Latest News
21/11/2024
Scottish Government Needs To Change Says Audit Scotland In Damning Report
Public services will come under further threat if the Scottish Government does not set out and deliver a clear and costed vision for public service reform. Spending pressures have become more acute in recent years and are forecast to grow.
21/11/2024
Scottish Government Hit By Increased Employers National Insurance Contributions As Public Sector Costs Rise
On 30 October 2024, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the secondary Class 1 rate of employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will increase from 13.8% to 15% from 6 April 2025. The Secondary Threshold at which employers start to pay secondary Class 1 NICs will be reduced from £9,100 to £5,000.20/11/2024
Overdue Invoices In Scotland Up More Than 42% Year-on-year, New R3 Research Shows
The number of overdue invoices on the books of Scottish firms increased by 42.8% in October 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023, according to new research by R3, the UK's insolvency and restructuring trade body. R3's analysis of data provided by Creditsafe shows Scottish businesses had 600,588 invoices that had gone past their payment deadline on their books in October 2024 - almost 180,000 more than in October 2023 and the highest monthly total of 2024 so far.20/11/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Wednesday 20 November 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.20/11/2024
Public Sector Gets A Boost As Employment Intentions Bounce Back And Pay Plans Overtake The Private Sector
Private sector pay intentions plateau and are likely to face downward pressure as tax hikes in the Budget stand to dampen business confidence CIPD warns. Public sector pay awards have overtaken those in the private sector for the first time since Autumn 2020 according to the latest Labour Market Outlook from the CIPD. The report found that the public sector has gone from the sector with the lowest median expected pay awards (2.5%) to the highest (4%) in just one quarter.20/11/2024
UK House Price Index For September 2024
The UK HPI shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. UK house prices rose by 2.9% in the year to September 2024, up from the revised estimate of 2.7% in the 12 months to August 2024.
20/11/2024
UK Marks 1,000th Day Of Full-scale Invasion Of Ukraine As Training Programme Hits 50,000
The UK is expanding military support for Ukraine with funding to provide new drone capabilities, on the the 1,000th day of Putin's illegal full-scale invasion. New UK military support of £7.5million for attack and surveillance drones.20/11/2024
UK Sanctions Perpetrators Of Russia's Forced Deportation And Brainwashing Of Ukrainian Children On 1000th Day Of Full-scale Invasion Of Ukraine
UK sanctions those involved in Russia's systematic attempt to erase Ukrainian cultural and national identity. new sanctions target those supporting Vladimir Putin's attempts to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukraine's children and erase their Ukrainian cultural heritage package of 10 designations includes leading Russian officials and state-linked youth organisations announcement comes on 1000th day of Ukraine's fight against Putin's illegal full-scale invasion Ten perpetrators of the Russian state's forcible deportation and attempted indoctrination of Ukrainian children have been sanctioned today [19 November] by the UK.
20/11/2024
Shell-volution: £4.4m Islands Growth Deal To Boost Scotland's Mussel Farming Sector
Shell-volution is an ambitious industry-wide initiative supported by the public sector and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) which has been awarded £4.4 million of investment from the UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. This innovative, ground-breaking project is set to transform shellfish aquaculture, bringing sustainable growth and additional quality jobs in mussel farming, based on detailed investigations (mapping and monitoring) and creating a model for improving security and reliability of wild spat recruitment, through industry best practice.
20/11/2024
Supporting People Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault
Services for rape, sexual abuse and trauma officially opened. New facilities providing healthcare for people who have experienced sexual assault or rape, and a pioneering service for children and young people who have experienced harm and abuse, have been opened.20/11/2024
Consumer Price Inflation UK October 2024 - Slight Rise Again With Housing Components Highest
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to October 2024, up from 2.6% in September. On a monthly basis, CPIH rose by 0.6% in October 2024, up from 0.1% in October 2023.
20/11/2024
Reducing The Prison Population - Between 260-390 Prisoners To Be Released
Legislation proposed to deliver sustained reduction to rising prisoner numbers. Legislation to ensure prisons continue to function safely and effectively following significant rises to the prison population over the past year has been published.20/11/2024
Producer Price Inflation UK October 2024
Producer input prices fell by 2.3% in the year to October 2024, down from a revised fall of 1.9% in the year to September. Producer output (factory gate) prices fell by 0.8% in the year to October 2024, down from a revised fall of 0.6% in the year to September.
20/11/2024
Carers Urged To Check For Financial Help - Thousands Of Unpaid Carers Could Be Missing Out
This Carers Rights Day (Thursday 21 November 2024), unpaid carers across the country are being encouraged to check their eligibility for financial support from Social Security Scotland. It is estimated that there are around 800,000 unpaid carers, including 30,000 under the age of 18, providing care for a family member, friend or neighbour in Scotland.20/11/2024
Scotland's Migration Service Expanded - Advice And Support For Migrants And Employers
Scotland's Migration Service, which provides information and advice for people, employers and investors, has been expanded to offer support to a wider range of individuals. The service will support newcomers to settle in Scotland, help more people and employers to navigate the immigration system, and attract more working-age people to Scotland - helping address skills shortages and curb population decline.20/11/2024
Putting The AI In IA
Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) continues to make an impact, as we are in high demand to share our expert knowledge about using artificial intelligence in internal audit. GIAA continues to make an impact across the globe as our director of Innovation and Development, Dr Iain McGregor demonstrated when he presented at the recent Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) conference in Cyprus.
20/11/2024
The Scottish Household Survey - Satisfaction With Schools 2023 Results
The Scottish Household Survey: Satisfaction with Schools 2023 results, published today, contains the key findings of the question asked in the social survey on satisfaction with local schools for all adults and service users. In 2023, over two-thirds (69%) of adults were satisfied with local schools, the same as in 2022.20/11/2024
Domestic Abuse Recorded By The Police In Scotland, 2023-24
Scotland's Chief Statistician today released Domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland, 2023-24. The main findings include: The police recorded 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse in 2023-24, an increase of 3% compared to the previous year.20/11/2024
New Online Safety Priorities For Ofcom And Launch Of Study Into Effects Of Social Media On Children
Technology Secretary outlines priorities for Ofcom as government prepares to enforce the Online Safety Act next year. Technology Secretary exercises powers requiring Ofcom to report back on new online safety priorities.
20/11/2024
