News Archive

11/9/2024

Real Wage Growth Gave Workers A Welcome Income Boost This Summer, And Pensioners Will Get One Next Spring

Pay growth is weakening as the labour market continues to cool.   But falling inflation means that workers still received a welcome real-terms income boost this summer, while pensioners will get one next spring too, as today's earnings data is set to drive a £460 a year increase in the full rate of the new State Pension via the Triple Lock, the Resolution Foundation said on Tuesday 10 September 2024.  

11/9/2024

Construction Output In Great Britain - July 2024

Monthly construction output is estimated to have decreased 0.4% in volume terms in July 2024; this follows an increase of 0.5% in June 2024.   The decrease in monthly output came from falls in both new work (0.2%) and repair and maintenance (0.7%).  

10/9/2024 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
John O'Groats Marks 15 Years Of Remarkable Transformation

The transformation at John O'Groats has attracted millions of pounds in investment through private, public and community-led initiatives.   Monday 9 September 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of a masterplan that has helped to transform John O'Groats from ‘Carbuncle of the Year' to a thriving visitor attraction.  

10/9/2024

 
How Does The UK State Pension Compare To The Rest Of Europe?

A few politicians are now claiming on the Winter Heating allowance that UK pensioners have had big pension rises and that is why the Labour government can takeback the allowance.   However UK pensions still trail far behind many European countries.  

10/9/2024

The Best UK Towns And Cities For Job Opportunities

o discover which locations in the UK have the best job opportunities, Ciphr ranked 100 of the most populous towns and cities in the country based on factors like average salary, wage growth, employment rate growth, unemployment rate, job listings, and the number of businesses.   House prices and rental costs were also included in the analysis to reflect the city's affordability and cost of living, as were life satisfaction and happiness scores (from the Office for National Statistics) to show the population's general level of wellbeing.  

10/9/2024

 
Why Is Labour Picking On Pensioners? - Richard Murphy

Of all the groups in society anyone expected Labour to pick on when it came into office, pensioners were the least likely excepting perhaps, children in poverty.   Now it turns out they are the two groups Labour thinks should pay the price for the mess that Labour claims it has inherited from the Tories.  

10/9/2024 : Auctioneers

Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd - Sale 9 September 2024

DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (September 9th) sold 3,075 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual sale.   Highland Mule gimmers (671) averaged £223.08 and sold to £265 gross from Ballindalloch Home Farm.  

10/9/2024 : Local Authority

Boosting Scotland's Planning System

Specialist expertise will be utilised to help boost development and green energy opportunities in Scotland.   The Planning Hub will support planning authorities to improve their resourcing, skills and capacity to deliver planning determinations promptly.  

10/9/2024

Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax And Employer National Insurance Reforms Pass Triple Tax Test And Raise Over £20 Billion Towards Avoiding Damaging Cuts To Public Services

Reforms to Inheritance Tax (IHT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and employer National Insurance (NI) could raise over £20 billion a year, and still pass a 'Triple tax test' of improving tax efficiency.  This ensures that tax rises fall on those with the broadest shoulders and not break manifesto commitments, according to new Resolution Foundation research published today Tuesday 10 September 2024.  

10/9/2024

Tuesday - The Abolition Of The Winter Heating Allowance Will Hit Every Local Business In The Country

On the face of it the abolition of the Winter Heating allowance mainly hits pensioners What few seem to have realised is that pensioners who spend most of their income will have to save up to £300 to put towards their energy bills.   This will affect other spending from pensioners who often shop locally.  

10/9/2024

 
Revenue And Reform What Tax Changes Could - And Should - We See In Autumn Budget 2024?

Ahead of Autumn Budget 2024, this report explores some of the tax policy choices that may face the new Chancellor, and sets out what reforms could best raise revenue while also improving the design of the tax system.   There are many good reasons to expect a range of tax policy changes at this Budget.  

10/9/2024

Government Action To Tackle The Greatest Employment Challenge For A Generation

Spiralling economic inactivity to be addressed as new Labour Market Advisory Board launched to advise Government on getting Britain working again.   Hundreds of thousands more people out of work due to long-term sickness since the pandemic.  

10/9/2024

 
The Bank Of England Needs Reform - Richard Murphy

The Bank of England, and most especially its Monetary Policy Committee, have imposed misery on the UK over the past couple of years for absolutely no reason.   If ever there was a reason for the Bank to be independent of the government, it has long gone.  

10/9/2024

 
Average Weekly Earnings In Great Britain - September 2024

Annual growth in employees' average regular earnings (excluding bonuses) was 5.1%; growth was last lower than this in April to June 2022, when it was 4.7%.   Annual growth in total earnings (including bonuses) was 4.0%; this total growth rate is affected by the NHS and civil service one-off payments made in June and July 2023.  

10/9/2024

Point Elderly People To - Benefits And Financial Support If You're On A Low Income

Although the winter Heating Allowance may be cancelled in the parliament today Scottish Government has already said it will follow the same path) there are still several places to check for anyone on a low income for more help.   Forms and be long and seem complicated or daunting but with a little effort you can get through them.  

10/9/2024

The Winter Heating Allowance Is The Least Of It - As Much Worse Will Hit Everyone With Price Hikes In October And January 2025

Unit prices for gas will increase by 14% in October 2024 and electricity by 10%.  Standing charges will increase very slightly.  

10/9/2024

 
TV Loses Its Crown As Main Source For News

Television is no longer the single main source of news for UK adults, as Ofcom research shows online sites and apps are now as popular as TV news for the first time.   TV has been considered the leading source of UK news since the 1960s, when widespread set ownership saw it overtake radio and newspapers.  

10/9/2024

 
Vacancies And Jobs In The UK - September 2024

The estimated number of vacancies in the UK in June to August 2024 was 857,000, a decrease of 42,000 or 4.7% from March to May 2024.   Vacancy numbers decreased on the quarter for the 26th consecutive period in June to August 2024, with vacancies decreasing in all 18 industry sectors.  

10/9/2024

PwC Plans To Track Employees' Working Locations In Hybrid Crackdown - But Is This The Best Approach?

With more firms looking to tighten their office attendance rules, People Management asks experts if this strategy will work in practice.   Professional services giant PwC has informed its staff that it will begin tracking their working locations amid a change to its hybrid working policy that places greater emphasis on in-person work.  

10/9/2024

 
Earnings And Employment From Pay As You Earn Real Time Information UK - September 2024

Early estimates for August 2024 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 0.4% compared with August 2023, a rise of 122,000 employees.   This annual increase was largest in the health and social work sector, a rise of 139,000 employees.