As the UK government embarks on its reforms of the UK pensions industry, the leader of the largest private sector pension scheme cautioning against excessive government intervention. Carol Young, CEO of the £73 billion Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), supports new disclosure requirements but expresses concern over potential government directives on fund allocation.
Highland councillors last Thursday moved to accept the council tax freeze announced by the SNP/Greens and get more money to compensate. Even with that several cuts are coming to services.
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 9.30am on 6 March on the introduction of energy rebates for Highlands and Islands. The debate will be opened by Drew Hendry MP.
Projects that work with children and families to prevent childhood obesity and reduce health inequalities are benefitting from more than half a million pounds of investment. Ten projects across Scotland will share £538,141.
When the Scottish Government announced its package aimed at convincing councils to freeze council tax rates next year, the noises from councils weren't particularly happy ones. The offer had apparently been upped from the £144 million in the Budget documents to £147 million, which is now quoted as the figure already allocated by the Deputy First Minister.
New plans for public sector productivity will deliver up to £1.8 billion worth of benefits by 2029. New plans for public sector productivity will deliver up to £1.8 billion worth of benefits by 2029.
The Scottish Government unveiled an action-plan to tackle the issue amid growing fears of widespread school closures. Despair about reduced maternity services, potholes and a failure to tackle depopulation has turned to anger in Caithness.
NHS Agenda for Change staff - including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others - will see a reduction of 30 minutes in their working week from April 1 this year. The move follows a recommendation from a working group set up to implement a previous commitment to cut the number of working hours as part of the 2023/24 pay deal.
Thousands of children and young people will benefit from expanded mental health hubs as the government will offer more funding for local communities. Extra funding for early support hubs to help children and young people receive better mental health support across the country 24 hubs will receive a share of almost £8 million.
The probability is that most people whether they voted YES or NO had little information or insight into what the EU did for us. Politicians did little to enlighten everyone so here we are with another poor situation and despite pleas to replace EU funds it is unlikely they will ever be fully replaced for rural areas.
The Chancellor has today (2 March 2024) announced the reforms as a further step in the government's plan to boost business and increase returns for savers. Pension funds to publicly disclose how much they invest in UK businesses compared to those overseas.
Humanitarian emergency funding for displaced people in South Sudan and Ethiopia. International Development Minister Kaukab Stewart has pledged £250,000 in Scottish Government funding for charities responding to the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the impact on refugees in neighbouring countries.
So Highland had its local budget on Thursday and like buses another budget is arriving next week. Here is a podcast with experts talking about what might come with the UK budget.
First and second class stamps prices will both go up by 10 pence from 2 April 2024. All other prices rise by weight and size.
All employers need to be aware that National Living and Minimum Wage rates are increasing on 1 April 2024. Also, the National Living Wage will be extended to workers aged 21 and over (previously only for age 23 and over).
Members of Highland Council on 29 February 2024 have agreed a package of £54.634m savings as part of a three-year strategy to manage an estimated £113m budget gap. £26.079m of these budget savings have been agreed for 2024/25, with further savings in years 2 and 3.
Efforts to disrupt money mule activity and support exploited victims will be strengthened through a new action plan. Efforts to disrupt money mule activity and support exploited victims will be strengthened through a 22 point action plan announced by the Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, today (1 March 2024).
One of the UK's ballistic missile submarines - HMS VICTORIOUS - will be modernised under a new £560 million contract following an agreement with Babcock. £560 million contract awarded for HMS VICTORIOUS maintenance in Plymouth.
The Minister for Defence Procurement met with Scottish apprentices to discussed their positive experiences, ahead of Scottish apprenticeship week. The important role apprentices play in driving innovation in British shipbuilding was recognised during a ministerial visit to key defence sites in Scotland this week.
New patient premium starts to offer dentists cash incentives to take on new NHS patients. From 1 March, dentists to benefit from extra payments for seeing new NHS patients Participating NHS practices to benefit from payments of up to £50 per new patient treated Part of the government and NHS's plan to deliver an additional 2.5 million dental appointments Dental practices will benefit from extra cash for taking on new NHS patients from today (Friday 1 March) in the latest milestone in the government and NHS's plan to make millions more dental appointments available.