News Archive

Scotland's Census 2022 - Large Rise In Single Person Households

The number of people living alone in Scotland increased by more than 100,000 since 2011, according to new census statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS).   The latest report from Scotland's Census 2022 - on household demographics and migration - found that there were 2,509,300 households on Census Day with at least one usual resident.  

SNP Government Cuts Cheaper Peak Time Rail Fares From End Of September

A pilot scheme scrapping peak-time ScotRail fares will end in September following "limited success" following the announcement by Scottish Government.   Transport Scotland said the project, which saw ticket prices subsidised by the Scottish government and standardised across the day, "did not achieve its aims" of persuading more people to swap car journeys for rail travel.  

Pay offer to NHS Agenda for Change staff

Nurses and healthcare staff across Scotland have been offered a pay increase of 5.5% that will ensure they have the best pay package in the UK.   The offer, if accepted by trade unions, will see an investment of more than £448 million in 2024-25 and will ensure almost 170,000 NHS Agenda for Change staff - including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others - benefit from the pay rise which will be backdated to 1 April 2024.  

Public Sector Finances Uk - July 2024

Borrowing - the difference between public sector spending and income - was £3.1 billion in July 2024, £1.8 billion more than in July 2023 and the highest July borrowing since 2021.   Self-assessed income tax (SA) receipts in July 2024 were £12.9 billion, £1.1 billion more than in July 2023; however, because of the possibility of delayed July payments, we recommend considering July and August SA receipts as a whole when making year-on-year comparisons.  

Project To Market A Safer Sustainable Bulk Bag

A project is nearing completion in Argyll to bring an exciting new alternative to the single use polypropylene bulk builders' bag to global markets.   The project has been awarded UK Government funding through the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) shared prosperity fund to develop and obtain certification (FIBC) for it to go to market.  

Prime Minister And Welsh First Minister: Together We Will "Supercharge" Mission To Make Britain A Clean Energy Superpower

The Prime Minister and Welsh First Minister will supercharge efforts to make Britain a clean energy superpower today, by investing in homegrown energy to grow the economy, create jobs, boost skills, and strengthen our energy independence.   Visiting a wind farm in West Wales which benefitted from Welsh Government funding, the Prime Minister and First Minister will pledge close cooperation to unleash the benefits of a publicly owned energy company, in the pair's first official visit since the appointment of the First Minister.  

Pension Credit Awareness Drive As Thousands Of Eligible Pensioners Yet To Claim

Pensioners urged to check if they could be eligible for Pension Credit to secure the Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300 per household.   Claiming Pension Credit can also passport pensioners to additional help with housing costs, council tax, and heating bills Comes as Deputy Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary write to Local Authorities to boost uptake of pension credit in their local areas The Department for Work and Pensions is today urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit in order to secure this year's Winter Fuel Payment.  

Drinking Water In Scotland 2023

Water Quality Regulator says "Scotland's tap water is first class, but we need to make sure it stays that way".   The Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) for Scotland’s latest annual report shows that Scottish Water’s compliance with the stringent standards for drinking water remains very high, although continued investment is needed to ensure it stays that way in the face of a number of challenges.  

The Government Can Never Run Out Of Money - Richard Murphy - Updated

The UK government can never run out of money because it creates all the money that it spends, with the Bank of England being required to make all payments approved by Parliament.  In that case, claims that the government could ever run out of money are false.  

How The Government's Railway Nationalisation Plans Could Play Out - Two Public Transport Experts

"This is the age of the train" was the British Rail catchphrase in the late 1970s, showcasing advances in technology, such as tilting trains, and advanced transport hubs, like the Euston station complex.   But this was well before the privatisation of the railways from 1994 onwards.