People in the UK might be tempted to keep their heating turned off to offset the large increases in energy bills this winter. A recent YouGov poll, revealed that 21% of respondents would not turn their heating on until at least November.
The unprecedented rise in energy costs this winter has many people asking how to reduce their bills. In a typical UK home, around 80% of the total energy used in a year goes towards heating space and water, so any change in heating makes a big difference.
Plans set out to amend NHS pension rules to retain more experienced NHS clinicians and remove barriers to staff returning from retirement Proposals will enable staff to work more flexibly up to and beyond retirement age and protect from excessively high tax charges. Reforms will help open up extra appointments so patients can see their GP and hospital consultants more quickly.
Today's road report from Highland council shows that things are not to bad but this will change over the next few days so make sure if traveling that you are prepared especially for Wednesday when snow is forecast. Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.
Statistics from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2022. Gross median weekly earnings for full-time employees in Scotland were £640.50 in 2022, an increase of 3.2 per cent over the year and continues the longer-term upward trend seen prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The recent protests in China against the country's zero-COVID policy have been unprecedented in their scale, intensity and distribution. Protestors numbering in the thousands were reported in dozens of cities.
Advanced robotics and remote handling technologies from fusion successfully trialled for complex operations in the space industry. Culham and Harwell, Oxfordshire - UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Satellite Applications Catapult have partnered to demonstrate how advanced remote handling and robotics technology developed for fusion energy research can be used to provide maintenance for in-orbit satellites.
Workers to have a greater say over when, where, and how they work under new government plans to make flexible working the default. Millions of employees will receive day one right to request flexible working, empowering workers to have a greater say over when, where, and how they work.
The North Devon Gazette today reports the news that Donna Manson, Highland's chief executive as their new top manager. An internal message informing Devon County Council's staff of the appointment says: "Donna has a track record of improvement, best value and successful budget delivery, rebuilding substantial reserves and resilience within The Highland Council, while implementing significant investment projects." The chair of Highland Council, Bill Lobban, said: “Donna has done a tremendous job for The Highland Council in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances and I personally wish her well in taking up her new position with Devon County Council.” Currently paid a reported £159,000 a year for her current role, Ms Manson could be in line for a hefty pay rise for moving south after a report in July concluded a salary of “circa £200,000 would be required to attract and retain” Dr Norrey’s replacement..
Unite members across eleven airports back action in pay dispute Members of Unite have voted by 73.5 per cent in favour of taking strike action and by 92.8 per cent in favour of taking action short of strike in a battle to improve pay for rural communities amid a cost of living crisis. Unite, which represents members across eleven airports in the HIAL group, including those working in Fire and Rescue, Security and administration, will confirm industrial action dates next week.
The debate in the Scottish Parliament highlighted the need for more and accurate costing on the the new National Care Service for Scotland. Also this past week Audit Scotland joined with report criticising the lack of transparency in Scottish Government financial figures generally.
The Scottish Government spent £49.2 billion against a budget of £51.2 billion in 2021/22. But with significant pressures on public finances, auditors have called for more transparency around government spending.
The Institute for Government has looked at how the civil service at the top of government can and should be improved using external recruitment of experts. The civil service's ability to deliver ministers' priorities is being hurt by its failure to attract, retain and properly use the skills of external recruits.
Trees planted outside woodlands are worth over £3.8 billion, groundbreaking research published by Forest Research and Defra reveals. The economic value of individual trees planted outside of our forests and woodlands has been revealed for the first time today (Sunday 4 December) at £3.8 billion.
A ground-breaking initiative, which has distributed almost £3 million to transform the health of Scotland's coasts and seas, opens its first privately-funded grant round 0n 17 November 2022. The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) is Scotland's only major green finance initiative, with funding from both the public and private sector, focussed on restoring the marine and coastal environment.
Following reports of significant food hygiene and animal welfare concerns at Caithness Free Range Eggs Ltd, Lochquoy Farm, Caithness, the Highland Council's Environmental Health Service and the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) commenced a joint investigation in 2017. The lengthy investigation uncovered numerous and serious breaches of animal welfare and food safety legislation which led to a report being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal’s Office.
Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland.
An article from the Fraser of Allender Institute. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had the unenviable job last month of striking the balance of signalling stability to markets while supporting households and businesses through the current economic crisis.
Prince William and The Earthshot Prize revealed the 2022 Earthshot Prize winners - an accomplished group of entrepreneurs and innovators spearheading ground-breaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet. Each winner was awarded a £1 million prize at the second-annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, which will be broadcast Sunday, December 4 at 17:30pm GMT on BBC and will begin streaming on Monday, December 5 at 2:00pm EST on PBS.org and the PBS app.
The Price Cap Coalition of the G7, the European Union and Australia have set a cap on seaborne Russian crude oil at $60. The price cap will be enforced in the UK from 5 December 2022, and across coalition jurisdictions.
