York city centre, Birkenhead Park and an iron age settlement in Shetland could join prestigious list The sites are added to the Government's ‘Tentative List' with the aim of joining global landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and the Galápagos Islands Cultural and natural heritage sites including York’s historic city centre are a step closer to becoming UNESCO World Heritage Sites after gaining Government backing for their bids. Five new sites from across the UK and Overseas Territories have been added to the Tentative List meaning they are now part of a seven site list to be put forward by the Government for inscription on the illustrious list.
Disabled people are being urged to find out if they are eligible for Scottish Government disability benefits as part of a new campaign to increase benefit take-up. The nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness about financial support available to help with the extra costs that disabled children and adults may face.
Former cabinet secretary for rural development MSP Fergus Ewing (SNP) said he was astonished by the latest revelation and launched a blistering attack on the SNP and Greens scheme. The Sunday Mail can reveal the cost of common items such as beer, water and fizzy juice will soar way beyond the extra 20p-per-item recycling fee when the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is launched in August.
Bold new measures to combat rising levels of youth vaping expected to be announced. A new ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad' - backed by £3 million of government funding - to be formed to enforce rules on vaping and tackle illegal sales of vapes to under-18s.
The NDA has published a guide for practitioners dealing with funding. It may be useful for businesses and groups thinking about applying for NDA funding to understand the principles involved and the aims being pursued for socio-economic targets.
The search for radio active particles on the Dounreay Foreshore goes on and the lasts finds were published last week. See the list HERE Sandside Beach Particle Finds l Particles have also been found at Murkle beach but in very small numbers numbers.
Ferries in Scotland are a sore point. As many are ageing and with few options if they break down.
Period Covered: 01 - 07 March 2023 Shop Price annual inflation accelerated to 8.9% in March, up from 8.4% in February. This is above the 3-month average rate of 8.4%.
No new Modern Apprenticeship places are available in Scotland for the foreseeable future due to a delay in Scottish Government budget setting. Thousands of young people who had expected to commence a Modern Apprenticeship in April have been left disappointed, frustrated, and uncertain about their future.
The impact of challenges facing the economy and other events on UK businesses. Based on responses from the voluntary fortnightly business survey (BICS) to deliver real-time information to help assess issues affecting UK businesses and economy, including financial performance, workforce, trade, and business resilience.
The expansion of free school meals has been frequently discussed. IFS researchers consider the costs and benefits of different options.
A reduction in the UK's long-term growth prospects means that public service pension promises will be costlier to meet in future. The government recently published its response to a consultation on its discount rate methodology for public service pensions.
Innovative companies will be able to trial new health products in clinical settings across the country following a link-up between the Scottish Government's £42 million Techscaler programme and the NHS. Participants in the programme, which provides world class expertise and support to young businesses with high growth potential, are being offered access to NHS Regional Test Beds.
Audit Scotland report published 6 April 2023. Scotland's Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) face considerable financial challenges and immense pressures on their workforce.
Scottish Government spending was funded mainly through £14.4 billion of Barnett consequentials, which come from UK Government spending on the pandemic in the rest of the UK. The rest was funded from elsewhere in the Scottish budget and the Scotland Reserve.
Fraser of Allender weekly update by Emma Congreve. Thursday 6th April is the first day of the new tax year (hands-up who missed the ISA deadline, again) and a number of changes in both UK and Scottish policy come into effect.
According to British Retail Consortium Sensormatic IQ data footfall in High Streets is increasing. Total UK footfall increased by 6.8% in March (YoY), 3.6 percentage points worse than February and worse than the 3-month average increase of 9.5%.
Highland Council has been made aware that Inverness Women's Aid has taken the decision to change the service that they provide, which includes closing the Inverness refuge. The Council received no prior notice of this decision and so cannot provide any information about the reason for this change of practice.
A Scotland-only business rates surcharge on firms occupying medium sized and larger commercial premises and which enters its eighth year of operation from 1 April 2023 is set to cost firms a cumulative £180 million over the next three years, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC). In April 2016 the Large Business Rates Supplement in Scotland was doubled to 2.6p in the pound but remains 1.2p in the pound lower down south.
In the latest week, consumer behaviour indicators generally showed positive changes compared with the previous week, with increases in all categories of Revolut debit card spending, including a 28-percentage-point increase in retail spending and an increase in retail footfall; additionally, there was an increase in the number of in-store transactions at Pret A Manger locations in London airports (Revolut, Springboard, Pret A Manger). Section 3: Consumer behaviour.
