Minister for Pensions Emma Reynolds addressed an audience at the ABI ‘Pension Investment: Where Next?' event on Thursday 3 October. Thank you for that kind introduction, and good morning everybody.
Young people across the country are being called upon to put their cyber skills to the test in the new UK Cyber Team Competition, offering them the chance to represent the UK on the world stage and kickstart a career in cyber security. New search opens for 18-to 25-year-olds to represent the UK Cyber Team in global competitions, Young people will get hands-on experience, training, and mentorship to launch careers in cyber security.
The UK Government's decision to introduce means testing for the Winter Fuel Payment must be reversed, according to MSPs. Following a debate as part of Challenge Poverty Week, the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of a motion that the UK Government reverse its decision to restrict entitlement to the benefit.
I've been accused of repeating myself on this YouTube channel. And that's true.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October 4th) sold 180 rams at its Annual Show and Sale of Blackface Rams kindly sponsored by HBS Ring Limited and PK Nutrition ably judged by Miss S Tinney, Glenavon Estate. The Overall Champion was a shearling from A & J, Nairn, Clashnoir realising £1,200.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will return to Norway to host the Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor 2025. The Scottish aquaculture supply chain is invited to register their interest to exhibit as part of the pavilion or join the wider Scottish delegation.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October 4th) sold 2,502 store sheep at their sale of Blackface and Cross ewes, gimmers, and ewe lambs. Ewe Lambs (96) sold to £260 for a pen of Blackfaces from Mill of Towie, Keith.
On the face of it Pension Credit and the other allowances that may open up help the individuals or couples. But let us take another look at it.
Alice - "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?". "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to." Alice: "If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense.
Aarons of Wick Ltd informed The Highland Council at lunchtime on Friday 4 October that with immediate effect they were unable to continue to operate any school or public service journeys which require a full-size bus. The Council has sourced replacement services from Dunnetts Transport for the Reay - Thurso and Bower – Castletown – Thurso services.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies issued a new report on the reform of capital gains tax yesterday, some parts of which are welcome. Firstly, they suggested that the reform of capital gains tax is important whether or not it raises additional revenue because the existing system is unfair in itself.
Communities across the country will benefit from brand new, state-of-the-art green buses. £500 million investment announced to deliver 1,200 UK-made zero emission buses, ensuring greener and better journeys for passengers.
The Guardian newspaper reports (7 October 2024) that Rachel Reeves may not move to reduce tax reliefs on pension contributions. Rachel Reeves has decided not to raise tax on pensions contributions in this month's budget, after public sector unions warned that doing so would hurt their members.
The idea that government surpluses are good because they create piles of cash waiting to be spent in the event of a national emergency is absurd. All money paid in tax is cancelled on receipt by the government.
The UK population at mid-year 2023 was estimated to be 68.3 million, an increase of 1.0% since mid-2022. The population grew faster in England and in Wales (both 1.0%) than in Scotland (0.8%) or Northern Ireland (0.5%).
Science Secretary launches new Regulatory Innovation Office today to speed up public access to new technologies. Regulatory Innovation Office to reduce the burden of red tape and speed up access to new technologies that improve our daily lives - from AI in healthcare to emergency delivery drones.
The SIN Canada team organized a mission to the UK to deepen collaboration in the field of AI compute and gain insights into the UK's supercomputing landscape. The race for supercomputing power is heating up globally, with nations recognizing its pivotal role in training the next generation of AI models.
As cybercriminals increasingly turn to artificial intelligence to execute complex fraud schemes, the financial sector finds itself in a high-stakes battle to protect its customers and assets. New data from the 2024 report Battle Against AI-Driven Identity Fraud by Signicat reveals that AI-driven fraud now constitutes 42.5% of all detected fraud attempts in the financial and payments sector, marking a critical turning point for cybersecurity in the financial industry.
Wick Harbour has been awarded £450,000 from the Marine Fund Scotland for Harbour Woks needed following recent storms. First Minister John Swinney has confirmed that 67 projects will share a total of £14 million in support from the latest round of Marine Fund Scotland.
A series of workshop-based projects are helping ten local areas across the North Highlands pioneer a community-first visitor-second approach to tourism. Following the success of the pilot, the organisers are keen to hear from other communities across the North Highlands who want to use this tailored approach to make tourism work better for them.