News Archive
3/6/2014
What Do Consumers Want from the 'Perfect' Retirement Product? Asks Partnership
With significant changes to the pensions market announced in the budget, Partnership undertook research to ascertain what consumers considered to be the most important features for a retirement product. Guaranteed income for life (64%), getting as much income as possible (31%) and income which keeps track with inflation (24%) were the top attributes of the 'perfect retirement product'.
3/6/2014
The right to request flexible working
The Government is extending the right to request flexible working to all employees, removing the current statutory procedure for considering requests. Employers will then have a duty to consider all requests in a reasonable manner but will have the flexibility to refuse requests on business grounds.2/6/2014
First Time Buyers Need More Help to Buy
- The average age of a UK first time buyer is 36 years old according to MoneySuperMarket *- South West first time buyers are aged 41 - Two-fifths of recent buyers say they had to compromise on renovations or repairs to be able to afford their first home The average age UK house hunters estimate they will be able to take their first step onto the property ladder is 36 years old, according to research* by MoneySuperMarket. *The UK's number one comparison site found that while the average age of a first time buyer is now 36, there is a variation between the regions.
2/6/2014
New Generation of Mobile Post Office Vehicles Shift Rural Lifeline Into Top Gear
- 40 new vehicles provide walk-in post offices on wheels - Mobile branches serving over 250 locations a week across UK - New vehicles to cover half a million miles over coming year - Post Office "modernising to meet customers' needs" - Modern, reliable service for customers Post Office has announced the roll-out its new fleet of mobile post offices, deploying 40 new vehicles to serve 250 locations every week in rural areas across the UK. The new vehicles are Mercedes Sprinter vans, kitted out to provide a walk-in post office on wheels, with the added facility of an accessibility lift.2/6/2014
Post Office Announces New Mortgage Product Range Available Through Brokers
The Post Office will launch its highly competitive range of mortgages along with its financial services partner, Bank of Ireland UK, on Monday, 2nd June 2014. The range is available initially through the Legal and General Mortgage Club Appointed Representatives, and will cater to the needs of first time buyers or those looking to move.2/6/2014
Mobile Phone Companies Must Unlock Better Deals for Their Customers
Which? launches a new campaign to help people Unlock Better Mobile Deals as we find many don't trust their provider to put them on the right deal for their usage. New Which? research reveals only four in 10 (40%) currently trust their mobile phone provider to put them on the best deal for their usage at the end of their contract, and many think it is unfair phones are locked to one provider.2/6/2014
Cash Use Down by 14 % Over the Last 5 Years
Customers are using less cash than ever as retailers make it easier and more convenient to shop and pay. New data reveals that a growing proportion of smaller payments previously made in cash are now being made in other ways.31/5/2014
Thirteen new Special Constables sworn in to serve and protect the Highlands and Islands
This week saw thirteen new officers enrolled into the ranks of the Special Constabulary within Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division, the first sworn in since the creation of the new police service since April 2013. The Special Constabulary is a unique body of people who voluntarily give up their personal time to contribute positively to the wellbeing and safety of their communities.
31/5/2014
HIE announces funding for the future management of the Carloway Estate
An estate on the Isle of Lewis will come into community ownership thanks to grants announced this week from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Land Fund (SLF). The Carloway Estate will purchase over 11,000 acres of land on the north-west coast of the Isle of Lewis that takes in over 200 crofts spread across seven townships including Callanish, Breasclete, Tolsta Chaolais, and a number of outlying islands.31/5/2014
REVIEW CALLS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN POLICE STOP AND SEARCH APPROACH
The Scottish Police Authority has today published 12 recommendations aimed at improving the targeting, effectiveness, and transparency of the use of stop and search tactics by Police Scotland. Publishing the results of its scrutiny review of stop and search, the SPA has acknowledged the contribution that stop and search makes to tackling violence and antisocial behaviour in Scotland.29/5/2014
The Sea, Research And Me - Professor Ian Bryden
Anyone with an interest in marine energy might wish to take look in on this lecture being held at ERI, Thurso. With marine energy being touted often as one of the means that Caithness will gain some new employment and contracts as Dounreay runs down this lecture may give some serious insights into what the fact are.
29/5/2014
Slight Rise in Union Membership In Private Sector Offsets Reductions In Public Sector
Commenting on the latest annual trade union membership statistics, published on Wednesday 28th May 2014 by the Department for Business, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:"It's good to see union membership hold steady as private sector growth makes up for the big job cuts in local government, the civil service and the NHS. "Unions deliver better pay, longer holidays, more training, safer workplaces, family-friendly jobs and decent pensions.
29/5/2014
New website for The Highland Council
Users of The Highland Council's website http://www.highland.gov.uk/ are today (29 May 2014) seeing a fresh new look and experiencing greatly improved on-line services. The council is working with a new supplier, Jadu, to make it easier for customers to find information and book or pay for services.29/5/2014
Nationwide Helps Savers and Current Account Switchers
* New current account opened with the Society every 50 seconds * Deposit balances up £4.9bn in the last year Nationwide Building Society today announces its 2013/14 full year results which demonstrate the Society's support for savers and current account customers. The Society has remained true to its mutual heritage by offering competitive products with long-term member value, underpinned by exceptional customer service.29/5/2014
Local Government Boundary Commission consultation on councillor numbers
The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland commences its public consultation on councillor numbers as part of its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements. Issued on behalf of The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland commences a 12 week period of public consultation today, on its proposals for the number of councillors on each council.29/5/2014
Brits Hold £1.3bn in Unclaimed Loyalty Card Savings
95% of UK adults belong to a loyalty card scheme. Average loyalty card balance is £28.60 £46.90 - average amount redeemed by shoppers in the last year from across all their loyalty schemes, representing £2.1bn worth of savings.Churches Come out Strongly In Support Of Local Credit Unions
Today the church of England has once again set out the case for supporting a local credit union in their war against Pay Day Lenders. In February they announced that they would their churches al over the country to promote the credit union network as being one of the best ways the local communities could help each other for low levels of finance without hitting people with high charges.
29/5/2014
Outlook on the Implications of Putin's Master 'Strategic' Stroke With Energy Deal Between Russia and China
Like him or loathe him, as Prince Charles clearly does, Vladimir Putin is a grand master of 'I want, does get'. Whether it be the territorial windfall of Crimea or destabilising Ukraine so it becomes untenable for it to join the European Union or NATO, the result was intended from the outset.29/5/2014
House Purchase Lending in Scotland Up 23% in First Quarter Compared to Same Period Last Year
The expected seasonal dip during the early months of 2014 saw lending fall compared to the previous quarter, but there was a strong upward trend in Scotland when year-on-year comparisons are made, new Council of Mortgage Lenders data shows. Lending for house purchase As in the UK overall, lending to home-owners for house purchase in Scotland saw the usual seasonal dip quarter-on-quarter with 12,300 loans in total being advanced.29/5/2014
