News Archive

Dingwall Ram Sale Report - Sale 21 September 2024

Dingwall, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September 21st), sold 17 Cheviot rams at the annual sale.   Cheviot shearlings (17) sold to £1,300 gross from Longoe Farm, Mey.  

More Than 30 Arrests In Crackdown On Common Travel Area Abuse

A three-day crackdown against people-smuggling gangs saw 31 arrests.   A Home Office crackdown against people-smuggling gangs and people exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA) has led to the arrest of 31 people in multiple locations across the UK.  

Health-related Benefit Claims Post-pandemic - UK Trends And Global Context

How do post-COVID claimants of health-related benefits compare with pre-COVID claimants? Where in the UK are they? How do other countries compare?.   Individuals in the UK with health conditions may be entitled to two types of benefits - incapacity benefits (for those whose condition prevents them from working) and disability benefits (to help with extra living costs arising from the disability).  

Narrowing Choice Of Providers Across Loans And Rising Rates

Moneyfacts UK Unsecured Lending Trends Treasury Report data, which studies the UK personal finance market (Credit Cards, Personal Loans and Overdrafts), reveals a contraction in the choice of providers across the credit card and unsecured personal loan market.   Average unsecured personal loan rates for £3,000 over three years, £5,000 over three years, £7,500 over five years and £10,000 over five years have risen during Q3 2024.  

Who Should Labour Tax? - Richard Murphy

Labour gave no positive clues on where they might raise revenue during the election campaign.   So, what might they do in the October budget?.  

Does Your Business Need To Pay The ICO Data Protection Fee?

Any business that electronically handles people's personal information, such as names and addresses, must register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and pay the annual data protection fee, unless the organisation has qualified for an exemption.   The fee helps to fund the work of the ICO, and the amount is based on an organisation's nature, size, and turnover.  

Chancellor Unveils Package To Deliver On Promises Of New Government

The Chancellor has today unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government.   750 schools with primary aged pupils funded for breakfast club pilot to run from April 2025 New Industrial Strategy to be published in spring Decision to write off over £640 million in written off Covid PPE contracts reversed HMRC to consult on e-invoicing for businesses and government departments The Chancellor has today unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government including a breakfast club pilot for 750 schools with primary aged pupils, new powers for the Covid Corruption Commissioner, e-invoicing to support business and the next steps on the government's industrial strategy.  

Building Digital Infrastructure - Faster Broadband Access For All New Homes

Faster broadband will feature in all new build homes in Scotland from 1 January 2025.   Legislation amending building standards will require developers to ensure all new build homes have the physical infrastructure as well as a gigabit-capable connection, subject to a £2,000 cost cap per dwelling.  

Perfection Is The Enemy Of The Good - Richard Murphy

Politics is the art of the possible, and not about the creation of ideal solutions, about which few are likely to agree in any case.   It's important that this is understood, because far too many political debates argue over the pursuit of goals that are unachievable.  

Predicted August riots sales slump didn't happen as fashion led High Street’s fightback

Retailers had been bracing themselves for a significant fall in High Street sales following anti-immigration riots and unrest in a number of UK cities in early August.  In fact, sales volumes climbed by 1% thanks to the belated arrival of warmer weather, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero.