News Archive
23/6/2021
Possible Changes To Pensions In Public Sector - Government Actuary Recommends Changes To Cost Control Mechanism
The Government Actuary has reviewed the cost control mechanism used in public service pension schemes. His report recommends possible changes.23/6/2021
Foreign Investment Boosts UK Jobs During Pandemic
Department for International Trade (DIT) statistics showing levels of inward investment in the UK for the financial year 2020 to 2021. More than 55,000 new jobs created last year thanks to foreign investment.23/6/2021
Scottish Education Goes Into The Melting Pot Once Again
The views of teachers, parents and pupils will be central to Scotland's education reforms following a review of the school curriculum. The Scottish Government has accepted in full all 12 recommendations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Organisation (OECD) report and has published how it intends to take them forward.23/6/2021
If Amazon Buys Morrisons, It Should Be A Win For Consumers And A Major Threat To Other Supermarkets
The share price of UK supermarket group Morrisons has jumped by over 30% after a US private equity firm made an offer to buy it for £5.5 billion. The bid by Clayton, Dubilier and Rice, which is being advised by former Tesco chief executive Terry Leahy, was rejected as Morrisons believes the business is worth more.
23/6/2021
Local Government 2020-21 Provisional Outturn And 2021-22 Budget Estimates
The Chief Statistician has released figures on 2020-21 provisional outturn and 2021-22 budget estimates for revenue and capital services provided by local authorities. Figures for 2020-21 reflect the provisional impact of Covid-19 on local authorities' revenue and capital expenditure.23/6/2021
£9m contract awarded for major new development on Inverness Campus
Work is set to get underway on a major new development on Inverness Campus that has the potential to attract highly skilled jobs to the Highlands. Following an open public tender process, Robertson Construction Northern has been awarded a £9m contract to build a 2500m² life sciences innovation centre, which was designed by specialist firm Austin-Smith: Lord.
23/6/2021
UK Still At War - Stealth Jets Fight Daesh In First Combat Missions From HMS Queen Elizabeth
The UK's Carrier Strike Group has joined the fight against Daesh with F-35 jets carrying out their very first combat missions from HMS Queen Elizabeth. Stealth jets of the renowned 617 Squadron RAF (The Dambusters) carried out operational sorties for the first time from HMS Queen Elizabeth in support of Operation Shader and US Operation Inherent Resolve.
23/6/2021
The New £50 Enters Circulation Today
The paper £20 and £50 will be withdrawn in 2022. The new £50 note will start to become available in bank branches and at ATM's in the coming days and weeks.
23/6/2021
Moray Firm Launches Video Production Academy
An increase in demand for video production services has led to a Moray firm establishing a new video production academy, which opened this week (21 June 2021). During the pandemic lock down, more businesses turned to video as a means of reaching their markets, promoting their brand, products and services.
22/6/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19: daily data for Scotland - 22 June 2021
2,167 new cases of COVID-19 reported 25,038 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 9.1% of these were positive. 4 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive.21/6/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19: daily data for Scotland - 21 June 2021
1,250* new cases of COVID-19 reported. 18,580 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 7.2% of these were positive.21/6/2021
The EBRD At 30: The Bank Steps Up Its Climate Ambition
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aims to fully align its activities with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance within the next 20 months. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution founded in 1991.
21/6/2021
Scottish Qualifications Authority To Be Scrapped
SQA to be replaced as part of reforms. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Organisation (OECD) has backed Scotland's school curriculum in its independent review.21/6/2021
UK Government must clear EU Settlement backlog
A backlog of a third of a million applications by EU citizens who wish to stay in the UK must be addressed immediately by the Home Office, Europe Minister Jenny Gilruth has said. With thousands in Scotland likely affected by the backlog, it is unacceptable that so many are facing uncertainty about their status with only a little over a week until the UK Government's deadline for applications, Ms Gilruth added.20/6/2021
Biden-harris Administration 100-day Battery Supply Chain Review - USA Gets Ready For Huge Investments In Batteries - UK Should Be Doing The Same
On 8th June 2021 an outline of what the USA is going to do regarding battery production to take account of the move to green energy and carbon reduction in coming years was published. The sums of money required for the capital investment are huge and the paper outlines why the USA is going to do this.20/6/2021
Credit Unions Are Growing In The UK But Still A Long Way To Catch Up With USA
The history of credit unions in USA has been one of growth over many years. The public in many states seem to have moved in greater numbers and saved even more with their local credit union.20/6/2021
Coronavirus Covid-19: Daily Data For Scotland - 20 June 2021
1,205 new cases of COVID-19 reported 22,098 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 5.8% of these were positive. 0 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive (noting that Register Offices are now generally closed at weekends).20/6/2021
1,000th Hazel Dormouse Reintroduced To The UK
Conservation milestone reached as 30 hazel dormice are released into Lancashire as part of national reintroduction programme and local ‘Back on our Map' species recovery efforts. This week, the 1,000th hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) will be reintroduced to the UK by wildlife charity People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), Natural England and the University of Cumbria.
20/6/2021
Fireworks And Pyrotechnics Bill
A consultation on new legislation on the sale and use of fireworks and tackling the misuse of pyrotechnics has been published. The proposed Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill follows the report of an independent Fireworks Review Group which recommended tightening legislation to reduce the harm fireworks can cause.20/6/2021
