Cabinet Office must address staff pay crisis. The Public and commercial services Union (PCS) have given notice of a strike by civil servants on 1 February 2023 over pay.
Skiing was introduced into the Alps comparatively late in the 1880s, with the first ski-lift being developed in the Swiss resort of Davos in the winter of 1934. The industrial revolution was two centuries old by that point, but the world climate was still largely pre-industrial.
Rail unions and operators have been meeting with the government to attempt to break an industrial action deadlock that, according to Network Rail, has lost the industry more than £400m in revenue since last summer. Workers for UK rail companies have been striking for months over pay and conditions.
Findings for Scotland from the Small Business Survey 2021 from The Scottish Government, Introduction This report sets out the findings from the Longitudinal Small Business Survey (LSBS) 2021 for Scotland. It focusses on small and medium-sized enterprises with at least one employee (SME employers).
The government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2 February 2023. The government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2 February 2023, the first time in 5 years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report- Opens in a new window today on HMRC's administration of Scottish income tax, including the final calculation of Scottish revenues for the 2020/21 tax year. The Auditor General for Scotland, Stephen Boyle, provides additional assurance to the Scottish Parliament on the work of the NAO in this area.
Cash-first approach will help those facing hardship. Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison has announced an additional £2.4 million in funding to help people struggling to afford food and other essentials.
Pre-2012 income contingent (ICR) student loans ("Plan 1 loans") have an interest rate of either RPI (from the March prior to the September when the new interest rates are implemented) or the Bank Base Rate + 1%, whichever is the lower (this is known as the “low interest cap”). The low interest cap mechanism means that the interest rate on Plan 1 loans may change if the Bank Base Rate changes.
Not confirmed but the UK government is considering sending 10 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. This is just part of a request for 300 tanks most of which would have to be supplied by Germany and USA.
Energy strategy to shape next 25 years of energy production. There is a clear imperative to accelerate the clean energy transition and reduce Scotland's dependence on oil and gas, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said ahead of the publication of a new strategy for the energy sector.
A route map to secure Scotland's fastest possible fair and just transition away from fossil fuels has been published. The draft ‘Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan' sets out a plan for Scotland’s renewables revolution to be accelerated as North Sea basin resources decline.
Funding of at least £8 million for additional care home beds and efforts to boost NHS 24 capacity are among the measures outlined by Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to help the NHS and social care deal with ongoing extreme winter pressure. Health and Social Care Partnerships will share £8 million to procure around 300 additional care home beds to help alleviate pressures caused by delayed discharge.
The following article sets out the UK government approach to dealing with strikes. The SNP have said they are totally against this approach and will oppose it in parliament.
From the Office for National Statistics. Mortgage interest rates started to increase during 2022, this is likely to make borrowing more expensive for those with fixed rates deals coming to an end in 2023.
HMRC will introduce legislation to change the way repayment agents are paid for their services to better protect taxpayers and improve standards in the sector. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is changing the way taxpayers who use a repayment agent can receive overpaid tax to protect them and raise standards among repayment agents.
Government puts forward proposals to improve lighting efficiency to lower energy bills. Increasing minimum efficiency standards for lighting could cut energy use and save money for households and businesses across Great Britain.
Highest numbers since records began. More medical training posts have been filled in 2022 than at any other year since records began in 2013.
Over 3 million Brits a year say the reason why they want a refund on a gift is because they have split with their partner, with 11 December the biggest day of the year for break-ups. This season's 25% jump in refunds could signal that many of us had a Blue Christmas.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks - Slickly Wind Farm Connection Project is holding two public consultation events on Wednesday, 25th January 2023. The transmission network gathers energy from power stations, hydroelectric generation schemes, and wind farms and carries it to areas of demand.
The government announces the new "Energy Bills Discount Scheme" for UK businesses, charities, and the public sector from April. Scheme will provide a discount on high energy costs to give businesses certainty while limiting taxpayers' exposure to volatile energy markets Businesses in sectors with particularly high levels of energy use and trade intensity will receive a higher level of support.
