The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging retirees to check if they qualify for the benefit. DWP urges pensioners to act quickly and check if they are eligible for Pension Credit by 5 March 2024 Eligible people who claim by this date could secure additional £299 Cost of Living boost Claiming the benefit could also open doors to additional help with housing costs, council tax, and heating bills Hundreds of thousands of pensioners could pocket an extra £299 if they claim Pension Credit in the next 10 days.
Lots of people are hoping to see a tax cut in their payslips after the British government announces its annual budget in March. The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has said he wants to reduce the tax burden on workers, at a time when the country is paying more of the money it makes to the Treasury than at any time since the second world war.
Citizens Advice Charity says it's helping more people than ever who are struggling to pay their energy bill. New research reveals 5.3 million people currently live in households in debt to their supplier.
Two charities will receive £250,000 each from the Scottish Government's international development fund to help address a food crisis in Malawi. The funds being provided to Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) and Christian Aid will be distributed to affected households to help them buy what they need and support the local economy.
Two years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has pledged £8.5 million in humanitarian funding allocations to the Red Cross Movement and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. UK funding will help expand the lifesaving work of the Red Cross Movement and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.
Since 2000, sectors with heavy state intervention have experienced large price rises while competitive markets have experienced price falls. Average consumer prices increased by 80% between 2000 and 2023.
Thousands of offenders on community and suspended sentences will no longer be able to secretly change their name as part of tough new rules to protect the public. Offenders on community-based sentences required to report name changes.
The UK will spend £245 million throughout the next year to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed artillery ammunition for Ukraine. This week marks two years since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and ten years since he first invaded Crimea.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has called for ‘meaningful engagement' with the UK Government over issues impacting Scottish food and drink businesses. Writing on Friday (23 Feb 2024), she again called for a meeting with the UK Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss red tape and labour shortages that are seriously impeding the sector.
On the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the First Minister will attend a service held at Edinburgh Castle in memory of those who have died during the conflict. The event is a collaboration between the Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh, the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Edinburgh Branch and the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Great Britain.
Highland councillors will meet on 29th February 2024 to agree the proposals set out in the papers published today. There has been a long period of public consultation on the proposals and although there are unpalatable suggestions they will balance the books.
Over £100m investment programme proposed as part of 3-year budget Highland council are about to use significant amounts of reserves to cover shortfalls in the budget for 24/25 and possibly 25/26. Despite pushing out big figures it disguises the cuts about to fall on Highland services.
The following report is from Highland council but it does not address the details of what will come in the council papers for them meeting on 29 February 2024. The budget for Highland is expected to be the worst for many years and will involve job cuts, reducing services and as has been already trailed stopping new capital projects such as schools.
Education Committee Members have strongly endorsed the Council's approach to addressing behaviour in schools through informed guidance and the promotion of positive relationships. The Council’s Promoting Positive Relationships guidance pulls together best practice, draws on national guidance, and is well researched in terms of being evidence based.
Energy regulator Ofgem has today (Friday 23 February, 2024) announced a significant reduction of the energy price cap for the second quarter of 2024. The price cap, which sets a maximum rate per unit that can be charged to customers for their energy use, will fall by 12.3% on the previous quarter from 1 April to 30 June 2024.
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland is due to come into effect on 1 April 2025, under proposed legislation published today. The move takes forward the recommendation to ban single use vapes from a consultation on ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping', which ran across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland last year.
Scotland can lead the net zero revolution, using its natural resources, world-class universities and entrepreneurial spirit to build the industries of the future, according to Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan. Ms McAllan said the announcement of a £24.5 million grant to secure Japanese company Sumitomo Electric Industries' investment in a new cable factory for the offshore wind sector at Nigg highlighted how net zero went hand-in-hand with economic growth.
Around £15.8m of income generation could be realised over the next 3 years if ambitious budget proposals are agreed at Highland Council's budget setting meeting on 29 February. Senior Strategic Chair Ken Gowans said: "Our budget saving proposals of £54m over three years are underpinned by the need to invest in change to deliver recurring and sustainable cost reduction, redesign and increased income generation.
The cost of paying for a funeral can cause extra strain for many people at what is a difficult time. Funeral Support Payment provides eligible people with financial support to help pay for a partner, child, parent or sibling's funeral.
The Scottish Government needs to develop a clear national strategy for health and social care to address the pressures on services. Significant changes are needed to ensure the financial sustainability of Scotland's health service.