News Archive

HMRC Reminds About Up To £2000 For Children's Tax-Free Childcare

As children go back to school, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families in Scotland to not miss out on up to £2,000 a year towards their child's wraparound care.   Tax-Free Childcare puts more money back in the pockets of working families by providing much needed financial support towards the cost of childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 17 if the child has a disability.  

Scottish Homelessness Statistics, 2021-22

An annual update on Homelessness Statistics covering 2021-22 has been released by Scotland's Chief Statistician.   Findings for that period show: There were 35,230 applications for homelessness assistance - an increase of 944 (3%) compared with 2020-21, but still below pre-pandemic levels (37,060 in 2019-20).  

More Foreign Criminals And Illegal Migrants Removed

Renewed focus on removals is fulfilling the government's commitment to keep the British public safe and tackle illegal migration.   The Home Secretary has sent out an urgent warning on Thursday 18 August to dangerous foreign criminals and immigration offenders in the UK that the government will not rest until they are removed and our streets are made safer.  

Self-driving Revolution To Boost Economy And Improve Road Safety

New plan for self-driving vehicles plus a consultation on a safety ambition.   Government unveils plan to rollout self-driving vehicles on UK roads, sparking a transport revolution to improve road safety and better connect communities estimated 38,000 new jobs could be created in the UK from predicted £42 billion industry backed by £100 million to support industry investment and fund research on safety developments.  

Highland Council Shortlisted For 4 National Awards

The Highland Council has been shortlisted for 4 APSE Service Awards which celebrate excellence in local public services.   Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Cllr Graham MacKenzie commended the Council staff, he said: "I am very pleased to advise that the Community Operations and Logistics Section has been short listed in 3 categories in the 2022 Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards.  

More Than Half Of Uk Households To Be In Fuel Poverty By The New Year According To New Report

More than half of households in the UK, or 15 million people, will have been pushed into fuel poverty by January 2023, according to a new report authored by York academics.   The report predicts that, even with the £400 fuel rebate being offered by the government, 58.5% of households will be plunged into fuel poverty in Yorkshire and the Humber, 47.5% in London and 71.7% in Northern Ireland.  

The Labour Market Is Making History For The Wrong Reasons

The backdrop to today's (16 August 2022 labour market data has been discussion around the increasingly concerning picture for the winter, with expectations of future increases in the energy price cap continuing to ratchet upwards.  But today's data reminds us that when it comes to pay at least, workers are already facing very tough conditions, even before the winter crunch point.  

Rising Food Prices Drive Britain Into Double Digit Inflation

CPI inflation hit double digits (10.1 per cent) in July, with Resolution Foundation analysis of the latest data yesterday (Wednesday 17 August 2022) showing that it was even higher for the poorest tenth of households - at 10.9 per cent.   Another significant increase in inflation from 9.4 per cent in June to 10.1 per cent in July was driven by primarily by rising food prices, which are rising at a rate of 12.7 per cent (up from 9.8 per cent June).  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 17 August 2022

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (August 17th) sold 109 store cattle and 92 adult head of breeding cattle.   Bullocks (66) averaged 229.3p per kg and sold to 262.9p per kg for a pair of 407kg Beef shorthorn crosses from Auchriachan, Tomintoul and £1,210 gross for a pen of 518kg Charolais crosses from Lower Gartally, Drumnadrochit.  

Workers Plunged Into Deepest Pay Squeeze Since The Silver Jubilee

Real average weekly earnings fell by 3 per cent in the three months to June, the biggest fall since 1977, the Resolution Foundation said on Tuesday 16 August 2022 in response to the latest ONS labour market statistics.   The latest data is dominated by near double-digit inflation, which according to the Foundation's analysis of longer-term ONS and Bank of England pay data, has brought about the deepest pay squeeze in 45 years.