The government has introduced a new ban on zombie-style knives and machetes that have no practical use and will give police more powers to seize knives. Machetes and zombie-style knives with no practical use will be banned and police will have more powers to seize them in a bid to crack down on their use in devastating street violence.
July is the second consecutive month in which we have seen a small increase in seasonally adjusted transaction figures. Seasonally adjusted residential transactions are up 1% relative to June, while seasonally adjusted non-residential figures are up 3%.
Government announces changes to rules governing police officers' disciplinary, vetting and performance processes. Police chiefs will chair independent public hearings responsible for removing corrupt officers from their force under new plans to strengthen the police dismissals process announced today (Thursday 31 August).
Scientists and engineers at world-leading UK Atomic Energy Authority's Joint European Torus facility will run its third and final experiments using tritium. The start of the final deuterium-tritium experiments at the Joint European Torus (JET) take place today at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in Culham, Oxfordshire.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise latest Strategy covers a five-year period and details how we will deliver through investment in People, Place, Planet and Prosperity. This five-year strategy sets out an ambition for a greener, fairer and more resilient region.
The latest Government data shows a generally perky July for most business sectors, but transport & storage companies reported gloomier results. The home delivery expert ParcelHero warns transport businesses are the barometer for the economy and July's rosy picture could be masking future problems.
Environmentally conscious SMEs are being offered the chance to reduce their carbon footprint and lower energy bills thanks to a new partnership between Royal Bank of Scotland, the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) and the University of Edinburgh. The free course allows businesses to identify the simple, cost-effective steps they can take to reduce emissions and save on outgoings while also helping the planet at the same time.
The Highland Council are inviting community groups and organisations to apply for Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) to finance capital and revenue projects that will respond to the needs of their local areas and deliver positive impacts. The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is 12pm Friday 8 September 2023.
With the new school term starting, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families to open a Tax-Free Childcare account today to save up to £2,000 per child on their yearly childcare bills. Families can use their Tax-Free Childcare account to pay for any approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries.
Travel and navigation app providers encouraged to ensure new technology offering more streamlined journeys is accessible to all users. Commuters will be able to access easier, cheaper and more personalised journeys, as new guidance is launched for travel apps new code of practice will help ensure navigation apps offer step-free journey options for disabled people and safer travel such as well-lit walking routes.
£341 million investment builds on the government's existing £870 million stake and its plans to rapidly expand nuclear energy in the UK. Government announces measures to speed up preparations for Sizewell C construction.
A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies published on 30 August 2023. The plan applies to England but may have significant affects on the Scottish NHS in the areas of recruitment and pay.
A new partnership with the Post Office will make online government services easier to access. An in-person service for the One Login programme will support people with lower digital skills to verify their identity.
Latest data from the UK Government's Creative Industries Statistics Commentary - August 2023 have shown that: There were 345 claims made for Video Games Tax Relief in relation to the 2021-22 financial year, totalling £189 million of relief. The amount of relief fell by 6% compared to the previous year.
Scotland's onshore GDP remained flat (0.0% change) in June, according to statistics announced today by the Chief Statistician. This follows 0.0% change in May (revised up from -0.2%).
"Tackling them should be near the top of any list of social and economic priorities." Paul Johnson writes in the Times. About one in five working-age adults in the UK is disabled.
Just 9% of Scottish firms agree that the Scottish Government understands the business environment in Scotland, compared to 64% of businesses that disagree according to the latest Fraser of Allander Institute Scottish Business Monitor (SBM) report. Produced in partnership with Addleshaw Goddard, the report on the second quarter of 2023 surveyed over 400 firms from across the Scottish economy in July and August.
This report highlights 10 key facts related to taxes and the public finances that will underlie the fiscal policy challenges and choices faced by citizens and governments in coming decades. It is part of the ‘UK 2040: Options' project, which is exploring policy options to improve outcomes for children born today and reaching adulthood around 2040.
Pick a tax, any tax - That tax almost certainly needs serious reform. It is probably creating large and unjustified distortions to how much people work, how much businesses invest, or to choices people and businesses make over how to allocate their time and resources.
Aleksander Staskiewicz overstated his company turnover in order to secure the taxpayer-backed funds. Aleksander Staskiewicz, 35, from Southampton, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment at Southampton Crown Court on 17 August 2023, for offences contrary to the Fraud Act 2006 and the Companies Act 2006.
