News Archive

UK government is to start up Best Start Family Hubs - what happens in Scotland

Scotland's equivalent to England's Best Start Family Hubs is rooted in the Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach, which aims to provide joined-up, holistic support around each family rather than crisis-only interventions.   Under GIRFEC, local Children's Services Planning Partnerships design family support services that address needs as soon as they arise, spanning health, education, social care and community agencies.  

New employment protections will improve workers' wellbeing, but won't make any difference to economic growth

The Employment Rights Bill making its way through Parliament is a big deal for low-paid workers, but will have a negligible impact on the economy, contrary to what its supporters and critics claim, according to new Resolution Foundation research published on Thursday.   With the share of (hourly) low paid workers across Britain having fallen from a fifth of the workforce to just 3.5 per cent due to the minimum wage being ramped up in recent decades.  

Tax-efficient strategies to consider - it's not to late

Maximising Tax-Free Wrappers are just one way to reduce tax liability.   Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) allow up to £20,000 per tax year to grow free of Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.  

Next October How Budget Changes Could Hit Your Wallet - Get Ready Now

Below is a roadmap showing likely tax and benefit tweaks in Rachel Reeves's next Budget and illustrative impacts on different household profiles.  These figures assume measures such as an extended freeze on income tax thresholds, tighter pension relief and allowance cuts to dividends, savings interest and capital gains.  

'Basic taxes will have to rise,' former UK Business Secretary says - Some Suggestions about your taxes

Vince Cable, former U.K.  business secretary, discusses the outlook for U.K.  

Low turnout and an unfair voting system - UK elections ranked in the bottom half of countries in Europe

The UK has historically been held up as leading democracy with free and fair elections.  However, our new report shows election quality in the UK is now ranked in the bottom half of countries in Europe.  

Your essential guide to climate finance

The global ecosystem of climate finance is complex, constantly changing and sometimes hard to understand.  But understanding it is critical to demanding a green transition that's just and fair.  

The Pros And Cons Of Credit Union Saving and Borrowing

Many people want to save and help their community by making funds available at good rates from a local entity such as Hi-Scot Credit Union that covers Highland and Islands.   Credit Unions encourage savings as well as offering affordable borrowing but lets take a closer look.  

The mistakes Keir Starmer made over disability cuts - and how he can avoid future embarrassment

Labour MPs have forced a major government climbdown over disability benefit cuts, in an embarrassing turn of events for Keir Starmer.  The prime minister has blown a hole in his budget by agreeing to scrap plans to tighten eligibility criteria for disability benefits via the universal credit and personal independence payment bill.  

Amnesty launched as part of mission to halve knife crime

Young people across the country are being urged to surrender bladed weapons including ninja swords to help prevent further loss of young lives to knife crime.   With the support of Word 4 Weapons and FazAmnesty, young people will be able to anonymously hand in any weapons to surrender bins or a purpose-built and fully secure van, across London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands - the 3 highest areas for knife crime in England.