News Archive
29/10/2018
Budget 2018
Remember that often the Chancellor is referring to England and Scotland will get some increases under the Barnett Formula for the Scottish Government to decide on spending. Scotland will gain almost one billion pounds in Barnett consequentials and the Scottish Government can decide how to use it.29/10/2018
Chancellor's ‘little extras’ will not undo 8 years of cuts to public services, says TUC
Commenting on today's (Monday 29 October 2018) Budget Statement, which set out the government's spending plans up to 2024, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said. "Working people cannot be fobbed off again with promises of a better tomorrow that never comes.28/10/2018
Switching millions to universal credit poses real threat of ‘poll tax' moment
Universal credit is suddenly grabbing all the headlines. John Major has warned that it could represent a poll tax moment for the government.28/10/2018
Who Is Affected By Brexit? - Part One
On 5 October 2018, the Institute for Fiscal Studies released a report looking at how different post-Brexit trade arrangements might impact and different UK industries, regions and workers. Peter Levell, Senior Research Economist at IFS, gave the first presentation on "UK's participation in global value chains: implications for post-Brexit trade policy".
28/10/2018
Who's affected by Brexit? (Part 3: L. Alan Winters, UK Trade Policy Observatory)
On 5 October 2018, the Institute for Fiscal Studies released a report looking at how different post-Brexit trade arrangements might impact and different UK industries, regions and workers. Professor L.
28/10/2018
Lower drink-driving limit ‘has little effect' on road deaths and accidents
The reduction in Scotland's drink-driving limit has had little effect on the level of deaths and accidents on the nation's roads, according to a University of Strathclyde study. Researchers found that the lower limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) had not been followed by a statistically significant overall drop in road fatalities, including during the peak accident periods of night-time and weekends.28/10/2018
Who's affected by Brexit? (Part 2: Agnes Norris Keiller, IFS)
For much more see the IFS we site at www.ifs.org.uk/.
28/10/2018
There's no way Hammond can end austerity and balance the books
Budget Day Monday 29th October 2018. There is much speculation as always about the coming budget.28/10/2018
Commentary On The Public Sector Finances Release: September 2018
1. The Office for National Statistics and HM Treasury published their Statistical Bulletin on the September 2018 Public Sector Finances this morning, covering the first half of the 2018-19 fiscal year.28/10/2018
SCC Quarterly Economic Indicator Q3 2018
Survey illustrates robust trading performance, but manufacturing confidence and overall investment fall amid rising material costs and uncertain political environment The survey, produced by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde Business School's Fraser of Allander Institute, illustrates a broadly positive Scottish economy, but slowing investment across a range of sectors, and a challenging set of results for the manufacturing sector, suggest that the need for certainty on the UK's Exit for the European Union is paramount. Driven by rising costs of raw materials, the manufacturing sector has posted its first negative result for optimism / business confidence since 2016, despite a reasonably strong set of financial results.28/10/2018
Scottish Government Budget Requests To UK Government
The UK Government must deliver on its pledge to end austerity in its budget, according to Finance Secretary Derek Mackay. Speaking ahead of the UK Government's budget, Mr Mackay has called for a 'meaningful uplift' in public services funding, as well as expressing concerns about the direction of Brexit negotiations and the roll-out of Universal Credit.27/10/2018
Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Weeks commencing 15th & 22nd October. Energy & Business Services: Cavendish Dounreay Partnership, the Parent Body Organisation at Dounreay, made a significant announcement last week on opportunities for its workforce .(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dounreay-management-makes-long-term-employment-commitment-to-workforce), which included a commitment to "develop training and support programmes to put individuals in the strongest possible position to move into another local job with one of the growing industries such as space or renewable energy.27/10/2018
Council tax dwellings and tax base figures for 2018 published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland Scotland's council tax base increased to 1.988 million Band D equivalents in September 2018. This figure, calculated after taking account of Council Tax Reduction is 1.1 per cent higher than for 2017, Both years are calculated using the new multipliers in Bands E to H, which took effect from April 2017.27/10/2018
State Of The Scottish Economy Report
Scotland's economy has continued to strengthen in the first half of 2018 with annual GDP growth the strongest since 2014 and above the UK as a whole. Independent growth forecasts suggest growth could strengthen further over the next couple of years, however, uncertainty relating to the form and timing of agreement for leaving the EU remains a key concern for many sectors of the economy.27/10/2018
Business Rates Cap Extended
Hotels across Scotland and offices in Aberdeen are amongst those who will benefit from a cap to their business rates bill following an announcement by Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes. Having already benefited from the cap in 2017-18 and 2018-19, hospitality businesses will now see rates capped at a maximum of 12.5% in real terms each year until 1st April 2022.26/10/2018
Interested In Returning To Teaching? Free Course From Highland Council
The Highland Council are running a free return to teaching course for any fully or provisionally registered teacher based anywhere in the Highland Council area who is considering a return to teaching. If you have had a break from teaching, are a retired teacher or are new to the area and are keen to apply for a teaching post or join the supply register that allows you to set your availability around your lifestyle and family commitments, come along refresh your skills and gain confidence, meet a Head Teacher, Care and Learning Staff as well as new colleagues who are also returning to teaching in Highland.25/10/2018
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 25 October 2018
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 25th) sold 5,736 breeding & feeding sheep. Gimmers (751) averaged £89.14 and sold to £140 gross (4 times) for Texel crosses from Smerral Farm, Bower and Balmaglaster Farm, South Laggan, Crosses from 12 Annat, Torridon and Cheviot Mules from 134 West Langwell, Rogart.25/10/2018
Highland Council Budget Engagement To Commence
The Highland Council has agreed to commence a public budget engagement process beginning on 1 November 2018. The Council is planning for a potential budget gap of £66.7 million over the next three years.25/10/2018
Challenge set to "talk up" the Highlands
Each year we survey our Citizens' Panel on their views on performance and attitudes and the results are used to help inform Council decisions and drive continuous improvement activity across the organisation. The survey shows that what is important to people is maintaining good quality services, providing value for money, listening to local people and being efficient.25/10/2018
