News Archive
24/11/2023
Expanding Scotland's Medical Workforce - Funding To Create Extra Training Places For Doctors In 2024
Record levels of investment will see an additional 153 trainee doctor posts created next year in what will be the largest annual expansion on record. This level of expansion represents a 2.3% increase above the current whole time equivalent workforce of 6570 trainees.24/11/2023
Wick - Aberdeen Air Route Under Threat - Five MSPs Collectively Fight For Wick To Aberdeen PSO Contract Funding
Several Highlands and Islands regional MSPs come together to work together to fight for Wick/Aberdeen Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract to keep an air route Wick - Aberdeen working in future years. Highlands and Islands Regional MSPs Rhoda Grant, Douglas Ross, Edward Mountain, Donald Cameron and Jamie Halcro Johnston have all come together to work cross-party on campaigning for future funding of the Wick/Aberdeen PSO contract after a response from the Scottish Government's Transport Secretary is called "ominous".24/11/2023
Aberdeenshire Victim Falls Victim To Anydesk Scam - Stay Skeptical
An Aberdeenshire resident has this week fallen victim to a fraud which utilised the AnyDesk app. A male with a London accent phoned the victim stating he was from her bank.
24/11/2023
Are Holiday Season Discounts Worth It?
Black Friday and the larger holiday shopping season promise shoppers steep discounts and not too infrequently, the deal of their lifetimes. But in recent years, studies - especially one by Which? out of the UK - have cast doubts on whether these seasonal discounts are really all they're cracked up to be.
23/11/2023
Farming Skills For The Next Generation - Support For Women And Young People In Agriculture
Funding of over £500,000 will help women and young people develop new agricultural skills and further their careers within the farming sector. The Next Generation and Women in Agriculture Practical Training Funds will provide successful applicants with £500 each to help pay for practical training courses relevant to farming and crofting.23/11/2023
Martin Lewis: What The Chancellor's Autumn Statement Really Means For You
Martin Lewis' briefing on benefits, pensions, ISAs, savings, housing, National insurance cuts and more..
23/11/2023
For The Seriously Minded - Everything In the Autumn Statement
There is much more than most people realise behind the Autumn Statement. So for anyone who has the time to look in detail go HERE Pdf 120 Pages And for the back up Office for Budget Responsibility Papers .23/11/2023
Benefits Increase But Harder Rules In Order To Claim
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said most working-age benefits will rise by 6.7%, as he outlined plans to limit welfare access to the long-term jobless. Mr Hunt increased benefits in line with September's inflation rate, ending speculation of a less generous offer.23/11/2023
Encouraging Innovation In Green Heat Finance - Expert Report Maps Opportunities And Barriers To Financing Heat Transition
There is substantial growth potential for financing climate-friendly heating and energy efficiency improvements in Scotland's homes, according to a new report published today. Focused on helping individual property owners to access the best solutions for their circumstances, the Green Heat Finance Taskforce makes nine recommendations to boost the range of private finance options in its first report.23/11/2023
Scottish National Party Not Happy With Autumn Statement
Deputy First Minister responds to announcements from Chancellor. The Autumn Statement delivered the ‘worst case scenario' for Scotland's finances and failed to live up to the challenges posed by the cost of living and climate crises, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison has said.23/11/2023
Tobacco Taxes Up and Alcohol Tax Freeze
All alcohol duty frozen until 1 August next year. Duty rate on tobacco products increases by 2% above RPI inflation; hand-rolling tobacco rises 12% above RPI.23/11/2023
Chancellor Aims To Help Business And Infrastructure
"Full expensing" tax break - allowing companies to deduct spending on new machinery and equipment from profits - made permanent. The 75% business rates discount for retail, hospitality and leisure firms in England extended for another year.23/11/2023
National Insurance And Benefits Changes
Main rate of National Insurance cut from 12% to 10% from 6 January, affecting 27 million people. Class 2 National Insurance - paid by self-employed people earning more than £12,570 - abolished from April.23/11/2023
Badenoch Welcomes Autumn Statement That Backs British Business And Unlocks Economic Growth
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade reacts to today's Autumn Statement and what this means for businesses and consumers. At today's Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced a range of proposals promoted by the Department for Business and Trade that provide further financial backing to UK businesses, will improve regulation, and stimulate investment and growth across the country.23/11/2023
A Big Tax Cut For Workers Through National Insurance - And It Does Apply In Scotland
In today's Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a significant cut in rates of NICs. From 6 January 2024, while the thresholds will remain fixed, the rate of NICs on earnings in the primary threshold (£12,571 to £50,270) will decrease from 12% to 10% - a far more sizeable cut than many had anticipated.
23/11/2023
Vaping Campaign Launched - Health Warning As New Tobacco And Vaping Framework Publishes
A new marketing campaign informing parents, carers and school pupils of the dangers of vaping has been launched by the Scottish Government. It comes as a new Tobacco and Vaping Framework is published, setting out actions which will be taken to create a tobacco-free generation by 2034.23/11/2023
Departmental And Devolved Spending Is Getting Squeezed
One of the main unspoken bits of the forecast has been the slow and prolonged squeeze on departmental and devolved spending pencilled in by the Chancellor. Of course, the Spending Review period ends next year and settlements aren't yet determined, but the Treasury does tell the OBR what they should use as a holding assumption.
22/11/2023
£122million To Breathe New Life Into Scottish Towns And Cities
Six projects are awarded grants from round three of the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund to support major regeneration and transport projects. Six major regeneration and transport projects across Scotland are set to receive almost £122 million from the third round of the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund - a multi-billion-pound initiative improving lives for local people.
22/11/2023
Autumn Statement 2023 Speech - Autumn Statement 2023 Speech As Delivered By Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Mr Speaker. After a global pandemic and energy crisis, we have taken difficult decisions to put our economy back on track.22/11/2023
