Message from First Minister to Ukrainians arriving in Scotland. A message of welcome from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - available in Ukrainian and Russian, the two most widely spoken languages in Ukraine - is to be given to displaced Ukrainians arriving in Scotland.
Long planned contingencies put into action to reduce disruption to travel for passengers and freight. With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the developing issue with P&O Ferries.
18,124 new cases of COVID-19 reported*. 23 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.
Bank of England should take lead from A.A.Milne. The Bank of England has today raised interest rates for the third time in as many meetings, in a bid to tackle rising inflation.
The Bank of England condemns Russia's unprovoked invasion and the suffering inflicted on Ukraine. The Bank is working closely with the UK Government to support its response in coordination with international authorities.
Inflation is biting and predicted to reach 8% or higher which will give rise to higher interest charges s the Bank of England tries to bring it under control. Recently the announcements on increases charges seem to be endless - Electricity and Gas increases in April with even more to come in October Higher National Insurance charges Higher Broadband and Cell phone charges Petrol and Diesel increases Home Heating Oil Surge in Prices Increased Transport Costs Food price increases - World Cereal prices have shot up and this will see it hitting prices.
The Quinquennial Review of the National Insurance Fund has been published. It looks at the long-term relationship between benefit payments and contribution income.
A short-life taskforce has been established to monitor, identify and respond to any potential disruption to food security and supply resulting from the impact of the war in Ukraine. The Scottish Government has set up the Food Security and Supply Taskforce jointly with industry.
The UK on Thursday 17 March announced it is suspending the exchange and sharing of tax information with Russia and Belarus as part of continued efforts to inflict economic pain on President Putin's regime. The UK has suspended all exchange of tax information with Russia and Belarus under the UK's exchange of information agreements.
£3.9 million to support visitor management. More than 200 seasonal countryside rangers and operations staff posts will be created to support sustainable and responsible rural tourism.
On Wednesday 16 March 2022, the inaugural ministerial meeting of the Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs Task Force took place. It brought together international allies who committed to working together on enforcing sanctions that have been placed on oligarchs connected with Russia's latest unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Yesterday ferry company P&O announced to 800 staff it was to make them all redundant and replace them with agency workers. University of Salford HR expert, Dr Jonathan Lord assesses the decision and looks into the legal basis of the move.
The UK condemns the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine. We stand with the Ukrainian government and its brave people.
P&O's crass mass-firing of 800 staff is inevitably leading to supply chain and cross-Channel freight disruptions, says the international delivery specialist ParcelHero. The ferry operator P&O’s controversial mass-firing of 800 employees without warning is impacting on cross-Channel freight and UK exporters and importers, warns the international delivery specialist ParcelHero.
Government Property Agency experts share their predictions on what we can expect to see across the UK property industry this year. 2022 will be a pivotal year for the workplace.
Highland Council has a strong track record in supporting refugees and has already welcomed Syrian and Afghan families. The Highland Council debated the Ukrainian crisis last week (Thursday 10 March) and gave its unequivocal support to the people of Ukraine.
Additional funding to support people fleeing Ukraine A further £15 million of funding will be made available by the Scottish Government to support Scotland's response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine. The funds will be used to bolster the support available to Ukrainian nationals arriving in Scotland, with just over £11 million to be allocated to local authorities and £2.25 million set aside for temporary accommodation.
Six Scottish social security benefits will be increased by 6% from 1 April. Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson has announced the rise in support for low income households and carers in light of the increasing cost of living pressures.
UNISON, the union for further education staff, has lodged a formal dispute with college bosses after its members overwhelmingly rejected the latest pay offer by 92 per cent. The pay offer, a real-terms pay cut, falls far short of rocketing rates of inflation and UNISON will be consulting its members on next steps - including industrial action.
Aim to have more people accessing opioid treatments. A national target will be introduced to ensure more people with problematic opiate drug use are accessing life-saving community treatments.
