People's confidence in the UK's economic outlook improved towards the end of 2023, despite continuing to battle a cost-of-living crisis. Although it has strengthened over the year to December, "consumer sentiment" as this confidence is called, is still in negative territory.
The new ITV drama about the Post Office Horizon IT scandal is an incredibly important vehicle for getting the story of what is increasingly recognised as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British history into public consciousness. However, viewers might find themselves with one looming unanswered question as they watch: how could this persist, at such a scale, for so long?.
British acting royalty Toby Jones stars as Alan Bates in brand new drama 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office' and joins the Graham Norton Radio Show with Waitrose to chat all about the remarkable true story at the heart of the scandal..
It is still unbelievable how long this scandal has been going on. 17th August 2015 Part 1 - the second part, following the outcome of the trials, was due to air on March 23 2020 but was replaced by a Covid 19 programme.
Around 5 million households have seen their mortgage interest rate change since the Bank of England base rate started to rise in late 2021. Over the course of the 2023 alone, the base rate increased from 3.5% to 5.25%, surpassing economists' expectations and pushing mortgage rates to the highest levels since 2008.
Changes to the UK mortgage market and improving household balance sheets, including ‘forced saving' during the pandemic, have helped to deliver an unprecedented £16 billion household income boost from higher interest rates, according to new research published on Friday 5 January 2024 by the Resolution Foundation. The latest Macroeconomic Policy Outlook examines the impact of the Bank of England's recent rate-rising cycle between December 2021 and August 2023, when interest rates increased from 0.1 to 5.25 per cent, on household balance sheets and incomes.
German energy company RWE has confirmed plans to start construction work on a third Scottish onshore wind farm site this year as part of a £6.9bn investment programme across the UK. The 63 megawatts Strathy Wood project in Caithness is the latest to begin full construction, with pre-construction work now underway.
The Highland Council can confirm that in a final attempt to reform the 30 Community Councils that failed to form in 2023, a Notice of Election will go live on Monday 15 January. Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (January 3 rd ) sold 10 Prime Cattle. Prime Bullocks (5) averaged 284.1p per kg (+8.8p) and sold to 292.0p per kg and £1,789.20 gross.
The Highlands and Islands have the potential to be a world-class cycling destination. With cycling tourism valued at an estimated £37bn to the European economy, there is a significant opportunity for the region to benefit from this growing market.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
About this release This weekly release by Public Health Scotland presents epidemiological information on respiratory infection activity, including COVID-19, across Scotland. Due to the dynamic nature of all datasets included in this report, figures contained within each update may be subject to change in future releases.
Protecting and enhancing nature and improving animal welfare are the key aims of proposed changes to deer management legislation. It is estimated there are around 1 million wild deer in Scotland, up from around 500,000 in 1990.
2024 is going to be a more important year than ever for industry CEOs and business owners to measure their carbon footprint and implement carbon mitigation strategies. The message to owners of all sizes of business, whatever sector they operate in, is to make this the year they start their journeys to net zero.
Customers with electric vehicles will have better access to charging points to support their journeys when ScotRail introduces charges from 8 January 2024. The train operator is reminding electric vehicle owners that a charging tariff will be applied to all charging points across the ScotRail parking network.
Researchers developed a process to convert coal into nanoscale carbon dots, ideal for constructing atomically thin electronic devices like transistors and memristors. Coal-derived carbon layers function as excellent insulators in two-dimensional devices, enhancing device speed and reducing energy consumption.
OK Caithness does not have any empty shopping malls but we do have plenty of empty shops. If China's people are changing what they do with shopping centres maybe we can change our town centres.
New frigates unable to be manned unless two existing warships are taken out of service. The Royal Navy has so few sailors that it has to decommission two warships to staff its new class of frigates, The Telegraph can reveal.
Child Benefit claims can be made online for the first time. New parents can now claim Child Benefit online for the first time since it was launched 47 years ago, helping millions of families with the cost of raising their children, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced.
Organisations that support victims of crime have been awarded a total of £405,451 from a fund financed by penalties imposed on offenders who received a court fine. Eight organisations - including Victim Support Scotland, Dumbarton District Women's Aid, Migrant Help, The Moira Fund, The Manda Centre, Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTiS), Action Against Stalking and Dundee Women’s Aid – will share the funding to provide practical help directly to victims.
