Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is calling for a ban on landlords who evict tenants illegally as part of a five-point plan to strengthen the private rented sector. A major new report from the charity considers advice data and case studies from across the Citizens Advice network on illegal evictions.
Our proposal - We are proposing to ban the sale of peat in stages, beginning with the retail horticulture sector (peat sold to amateur/hobby gardeners), which accounts for around two thirds of all peat used in UK horticulture. We would then widen the ban to the sale of peat for professional horticulture.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has completed a nearly £7 million project to extend the lifespan of the runways and taxiways at the Mount Pleasant Complex (MPC) airfield in the Falkland Islands. The project included repainting runway and taxiway markings in reflective paint, replacing airfield signage with new compliant back-lit units, and coating the runway asphalt with a layer of bitumen.
Prime Minister and Technology Secretary announce £100 million in funding for Foundation Model Taskforce. Prime Minister and Technology Secretary announce £100 million in initial start-up funding for taskforce responsible for accelerating the UK's capability in rapidly-emerging type of artificial intelligence - on top of £900 million investment into compute technology at Budget.
Universal Music Group has been asking music streaming services like Spotify to stop developers from scraping its material to train AI bots to make new songs. The label, which controls about a third of the recorded music industry, has also been issuing substantial numbers of takedown requests in relation to AI uploads appearing online.
The report on the potential Shetland Way also predicted that over a 10-year period the route could be used by 600,000 visitors and create 52 additional tourism-related jobs. Running over 100 miles from Hermaness in the north down to Sumburgh Head in the south, the Shetland Way links the archipelago's natural, cultural and community assets with the aim of bringing social, economic and environmental benefits to the islands.
Health unions including the RCN have welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to further postpone a vote on the controversial National Care Service Bill. In a letter published this week, Scotland's minister for social care, mental wellbeing and sport, Maree Todd, said pushing back the vote would help "find compromise and reach consensus" with those who have raised concerns about the bill.
There will be a debate on e-petition 628226, calling for a public inquiry to the impact of the UK's exit from the European Union, in Westminster Hall on 24 April 2023 - See link at the bottom of this page. Background The e-petition calls for an independent public inquiry to assess the impact of Brexit on the UK and its citizens, referring to its impact on trade, the economy, opportunities for young people and how it has affected the rights of individuals.
Reforms will speed up the removal of people with no right to be here and enhance safeguards to protect unaccompanied children. On Friday 21 April 2023, the government tabled a number of amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill to strengthen it further, ahead of it returning to Parliament next week - helping to deliver our priority of stopping the boats.
Fourteen major festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow will receive a share of this year's £1.8 million Expo Fund. Established in 2007 by the Scottish Government, the Expo Fund's aim is to build innovation across the festivals and maximise national and international opportunities for the artists contributing to the festivals.
"Keep Calm and Carry On, this is just a test" - that is the clear message from the Deputy Prime Minister on the day of the nationwide test of the national Emergency Alerts system. Officials from the Cabinet Office National Situation Centre will send out the alert at 3pm and it will be received by every 4G and 5G device across the United Kingdom.
Up to £25 million is being made available to help councils identify affordable homes for key workers in rural communities. The five year initiative, set out in the Scottish Government's priorities for the next three years, will enable local authorities and registered social landlords to acquire or lease properties which can be used to provide homes to meet the needs of their communities.
A special service will be held in Edinburgh following the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland during the Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving, which will take place at St Giles' Cathedral later this year.
SHORE INVITES TV's CHERRY HEALEY AND BBC INSIDE THE FACTORY TO SEAWEED HARVEST IN WICK TV's Cherry Healey has paid a visit to Wick-based SHORE as part of a BBC Inside The Factory vegan special. Cherry worked with SHORE'S Peter Elbourne and a team of local harvesters to collect and learn about different types of seaweed.
Inflation eased by far less than expected last month, with food prices continuing to accelerate and leaving Britain with double digit inflation of 10.1 per cent - twice the rate of the US (5 per cent) – the Resolution Foundation said in response to the latest ONS price data. The biggest upward pressures on inflation in March were energy bills and food (with an annual rise of 19.2 per cent – the highest since August 1977).
DASA has launched a new Themed Competition to develop and prototype human augmentation technology for defence. DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: Human Augmentation (HA).
Productivity in the UK over the last 15 years has been described as growing at a "snail's pace". Meanwhile, wages lag way behind inflation, and numerous sectors are suffering from staff shortages.
A public call for evidence has been launched to establish the scale of ‘sex for rent' in the UK and ask if existing laws protect victims. A new law is being considered to crack down on predatory landlords exploiting vulnerable people for sex in return for free or discounted rent, the Home Secretary has announced.
Projects to support mental health and address social isolation and loneliness in adults will share a further £15 million this year. The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults, launched in 2021, has now provided around 3,300 grants to community organisations delivering mental health and wellbeing support, bringing total investment to £51 million.
The UK workforce expanded in the three months to February, driven by young people leaving full-time education and moving into work, but the longer-term problem of rising ill-health continues to worsen, the Resolution Foundation said in response to the latest ONS labour market statistics published on Tuesday. The UK workforce continued to expand in recent months, with employment up 170,000 on the quarter, and economic inactivity down 230,000.
