News Archive

The Living Standards Outlook 2024

The Resolution Foundation has produced the sixth annual Living Standards Outlook.  It provides an assessment of incomes, poverty and inequality as things stand in 2024-25, and projections up to 2029-30 using economic forecasts and policy assumptions inherited by the new Government.  

Chancellor Makes 'mistake' With Winter Fuel Payment - But She Has Chance To Make Corrections

Rachel Reeves has announced plans to means test the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners - but with many elderly people set to miss out while still on lower incomes, it could cause headaches for the government when MPs return to parliament.   The decision by the new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe the £300 Winter Fuel Payment for 10 million pensioners forever is probably the biggest domestic headache for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as MPs return to Westminster from their summer holidays this week.  

No Under 18s In Young Offenders Institutions

All under 18s who were previously detained in YOI Polmont have now been moved into secure care settings.   New regulations came into force on 28 August and as of that date, there will be no new admissions of children under 18 to YOIs.  

Government Support Extended To Help Struggling Households With Bills And Essential Costs Over Winter

Millions of vulnerable people to receive help this winter as the Work and Pensions Secretary extends the Household Support Fund.   £421 million boost for local authorities in England to help people most in need with the cost of their energy, food and water, with £79 million for devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  

You Could Get Pension Credit - Week Of Action To Drive Take Up - Help Elderly Relatives Complete The Huge Form

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to launch Pension Credit Week of Action to boost take-up of vital benefit Joining forces with charities, broadcasters and a range of partners, the campaign will encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply.   Up to 880,000 pensioners could be missing out on this cash boost worth on average up to £3,900 per year.  

Old Labour Poster - National Government And Their ‘Equality Of Sacrifice' Policy Is Being Repeated It Seems

This poster has all the hallmarks of the current Labour government policy that more pain is coming for all of us.   Have they forgotten a poster that Labour issued in 1929.  

UK To Receive Earlier Flood And Drought Warnings Using High-tech Sensors And Real Time Monitoring

Researchers across the UK to use latest tech and major data bank to provide better flood and drought warnings.   Researchers across the UK to use latest tech and major data bank to better predict where devastating floods and droughts will strike innovators will also pioneer new ways of tackling the worst of extreme weather to halt damage and cut eye-watering cost to the economy.  

Top Economist Abandons Starmer Support With Damning Indictment - W/. Prof. Danny Blanchflower

Ok this video is 48 minutes but it does point out a lot of things wrong with the Starmer/Reeves approach so far.   Prof.  

Fiscal Audits And Spending Controls - Unpacking The Recent Announcements

Fraser of Allender Institute Deputy Director Emma Congreve is joined by fellow Deputy Director Joao Sousa and Director Professor Mairi Spowage to discuss all the fiscal announcements over the last month and what they mean for Scotland.   This is an audio discussion.  

Pennyland Early Learning Centre In Thurso Positive Care Inspectorate Inspection Report

The Highland Council welcomes the positive Care Inspectorate Inspection report following a recent unannounced inspection visit to Pennyland ELC, Thurso.   Following the inspection, Pennyland ELC received the following: How good is our care, play and learning? - 5 Very Good How good is our setting? - 5 Very Good How good is our leadership? - 5 Very Good How good is our staff team - 5 Very Good.