News Archive

NDA sets out Dounreay clean-up tasks

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the public body that owns Dounreay and funds its clean up, has published its annual business plan, setting out key tasks for the site licence company DSRL to deliver in the next 12 months.   These include: - Decontamination of Prototype Fast Reactor pond to meet regulatory requirements - Completion of construction of new fuel characterisation facilities - Material Test Reactor raffinate immobilisation complete - Continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance.  

Independent school closure panel

New panel takes responsibility for closure decisions.   An new independent panel will make final decisions on school closure proposals from today.  

More control over care

One year of Self-directed Support Self-directed Support (SDS) became law in Scotland one year ago, meaning that everyone who is eligible for social care now has a right to design their own support package.   Thousands of people are now able to take more control of their lives by choosing how they direct their support including receiving direct payments to employ their own support workers.  

HIAL invites Prospect to hold talks over strike ballot

Regional airport operator HIAL has urged the trade union Prospect to resume discussions in a bid to resolve their current pay claims.   The company wrote to Prospect last week inviting the union to hold further talks, but received no reply.  

Operators ready for introduction of exit checks

The Government is working closely with ports and carriers for the introduction of exit checks at the border from 8 April 2015.   Exit checks will improve the government's understanding of who is leaving the UK and create a much clearer picture of who is staying in the country when they have no right to be here.  

Private rented sector reforms

Simplified and improved system for tenants and landlords.   Plans to reform private sector tenancy laws will remove the fear of eviction and help tenants to assert their rights, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said today.  

Mixed news for farm incomes

The average incomes of Scottish farm businesses changed little between the 2012 and 2013 cropping years, with a fall of two per cent (£600) overall to an estimated £31,000.  However, changes have been more marked across farming sectors.  

Master and Owner fined £16,647.00 for breaching scallop legislation

Scottish scallop dredger the King Explorer convicted following guilty pleas.   On 20 March 2015 at North Shields Magistrates Court, the master and owner of a Scottish scallop dredger the King Explorer were each convicted following guilty pleas after being charged by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) with breaching scallop legislation.  

HMRC scores hat-trick of avoidance wins

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has secured three tribunal wins against tax avoidance schemes, protecting over £260 million in tax.   All three rulings uphold earlier judgments in HMRC's favour at the First-Tier Tribunal.  

UK announces health surcharge

Surcharge of £200 per year and £150 per year for students enables access to National Health Service in the same way as a permanent UK resident.   From 6 April, all nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) coming to the UK for longer than six months will be required to pay a ‘health surcharge' as part of their visa application.