Results published today from the Scottish Household Survey 2024 show that 83% of households with a two to five year old child (not yet at school) used at least one form of childcare, similar to previous years. The most common forms of childcare used were local authority nurseries and private nurseries, used by 40% and 32% of households respectively.
A record £99 million will be invested in Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) this financial year to help thousands of households struggling to afford housing costs in Scotland. During Challenge Poverty Week, Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan highlighted the payments as a ‘lifeline' for thousands of families and individuals.
Scotch Whisky Association and producers join PM India trade mission. A Prime Minister-led trade mission to India this week will drive home the benefits of the landmark UK - India trade deal for Scottish businesses.
As the cost of living continues to rise across Scotland, HI-Scot Credit Union is launching HI-Save, a new community campaign aimed at encouraging people across the Highlands and Islands to begin saving regularly and to build stronger financial resilience. The campaign comes in response to stark figures.
Elevator UK will develop and manage the services offered by the Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed a specialist operating company to run a new multi-million-pound innovation centre to support manufacturing in Moray.
Primary school pupils in Caithness and Orkney will soon have the chance to dive into the fascinating science of water, thanks to a new industry and education partnership with Scottish Water. Delivered locally by the Science Skills Academy (SSA), the Water Cycle Workshop gives pupils the opportunity to create their own mini water cycle.
Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, has launched a new affordable retirement savings advice service for customers - Standard Life Financial Advice. The service aims to help those who wouldn't usually consider paid advice gain access to the support they need when saving and deciding how to take their pension income.
With the evidence available now Audit Scotland's assessment, official workforce data, and ScotGEM's early outputs ScotGEM plus existing measures are not on track to deliver the 800 extra GPs by 2027. GP appointments will remain difficult to get.
The rolling mills are still working, but the furnaces are long cold. Of the 4,000 people previously employed at the steel mill in Port Talbot, Wales, only half still work there.
New rules mean all commercial dog imports from Romania into Great Britain to undergo mandatory pre-import testing The UK Chief Veterinary Officer is today (October 6th) renewing calls on prospective dog buyers to source their dogs from responsible breeders in order to protect animal and public health. Steps people should take include not only sourcing dogs from reputable breeders or rescue organisations, but ensuring proper health checks and documentation are in place, and understanding the potential risks associated with importing or rehoming dogs from abroad.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping every sector, and education is no exception. While the potential is exciting, the pace of change is leaving some educators feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.
A new ONS survey reveals only 3.9% of transport & storage sector companies say they are concerned about the impact of a cyber attack over the next 12 months. The home delivery expert parcelhero warns the sector must not get complacent about the dangers of being hacked.
The Economist has claimed Britain is trapped in a "debt doom loop." But they're wrong. The UK does not face a government debt crisis.
Projects aimed at tackling child poverty across the country will receive increased, multi-year funding thanks to a boost from the Scottish Government. Successful applicants to the third round of the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, now worth more than £1.8 million, will receive grants of up to £100,000 over two years to improve local services.
The Government has announced that it has secured over £250 billion of investment into the IS-8 sectors since July, supporting 45,000 high-quality jobs in communities across the UK. The Government has welcomed over £250 billion of investment since the launch of the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy in June.
Tory Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride wants to take £47 billion out of the UK economy — mostly by cutting benefits for migrants and those with mental ill health. That isn't prudence.
In the Highlands and Islands, community spirit runs deep. From Shetland to Skye, from Caithness to Uist, people know the power of looking out for one another.
In recent years, Highland Council has faced some of the toughest financial conditions in local government. Stretching across a vast, sparsely populated area with high infrastructure costs and limited opportunities to raise revenue, the council must continually balance ambitious investment in communities with the harsh realities of constrained funding.
First-time buyers set to save money when buying a home and timelines reduced with a new consultation launched by the Government. Hundreds of thousands of first-time buyers set to save £710 on average when buying a home, along with vital time and energy, thanks to the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country's history.
Gold prices are glimmering at record highs, and analysts are debating whether the rally still has room to run. With global uncertainty rising and Washington once again paralyzed by a budget standoff the yellow metal is asserting its reputation as a safe-haven asset like few others.