News Archive
1/2/2024
Post Office Scandal: Alan Bates Calls Compensation Offer ‘Cruel and Derisory'
Alan Bates, the former Sub-postmaster who is at the heart of the fight for justice in the post office Horizon scandal, has said today he will reject the compensation offered to him by the government. He got the offer yesterday afternoon and Mr.
1/2/2024
Vital Marine Ecosystems In An Additional 4,000 Square Km Of Our Seas To Receive Protection
Marine Management Organisation (MMO) byelaw to protect valuable marine habitats and species in a further 13 English offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) will come into force on 22 March 2024. Following formal consultation in 2023 and an official announcement on 31 January 2024 as part of Government's 1 year on Environmental Improvement Plan progress update, management measures prohibiting the use of bottom towed fishing gear will be introduced to protect an area of almost 4,000 square kilometres off the English coast.
1/2/2024
How to fix our irrational income tax system | IFS Zooms In
Income tax and National Insurance Contributions are our biggest taxes. Together they raise almost half of all tax revenues.
1/2/2024
No Change As Bank Of England Maintains Interest Rate At 5.25%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 31 January 2024, the MPC voted by a majority of 6-3 to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%.1/2/2024
Decommissioning Partnership Continues To Grow And Deliver Benefits
The National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) are working to improve environmental outcomes and deliver sustainable decommissioning. The National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) are working in partnership on research to support the energy sector to reduce costs and emissions, improve environmental outcomes and deliver sustainable net zero decommissioning.
31/1/2024
We Miners Die A Lot - Appalling Conditions And Poverty Wages - The Lives Of Cobalt Miners In The Drc
It was a cool, dusty morning in July 2021, when I first visited the Kamilombe cobalt mine in Lualaba Province in south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Situated just outside Kapata on the south-west outskirts of Kolwezi, a mining town that has historically served as an important centre for copper and cobalt.
31/1/2024
National Population Projections - 2021-based Interim
The potential future population size of the UK. These statistics are widely used in planning, for example, fiscal projections, health, education and pensions.
31/1/2024
New Brexit Rules Come Into Force On 31 January 2024 - It Will Affect Goods From The EU And Food Prices May Rise
This Wednesday 31 January 2024 will see the UK roll out the first stage of its new border rules - here's what you need to know and why so businesses are worried. The UK is introducing new customs and SPS requirements on all goods being imported into Britain starting 31 January 2024, as part of its new UK Border Target Operating Model.31/1/2024
Bespoke Humanitarian Visa Schemes Like Those For Ukraine And Hong Kong Can't Replace The Asylum System
The UK government has spent the past three years working to reduce the number of refugees coming to the country. At the same time, political crises around the world have meant millions of people needing to flee their home countries and seek asylum elsewhere, including the UK.
31/1/2024
This Salt Alternative Could Help Reduce Blood Pressure. So Why Are So Few People Using It?
One in three Australian adults has high blood pressure (hypertension). Excess salt (sodium) increases the risk of high blood pressure so everyone with hypertension is advised to reduce salt in their diet.31/1/2024
House Building Data, UK - January To March 2023
Time series data on starts and completions of new build dwellings in the UK and local authorities, on a quarterly and annual basis from the Office for National Statistics. The latest house building statistics show that between January and March 2023 there were 45,050 dwellings completed in the UK.31/1/2024
Monthly Gdp Estimates For November For Scotland - Yawn - But Go Right to The Bottom Links To Be Educated
Scotland's onshore GDP contracted by 0.1% in November, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. This follows a contraction of 0.6% in October 2023 (revised from ‑0.5%).31/1/2024
From Cobalt To Tungsten - How Electric Cars And Smartphones Are Sparking A New Kind Of Gold Rush
What's in your stuff? Most of us give no thought to the materials that make modern life possible. Yet technologies such as smart phones, electric vehicles, large screen TVs and green energy generation depend on a range of chemical elements that most people have never heard of.
31/1/2024
Disposable Vape Ban - Local Communities Voiced Their Concerns - And The Government Has Listened
On a wet day in January 2023, I took Scottish Labour MSP, Mercedes Villalba, on a vape hunt. Having seen some of the vape litter picking videos I had made which went viral, she asked to come along and see the problem for herself.
31/1/2024
New Border Red Tape Fatally Undermines The Government's Own Critical Imports Strategy
‘BTOM' border regulations, introduced today, are flawed, says the international delivery expert ParcelHero. These will require health certificates for many EU animal and plant products, entirely undermining the Government’s new ‘Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy’.31/1/2024
UK Government Debt And Deficit - September 2023
UK general government gross debt was £2,654.3 billion at the end of Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2023, equivalent to 100.0% of gross domestic product (GDP). UK general government deficit (or net borrowing) was £39.2 billion in Quarter 3 2023, equivalent to 5.8% of GDP.
31/1/2024
2024 Business Council Launched
The Prime Minister launches this year's Business Council today (31st January 2024) and will meet with members throughout the year to discuss economic growth. PM to receive intelligence from the vanguard of business.
31/1/2024
Making The Internet Safer For All - New Law To Protect Vulnerable People
A new offence which makes it a crime to encourage or assist another person to self-harm comes into effect in Scotland today (31 January 2024). The offence can be committed online, in correspondence or publications, or in-person and applies regardless of whether an individual goes on to injure themselves or not.31/1/2024
Draft Plan To Tackle Effects Of Climate Change In Scotland
Views sought on proposals for greater resilience to climate change. Members of the public are being asked to give their views on how climate change is currently impacting Scotland.31/1/2024
