News Archive
21/4/2024
EU Increases Tariffs On Russian Grain To Hamper Its War Effort - But It's European Consumers Who Could Feel The Pinch
Imagine there was a food tax that increased your grocery bills by nearly 20%. That's essentially what the Common Agricultural Policy does to food prices in the EU.
21/4/2024
Will Britons Work Until They're 71? Expert Examines Proposed Pension Age Rise
The retirement age will need to rise to 71 for UK workers in future, according to a recent report looking at the effect of increasing life expectancy and falling birthrates on the state pension. The current pension age of 66 is set to rise to 67 by 2028, and to 68 from 2044.
21/4/2024
Bitcoin Is Halving Again - What Does That Mean For The Cryptocurrency And The Market?
Bitcoin, the largest and most talked about digital asset, has been on a rollercoaster of a ride since its launch in January 2009. With a market capitalisation that reached a high of more than US$1.4 trillion (£1.125 trillion) this February and volatile swings since, bitcoin has attracted lots of attention recently.
21/4/2024
Five Things Our Research Uncovered When We Recreated 16th Century Beer And Barrels
It's true that our 16th-century ancestors drank much more than Irish people do today. But why they did so and what their beer was like are questions shrouded in myth.
20/4/2024
First of the Highland Council Management Jobs To Go Announced - Head of Education
Senior Leadership Staffing Update - Nicky Grant, ECO Education and Learning will be leaving Highland Council to pursue other interests with immediate effect. Nicky has been employed by the Council since December 2018 initially as the Head Teacher at Alness Academy, then appointed to Head of Education Services in October 2019 before being appointed ECO in July 2021.20/4/2024
The Axe Falls As Highland Council Management Restructures To Save £310,000
As intimated in Highland Council's budget plan, a new senior management structure is to be implemented following approval by Council 14th March. It reconfigures the senior management team into two layers, rather than three and brings Highland Council into line with other benchmarked authorities.
20/4/2024
Scottish Health Services Are Collapsing But Scottish Government Announces Another New Strategy - Using Genetics To Improve Health Outcomes
A new strategy will expand access to genomic testing to improve diagnoses and outcomes for patients. With a focus on cancer and rare and inherited conditions, the new five-year strategy sets out how genomics - the use of genetic information to diagnose disease and guide treatment – can be best used in the NHS.20/4/2024
Peter Murrell - What Might Happen Next In The SNP Embezzlement Probe?
The husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party. Peter Murrell was previously arrested as a suspect on 5 April last year before being released without charge.20/4/2024
Prime Minister Right To Focus On People Not Being Well Enough To Work - But Has Offered A Problem Statement Not A Plan
With the UK the only G7 economy yet to return to pre-pandemic employment levels, the Prime Minister is right to make reducing long-term sickness a top economic priority. But his latest announcement is a problem statement not a plan, the Resolution Foundation said on Friday.20/4/2024
Scottish Government Abandons 2030 Net Zero Target But Announces New Moves
Whilst abandoning the 2030 Net Zero target the Scottish Government is stepping up action to tackle climate change with a suite of new policies on transport, including increasing the number of electric vehicle chargers, and land use. The increase in charging points comes as part of a wider climate package that also includes an integrated ticketing system which can be used across all public transport.20/4/2024
Publication Of Wildlife Crime In Scotland 2022
The Chief Statistician for Scotland has released figures for Wildlife Crime in Scotland 2022. The statistics show that recorded wildlife crime was down by 7% from 308 offences in 2020-21 to 286 offences in 2021-22.20/4/2024
Scottish Government Finds Money To Support Refugee Integration
Refugees and people seeking asylum who live in Scotland will be supported to settle into local communities through new funding for Scottish Refugee Council. Scottish Government funding of £3.6 million will support Scottish Refugee Council's Refugee Support Service, which helps people access health, housing, welfare and employment support.20/4/2024
Squeeze on Benefits On the Way - Disability Benefits System To Be Reviewed As Pm Outlines 
The Prime Minister has outlined a package of sweeping reforms to put work at the heart of welfare and deliver on his "moral mission" to give everyone who is able to work, the best possible chance of staying in, or returning to work. Government to consult on proposed reforms to disability benefits system to ensure benefits targeted at those who need it most.
20/4/2024
Another New Tax Being Considered By Scottish Government To Pay For Building Safety Measures
Parliament to consider tax to raise more funding to fix unsafe cladding. A tax on developers to raise funds to help fix building safety issues will be considered in Scotland under powers secured from the UK Government.20/4/2024
Joint Investment With The UK And Scottish Governments Driving Digital Success
More than one million faster broadband connections have been delivered to homes and businesses across Scotland, backed by £1 billion of publicly-driven investment. The £463 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme launched in 2014 and connected more than 950,600 premises to fibre-based broadband - over 150,000 more than originally anticipated.20/4/2024
PM to overhaul benefits system and tackle Britain's sick note culture in welfare reform speech
In a major speech on Friday 19 April 2024, the Prime Minister unveiled a package of welfare reform measures to tackle the unprecedented rise in economic inactivity and ensure our benefits system is better targeted at those who need it most. PM to announce plans to overhaul benefits system to ensure people who are fit to work aren't left behind on benefits.
20/4/2024
Uk's Most Lethal Tank Rolls Off The Production Lines
British Army soldiers are a step closer to getting their hands on one of Europe's most lethal tanks - the Challenger 3 - the Defence Secretary has announced. Latest Challenger 3 tanks finalising production.
20/4/2024
UK Government Sells Assets For Efficiency And To Help Deficits
The latest figures released today in the government's annual State of the Estate report, highlight the significant progress being made to make the public estate more sustainable and efficient. Over £163 million in savings was secured last year due to reduced overall energy consumption across government buildings.20/4/2024
The Freezing by Scottish Government Of Capital Spending Hits Shetland Hospital
Every part of Scotland is hit by the freeze on capital spending by Scottish Government. The Shetland Times has highlighted the issue in the long running campaign to renew the Gilbert Bain hospital.20/4/2024
