News Archive
20/8/2021
Consumer Borrowing Was Heavily Restricted In 1940s To Curb Inflation - It's Time We Did It Again
There has been much talk about a potential inflation surge as countries lift pandemic restrictions and seek to resume normal economic activity. In recent months, US prices have risen more than 5% year-on-year.
20/8/2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - 20 August 2021
3,613 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 36,295 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 10.6% of these were positive.20/8/2021
Local Food Strategy Consultation Launched
The public are being urged to help shape the first ever local food strategy produced by the Scottish Government. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has urged everyone, from private individuals to businesses and organisations, to take part in a consultation - the first stage in a strategy to make high quality food accessible to all and promote the benefits of locally produced food and drink.20/8/2021
New Fair Work Criteria
Workers will benefit from more secure, flexible and family friendly employment through extended Fair Work conditions. The Fair Work First approach is focused on driving high quality and fair work across the labour market by applying relevant criteria to public sector grants and procurements.19/8/2021
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 18 August 2021
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 18th) sold 186 store cattle and 104 adult head of breeding cattle. "The small percentage of quality cattle maintained recent high prices.19/8/2021
So Afghanistan Was All About The Money - How The US Military Got Rich From Afghanistan
‘How the US military got rich from Afghanistan' - Read Andrew Cockburn's latest piece in the Spectator. The departure of American troops from Afghanistan is being lamented (or hailed — see the Chinese press, passim) as a defeat.
19/8/2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - 19 August 2021
3,367 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 39,660 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 9.0% of these were positive.19/8/2021
Changes To Fire Safety Laws
Homeowners are being urged to install interlinked heat and smoke alarms in a nationwide media campaign launched before new fire safety laws come into effect next year. From February all homeowners will be required to have interlinked alarms under legislation brought forward after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017.
19/8/2021
Population Estimates For The UK - Now Over 67 Million - Scotland 5.47 Million
From The Office for National Statistics. The population of the UK at mid-year 2020 was estimated to be 67.1 million, an increase of about 284,000 (0.4%) since mid-year 2019.19/8/2021
Delta Variant And Vaccine Effectiveness; What Can The CIS Tell Us?
As well as providing estimates on infection levels and antibodies, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey (CIS) collects information from participants on their vaccination status, providing some insight into vaccine effectiveness on variants, including Delta. Our monthly visits to the same participants over a long period of time allow us to see who becomes infected and how antibodies change over time.
19/8/2021
Future Pandemic Expert Group Established
An expert group of leading scientists and medical specialists set up to advise the Scottish Government on preparing for the threat of future pandemics will meet for the first time today. The Standing Committee on Pandemics will be tasked with ensuring that the country is as prepared as possible for any future risks from novel pathogens.19/8/2021
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 19 august 2021
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 19th) sold 14,650 store lambs at their annual district sale to average £67.52 (+£7.47 on the year). Cheviot wedder lambs (8,600) averaged £64.15 (+£5.11) and sold to £128 gross from 1 Dounie, Edderton.18/8/2021
Highland Council Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (ees:abs) - First Time Central Heating
There is still time for eligible residents to benefit from up to 100%* Scottish Government grant funding available for First Time Central Heating. This would be delivered through the installation of an air source heat pump, new radiators and new controls.18/8/2021
Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland 2020-21
Scotland's net fiscal balance has weakened since last year, reflecting the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on public finances and economies in Scotland, the UK, and globally, according to statistics published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician Roger Halliday. The latest Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics show the first estimate of the full impact of the pandemic on public finances.18/8/2021
Many Unhappy Returns
One escalating problem facing shoppers and sellers is that of returning items to the EU - particularly if they are being rejected because of unexpected taxes and duties. Strictly speaking, the cost of returns for unwanted goods purchased online from the EU should be paid for by the receiver.18/8/2021
The Transport And Storage Sector Has The Highest Number Of Closed Businesses, Causing Parcelhero To Warn Of An Escalating Crisis
The latest Government Business Insights report reveals the ongoing crisis enveloping transportation and storage businesses. The home delivery expert ParcelHero says the report acknowledges the problem for freight companies has been worsened by the increasing driver shortage.18/8/2021
Far from ‘bedding in', the impact of Brexit seems to be escalating for online shoppers, couriers and retailers
When the Brexit agreement was finally struck on Christmas Eve, Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed he had secured a 'cakeist' Brexit deal, meaning Britain could have its cake and eat it. By mid-February it was looking increasingly likely that Britain's consumers and traders had been left with crumbs.18/8/2021
Covid Impacts Scotland's Finances
Pandemic has "shifted the fiscal landscape". New figures highlight the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on the economy and public spending in Scotland.18/8/2021
Vat: A Taxing Issue
VAT has also become a nightmare post Brexit. It has impacted on UK traders selling to the EU, European sellers shipping to UK customers and, most importantly, to UK online shoppers.18/8/2021
