News Archive

Chancellor's National Wealth Fund to deliver growth and boost security

Chancellor sets new strategy for National Wealth Fund to reflect our Plan for Change, unlocking billions of pounds of private investment into the UK.   New strategic steer will see National Wealth Fund take on higher risk projects as government goes further and faster to kickstart economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower and boost security.  

Do We Need Benefit Cuts - The government says it must cut benefits for the disabled - They are completely wrong

The government says it must balance its books and benefits cost too much, so they must be cut.   Nothing could be further from the truth.  

Plan for future of Grangemouth - Summary of Project Willow report published

Plans to secure a long-term industrial future for Grangemouth have been stepped up as a feasibility study sets out nine options for its future.   The plan - which is backed by £25 million from the Scottish Government and £200 million from the UK Government – will support jobs, unlock investment and drive growth.  

Scottish Government Workforce Statistics December 2024 - Scottish Government Employee Numbers Still Increasing

The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.  These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending December 2024.  

USA Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rate Steady - Bank Of England To Announce Today

The Federal Reserve is maintaining interest rates with no change.   Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace.  

A dangerous road? Examining the ‘Pathways to Work' Green Paper

Yesterday's Green Paper marks a serious attempt by the Government to tackle two major concerns: the growing spend on disability benefits, and the large number of people who are not working through ill-health.   The proposals to tackle the former go much further than reforms suggested by the previous Government; between 800,000 and 1.2 million people are set to lose entitlement to PIP (worth at least £4,000 a year by 2029-30) - as well as any benefits that they (or others) receive that are linked to PIP eligibility.  

Biggest shake up to welfare system in a generation to get Britain working and Take £5Billion Out

Largest welfare reforms for a generation to help sick and disabled people who can and have the potential to work into jobs - backed by a £1 billion investment, unveiled by the Work & Pensions Secretary.   Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has confirmed the date that changes to the benefits system saving taxpayers £5 billion will come into effect.  

What We Know And What We Don't Know About The Welfare Benefits Changes So Far

The team at Fraser of Allender have published their thinking on the coming changes to welfare benefits.   The UK Government's Green Paper that has been in the rumour mill for weeks.  

UK science uncovers mysteries of dark universe with Euclid data

Cutting-edge UK research is benefiting the European Space Agency's Euclid mission, with new data released (19 March) set to uncover the secrets of dark energy and matter.   The wealth of new data from the mission - described as the ultimate discovery machine - includes details of 500 galaxies that seem to experience a phenomenon known as strong lensing.  

Chancellor needs to take action to balance the books - but lower-income households shouldn't bear the brunt

Higher interest rates, weaker growth and lower tax revenues mean that fresh fiscal tightening is likely to be needed on 26th March for the Chancellor to meet her fiscal rules.  But with the jobs market already in recession territory, she must avoid hitting the living standards of lower income families in the process, the Resolution Foundation said on Monday 17 March 2025.