News Archive
23/9/2024
Options For Increasing Taxes As We Approach The UK Budget
The Institute for fiscal Studies looks at the taxation possibilities as the UK budget looms. What taxes could the Chancellor increase in her first Budget on 30 October? And how could it be done in a way that improves tax design? The ledgers of the public finances have rarely made for more dismal reading.
23/9/2024
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.
23/9/2024
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).
23/9/2024
Narrowing Choice Of Providers Across Credit Cards And Higher Interest 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. During Q3 2024, the number of providers within the credit card market fell to 34, its lowest count on our electronic records, which started in June 2006.
23/9/2024
Crack Down On Late Payments In Major Support Package For Small Businesses - Update
New package of measures aimed at tackling scourge of late payments. New Fair Payment Code and fresh rules on company reporting and major consultation unveiled as part of package to tackle late payments.
23/9/2024
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.
23/9/2024
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.23/9/2024
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?.
23/9/2024
Council Raises Awareness Of Market Operator's Licences For Any Businesses, Companies Or Organisations
The Highland Council is asking any businesses, companies or organisations who are planning to hold any type of market, including Christmas or festive type markets, to contact the Licensing Service to check if they require a market operator's licence. If a licence is required, organisers will have to have applied for, and had this granted, prior to the market taking place.23/9/2024
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.22/9/2024
What Are The Political Consequences Of Austerity? A History Lesson For Keir Starmer
The British government has argued that a black hole exists in the public finances to the tune of £22 billion in this financial year. It claims that dealing with this will involve a period of fiscal restraint, which usually means spending cuts.
22/9/2024
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.
22/9/2024
Grasping economic opportunities of clean energy
First Minister John Swinney has said the Scottish Government will focus on maximising investment from newly created UK Government energy initiatives, including Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund and the Clean Power 2030 Mission, in projects in Scotland. The pledge came as the First Minister co-chaired his first meeting of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board, the key expert body which advises the Scottish Government on energy.22/9/2024
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.
21/9/2024
The Rush To Sell Property And Other Assets Speeds Up With The Threat Of Changes To Capital Gains Allowances
Although not a stampede to sell assets such as houses there is no doubt many more are getting out before the chancellor changes the rules on Capital Gains Tax. The push to equalise income tax and capital gains tax rates has been well trailed for sometime.
21/9/2024
New Protections From Rogue Energy Brokers
New government consultation will investigate introducing regulations for third-party services in the energy retail market to protect consumers and businesses. Government to consult on plans for new protections for consumers and businesses from unregulated rogue energy brokers.
21/9/2024
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.
21/9/2024
What Is The Single Transferable Party? - Richard Murphy
The single transferable party describes the system of government that we now have in the UK, where whoever is in power, the policies appear to always be the same. When all that is on offer is austerity, and all that changes is who delivers it.
21/9/2024
UK Consumer Confidence Sees Big Fall In September - Down Seven Points
Key future indicators on personal finances, economy and purchase intentions all sharply lower. Consumer confidence has fallen sharply after Labour stripped winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners and warned of painful measures in next month's Budget.
21/9/2024
