Many of the chancellor's changes to the fiscal rules and framework have been called for by the Institute for Government. Rachel Reeves' budget announcement marks the ninth change of the UK's fiscal rules in 16 years.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy visits Nigeria and South Africa. Economic growth to underpin work in both Nigeria and South Africa, as Foreign Secretary agrees to develop a new UK-South Africa Growth Plan and a new Strategic Partnership with Nigeria.
Economic growth to underpin work in both Nigeria and South Africa, as Foreign Secretary agrees to develop a new UK-South Africa Growth Plan and a new Strategic Partnership with Nigeria. Climate continues to top the agenda of Foreign Secretary's engagement as he visits Earthshot+ event in Cape Town.
We already have a massive problem with data overload in our society, with most people having little training in how to use the information they are given. AI creates new risks.
A new centre to promote Gaelic language and culture in Inverness is to receive a significant funding boost from the Scottish Government. Cultarlann Inbhir Nis will receive £370,000 to develop a space for Gaelic gatherings, ceilidhs and exhibitions in the centre of the city.
Electric cars first registered on or after 1 April 2025: will pay the lowest rate of tax (first year rate), currently £10. From the second year on, the standard rate kicks in and owners will need to pay £190 a year - the same rate petrol and diesel owners pay today (if they have a car first registered after 1 April 2017).
First-year rates, zero-emission cars will pay the lowest, at £10, until 2029-30, to encourage drivers to buy a non-polluting vehicle. Cars emitting between one and 50 grams of CO2 per kilometre, including hybrid vehicles, will increase from £10 to £110 for 2025-26, while cars emitting more than 76 grams of CO2 per kilometre will see the rate double.
Before considering any tax changes to repair the public finances, the government is ensuring that everyone is paying the tax that they owe. This is fair, essential for a well-functioning economy and will help to keep taxes on working people as low as possible.
The government is delivering its growth mission by prioritising stability, investment and reform to drive prosperity across the UK. The Budget takes the difficult decisions to put the public finances on a sustainable path to create the conditions for growth.
To repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the government is taking the difficult decision to increase the rate of employer NICs by 1.2 percentage points to 15%. The per‑employee threshold at which employers start to pay National Insurance will be reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year.
On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her first Budget in Parliament. Here are 5 things to know.
The government is driving efficiencies and reducing wasteful spending. The Budget sets a 2% productivity, efficiencies and savings target for government departments and has formally launched the Office for Value for Money to realise benefits from every pound of public spending.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October 30th) sold 449 adult head of breeding cattle. Heifer with calf at foot (22) sold to £3,300 gross for a British Blue heifer with a Limousin cross calf from Muirton Mains, Urray.
A revised financial forecast for the Highland Council, taking account of already agreed savings and other measures, suggests a remaining budget gap of £38m-£54m over the coming three years, 2025/26 to 2027/28. As part of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Plan, agreed in February 2024, Council agreed a package of £54.6m of budget savings, and the use of a range of financial flexibilities and use of reserves, to address the projected £113m gap over a 3-year period 2024/25 - 2026/27.
GPs, care homes and hospices have voiced concerns about the impact of the rise in employer National Insurance contributions announced in the Budget. The NHS and rest of the public sector are exempt from the tax rise - but that does not cover private care homes or hospices which provide NHS services.
Science, technological, mathematical and engineering (STEM) skills have been crucial to economic growth in the UK in the past, but how important are they to the adoption of the latest digital technologies such as AI?. Mirko Draca, Max Nathan, Viet Nguyen-Tien, Juliana Oliveira-Cunha and Anna Rosso find diffusion of the latest wave of technologies hasn't followed past patterns and disparities in skills are leading to uneven adoption across the country.
Student Loans Company improves online customer experience with introduction of new digital refund service. A new digital refund service has been used by 418,000 customers in the first six months.
Autumn Budget backs UK's R&D sector with record highest ever level of government investment. The Chancellor announced £20.4 billion in investment for UK R&D to drive economic growth, including fully funding association to Horizon Europe research programme Up to £520 million Life Sciences Fund to unlock £1.8 billion in private investment, advance health resilience and create high-quality jobs across the country New R&D investments to power the UK's national missions, with regional innovation accelerators supporting growth across the country At yesterday's Budget (Wednesday 30 October) the Chancellor has announced the highest ever level of government investment of £20.4 billion in research and development for next year, reinforcing the government’s commitment to back the UK’s R&D ecosystem to drive economic growth and achieve its five national missions.
Chancellor announces availability of export credit financing to help British industries access a stable, long-term supply of critical minerals. There is high global demand for critical minerals which are increasingly vital to long-term industrial growth, emerging technology and the net zero transition.
A climate of silence is bad for business. Employees stop communicating problems and bad behaviours go unchecked.