News Archive
7/2/2024
Last Day To Have Your Say On Council Services Before Budget Cuts Hit
Several council services that have been suggested for cuts or reduction are the subject of the Highland council survey. The budget for highland will be decided later in February and many difficult decisions will be taken.7/2/2024
Scottish Budget Implies Real-terms Cuts To Health Spending - A Fact Not Revealed In Official Documentation
The Scottish Government is raising taxes on the 5% highest-income Scots, but health funding is, on current plans, set to fall in real terms next year. New analysis shows that funding for the Scottish Government's NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care portfolio is currently set to fall by 0.7% in real terms in 2024-25 compared with this financial year, despite official Budget documentation showing a 1.3% real-terms year-on-year increase.7/2/2024
Scottish Budget - The Medium-term Outlook And Choices
A report from The Institute for fiscal Studies. Devolved income tax revenues are forecast to boost the Scottish Government's funding over the next five years, but many services could still see cuts.7/2/2024
Venues With An Inclusive Approach To Hospitality Will Have Better Innings
Getting diversity, equity and inclusion right leads to better customer experience and increased visitor numbers. The International Longevity Centre (ILC), the UK's leading authority on demographic change, has launched an inspiring short film sharing best practice in hospitality.
7/2/2024
Scottish Budget - Tax And Spending In 2024-25
A report from The Institute for Fiscal Studies The Scottish Government is raising taxes on the 5% highest-income Scots, but health funding is, on current plans, set to fall in real terms next year. This chapter of our second annual Budget Report looks at Scottish tax policy and revenue, the overall amount of funding available for Scottish public services, and planned spending on different individual services in the coming financial year, 2024-25.
7/2/2024
Know Your Worth - Check Your Apprentice Pay Rates
During National Apprenticeship Week HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging apprentices to claim the money that is rightfully theirs. Whether that's making sure you're being paid the correct hourly rate to claiming the savings in your Child Trust Fund, this is how to do it.
7/2/2024
The Government's Handover Of The Post Office To Its Managers Would Be A Poisoned Chalice
The Government is meeting with Post Office stakeholders today to explore handing over its ownership to branch managers. However, the home delivery expert ParcelHero says the plans are a knee-jerk reaction to the Horizon scandal and the Post Office needs urgent modernisation.7/2/2024
Business Demography, Quarterly, UK - October To December 2023
The number of businesses added to the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) (business creations) in the UK in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2023 was 2.6% higher than in Quarter 4 2022. There was an increase in creations in 14 out of 16 main industrial groups in Quarter 4 2023 compared with Quarter 4 2022, with the most significant increase coming from the accommodation and food service industries.
7/2/2024
Is The Mortgage War Over Already? - UK House Price Crash 2024
Why are BANKS suddenly INCREASING mortgage interest RATES and withdrawing some mortgage offers entirely? And what impact will this have on UK house prices in 2024? The UK housing market is in big trouble and a fall in mortgage rates was about the only thing that could have prevented a full blown UK housing market crash. During the first few weeks of 2024, a so called "mortgage war" broke out amongst UK mortage providers.
6/2/2024
Information Commissioner To Investigate Scottish Government Over Whatsapp Use
The Scottish Information Commissioner has launched an Intervention into the Scottish ministers' practices in relation to use and retention of WhatsApp and other informal communication messages. Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton said: "My office has launched an Intervention into the Scottish ministers’ practices in relation to the retention of informal communications.6/2/2024
Douglas J. Cusine - What Ails The Crown Office?
Now that the dust has not settled on the Horizon scandal in Scotland as it relates to convictions of sub-postmasters, it is useful to recall what the lord advocate said in the Scottish Parliament on 16 January, writes former sheriff Douglas J. Cusine.6/2/2024
Dingwall And Highlands Marts Ltd - Store Sheep Sale All Classes
Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (February 6th) sold 1404 store sheep of all classes. Lambs (1,239) averaged £90.98 and sold to £146 gross for a Blue Faced Leicester from DB Farms.6/2/2024
Co-op Calls For Greater Industry Collaboration To Tap Into Millions Of Pounds Worth Of Unspent Apprenticeship Levy Funds
Over £96m returned to HM Treasury in the last year from employers, which could have funded over 9,000 apprenticeships. Co-op sources £23m funding for apprenticeships through its unique Co-op Levy Share service, matching over 2,000 apprenticeships across 140 different types of roles.6/2/2024
Britain Has A Bigger, But Sicker, Workforce Than Previously Thought
New Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates of the size and shape of the UK labour market show that it has a bigger workforce, with employment up 170,000 compared to previous estimates, but also a sicker one, with the number not working because of long-term sickness reaching a new record high of 2.8 million, the Resolution Foundation said on Monday 5 February 2024. ONS' reweighting of the labour force survey - its principal survey of the workforce - to reflect the UK population growing faster than previously thought, shows that the labour market is bigger but weaker than previous estimates.6/2/2024
Dingwall And Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 6 February 2024
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February 6th) sold 7 Prime Cattle. Prime Heifers (7) averaged 283.3p per kg (-4.8p) and sold to 293.0 per kg and £1,941.800 gross.5/2/2024
Amazon Prime Video Ads Spark Customer Backlash, But Will ‘free' Deliveries Stop A Mass Cancellation?
Amazon's Prime Video channel imposes adverts from today - and users have taken to social media to vent their fury. Many are threatening to ditch their subscriptions, but the home delivery expert ParcelHero says the lure of Amazon Prime’s ‘free’ next-day deliveries means most Brits won’t click ‘Cancel’.5/2/2024
Exciting New Post In Caithness To Highlight Opportunities
The Chamber is looking to recruit a Talent Attraction/Recruitment Specialist for its Recruit North Highlands initiative. This is a new and exciting post which will see the successful candidate play a unique and pivotal role in attracting talent to the region.
5/2/2024
Sellafield Ltd Launches New Degree Apprenticeship
Applications are open for Sellafield Ltd's new Digital and Technology Solutions degree apprenticeship. Starting in September this year, the new scheme is designed to help the organisation plug the information and communications technology (ICT) skills shortage, by helping the organisation ‘grow its own'.
5/2/2024
Rollout Of Electric Vehicle Chargepoints To Be Accelerated In England
New measures will mean EV owners benefit from easier and more convenient access to chargepoints. new grants for state-funded schools, nurseries and more to help with EV chargepoint costs.
5/2/2024
