ASLEF has rejected a proposal - that was not the result of negotiation, despite this trade union making itself available more often than the other side for talks - made by the cartel [put in place on behalf of a government which has been shown to be interfering in the talks] representing some of the train operating companies in Britain. ASLEF announced new strike dates on Wednesday 1 and Friday 3 February.
The UK and Scottish Governments are now at loggerheads over the Gender Recognition bill. For the layman this fiendishly complicated legal wrangle may just be the forerunner to many if independence comes about.
The cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll on businesses. Now, more than ever, you should start thinking about ways to reduce your business costs.
For the three months ending November 2022, the highest employment rate estimate in the UK was in the South West (79.3%) and the lowest was in Northern Ireland (71.3%); Scotland (76.1%) saw a record high employment rate. The largest increase in the employment rate compared with the same period last year was in Northern Ireland, up by 3.3 percentage points, with Wales seeing the largest decrease of 1.8 percentage points.
Early estimates for December 2022 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 2.3% compared with December 2021, a rise of 676,000 employees; the number of payrolled employees was up by 3.1% since February 2020, a rise of 888,000. Payrolled employment increased by 28,000 employees (0.1%) in December 2022 when compared with November 2022, though this should be treated as a provisional estimate and is likely to be revised when more data are received next month.
Almost 65,000 customers have paid their Self Assessment bills, totalling nearly £67 million, via the HMRC app since April 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-official-hmrc-app/the-free-hmrc-app In December 2022, 14,170 customers paid via the app - the highest number of app payments in one month since the facility was launched in February 2022. The Self Assessment deadline for the 2021 to 2022 tax year is 31 January and HMRC is urging customers not to delay completing their tax return and paying any tax owed. For customers who need some extra help with their tax return, there are a wide range of resources available to help them complete it, including guidance online, webinars and YouTube videos. Customers are encouraged to check online for help before calling HMRC during what is the busiest time of the year.
Today marks the official launch of the Spirit:360 digital platform of over 60 artists who received up to £1000 commission each to create works that have been inspired from the theme ‘Spirit of the Highlands'. The online platform features all commissioned artists, each with their own profile page showcasing their work for the project.
This article is from the Kings Fund. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/ The workforce crisis has been a prominent issue for years, but there has been little concerted action from governments to tackle the challenge.
A contract has also been awarded to building contractors to carry out external works to the campus, which comprises window upgrades and stonework repairs. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Orkney Islands Council (OIC) formed ORIC as a joint venture to support the growing research and innovation activity and expand Orkney's world-leading marine renewables, energy and low carbon sector.
As the digital market continues to see record sales, businesses need to stay up-to-date with the latest eCommerce trends in order to keep up with consumer demands. With new technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality predicted to revolutionize our online shopping, what should businesses look out for in 2023? We took a closer look at some of the top eCommerce trends predicted for this year - get ahead of the game in good time, and take your business to the next level.
The first orbital satellite launch from the UK was attempted in January 2023. On 9 January 2023, the first ever orbital launch attempt from UK soil took place by Virgin Orbit from Spaceport Cornwall.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is backing the police to clamp down on highly disruptive and dangerous protests, under plans announced today. Through an amendment tabled to the Public Order Bill, the Government will broaden the legal definition of ‘serious disruption', giving police greater flexibility and clarity over when to intervene to stop the disruptive minority who use tactics such as blocking roads and slow marching to inflict misery on the public.
The team at Berkeley Site has safely transferred the first concrete box of radioactive waste into the site's purpose-built waste store. he transfer is a landmark for Magnox's mission to clean-up the UK's former civil nuclear sites, involving the development of a brand new waste storage package and innovative waste retrieval techniques.
South Oxfordshire District Council Planning Committee approves fusion energy project; construction to start this year at UKAEA's Culham Campus. Following the resolution to grant planning permission by the South Oxfordshire District Council Planning Committee, construction of General Fusion's demonstration at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's (UKAEA) Culham Campus is expected to start this summer.
Pressure on the Scottish Government to allow councils to double the the council tax on second homes is rising. The Poverty and Inequality Commission made its recommendations in a report in august 2022.
The Prime Minister has announced the UK will send tanks and self-propelled guns to aid the Ukrainian offensive. The Prime Minister has announced the UK will send tanks and self-propelled guns to aid the Ukrainian offensive.
If you missed it here is the link to the programme about Wick in the My Kind of Town Series. Ian interviews several local people o hear what they think about the town.
The UK and Scottish governments jointly confirm that Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport have been successful in their bids The UK and Scottish governments jointly confirm that Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport have been successful in their bids to establish a new Green Freeport. Backed by up to £52 million in UK Government funding, Green Freeports will help to level up Scotland and bring new, high-skilled jobs to successful areas.
The first panels of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands Tapestry of 2023 were handed over to six stitching groups from the area at the Ross Institute in Halkirk this week. The tapestry is being created as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project, a partnership project between The Highland Council and High Life Highland, which is being delivered in collaboration with VisitScotland.
The following points are for the week ending 3 January 2023 for England and Wales, and the week ending 31 December 2022 for Northern Ireland and Scotland. The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) decreased in England and Wales, continued to increase in Scotland, and the trend was uncertain in Northern Ireland.
