News Archive
28/6/2024
Updates To Short-term Lets Licensing Scheme Approved
MSPs have backed a range of technical updates to the short-term lets licensing scheme in response to engagement with accommodation operators. Licensing was introduced in 2022 to provide assurance to guests on safety and quality, such as gas and electrical safety compliance and the suitability of hosts.28/6/2024
New Powers On Trusts And Succession - Courts Can Prevent Killers From Being Executors Of Victims' Estates
New powers have come into force allowing a court to prevent those convicted of murder or culpable homicide from acting as an executor on their victim's estate. The measures are part of the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024, which was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in December 2023.28/6/2024
UK Businesses Cheered By 0.7% Rise In GDP, But Imports And Exports Have Fallen
The UK's real GDP (gross domestic product) is estimated to have grown by 0.7% in Quarter 1 (January-March) 2024, according to new figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This figure was revised up from a first estimated increase of 0.6%.27/6/2024
Old Age Tendencies - The Impact Of Tax And Benefit Changes On Intergenerational Fairness Ahead Of The 2024 General Election
Molly Broome, Alex Clegg, Sophie Hale & Charlie McCurdy at the Resolution Foundation look at how older age groups have fared since 2010. In this Spotlight we look at the impact of spending, tax and benefit decisions taken since 2010 through the lens of intergenerational fairness.
27/6/2024
Postal Voters Urged To Make Their Vote Count
As postal packs continue to be dispatched for the UK General Election, postal voters are being reminded to make sure they return them in time. They are also advised to read the instructions carefully when completing their pack to ensure their vote counts.
27/6/2024
Addressing The Housing Challenge In Highland
Highland Council has agreed a number of strategic objectives with the aim of finding solutions to a Highland Housing Challenge. It is anticipated that 24,000 new houses will be required in Highland in the next ten years.27/6/2024
Businesses Are Being Targeted for Card Machine Frauds
Watch out for cold calls trying to get information from you on the pretext of anything about Card Payment Machines. Never accept these cold calls - they are all scams.26/6/2024
Staff Recognised In Highland Council Staff Recognition Award Ceremony 2024
Council staff have been recognised in the Highland Council's Staff Recognition Awards on Friday 21 June. Convener, Bill Lobban said: "Congratulations to everyone, both those who won awards, but also to all those who were nominated and shortlisted for the Highland Council Staff Recognition Awards 2024.
26/6/2024
Labour Hustings In Wick To Meet Eva Kestner - Labour Candidate For Election In Caithness, Sutherland And Easter Ross
Get along to the Pulteney Centre in Wick at 11:00am on Saturday 29 June to meet the Labour candidate Eva Kestner..
26/6/2024
Job Done? Assessing The Labour Market Since 2010 And The Challenges For The Next Government
The UK labour market has transformed almost beyond recognition since the government changed hands in 2010 - from skyrocketing employment during the 2010s, to a pandemic that has arguably had more of a lasting impact on the labour market than any other area of economic policy. All against the backdrop of a historic wage stagnation.
26/6/2024
Labour Market Backdrop To The Election Is Average Weekly Wages Growing By Just £16 Since 2010, As Parties Take Contrasting Approaches To Work In Their Manifestos
The labour market backdrop to the election is a prolonged pay squeeze that has left real average wages today just £16 a week higher than in 2010, a job market struggling to recreate the 2010s boom, and the main parties taking very different approach to the world of work. New Resolution Foundation research published on Tuesday 25 June 2024.
26/6/2024
Local Government 2023-24 Provisional Outturn And 2024-25 Budget Estimates
The Chief Statistician has released figures on 2023-24 provisional outturn and 2024-25 budget estimates for revenue and capital services provided by local authorities. In 2023-24, net revenue expenditure on local authority services was provisionally reported as £14,627 million in 2023-24 and budgeted as £15,005 million for 2024-25.26/6/2024
Amazon Raises Minimum Spend For Free Delivery To £35 - Here's How To Beat It
With prices still rising on so many thing it may worth checking a Money Saving Expert article on Amazon delivery charges to save a few quid. With so many people using Amazon regularly to buy items delivery charges can add up to a lot over a year.
26/6/2024
General Election 2024 - The MSE Leaders' Debate Sunak, Starmer, Swinney, Davey, Ap Iorwerth, Ramsay And Farage Tell Us What They'd Do About Energy Bills, Council Tax, Carer's Allowance And More
In an election, real-world policies are often lost in the smog of debate. So in 2010, I started a 'leaders' debate' here on Money Saving Expert, and we've done it for every General Election since.
26/6/2024
Progressing Post-school Reform - Delivery Of Funding And Student Support
A consultation on simplifying funding for universities, colleges and apprenticeships, as well as student support, has opened for views. Currently, funding is provided by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).26/6/2024
Scottish Quarterly Housing Statistics In 2023-24
The latest housebuilding statistics have been published by Scotland's Chief Statistician. New Housebuilding by sector - There were 19,632 homes built (completed) and 16,404 new builds started in 2023-24 (financial year).26/6/2024
Deadline Today 5:00 Pm For Free Voter ID Ahead Of UK General Election
Time is running out to apply for free voter ID ahead of the UK general election. The deadline is 5pm Wednesday 26 June.
26/6/2024
Recorded Crime In Scotland, 2023-24
Between 2022-23 and 2023-24 - Crimes recorded by the police in Scotland increased by 4%, from 289,362 to 299,780. The recording of crime remains below the position immediately prior to the pandemic (2019-20) and down 51% from its peak in 1991.26/6/2024
Amazon Has Increased Its Minimum Free Delivery Threshold By 40%. That's Far Beyond Shipping Cost Rises, Says Parcelhero
Amazon has quietly upped the minimum spend for shoppers to qualify for free delivery from £25 to £35. It is blaming ‘external factors influencing shipping costs'.26/6/2024
