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.
Proposed legislation to ensure children receive age-appropriate justice and support has passed its first parliamentary stage, in a vital step towards Keeping the Promise. The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill contains measures to improve children's experiences of Scotland's care and justice systems.
The new technology will help diagnose patients more quickly for conditions such as cancers, strokes and heart conditions. NHS Trusts will be able to bid for funding to accelerate the deployment of the most promising AI tools across hospitals to help treat people more quickly this winter.
The site includes a new Asylum Casework Hub and will help clear the legacy asylum backlog by the end of 2023. Five hundred new, high quality jobs will be created at a new Home Office hub in Stoke-on-Trent, which the Home Secretary Suella Braverman opened on Thursday 22 June.
Upgrade work was required to the primary cold trap loop (PCTL) vessel before it could be used on the next stage of decommissioning. Dounreay's prototype fast reactor decommissioning team is in the process of connecting up the reactor vessel and pipework to water vapour nitrogen (WVN) treatment skids, which will destroy the residual sodium in the system, and enable it to be dismantled safely.
UK Government displays support for Scotland's vital agriculture, food, drink and farming sectors, at the show which got underway on Thursday 22 June 2023. Scotland Office and Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs ministers met a wide range of stakeholders, who are helping to deliver our priority of growing the economy.
On 22 June 2023, the Environment Secretary and French State Minister Berangère Couillard launched a Global Roadmap to support companies to contribute to nature recovery. Environment Secretary and French State Minister Berangère Couillard launch Global Roadmap to support companies to contribute to nature recovery.
UKHSA has published its annual flu report for the 2022 to 2023 flu season, the first time flu has been widespread since the COVID-19 pandemic began. New interim analysis from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that excess deaths in England associated with flu infection were higher (14,500) than the average figure (13,500) for the 5 years before the pandemic.
Seagreen Wind Farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables and TotalEnergies, achieved another landmark this week as the 114th and final wind turbine was installed. 76 of the 114 Vestas V164-10.0 MW turbines are now energised at the site, which is located 27km from the Angus coast, now producing more than two thirds of Seagreen's full capacity power to the grid.
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses. This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.
Data insights assist the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in its work to bring in the best bidders for contract. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has used the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) as part of its bidding process to award the contract for a new generation of search and rescue.
HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate rise to 5%. The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 22 June 2023 to increase the Bank of England base rate to 5% from 4.5%.
Local authorities have new powers to reduce the negative impact of fireworks. From today (Thursday 2 June 2023), councils can designate Firework Control Zones that would make it a criminal offence to ignite a firework, or knowingly throw a lit firework in a zone which can include private properties or gardens.
New funding from the UK Space Agency will boost UK-based space technologies, such as harnessing solar power for reusable spacecraft and new propulsion systems. This is the first round of investment from the UK Space Agency's Enabling Technologies Programme, part of the National Space Innovation Programme dedicated to supporting UK companies breaking ground in technologies to enhance spaceflight capabilities.
New tech and war risk insurance support announced for businesses helping Ukraine rebuild after Russia's illegal invasion. UK hosts private companies and international partners at major Ukraine Recovery Conference to discuss how to better support Ukraine's reconstruction.
Top employers working with government at new Skills for Growth conference to address skills shortages and drive economic growth. The government's Skills for Growth conference takes place today (22 June), hosting some of the biggest British and international companies to discuss how we can create a workforce fit for the future and address the urgent recruitment needs of businesses.
Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps and Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko on safeguarding global energy security at URC. "A Russian man with delusions of grandeur.
Scotland's Chief Statistician today released the latest Council Tax Collection Statistics which provide council tax collection figures for Scottish local authorities, up to and including the financial year 2022-23. In 2022-23 for Scotland as a whole, the total amount of council tax billed (after Council Tax Reduction) was £2.837 billion.
A herbicide previously used to control bracken on farms in Scotland, will not be authorised for use this season because of the risks it poses to the environment and human health. The same decision has been taken in Wales.
