News Archive
12/2/2024
Families Need Help In Rising To The Triple Savings Challenge Of Saving More For Rainy Days, Bigger Life Events And Retirement
Families across Britain face a ‘triple savings challenge' of insufficient ‘rainy day' savings of at least £1,000, an inability to cope financially with bigger life events like family breakdown, and inadequate retirement incomes. But all three can be addressed by building on the success of auto-enrolment into pension saving to encourage more liquid saving too, according to new Resolution Foundation research published today (Monday).
11/2/2024
The Impact Of Pet Ownership And Other Possible Pitfalls On Your Mortgage Approval
The complex waters of securing a mortgage in the UK can often feel like a straightforward journey—at first glance. Prospective homeowners are typically well-versed in the basics: maintain a good credit score, have a steady income, and save a substantial deposit.
11/2/2024
‘Digitising' Your Wardrobe Can Help You Save Money And Make Sustainable Fashion Choices
Spring is traditionally the season for a good clean - and maybe a clear out. Taking stock and having a bit of a declutter can freshen things up domestically.
11/2/2024
Britain's Deepening Turnout Divide - Less Well-off Millennials Are Increasingly Unlikely To Vote Compared To Their Better-off Counterparts
The turnout divide between richer and poorer young voters is deepening, with millennial non-graduates and non-homeowners increasingly unlikely to vote compared to their graduate and homeowning counterparts since the last general election, according to new Resolution Foundation analysis published Wednesday 7 February 2024. The research examines the rising role of age in influencing people's political preferences ahead of the next election.
11/2/2024
Update On Caithness NHS Redesign Now On Hold Indefinitely - Comments At The End
The Scottish Government announced last month that funding for all NHS construction projects was to be paused for at least two years. Despite this, work will continue on planning and implementing the redesign of health and social care services in Caithness.11/2/2024
The Super Bowl Gets The Vegas Treatment, With 1 In 4 American Adults Expected To Gamble On The Big Game
A record 67.8 million American adults are expected to bet US$23.1 billion on Super Bowl LVIII, according to a new survey conducted by Morning Consult for the American Gaming Association. The estimated number of bettors has increased 35% from the previous Super Bowl, while the total amount being bet is estimated to have shot up from $16 billion in 2023.
11/2/2024
Two Worrying Articles On Scottish And English Budget Gaps
North and south Scotland or England councils are in trouble over their budget gaps. The threats to local services may never have been so bad since 2008.10/2/2024
Orkney Islands Council backs West of Orkney Windfarm's offshore plans
Orkney Island Council's Development and Infrastructure Committee has given its backing to the West of Orkney Windfarm's offshore plans. Orkney Islands Council is a statutory consultee for Section 36 consent and marine licence applications for the proposed £multi-billion offshore windfarm, located 30km west of the Orkney Mainland and 25km north of the Sutherland coast.
10/2/2024
Low Earners And Workplace Pension Saving - A Qualitative Study - Consider Having Employment Paying Over £10,000 To Ensure Pension Contributions
A series of interviews with low earners exploring attitudes, behaviours, and experiences of workplace pensions in the UK. Authors Milo Warby, Alice, Coulter, Dr Lynne Robertson-Rose, and Sandra Hicks.10/2/2024
Scotland Boosting UK With More Than £2 Billion Spend In Defence Annually
Defence spending with UK industry by the Ministry of Defence in Scotland is currently £2.09 billion, official statistics have revealed. The statistics highlight the UK Government's commitment to continually improving the defence sector, while supporting the economy and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country.
10/2/2024
Scottish NHS Is Treating Fewer Patients Than Pre-pandemic, Despite Big Increases In Staffing
The COVID-19 pandemic is having long-lasting impacts on NHS hospital activity, productivity and performance in Scotland, despite higher funding. The COVID-19 pandemic is having long-lasting impacts on NHS hospital activity, productivity and performance in Scotland.10/2/2024
OEUK Claims Labour Windfall Tax Plan Would ‘Wipe Out' North Sea Investment
Oil and gas sector leaders have warned that thousands of jobs and billions of pounds of investment would be "wiped out" under Labour plans to increase the windfall tax. Trade body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has claimed up to 42,000 jobs and £26 billion of economic value would be lost after Labour unveiled manifesto plans to increase tax rates and cut investment allowances if it takes power.10/2/2024
Scottish Budget - Healthcare Spending, Staffing And Activity
Health is the largest single area of Scottish Government spending, making up 35% of the Scottish Government's total discretionary budget in 2024-25 and 39% of its non-benefit budget. Its share of spending has grown significantly over time, driven by large increases in health spending in the 2000s and cutbacks to other areas of spending in the 2010s.
9/2/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Friday 9 February 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.9/2/2024
Scotland's Budget Bill Passes First Stage But Councils and Health Boards Still Face Making Cuts
It is always hard to get a handle on announcements when they are termed in millions and billions. Freezing the council tax may seem like a good idea on the one hand but council do not agree that the payment to cover this is anything like adequate.9/2/2024
First Minister Confirms New Government Appointments
Reshuffle combines Economy, Net Zero and Energy in a new portfolio. Unleashing Scotland's renewable potential and building Scotland’s economy will be overseen by a single portfolio headed by Màiri McAllan as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy.9/2/2024
Maritime Power Shapes The World Order - And Is Undergoing A Sea Change
Recent attacks on commercial shipping and warships in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels have brought the ocean back to the forefront of international security. Western global leadership was the result of centuries of sea mastery.
9/2/2024
Minimum Unit Pricing On Alcohol In Scotland To Rise
Plans to continue setting a minimum price per unit of alcohol and to increase it by 15p will go before the Scottish Parliament for approval. As part of a ‘sunset clause' when Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) legislation was introduced in 2018, it will end on 30 April this year unless Parliament votes to keep it.9/2/2024
Royal Bank Of Scotland Report On Jobs - Hiring Activity Declines Across Scotland In January
The latest Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs survey signalled a drop in recruitment activity across Scotland at the start of 2024. Both permanent staff placements and temp billings fell sharply in January, with the latter posting the first decline in three months.9/2/2024
