I am deeply honoured to step forward as a candidate for the Scottish Labour Party in Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross. My political journey traces its roots back to the heart of this region, where I began my career as a parliamentary researcher working alongside Highland and island MSPs.
For the year ending (YE) December 2023, net migration of non-EU international migrants who initially arrived in the UK on a study-related visa decreased, falling to 247,000 compared with our updated estimate of 328,000 in the YE December 2022. This includes those who emigrated but had transitioned onto a different visa type during their time in the UK.
Lucy Beattie is the SNP candidate for the Westminster election whenever the date is set. The candidates are already sending out leaflets and post cards and no doubt many of you will have had one from Lucy.
Convictions of hundreds of postmasters have been quashed today (24 May) following Royal Assent of the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024. Many postmasters endured financial ruin, the loss of homes, livelihoods, and reputation as a result of the Horizon IT Scandal which is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our history.
Anne Thomas is the Green Party Candidate fo Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross a the coming Westminster election. Anne Thomas has the External Communications role, co-ordinating media coverage across the Branch.
Highland Conservative Association members have chosen Ruraidh Stewart as their candidate for the new Westminster seat of Inverness, Skye and West Ross-Shire. A councillor for Skye & Raasay and leader of the Conservative group in Highland Council, Ruraidh also works for a Highlands & Islands MSP.
Summer energy bills will fall to their lowest level since the beginning of 2022 as a result of the latest Ofgem price cap for July to September 2024 falling to £1,568. But the legacy of a 60 per cent rise in average energy bills in 2024 compared with three years ago still casts a long shadow over household finances, the Resolution Foundation said on Friday.
Jamie joined the Liberal Democrats after meeting Charles Kennedy in the 1980s. He studied History at St Andrews and comes from a family of cheesemakers.
Five areas in England and Scotland have agreed with the UK Government the details of their Levelling Up Partnership funding. Boston, Stoke-on-Trent, Wakefield, the Scottish Borders and Tendring were previously announced as areas which would receive a Levelling Up Partnership to support regeneration.
TRA finds keeping anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese e-bikes would not be in economic interest of the UK. The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its initial findings recommending that anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on electric bicycles (e-bikes) from China should be revoked.
Online retail Retail sales data Measuring the data Cite this statistical bulletin Print this statistical bulletin Download as PDF 1.Overview Retail sales volumes (quantity bought) fell by 2.3% in April 2024, following a fall of 0.2% in March 2024 (revised from 0.0%). Sales volumes fell across most sectors, with clothing retailers, sports equipment, games and toys stores, and furniture stores doing badly as poor weather reduced footfall.
More than one in five (21%) trading businesses reported that their turnover had decreased in April 2024 compared with March 2024, which is broadly stable from last month; in contrast, 19% reported their turnover was higher, up 3 percentage points over the same period. In early May 2024, 18% of trading businesses reported that they expect their turnover to increase in June 2024, down 4 percentage points, compared with expectations for May 2024; meanwhile 59% of businesses reported that they expect turnover to stay the same, up 3 percentage points over the same period.
An update on the Infected Blood Compensation body and Victims and Prisoners Bill. On (Friday 24th May 2024) the Victims and Prisoners Bill was granted Royal Assent, creating a new arm's length body called the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).
The Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner highlighted important investment opportunities in the region at this week's UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). The Leader and Allan Maguire, Highland Council’s Head of Development & Regeneration attended this week’s event in Leeds as part of a delegation from the Scottish Cities Alliance.
Director applied for two Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only allowed one and used the funds for her own personal gain. Sehrish Yasmin applied for two Covid Bounce Back Loans for her Manny Steak House Ltd business based in south Manchester, which was not allowed under the rules of the scheme More than £12,000 from the loan was spent by Yasmin at the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham Yasmin was given a suspended sentence and has paid the two loans back in full A Manchester restaurant manager who fraudulently obtained two Covid loans worth £100,000 and spent taxpayers' money on jewellery has been handed a suspended sentence.
Whether it's developing skills and training to enter the workforce, investing in buildings and equipment, or providing services to fill gaps left by the public sector, the voluntary sector plays a significant part in the UK economy. However, measurement of its economic contribution is inherently complex, meaning the role it plays is often undervalued.
Consultation asks whether newly qualified dentists should commit to delivering a minimum amount of NHS work after graduating or repay some training fees. Proposals would require dental graduates to work in the NHS for several years after graduating or repay their training fees.
Scotland's top civil servant has warned First Minister John Swinney that "significant" cuts will be required to balance public finances. Permanent Secretary John-Paul Marks said the budget-setting process this year was "one of the hardest experiences of prioritisation" since devolution.
There were at least 23,576 applications for a short-term lets licence as of end December 2023. 14,539 short term lets licence applications were received and validated by local authorities relating to the period between 1 October 2022 (when the scheme opened) and 31 December 2023.
"While rent control aims to protect tenants from rising costs, it often inadvertently contributes to housing inequality. With limited rental options, those who are more financially disadvantaged struggle to secure suitable housing, limiting their opportunities for social mobility and affecting access to education and work opportunities.
