News Archive

Funding Support Scheme Ahead of Schedule For Agri Sector

More than £300m payments made early to mitigate cost of living crisis.   Payments to support Scottish farming businesses through the current financial crisis have exceeded targets by three months.  

Has Liz Truss Handed Power Over To The Extreme Neoliberal Thinktanks?

If you watched Newsnight last night you would have seen a representative from the IEA think tank who seem to have a huge impact with the present government and Liz Truss.   An article in the Guardian on 23 September 2022 by George Monbiot sets it all out.  

Site Of UK's First Fusion Energy Plant Selected

West Burton power station site in Nottinghamshire has been selected as the home for the UK's prototype fusion energy plant.   On Monday3 October 2022 the government announced that the West Burton power station site in Nottinghamshire has been selected as the home for ‘STEP' (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the UK's prototype fusion energy plant which aims to be built by 2040.  

Institute for Fiscal Studies Response To U-turn On Plan To Cut 45p Income Tax Rate

"The Chancellor still has a lot of work to do if he is to display a credible commitment to fiscal sustainability." IFS Director Paul Johnson said: "The direct impact of the government's U-turn on the abolition of the additional 45p rate of income tax is of limited fiscal significance.  At a medium-run cost of around £2 billion a year, it represented only a small fraction of the Chancellor's mini-Budget announcements.  

Less Than One Month Left For VAT Businesses To Be Ready For Making Tax Digital Filing

VAT-registered businesses must use Making Tax Digital compatible software for their VAT returns from 1 November 2022.   HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding businesses that from Tuesday 1 November 2022, they will no longer be able to use their existing Value Added Tax (VAT) online account to submit VAT returns.  

Scottish Quarterly Housing Statistics, October 2022

There were 20,767 all-sector new build homes completed in Scotland in the year to end March 2022, according to quarterly statistics on housebuilding and affordable housing supply published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.   This is an increase of 40% (5,900 homes) on the 14,867 completions in the previous year, in which activity levels were impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown measures.  

Highlands And Islands Enterprise Endorses Green Freeport Bids

Locating a green freeport in the Highlands and Islands is likely to have greater impact for Scotland and the UK than any other location.   This is according to HIE's chief executive.  

Ofgem Warns UK Faces 'Significant Risk' Of Gas Shortages This Winter

The UK's energy regulator Ofgem has warned the country faces a "significant risk" of gas shortages ahead of the winter months.   In a letter obtained by The Times, Ofgem warned there was a chance of "gas supply emergency" due to Russia's war on Ukraine.  

Putting People At The Heart Of Social Care

National Care Service Forum will let the real experts help shape reforms.   More than 500 people with a passion for community health and social care will have the chance to make history at the first ever annual National Care Service Forum in Perth.  

Government Support For Energy Bills Begins For Households And Businesses

From 1st October, the Government's Energy Price Guarantee will limit the price households pay per unit of gas and electricity they use.   The Energy Price Guarantee reduces household energy bills over the next two years, with a typical family paying around £2,500, saving £1,000 per year Businesses, charities and public sector organisations will pay less than half the expected prices this winter under the Energy Bill Relief Scheme from October.