HMS Iron Duke and HMS Tyne shadowed four Russian vessels in UK waters and RAF jets intercepted a Russian Bear aircraft approaching the UK area of interest. Royal Navy warships have spent the past week closely shadowing the Russian Navy as four of its vessels sailed through the Channel and the North Sea, helping to protect UK national security.
Recent weeks have seen speculation that the new Chancellor will make changes to pensions taxation to raise revenue in the upcoming inaugural Budget. The current system of pensions tax provides overly generous tax breaks to those with the biggest pensions, those with high retirement incomes and those receiving big employer pension contributions, and there is a strong case for reform.
A letter to Edward Mountain MSP on 12 September 2024 with another reason why the ferry Glen Sannox will not be delivered in September. I am writing to you to provide an interim update to our quarterly report, specifically for MV Glen Sannox.
NDA publishes first ever nuclear heritage vision and strategy, to safeguard and celebrate the history of the nuclear industry. Today the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has published the first ever nuclear heritage vision and strategy, to safeguard and celebrate the history and cultural heritage of the nuclear industry.
The UK Government has prioritised planning reform as its key policy lever to deliver an ambitious target of 1.5 million additional homes by the end of this Parliament. This note explores the extent to which the proposed reforms to the planning system will help reach this target, while also highlighting other constraints on housing supply that the Government should consider as part of its broader strategy to kickstart housing delivery.
Home Office statistics released today show there were 17.1% (25,200) fewer applications for visas to study in the UK in August than in the same month last year. This continues the trend seen over recent months, with 16.6% (55,500) fewer total applications in the year to date than at the same point in 2023.
How well prepared for retirement are self-employed workers and what options do policymakers have to encourage more pension saving?. There have been widespread concerns about the patterns of retirement saving amongst self-employed workers, who now make up just over one in eight of the whole labour force.
The Government's welcome planning reforms could deliver a step change in housebuilding over the parliament. But it will need to bolster these reforms with direct investment if it is to meet its target of creating 1.5 million more homes over the parliament, according to new Resolution Foundation research published Thursday 12 September 2024.
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (September 11th) sold 512 spring born calves and store cattle. Bullocks (313) averaged 345.2p (+43.8p) and sold 444.0p per kg for a pen of stabiliser crosses from Daliea, Acharacle and £1,420 gross for a Beef Shorthorn cross from Tigh Na Feidh, Strontian.
We're looking at the working age benefits system and answering the questions likely being asked by government ministers: how can the rising costs of benefits be managed, and what changes could improve the system?. With disability and incapacity benefit caseloads rising and the Universal Credit rollout still ongoing, what options does the government have to address these challenges?.
DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (September 12th) sold 5,617 sheep of all classes including Lewis's livestock producers. Lambs (3,686) averaged £70.34 and sold to £121 twice for a Texel cross from 3 Kinbeachie, Culbokie and for a Beltex cross from Glenurquhart Farm, Cromarty.
bp and Iberdrola have given the green light for construction of a 25 MW green hydrogen project at bp's Castellón refinery which is expected to be operational in second half of 2026. This is the first hydrogen project jointly undertaken by bp and Iberdrola through Castellón Green Hydrogen S.L a joint venture equally owned by both companies.
According to PwC, in 2023, there were 14,081 store closures in Great Britain, which is an average of 39 closures per day. This is higher than the 11,530 store closures in 2022, but lower than the years between 2017 and 2021.
So most Pensioners have now lost the Winter Heating Allowance and to add to the pain we will all see energy prices rise from 1st October. Every 3 months Ofgem reviews and sets a level for how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy and daily standing charge, under the price cap.
The chancellor did not construct a solid narrative for axing the winter fuel allowance. It is possible that a month of bad headlines, criticism across a spectrum from Ed Balls to Robert Jenrick, the unsettling of a lot of Labour MPs and the alienation of a bunch of NGOs was all part of a Reeves-Starmer masterplan.
Scottish and UK Governments respond to Petroineos decision to close refinery as 400 jobs to go. Currently the site employs 500 people.
The Education Committee met today (Thursday 12 September 2024) and agreed the Community Learning and Development Plan 2024-2027. Community Learning and Development (CLD) plays an important role in ensuring individuals, families and communities reach their potential, through lifelong learning, mutual self-help and community organisation, ensuring support and opportunities are community-led and built around people's individual and collective aspirations.
Great Britain's electricity system (Northern Ireland is part of the integrated Irish electricity grid) made a leap forward in August 2024. The amount of power generated by fossil fuels fell to 3.6 terrawatt-hours (TWh), its lowest level in over a century.
Scotland's ambition to become a leading space nation has taken a step forward. Space sector entrepreneur Daniel Smith takes up the newest position in the Scottish Government's international business network.
When Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for US President everyone took note. But do such endorsements matter, and should more people put their heads above the parapet and declare what they think in public?.
