News Archive

22% Of Brits Expect To Make A Contactless Payment This Year

- 15% of UK adults have so far used a specially enabled credit or debit card to make a contactless payment; - Online and smartphone banking is booming with over 80% of adults regularly managing their money online - 28% of Brits have made payments using a smartphone banking app.   New research suggests that shoppers are warming to contactless payments with 15% of Brits having already made a contactless payment using a credit or debit card and more than a fifth saying they expect to use contactless payments this year.  

New Health and Safety Poster reminder

All businesses must now display the new version of the Health and Safety Law Poster, or issue copies of the new leaflets.   The new poster was issued in 2009 and was set out in simple terms, using numbered lists of basic points, what employers and workers must do, as well as showing what to do if there is a problem.  

Independent Review of Money Advice Service Launched

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrea Leadsom, has today launched an independent review of the Money Advice Service (MAS) and announced that Christine Farnish will lead the review.   The Money Advice Service (MAS) is a body set up by government to provide consumers with financial education and advice.  

What Works Scotland to drive scale and pace of public service delivery and reform

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Scottish Government are pleased to announce that they have jointly awarded just under £3 million to the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, for a new What Works Scotland (WWS) initiative.  The Centre is intended to help policy makers and practitioners in the public services in Scotland transform the way they work.  

Support for employers

Report on Scotland's young workforce due to be published.   Small businesses should receive greater support to encourage them to invest in the future of Scotland’s young people, a report to be published next week will recommend.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.