The amount we spent online rose 2.5% in May, the month of the Coronation. The value of e-commerce sales climbed a majestic 6.7% year-on-year.
The second Islands Forum on the Isle of Wight saw members come together to discuss sustained economic growth on the islands. Second Islands Forum takes place on the Isle of Wight to discuss path to sustainable economic growth Representatives from island communities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have all participated Forum agrees next steps to improve cooperation on skills, with next meeting set for autumn 2023 on connectivity The second Islands Forum on the Isle of Wight saw members come together to discuss sustained economic growth on the islands (Thursday 25 May).
Minister Rutley gave a statement to the Organization of America States in response to the Argentine Government's draft declaration on the Falkland Islands. Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Ministers, Delegates - friends and colleagues.
A refreshed action plan placing sustainability at the centre of the Scottish education system has been launched - including an ambitious commitment to ensure that every school and early learning setting will be sustainable by 2030. Learning for Sustainability features 25 actions, and follows nine months of collaboration with children, young people and their educators.
£350,000 funding to speed up delivery. Life-changing technology that reduces the risk of complications for people with type 1 diabetes will become more widely available thanks to additional funding.
The SLF is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The latest round of SLF approvals across Scotland, announced this week, total £2,700,202.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met and thanked personnel participating in exercise Air Defender 2023 together with the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at Air Base Jagel in northern Germany on Tuesday (20 June 2023). Recalling the importance of air defence, the Secretary General explained this exercise shows "NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, and every inch of Allied airspace".
Four decades of record-breaking progress in fusion energy as the Joint European Torus (JET) turns 40. One of the world's largest and most advanced fusion energy tokamaks turns 40 on Sunday 25 June.
The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Fraser Sampson, wrote to Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP about the the underuse of section 63G statutory powers by police forces. Section 63G of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 allows police to keep DNA and fingerprints for 3 years.
On Friday 23 June 2023 the Chancellor met the UK's principal mortgage lenders and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to agree support for people struggling with mortgage repayments. The latest market indicators (FCA; UK Finance) show that mortgage arrears and defaults remain below pre-pandemic levels, which were themselves extremely low.
Funding to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to work in aviation and support the industry to address sustainability and new technologies. government commits £750,000 to inspire future generations of aviators.
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. Thank you, President.
The Highland Council has appointed a new Chief Executive. The successful candidate is Derek Brown, currently the Deputy Chief Executive with North Lanarkshire Council.
New paper shows scale of damage seven years on. Brexit has limited economic growth, restricted trade, increased food costs and diminished opportunities for young people, according to Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson.
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 21 June 2023, the MPC voted by a majority of 7-2 to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 5%.
The reshaping of health and social care services across Caithness by NHS Highland has taken another major step forward with the appointment of a design team. Hub North Scotland, the community infrastructure specialists working with NHS Highland on the project, have appointed three leading consultants to design two new community hub and care villages in Wick and Thurso.
The views of teachers will be key to Scotland's education reform journey, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has said, as a major report on qualifications and assessment is published. Professor Louise Hayward's report following her Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment (IRQA) recommends reform of the current senior school phase, including the creation of a new Scottish Diploma of Achievement (SDA).
This publication summarises intelligence gathered between mid-April and late May. The Agents' scores published alongside this document generally represent developments over the past three months compared with the same three months a year ago.
Today Thursday 22 June 2023, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England decided whether to increase the base rate once again to 5% after 12 consecutive rate rises from 0.1% in December 2021 to 4.5% last month. With last month's publication of inflation rates showing a slower decline than had been expected, and last Tuesday's earnings figures showing continued strength, many banks have increased mortgage rates again in recent weeks, in anticipation of the MPC raising the base rate further.
New conditions for farming support payments will be introduced from 2025, to help more of Scotland's farmers and crofters cut emissions and help tackle climate change. The criteria will also support farmers and crofters to meet more of our food needs sustainably, and farm and croft while working to protect nature.
