News Archive

Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd - Lewis - Sale 12 September 2024

DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (September 12th) sold 5,617 sheep of all classes including Lewis's livestock producers.   Lambs (3,686) averaged £70.34 and sold to £121 twice for a Texel cross from 3 Kinbeachie, Culbokie and for a Beltex cross from Glenurquhart Farm, Cromarty.  

Pensioners And Everyone Else Will See 10% Energy Price Rise From October

So most Pensioners have now lost the Winter Heating Allowance and to add to the pain we will all see energy prices rise from 1st October.   Every 3 months Ofgem reviews and sets a level for how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy and daily standing charge, under the price cap.  

PwC Report - Store Openings And Closures H1 2024

According to PwC, in 2023, there were 14,081 store closures in Great Britain, which is an average of 39 closures per day.  This is higher than the 11,530 store closures in 2022, but lower than the years between 2017 and 2021.  

Community Learning And Development Plan 2024-2027

The Education Committee met today (Thursday 12 September 2024) and agreed the Community Learning and Development Plan 2024-2027.   Community Learning and Development (CLD) plays an important role in ensuring individuals, families and communities reach their potential, through lifelong learning, mutual self-help and community organisation, ensuring support and opportunities are community-led and built around people's individual and collective aspirations.  

Growing Scotland's Space Sector

Scotland's ambition to become a leading space nation has taken a step forward.   Space sector entrepreneur Daniel Smith takes up the newest position in the Scottish Government's international business network.  

Winter Heating Allowance For Millions Of Pensioners Officially Cancelled Following Today's Vote In Parliament

The vote on a motion today 10 September 2024 finally confirms that Labour cancels Winter Heating Allowance payments for pensioners.   The Scottish Government has already stated they will be forced to follow that in Scotland.  

Landmark Reforms To Give Greater Security For 11 Million Renters In England

Section 21 evictions banned to protect renters from key driver of homelessness and empower them to speak up against discriminatory treatment.   No fault evictions will be banned, and renters will receive greater protections and security from eviction thanks to historic legislation to level the playing field between tenants and landlords.  

Martin Lewis Dismantles Labour's Winter Fuel Plan

Labour's plan to scrap universal winter fuel payments as a way to save money relies on pensioners not coming forward to claim the credit they're entitled to, explains money saving expert Martin Lewis..  

Uks Key Allies Come Together To Fight Public Sector Fraud

Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States join UK Government for counter fraud summit in London.   Senior government officials from UK's closest intelligence allies meet to coordinate fight against fraud Meeting, chaired by Cabinet Office Minister Georgia Gould, forms centrepiece of five day summit in London.  

Easing Pressure On Temporary Accommodation

Councils will receive a share of an additional £40m this year to increase the supply of social and affordable homes.   The funding, which was confirmed in April and has boosted the affordable housing supply programme budget to nearly £600m this year, will mostly be distributed to the five council areas with sustained temporary accommodation pressures: Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.