Covering the four weeks 28 July 2024 - 24 August 2024 According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data: Total UK footfall decreased by 0.4% in August (YoY), up from -3.3% in July. High Street footfall decreased by 0.3% in August (YoY), up from -2.7% in July.
With Labour having won the UK election, there has been much talk about future tax plans. Keir Starmer insists the party's priority is economic growth, but many believe it will have to raise taxes to shore up the public finances.
A £5.9m project to create a new whisky distillery within the former derelict Mill at Castletown in Caithness has secured a £250,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Dunnet Bay Distillers Limited (DBDL) is leading the project, which will create 13 jobs.
Police Scotland's North Safety Camera Unit are now operating average speed cameras on the A836 between Reay and Thurso with offences being progressed from Monday 2nd September. In partnership with the Scottish Safety Camera Programme and the Highland Council, the location was identified as having speed concerns and increased traffic volumes, both of which are potential ongoing road safety challenges.
The Highland Council's in-house bus team is delighted to announce that they have taken delivery of two new double decker buses which are already out on the road providing transport as part of the fleet of council-run buses. Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans visited the depot to see the new vehicles and to find out how the expansion of the in-house fleet is helping to provide bus services to communities.
The Resolution Foundation has produced the sixth annual Living Standards Outlook. It provides an assessment of incomes, poverty and inequality as things stand in 2024-25, and projections up to 2029-30 using economic forecasts and policy assumptions inherited by the new Government.
Artificial intelligence is in our homes, phones, schools and workplaces. What does this even mean? Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong answer the questions we're all asking about AI.
All under 18s who were previously detained in YOI Polmont have now been moved into secure care settings. New regulations came into force on 28 August and as of that date, there will be no new admissions of children under 18 to YOIs.
The Institute for fiscal Studies takes a look at the latest shock n spending for immigrants and its a big shock. The Home Office has repeatedly spent far more than budgeted for asylum, border, visa and passport operations in recent years.
Read his from Scottish Government issued today. Do the first and last sentences add up.
Rachel Reeves has announced plans to means test the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners - but with many elderly people set to miss out while still on lower incomes, it could cause headaches for the government when MPs return to parliament. The decision by the new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe the £300 Winter Fuel Payment for 10 million pensioners forever is probably the biggest domestic headache for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as MPs return to Westminster from their summer holidays this week.
A survey (See link below) has suggested that young people in the UK are much more dissatisfied with their lives than equivalent teenagers are in other countries. Could it be that our economic model is depriving them of hope, opportunity and the chance of well-being? The report commented on by Richard Murphy is The Good Childhood Report 2024.
Millions of vulnerable people to receive help this winter as the Work and Pensions Secretary extends the Household Support Fund. £421 million boost for local authorities in England to help people most in need with the cost of their energy, food and water, with £79 million for devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Fiona Duncan, Fiona Grant, Fiona Malcolm, Alison Clark and Finlay MacDonald have been appointed as Chief Officers with The Highland Council. Convener of the Council Cllr Bill Lobban said: "Congratulations to all three Fiona's, Alison and Finlay on their appointments to Chief Officers.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to launch Pension Credit Week of Action to boost take-up of vital benefit Joining forces with charities, broadcasters and a range of partners, the campaign will encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply. Up to 880,000 pensioners could be missing out on this cash boost worth on average up to £3,900 per year.
This poster has all the hallmarks of the current Labour government policy that more pain is coming for all of us. Have they forgotten a poster that Labour issued in 1929.
The UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) enters into force today, allowing businesses on both sides to benefit from quicker and cheaper trade. UK and Ukrainian businesses set to benefit as UK-Ukraine digital trade deal enters into force today.
Researchers across the UK to use latest tech and major data bank to provide better flood and drought warnings. Researchers across the UK to use latest tech and major data bank to better predict where devastating floods and droughts will strike innovators will also pioneer new ways of tackling the worst of extreme weather to halt damage and cut eye-watering cost to the economy.
Economics always seems to be written from the perspective of the City of London. Even Labour now seems to only exist to serve its interests.
Ok this video is 48 minutes but it does point out a lot of things wrong with the Starmer/Reeves approach so far. Prof.