News Archive

29/8/2023

 
Scottish Fiscal Commission Publishes Latest Forecast Evaluation Report

The Scottish Fiscal Commission has today published an evaluation of its December 2021 economy, devolved taxes and social security forecasts used to set the 2022-23 Scottish Budget.  Since Scottish income tax outturn data is published later, the report evaluates the income tax forecast used in setting the earlier 2021-22 Scottish Budget.  

29/8/2023

 
Defence Medical Services Surgeons Train Ukrainian Doctors

Leading military trauma surgeons from Defence Medical Services and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine shared their skills with Ukrainian medical personnel.   Lieutenant Colonel James Baden, a specialist in reconstructive surgery following combat injury, led the UK team delivering training to six Ukrainian medical professionals.  

29/8/2023

 
Dr John Campbell And Russell Brand Interview Revealing The Problems In Big Pharma And Our Health Services

Excellent discussion with Russell Brand.  Russell demonstrates a sound grasp of the reality of numerous situations and asks perceptive and challenging questions.  

29/8/2023

 
Foreign Secretary Visits Philippines To Strengthen Enhanced Partnership

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit the Philippines and meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.   Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit the Philippines to discuss the new UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership.  

29/8/2023 : Auctioneers

Dingwall And Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 29 August 2023

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August 29th) sold 13 Prime Cattle.   Prime Bullocks (2) averaged 279.1 per kg (N/C) and sold to 290.0p per kg and £1,917.00 gross.  

29/8/2023

Homelessness Statistics Scotland 2022-23

An annual update on Homelessness Statistics covering 2022-23 has been released by Scotland's Chief Statistician.   Findings for that period show: There were 39,006 applications for homelessness assistance - an increase of 3,247 (9%) compared with 2021-22, and higher than pre-pandemic (37,053 in 2019-20).  

29/8/2023

Scottish Child Payment Reaches More Than 316,000

The families of more than 316,000 under-16s were benefitting from Scottish Child Payment by the end of June this year, according to the latest official statistics.   New figures published today show the payment of £25 per week, which is unique in the UK, was reaching 316,190 - an increase of more than 13,000 compared to 31 March 2023.  

29/8/2023

Carbon Capture Warning Over Failures At Carbon Capture and Storage projects labelled as "pioneers" by Scottish Government

Climate campaigners are highlighting research shows that two carbon storage fields in Norway have experienced unpredictable carbon movement underground and reduced storage capacity.   The projects are held up as the industry gold standard.  

29/8/2023

Rise In Alcohol-specific Deaths Takes Total To 1,276 In 2022

More work is required on reducing alcohol-related harm, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham has said.   Ms Whitham reaffirmed the Scottish Government's focus on measures to tackle alcohol abuse, as the latest statistics show a small rise in deaths caused by alcohol.  

29/8/2023

Listen To Some Podcasts About Money By Richard Murphy

Richard Murphy professor of Accounting has recently produce some podcasts that will educate you on the subject of money in the economy.   the podcasts are short and very easy to understand and with some of his knowledge you may begin to doubt the word of many politicians and others.  

28/8/2023

Thorntons To Launch First Inverness Office

Full-service law firm Thorntons is opening its first office in Inverness as part of its ambitious growth plans.   The firm has secured modern premises within Beechwood Business Park with space to develop a significant legal presence in the city.  

28/8/2023

 
Pfizer Fails To Answer on Myocarditis Linked to their Covid Vaccine - Dr John Campbell Chasing The Answers

Well worth looking at and the failure to answer worrying questions about increased myocarditis after the covid vaccine..  

28/8/2023

Scottish Government Uses £33Million Farming Cash To Plug A Huge Budget Black Hole

Scottish Government deputy first minister Shona Robison confessed in a meeting with NFU Scotland that the £33m ring-fenced cash may not even be returned to farmers next year, and that the SNP executive may dip further into agriculture funds to fix a £1bn budget black hole.   It was "deferred" from during the government's Emergency Budget Review in 2022 with then-finance secretary John Swinney promising the cash would be returned in future years.  

28/8/2023

We Want To Actually Collect Money

Political economist @RichardJMurphy tells @SangitaMyska how Labour should raise tax funds ‘all from the wealthiest' - as Rachel Reeves pledges to scrap the Wealth Tax.   See the short interview HERE You can follow Richard Murphy and sign up for his regular newsletters at www.taxresearch.org.uk.  

27/8/2023

Energy Price Cap - A Targeted Social Tariff Must Be Part Of A Much Wider Set Of Reforms

The British energy regulator Ofgem has announced the energy price cap for the last quarter of 2023, including early winter.  Gas and electricity should be slightly cheaper than last year, but they are still too expensive.  

27/8/2023

Covid - Should We Start Wearing Masks Again?

One thing that can be guaranteed about COVID is that evolution will provide us with a more or less constant stream of new coronavirus variants, some of which will be more successful at infecting people.  Talk of mutations sounds scary and it can lead to serious problems, but it would be a mistake to think that it's always the case.  

26/8/2023 : Local Authority

Health And Social Care Service Plan Approved By Highland Councillors

Highland Councillors on the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee have welcomed and approved the Health and Social Care Service Plan for 2023/24.   The plan's vision is: "for all of Highland's children, young people, families and adults supported by the Council to have the best possible outcomes in life.  

26/8/2023

 
Rising Cost-of-living Fuels Finance Chats Between UK Parents And Children

Legal & General surveyed over 2,000 individuals with children aged 6-16 years old to find out how modern-day parents across the UK approach teaching their children important financial lessons.   92% of UK parents say the cost-of-living crisis has encouraged them to talk more openly about finances with their children.  

26/8/2023

 
Thousands Of Hectares Of Peatlands Set To Be Restored To Help Tackle Climate Change

Twelve new projects receive £16 million to restore peatlands across England.   Thousands of hectares of peatlands - from the Great North Bog to the Norfolk Broads - are set to be restored with twelve new projects awarded funding today (26 August) to help tackle climate change and recover biodiversity.  

26/8/2023

Visiting Restricted At Caithness General Hospital Due To Covid - Hundreds Of Wards Closed Across Scotland

Hundreds of hospital wards have been forced to close due to Covid outbreaks in the first seven months of this year, according to figures obtained by the Herald.   At least 237 wards were closed to new admissions - typically for periods of around seven to 10 days - in a bid to prevent the virus spreading to other patients.