HMRC's 2024 review of its HMRC app: 2 million new users, 100 million sessions and £652 million in Self Assessment payments. Download and access the HMRC app 24/7 to get personal tax information, National Insurance, and Child Benefit.
Ian Murray says while the stats are disappointing, long-term growth remains a priority, with UK Government's Plan for Change delivering vital reform. Scotland's latest GDP figures have been published on 28 December 2024.
UK house prices rose 1.2% month on month. Annual growth rate rebounded to 3.7%, from 2.4% in October - fastest since November 2022.
The UK's housing market has long been a source of frustration for renters and homeowners alike, with issues of affordability and availability topping the agenda. The new government has identified housing market failures as a major barrier to economic growth—but what role does the tax system play in these challenges? In this episode, we'll dig into how taxes impact the housing market, from the cost of buying and renting to the incentives—or disincentives—they create for landlords, developers, and homeowners.
UKAEA, STFC's Hartree Centre and IBM have partnered to collaborate on designing future experimental fusion powerplants. Public sector entities, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) Hartree Centre, have partnered with technology pioneer, IBM, to work on designing future experimental fusion powerplants.
In Scotland there are 21,606 second homes and 43,538 properties empty for more than 6 months. The latest council tax data (in September 2024) shows there were 21,606 second homes, 43,538 properties that had been empty for more than 6 months, of which, 73% (31,596) were categorised as long-term empty homes (i.e.
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to November 2024, up from 3.2% in the 12 months to October. On a monthly basis, CPIH rose by 0.2% in November 2024, compared with a fall of 0.1% in November 2023.
There were 11,751 local authority housing stock units vacant as of 31 March 2024. There were 325,477 local authority housing stock units as of March 2024.
There was a 12% decrease in all sector housebuilding starts and a 10% decrease in completions between 2023 and 2024 (year ending September). In the 12 months ending September 2024, there were 19,828 homes built and 14,768 new builds started.
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee has responded to the publication of the Scottish Government Workforce September 2024 statistics. Mr McKee said: "There has been a 2.3% reduction to the total Scottish Government workforce between March 2022 and September 2024.
The Scottish Government is to stop the use of mobile messaging apps, including WhatsApp, on official devices following the publication of an externally-led review. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the review of mobile messaging apps and non-corporate technology and confirmed that access to these apps will be removed from government devices in spring 2025.
Refugees, people seeking asylum and other forced migrants in Glasgow are benefitting from English classes to help them integrate into communities, supported by £500,000 in Scottish Government funding which will help 800 learners. The classes are helping people who have been forced to flee their country gain the language skills needed to rebuild their lives in Scotland, communicate confidently with people in their new communities and establish and strengthen their social connections.
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending September 2024.
The fact that so many of our country's postmasters suffered immeasurably over many years because of defective IT software is both unconscionable and inexcusable. Redress for victims of the Horizon scandal and the overturning of their convictions are the result of long, hard-fought victories by brave campaigners, including Sir Alan Bates, Jo Hamilton and the members of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance.
Early estimates for November 2024 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 0.3% compared with November 2023, a rise of 76,000 employees. This annual increase was highest in the health and social work sector, a rise of 150,000 employees, and lowest in the accommodation and food service activities sector, which decreased by 77,000 employees.
Government reaches legally binding agreement with EP Group that protects Royal Mail's workers and key services whilst keeping it headquartered in the UK. Business Secretary reaches agreement with Royal Mail's prospective new owners after in latest example of government working hand in hand with private sector to improve crucial public services.
Recent disruption to Britain's rail network, caused by a fault in its outdated nationwide radio system, was more than just an inconvenience for thousands of commuters. It was a stark reminder of how far the UK has fallen behind in its critical infrastructure.
The newly appointed head of business growth for Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) in Argyll and the Islands is to focus on expanding the agency's portfolio of business clients. Liam Orr, originally from Benderloch near Oban, took up the post in early December and leads HIE’s business growth team across an area covering Argyll and Bute, Arran and the Cumbraes.
Thousands of farmers travelled to London on November 19 to protest the new government's first budget and its imposition of new inheritance tax rules. Nearly a month later, on December 12, there was another protest, this time with more tractors, fewer celebrities, and only a tiny fraction of the media coverage.
The UK and Australia will reinforce their economic and defence partnership and bolster co-operation on shared global challenges at this year's AUKMIN meeting. Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary host Australian counterparts in London to address shared security challenges and deliver growth and put more money in people's pockets.
