News Archive

1/10/2024

 
People Told To Read Meter As Energy Bills Rise

Billpayers have been urged to give an accurate meter reading as gas and electricity price rises take effect.   A household in England, Wales and Scotland using a typical amount of gas and electricity will now pay £1,717 a year, a 10% rise to the annual bill of £149.  

1/10/2024

Will Rachel Reeves Resort To Fiscal Fiddling

Recently many articles have appeared discussing the national debt situation.   Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies in an article for the Times newspaper outlines the problems.  

1/10/2024

Pension Credit Awareness Advice - Citizens Advice - Wednesday 2 October - Thurso

A message for everyone who may be entitled to Pension Credit!.   On Wednesday 2 October 2024, Caithness CAB is running a Pension Credit Walk-in Clinic between 11 am and 3 pm at our Thurso office.  

1/10/2024

 
Wes Streeting Really Does Want To Privatise The NHS - Richard Murphy

Wes Streeting's plans for the NHS all have one purpose, and that is to increase the role of the private sector and big pharmaceutical companies within it, at cost to us, the patients.   He should not be trusted.  

30/9/2024 : Auctioneers

Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd - Sales Dingwall and Uist 27 September 2024

DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd (September 27th) sold 6,324 Store lambs & feeding sheep.   Lambs (5,539) averaged £62.28 (+£9.24) and sold to £148 gross for a pair of Texel crosses from Salmon Bothy, Rockfield.  

30/9/2024 : Auctioneers

Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Dingwall Sales 24 September 2024

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September 24th) sold 9 Prime Cattle.   Prime Bullocks (2) averaged 312.0p per kg and sold to 314.0p per kg and £1,891.00 gross.  

30/9/2024

 
Earthshot Prize Winners 2024

Every year over the course of this critical decade, five Winners with the best chance of helping to achieve our Earthshots will be awarded £1 million each to scale their solutions, with all 15 Finalists receiving tailored support from our global alliance of partners.   By spotlighting environmental innovators and their solutions, we aim to spark the world's collective imagination and drive the mindset of urgent optimism and action.  

30/9/2024

 
British Beetroot Growers To Put Down Roots In US Market

The UK government has delivered a significant early victory for British farmers, securing access to the US market for UK beetroot growers.   Following extensive talks between the two Governments and trade representatives, this will open new opportunities for British farmers by increasing export opportunities and raising the profile of British beetroot in international markets - and is a springboard to grow the economy and expand UK trade relationships post-Brexit.  

30/9/2024 : Auctioneers

Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Dingwall Sale Cattle 25 September 2024

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (September 25th) sold 988 store cattle, and 175 OTM cattle.   Bullocks (605) averaged 290.2 per kg and sold to 373.4p per kg for a pen of 391kg Limousin crosses from Strone Farm, Banavie and £1,780 gross for a pair of 6615kg Aberdeen Angus crosses from Drummond Farm, Evanton.  

30/9/2024

 
The Great British Festival Is Back In Manila

The British Embassy Manila, the British Chamber of Commerce and British Council Philippines announces the return of the Great British Festival on 19-20 October.   The British Embassy Manila and British Chamber of Commerce, together with British Council Philippines, are excited to announce the return of the Great British Festival - a weekend celebration of British culture, creativity, innovation, and friendship – taking place on 19-20 October.  

30/9/2024

 
Not Good For Your Wealth - Electricity and Gas Price Rise from 1st October

From 1 October to 31 December the price for energy for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit will go up to £1717 per year.   This is an increase of 10% and adds around £12 per month to an average bill.  

30/9/2024

Good For Your Health - Minimum Unit Price Rises From Today - Cost Per Unit Of Alcohol Increases To 65p

The minimum price per unit of alcohol will increase by 15 pence from today.  Cost Per Unit Of Alcohol Increases To 65p.  

30/9/2024

UK Response To The Conclusion Of The Global Coalition's Military Mission In Iraq

The US and Iraq have announced the Global Coalition against Daesh's military mission will draw to a close over the next 12 months.   The US and Iraq have announced the Global Coalition against Daesh's military mission will draw to a close over the next 12 months.  

30/9/2024

 
Ministry Of Defence Analyses Future Global Strategic Trends

The seventh edition of Ministry of Defence's analysis of the long-term future global strategic context and possible futures has been published on 27 September 2024, covering a range of global trends including defence and technological advances.   Well worth a read as it is more about environment than you might expect from a Ministry of Defence report.  

30/9/2024

 
DVLA Digital Service Update Allows Motorists To Tax Vehicle Without Log Book And Tax Reminder Letter

Motorists applying for a duplicate V5C (log book) can now tax their vehicle without needing to wait for their log book to arrive.   DVLA has announced a new service update that allows motorists to tax their vehicle even if they have lost their V5C (log book) and their vehicle tax reminder letter (V11).  

30/9/2024

 
AUKUS Meeting Announces Progress On Nuclear Reactor Training

AUKUS nations will work closely together to boost global security, following the conclusion of a landmark meeting in London.   Hundreds of Australian defence and civilian personnel will be upskilled in nuclear reactor expertise in 2025 by specialist Royal Navy engineers.  

29/9/2024

 
Rosie Duffield MP - The First Labour MP Resigns With Damning Letter To Keir Starmer

Rosie Duffield has been elected for the labour party in three elections.   She has had several fall outs with the leadership in the past.  

29/9/2024

New Growth And Skills Levy Must End Cycle Of Failure To Address Britain's Skills Shortages

The new Growth and Skills Levy must end the cycle of policy failure in addressing Britain's chronic skills shortages.  But the Government must get its design and implementation right if it's to boost the number of apprenticeships after years of decline, and ensure that Levy funds go to young people who need it most, according to new Resolution Foundation research published on Saturday 28 September 2024.  

29/9/2024

 
Pressures On Public Sector Pay

Over a fifth of government spending goes on pay.  The Institute for Fiscal Studies examines recruitment and retention challenges which mean that pressures could mount going forward.  

29/9/2024

Delivering Better Public Services May Require Reforming Public Sector Pay, Not Just Raising It

Each part of the public sector faces its own challenges, but recruitment and retention issues loom large.   The public sector pay bill was £270 billion last year and so even small changes in pay can have large impacts on public spending.