Buy-to-let fixed rates stand at their lowest since the start of September 2022, according to the latest analysis by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk. However, the upcoming Budget could reveal tax raids on landlords.
The Budget will deliver more affordable housing, ensure social housing is available for those who need it and turbocharge the delivery of 1.5 million homes. The announcement covers England but will affect Scotland with increased funding via he Barnet formula.
The Chancellor will deliver the Budget on 30 October 2024 and the government will later introduce a Finance Bill to implement it. This Insight looks at what differentiates a ‘Budget' from other fiscal statements the government has delivered recently, and an overview of what happens during and following the Budget.
Chancellor confirms steps to protect education and early years priorities as part of her first Budget. This announcement applies to England with capital spending in Scotland made by the Scottish Government.
Just 9% of Scottish firms agree that the Scottish Government understands the business environment in Scotland, compared to 64% of businesses that disagree for the second year in a row. This is according to the latest Scottish Business Monitor, a survey of over 350 firms conducted in August and September, produced by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde.
On 30 October 2024, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will deliver the new Labour government's first Budget. She is the first female Chancellor and will be the first woman to deliver a Budget.
Newly opened National Quantum Computing Centre will be home to new quantum computers, designed to push the boundaries of what is possible with the technology. Newly-opened National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) will help deliver breakthroughs in AI, energy, healthcare and more the new facility at Harwell will be home to 12 quantum computers, each designed to push the boundaries of what is possible with this emerging technology.
The biggest reform of the Ministry of Defence in over 50 years to fix what the Public Accounts Committee calls the ‘broken' defence procurement system and to strengthen UK Defence, has been launched by the Defence Secretary. Major reforms kicked off today to match increasing threats, tackle waste and strengthen UK Defence.
Overall assessment 14 October to 20 October (ISO week 42): Calls to NHS24 for respiratory symptoms and patient attendances to GP practices for influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection are at low levels, usual for this time of year. Influenza A test positivity in the community (CARI) surveillance system and in laboratory confirmed tests remained stable this week.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Royal Navy mark milestones in major project at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Royal Navy have concluded a contract-signing and groundbreaking ceremony for a major construction project at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall.
Twenty finfluencers are being interviewed under caution by the FCA, as it launches targeted action against finfluencers who may be touting financial services products illegally. The FCA also issued 38 alerts against social media accounts operated by finfluencers which may contain unlawful promotions.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in Washington D.C. for her first IMF Annual Meetings, where she will say that the Budget is about investing in future growth.
Employers now have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and create a safe working environment. New duty under the Equality Act 2010 will require employers to take "reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
The UK economy is now a mess built on the foundations of everyone sub-contracting everything they can whenever they think that possible. The result is that we have an economy made up of middlemen, all of them raking off their own bit of profit.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (October 24th) sold 7,973 store sheep. Lambs (3,898) averaged £75.65 and sold to £128 gross for a pen of Crosses from Wester Craiglands, Fortrose.
The June Agricultural Census 2024 shows a drop in the numbers of livestock in Scotland with the long-term trend in declining cattle numbers continuing. In 2024, there were 1.67 million cattle, a decrease of 2.4% when compared with the five year average (2019-2023) and a decrease of 0.9% when compared with 2023.
People are being encouraged to share their views on plans for the future of foster care in Scotland. The consultation, which will help ensure foster care is fit for the future, sets out proposals including more peer support opportunities, and using foster carers to facilitate family time with parents and siblings of children in foster care.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to urge the UK Government to remove the cap on charity lottery sales. Charity lotteries raise money for local, national and international good causes through their ticket sales.
Almost half a million Living Wage workers are set for a pay boost as over 15,000 Living Wage Employers are signed up to pay the new rates. The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate independently calculated based solely on the actual cost of living and is different from the government's National Living Wage, which is the legal minimum employers must pay for over-21s.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (October 23rd) sold 273 store cattle, and 95 OTM cattle. Bullocks (153) averaged 290.6p per kg and sold to 372.0p per kg for a pen of 250kg Limousin crosses from Keil Farm, Ardgour and £1,620 gross for a 650kg Beef Shorthorn cross from Attadale Estate.