Ofcom's survey suggests Northern Ireland follows local news more than anywhere else in the UK. Almost two-thirds (65%) of UK adults follow local news in their area - and social media is the most common way they do so, according to the latest data from Ofcom.
Back in September, Fraser of Allender published some initial findings on the disability employment gap in Scotland, in collaboration with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). This blog looked at the ways in which the gap in employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people has changed since 2014, finding that Scotland has lower rates of employment for disabled people compared to the rest of the UK.
The handling of the Post Office scandal has wider lessons for government. The Post Office scandal has been reported on for years, but only now has it gripped the attention of the public - and politicians.
Real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have fallen by 0.2% in the three months to November 2023, compared with the three months to August 2023. Monthly GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.3% in November 2023, following an unrevised fall of 0.3% in October 2023.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission chairman Professor Graeme Roy and other officials gave evidence to Holyrood's Social Justice Committee on Thursday. They referred to their recent forecast report produced around the Scottish Budget.
Latest phase of "Miecznik" programme to get underway in Poland Three major UK defence companies will help build state-of-the-art multi-mission frigate fleet. "A major vote of confidence in our world-class expertise" - UK Investment Minister.
Following the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which aired on January 1 2024, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak stated he intends to introduce legislation to ensure those convicted as a result of the Post Office scandal are "swiftly exonerated and compensated". Meanwhile, a petition calling for former Post Office boss Paula Vennells to be stripped of the CBE awarded in 2019 - for services to the Post Office - reached more than a million signatures in the days after the documentary aired.
Commenting on the latest ONS GDP data, James Smith, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation, said: "The economy grew more strongly than expected between October and November, driven by a recovery in our services sector including strong black Friday retail sales and a high performing ICT sector, making it less likely Britain will fall into recession. "The final verdict on 2023 will come next month, but it is essential that Britain builds some economic momentum in 2024." Read ONS GDP data report HERE.
How much money is there in the world? - Tsubame, aged ten, London If we want to add up how much money there is in the world, a good place to start would be counting all the notes and coins out there - in people's wallets and money boxes and in cash machines. Let's start with pounds.
The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted the US Treasury Department to impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia, to hold it "accountable for its premeditated and unprovoked invasion". The aim was to prevent Russia from "propping up its rapidly depreciating currency by restricting global supplies of the ruble and access to reserves that Russia may try to exchange to support the ruble".
Tech giants including X (then known as Twitter) and Facebook owner Meta announced thousands of job cuts globally in 2022 and 2023, as did other firms like entertainment company Disney, consultancy firm KPMG and phone company Vodafone. And let's not forget those making redundancies as a result of company collapses such as UK retailer Wilko.
It is worse than ever you might think. Once you begin to read more of the details about how the Post Office covered up and used all of their power and money (taxpayers money) to flatten claimants and reduce payouts.
Auditors have found unacceptable use of public funds by senior officials at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. The Commission is the economic regulator of Scottish Water.
Tight safeguards on XL Bully dogs are to be introduced in Scotland to make it a criminal offence to own the breed without an exemption certificate. The legislation will mirror what has been introduced by the UK Government in England and Wales, and prevent Scotland from becoming a ‘dumping ground' for this breed.
The Prime Minister will reiterate the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine in a visit to the capital Kyiv today. Prime Minister to visit Kyiv today [Friday] to set out a major new package of support and reaffirm the close UK-Ukraine partnership Rishi Sunak will increase military funding for Ukraine next financial year to £2.5 billion, supporting largest ever commitment of drones The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy will also sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant yesterday held a Scottish Parliament debate on the loss of banking services across rural Scotland. This week the MSP debated, in the Scottish Parliament Chamber, the proposed Bank of Scotland axe of mobile banking branches across 50 locations in Scotland including many in the Highlands and Islands.
Projects from the Borders to the Outer Hebrides are being awarded grants of up to £5,000 to help to promote food products from their region and establish new markets. Food festivals, food and drink trails, markets and online shops are among the 22 local and collaborative projects to receive support from the latest round of the Scottish Government's Regional Food Fund.
The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
First Minister Humza Yousaf has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling on joint working to ensure a UK-wide approach. The letter asks to exonerate those wrongly convicted of criminal offences as a result of the Post Office Horizon IT system.
Five local organisations to benefit from the 2023/24 Highland Nature Restoration Fund as further approvals are announced. Five organisations have been awarded funding from the second round of the 2023/24 Highland Nature Restoration Fund.
