News Archive
3/10/2024
Transfer Of Benefits Reaches Major Milestone - Over 200,000 Disabled People Newly Benefitting From Scottish Social Security System
Over 200,000 disabled adults have now had their benefit award transferred to Social Security Scotland from the Department for Work and Pensions, new figures show. Almost two thirds (63%) of adults in Scotland who were previously getting Personal Independence Payment are now receiving Adult Disability Payment.3/10/2024
Failure To Address £54bn Funding Black-hole Could Leave Councils In England As Little More Than Care Authorities By The End Of Decade
Councils today warn that unless the government acts in the Budget and Spending Review, local authorities in England face a funding shortfall of £54bn over the next five years - leaving the prospect of them providing ‘little more' than care services by the end of the decade in order to avert financial insolvency. New analysis from the County Councils Network (CCN) reveals this funding black hole is fuelled by rising demand and costs in just three service areas: adult social care, children's services, and home to school transport.
3/10/2024
Faster Reform Needed To Protect Key Council Services In Scotland
Councils have been transforming how they operate and deliver services for many years. The Accounts Commission report on council budgets for 20242/25 shows there is collectively a £585m funding gap, despite a 6 per cent increase, totalling £13.25 billion, in Scottish Government revenue funding to councils.
3/10/2024
Improving Palliative Care - Consultation On Reaching Best Possible Standards
Views are being sought on a new strategy Palliative Care Matters for All. Palliative care is holistic care that prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, assessment and management of pain and other problems - whether physical, mental, social or spiritual.3/10/2024
New Powers For Banks To Combat Fraudsters By Delaying Some Payments
New rules extend maximum delay for suspicious payments by 72 hours. Gives banks more time to investigate and break the spell of fraudsters.3/10/2024
Medical Equipment For Ukraine - £800,000 Donation Of Surplus Supplies
Medical equipment and supplies will be sent from Scotland to Ukraine. The shipment of over 500 items includes oxygen concentrators, electric height-adjustable beds with replacement batteries and mattresses, and ICU ventilators identified by NHS Scotland as surplus to operational requirements The donation will not impact on services to patients using the healthcare services in Scotland.3/10/2024
The Evidence Is Growing Of Harmful Effects Of Vaping On Eggs And Sperm - Taxes To The Rescue
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are often considered a "safe substitute" for conventional cigarette cessation. The composition of the fluid is not always clearly defined and shows a large variation within brands and manufacturers.3/10/2024
Solar Taskforce Meets In Drive For Clean Power
Taskforce to accelerate the UK's solar energy rollout to strengthen energy independence and deliver updated roadmap as part of 2030 clean power mission. Reactivated solar taskforce holds first meeting to boost solar energy's role in the UK's 2030 clean power mission.
3/10/2024
Dingwall And Highland Marts Ltd - Cattle Sale 2 October 2024
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October 2nd) sold 671 weaned calves at their first annual district ballot show and sale. Bullocks (362) averaged 327.5p (+22.9p on the year) and sold to 926.8p per kg and £1,900 gross for a 205kg Limousin cross from Seaview Cottage, Gairloch.2/10/2024
Dounreay Engineer Wins Young Chemical Engineer Of The Year
A young engineer working on Britain's deepest nuclear clean-up project has been recognised by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). Liam Gordon (27) won the Young Chemical Engineer of the Year award at the annual showcase event of the Aberdeen branch of IChemE, the professional body for chemical engineers in the UK.
2/10/2024
New Contract For Highland's Mixed Plastic And Metal Containers Recycling Services
A new contract has been awarded to Perthshire's Wyllie Recycling Ltd for the provision of mixed plastic and metal container recycling services and haulage in Highland. This includes plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, metals tins, drink cans, aerosols and food and drink cartons which are collected in the new green recycling bins.
2/10/2024
Scotrail To Restore Full Timetable On 7 October
ScotRail has today announced that its full timetable will be restored on Monday, 7 October 2024. With a pay deal agreed, ScotRail can now restore the service that was in operation before the temporary timetable was introduced on 10 July 2024.2/10/2024
US East Coast Ports Strike Is Already Significantly Impacting UK Businesses
The international delivery expert Parcelhero says the dockworkers strike in key US ports such as New York, Houston and Savannah is already causing disruption to US-UK trade and is calling for a rapid resolution to the dispute. US dockworkers are striking at 36 ports on the US East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, including the key ports of New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Houston and Savannah.2/10/2024
Dingwall And Highland Marts Ltd - Sheep And Lamb Sales 1 October 2024
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October 1st) sold 951 Prime Sheep. New Season Lambs (537) sold to 275.0p per kg and £130 gross.2/10/2024
Supporting Net Zero In Construction In Scotland Tax Change
A new Scottish tax aimed at encouraging the use of recycled materials in construction has been approved unanimously by the Scottish Parliament. The Aggregates Tax and Devolved Taxes Administration (Scotland) Bill will replace the UK Aggregates Levy and tax the sale or use of aggregates consisting of freshly extracted rock, gravel or sand.
2/10/2024
UK Councils Invited To Join And Shape New Initiative To Improve Access To Nature And Green Space For Millions Of Urban Residents
Goal to enable 100 towns and cities to transform access to green space in urban areas so everyone can enjoy time spent outdoors in nature, close to home. Local authorities and community partners across the UK invited to apply for grants totalling £15 million.
2/10/2024
Starmer Urged To Help Households As Energy Bills Rise By £149 A Year
The problem if heating homes is not going away soon for the UK government. Yesterday Alex Lawson in the Guardian newspaper set out the issues with the Resolution Foundation research as the starting point.2/10/2024
Increasing Funding For Affordable Housing In Scotland
A £22 million investment has been made into a scheme to increase investment in affordable homes and deliver more housing. As part of Scotland's Charitable Bond Programme, the Scottish Government has provided funding to issue two new bonds via finance intermediary Allia to housing providers Link and Cairn Housing Association to provide support for more than 150 new homes.2/10/2024
Sir Tom Hunter Accused SNP Ministers Of Stifling Growth
Yesterday an article by Alistair Grant, Political Editor in the Scotsman set out the views or entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter on taxes and employment in Scotland. The next generation of Scots will be forced to contend with "an unbelievably appalling legacy" unless action is taken to turbo-charge the economy, Sir Tom Hunter has warned.
2/10/2024
