorities to help businesses grow.
27/8/2022
VAT refund scheme encourages museums and galleries to provide free entry and open up access to works in collections. Minister encourages more museums and galleries to join the scheme.
27/8/2022
From The Institute for Fiscal Studies. UPDATE: Since this article was first published there has been a large upward revision in the forecast price cap for the three months beginning 1 January 2023.
Members at today's Economy and Infrastructure Committee noted the significant progress which has been made on the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. The annual report for 2020/21, published on Highland Council's website, illustrates some of the excellent work that the Deal enabled between April 2020 and March 2021.
26/8/2022
Thousands more waste and recycling workers are set to start strike action on Friday 26 August, as crisis talks took place (Thursday 25 August) between union, government, and council leaders over the Scottish local government pay offer. GMB members in a further sixteen council areas will take an initial four days of action from 00.01 hours Friday 26 August until 23.59 hours Monday 29 August, coinciding with existing action in the City of Edinburgh Council.
Economy and Infrastructure Committee Members (Thursday 25 August) approved the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan (STIDP). Its purpose to direct future national and local area-based Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) spend.
26/8/2022
The new energy price cap is being confirmed on Friday 26 August, with Ofgem's announcement scheduled for 7am. You will see it on every news source - web sites, radio and tv.
26/8/2022
Well worth watching. It starts after a couple of long intros at about 13 minutes in.
26/8/2022
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have given the green light to move forward with plans to introduce School Street Zones. Four primaries are part of a pilot scheme to create more attractive conditions for pupils to walk, cycle, scoot, or wheel to and from school.
26/8/2022
Four days of Royal Mail Strikes begin today Friday 26 August Wednesday 31 August Thursday 8 September Friday 9 September. How will post be affected by the Royal Mail strike? Royal Mail says it has " well-developed contingency plans, but they cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce”.
26/8/2022
New symptomatic cases per day, 108,841. Current symptomatic prevalence, 1,659,056.
26/8/2022
Ofgem has announced the new much higher price cap for gas and electricity. New charges will begin on 1 October 2022.
26/8/2022
89% of adults in Great Britain continued to report their cost of living had risen over the past month, according to our Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) for 3 to 14 August. This is an increase since the question was first asked in the period 3 to 14 November 2021 (62%).
26/8/2022
Today (26 August 2022) Ofgem has announced the energy price cap will increase to £3,549 per year for dual fuel for an average household from 1 October 2022. This comes as Ofgem's CEO warns of the hardship energy prices will cause this winter and urges the incoming Prime Minister and new cabinet to provide an additional and urgent response to continued surging energy prices.
26/8/2022
UK average house prices increased by 7.8% in the year to June 2022, down from 12.8% in May 2022. The average UK house price was £286,000 in June 2022, £20,000 higher than this time last year.
26/8/2022
Around 1.1 million claimant families receiving tax credits will get their first Cost of Living Payment from Friday 2 September 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed. This £326 government payment will be paid automatically into eligible tax credit-only customers' bank accounts between 2 and 7 September 2022.
26/8/2022
If customers are struggling to pay for energy bills, they should contact their energy supplier as soon as possible. Depending on their circumstances, customers may be eligible for extra help with their energy bills or services, such as debt repayment plans, payment breaks, emergency credit for prepayment metered customers, priority support and schemes like the Winter Fuel Payment or Warm Home Discount rebate.
26/8/2022
The Philippines will be eligible for over 99% duty free access (by value) of total exported goods to the UK via the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The UK is reshaping trade with developing countries through this new trading framework that will replace the UK Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and will come into force in early 2023.
26/8/2022
Dual fuel customer paying by direct debit, typical energy use (GB £). You can clearly see how whole sale prices are driving the price increase for consumers..