News Archive

Union launches court bid to extend collective bargaining rights for outsourced workers

The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has launched a landmark legal challenge before the High Court in London in a bid to extend collective bargaining rights for outsourced workers.   The union is alleging that outsourced workers at the University of London are being denied their rights under article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) because they can only negotiate their pay and conditions with the outsourcing agency, not the university directly.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 26 February 2019

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 26th) sold 12 prime cattle.   Prime bullocks (3) averaged 201.3p (N/C) and sold to 204.0p per kg and £1,340.00 gross.  

Fair Work in Scotland's Social Care Sector 2019

On 26 February 2019 the Fair Work Convention published its report Fair Work in Scotland's Social Care Sector 2019.   The report calls for urgent interventions by policy makers, commissioners and leaders in the social care sector to improve the quality of work and employment for the 200,000 strong workforce in Scotland.  

Scottishpower Announces Record £2billion UK Investment In 2019

** £2billion clean energy investment in UK in 2019 - record commitment in UK by ScottishPower ** ScottishPower announces plans for large-scale battery storage at UK windfarms ** New public electric vehicle charging business to start installations in 2019 Investment plan will support 300 new ScottishPower jobs in 2019 ScottishPower has announced it will spend up to £2billion in the UK in 2019, the company's biggest ever investment in the country in a single year.   The announcement came as ScottishPower updated its investment plans following the sale of its thermal generation business and transition to 100% renewable energy in 2018.  

Scottish National Standardised Assessment P1 Practitioner Forum

A very controversial subject recently the formal testing of P1 children.   A website for practitioners may be useful to anyone interested whether teachers, management boards, parent councils and or parents.  

Bernie Sanders' adviser to join advisory group for new indy economics organisation

Professor Stephanie Kelton to join group of economics advisers to new MMT Scotland group New Scottish economics group to argue for Modern Monetary Theory policies for independent state.   Some of the worlds most influencial MMT advocates to join advisory panel, including key Sanders 2016 campaign adviser Prof Stephanie Kelton.  

Scottish Housing Market Breaks £18 Billion In Sales

The Scottish housing market once again proved its resilience in the face of both domestic and international political issues, with sales breaching the £18 billion barrier in 2018.   During a year dominated by Brexit uncertainty, markets remained busy, with the country enjoying its best spell of growth since the financial crash in 2008.  

Police Legal Bill For Abandoned Cyber Kiosks Could Rise Further

The cost of Police Scotland's junked phone hacking kiosks is likely to rise again as the force considers taking legal action to prove it did not breach privacy laws.   It spent £370,684 last April on 41 of its cyber kiosks, which let officers copy data from mobile phones, but the plans were shelved following an outcry from privacy campaigners, The Times reports.  

Government responds to Rhoda Grant MSP regarding TV licence concession

Highlands & Islands Regional MSP, Rhoda Grant, who wrote to the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport condemning the proposal to do away with the free TV licence concession for those over 75,has received a response from Margot James MP the Minister for Digital and Creative Industries.   "I am advised by Margot James, that her Department are continuing with this concession until June 2020 at which point the responsibility passes over to the BBC" said Rhoda Grant.  

Hermes Agrees New ‘self-employed Plus' Status With GMB Union

In the latest development concerning employment status and the rights of those working in the ‘gig economy', courier giant Hermes has reached agreement with the GMB Union to offer its couriers the option of being classified as ‘self-employed plus', writes Katie Spearman.   ‘Self-employed plus' entitlements In what the GMB describes as a ‘ground-breaking agreement', couriers who choose to opt-in to the self-employed plus arrangement will receive additional employment rights and benefits such as: entitlement to paid holidays (pro-rata up to the 28-day statutory minimum); individually negotiated hourly pay rates, (at least £8.55 per hour over the year); full GMB representation access, should they join the union.