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.
Social insights on daily life and events, including the cost of living, industrial action, and energy savings in the home from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN). The following information is for the latest survey period 22 March to 2 April 2023, based on adults in Great Britain.
Responding to Royal Mail's latest statement over negotiations (05/04/2023), a Communication Workers Union (CWU) spokesperson said: "Negotiations between the CWU and Royal Mail Group concluded last night (4 April 2023) without agreement. "The company advised the union that the directors who have been leading negotiations are no longer available and that the Board will be meeting today to determine their next steps.
The 18th Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards will take on Friday 27 October 2023 at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness. The Awards showcase and celebrate excellence and achievements in the food and drink industry in the region - from world-renowned businesses to small innovative producers.
The Italian government has proposed new legislation to crack down on the use of foreign languages in government, business and public life. The draft bill is particularly aimed at the use of English, which it says "demeans and mortifies" the Italian language.
The wind farm development is a familiar bone of contention. To some, the tall, turbined spires provide a glimpse of a green, low carbon future while for others they represent an inefficient, nature-threatening eyesore.
Despite a global ban in place since 2010, atmospheric concentrations of five ozone-depleting chemicals have reached a record high. Chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, are entirely man-made gases used in a variety of applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning or as chemical solvents.
Finally, carmakers got a break. Those in the UK boosted their output by over 13% in February as supply-chain pressures subsided, especially the persistent global shortage in microchips, also known as semiconductors.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (April 5th) sold 748 Aberdeen Angus, Native Bred and Continental Store Cattle, The pre-sale show was kindly sponsored by Ross Agri Services Ltd and was judged by Mr Stuart Ross, Ross Bros, Strichen. Aberdeen Angus bullocks (379) averaged 295.7p and sold to 324.6p per kilo for a pen of 459kg Aberdeen Angus crosses from Greenvale, Dunnet and £1,980 gross for a 665kg Aberdeen Angus cross from Ardjachie, Tain.
When you think of the Panama Papers, if you're anything like me, your mind probably goes to scenes of newspaper front pages, widespread protests, high profile resignations, or dramatic police raids and arrests. Seven years ago this week, when we started publishing the investigation, those were the images that dominated the coverage — and, if I'm honest, caught a lot of us by surprise.
By the Ukraine team, IMF European Department - April 5, 2023 A new IMF program will support the authorities to stabilize the economy and help speed Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction Russia's invasion continues to have a devastating economic and social impact on Ukraine. Gross domestic product contracted by around 30 percent in 2022, civilian casualties are mounting and more than a third of the population has been displaced, while a large swathe of the country's infrastructure has been destroyed.
Three-quarters of British shoppers are loyal to their usual supermarket, but the UK retail sector is no stranger to the complex and fluctuating needs of its customers. In the last three years alone, shops have had to deal with Brexit, a pandemic and a cost of living crisis - all of which have influenced their customers' behaviour.
The Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Paul Johnson points out the flaws in the UK tax system that are increasing. In remembering Lord Lawson, it is surely his 1988 Budget which will stand as his defining moment as chancellor.
The share of employees receiving off-the-job workplace training has fallen by 30 per cent over the past two decades, from 9.8 per cent to 6.9 per cent. But while some might have expected low-paid, and generally lower trained, workers to have borne the brunt of this decline, in fact it has been driven by higher-paid workers, according to new research published today (Thursday 6 April 2023) by the Resolution Foundation.
Changes to income tax in Scotland have come into force and are estimated to raise more than half a billion pounds of additional revenue this financial year to support vital public services. The tax rates for earnings between £12,571 and £43,662 remain the same while earnings above £43,663 are now taxed at the Higher tax rate of 42%.
According to data presented by Atlas VPN, United Kingdom residents lost a shocking £3.9 billion to fraudsters in the last 12 months, which averages out to about £10.7 million per day. During this period, there were 345,228 reported fraud cases.
To many, the start of the new tax year in April will seem quiet, more of the same with no big changes to the tax system announced by the government. But hidden beneath the surface lie some stealthy tax rises - freezes to thresholds which coupled with rising inflation are projected to raise around £30 billion for the Treasury over the next few years and hit household finances hard.
Article by Dr Charlotte Bermingham, Senior Research Officer at the Ofiice for National Statistics. Since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, it has been vital to monitor the impact of vaccinations on mortality.
In 1948, the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance was signed between the Soviet Union and Finland, providing a key basis for relations between the two states that was to last throughout the cold war. With memories of the 1939 "winter war" between the two still acute, the agreement embodied the Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine, named for two of Finland's post-war presidents who developed the idea between 1946 and 1982 of a neutral Finland close to the USSR.
The IMF Board approved a new 48-month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of SDR 11.6 billion (about US$15.6 billion) as part of a US$115 billion total support package for Ukraine. Ukraine's EFF-supported program aims to anchor policies that sustain fiscal, external, price and financial stability and support economic recovery, while enhancing governance and strengthening institutions to promote long-term growth in the context of post-war reconstruction and Ukraine's path to EU accession.
