May to July 2023 estimates show a decrease in the employment rate compared with the previous quarter (February to April 2023) while the unemployment and economic inactivity rates increased. The UK employment rate was estimated at 75.5%, 0.5 percentage points lower than the previous quarter and 1.1 percentage points lower than before the pandemic (December 2019 to February 2020).
Early estimates for August 2023 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 1.5% compared with August 2022, a rise of 449,000 employees; the number of payrolled employees was up by 3.9% since February 2020, a rise of 1,120,000. Payrolled employment decreased by 1,000 employees (0.0%) in August 2023 when compared with July 2023, though this should be treated as a provisional estimate and is likely to be revised when more data are received next month.
DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (September 11th) sold 3,406 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual sale. Highland Mule gimmers (878) averaged £186.01 and sold to £250 gross for the 1st Prize pen from Mountrich Farm, Dingwall.
Businesses across Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney aiming to enter the rapidly expanding offshore renewable energy sector can apply to a regional Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme for the first time today (Tuesday). The industry leading F4OR supply chain growth programme will be delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, and supported by £125,000 from offshore wind developer, the West of Orkney Windfarm.
The biggest employment fall (down 207,000) outside of a recession on record offers the clearest sign yet that rising interest rates are cooling the labour market, but the recent pay spike will cause a headache for the Government by increasing the cost of the Triple Lock, the Resolution Foundation said today (Tuesday). The latest labour market data showed a big fall in employment and further falls in job vacancies (now below a million for the first time in two years) alongside rising unemployment (up 159,000 on the quarter) and economic inactivity (up 62,000).
Today's official earnings growth announcement from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) could cement a second bumper state pension increase in a row in 2024. The ‘triple-lock' guarantees the state pension rises by the highest of average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5% each year.
There's been a fall in the number of ships queuing to use the drought-stricken Panama Canal. However, there are still restrictions on how many ships are allowed through the canal per day and how much vessels can carry.
An announcement by the Lord Advocate, that it would not be in the public interest for people using a pilot Safer Drug Consumption room to face prosecution for possession within the facility, has been welcomed by the Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham. Dorothy Bain KC's indication that she would issue a public statement of prosecution policy removes an obstacle to establishing the first official Safer Drug Consumption Facility in the UK.
Almost 400 of Scotland's tech start-up businesses have been supported during the first year of the Techscaler programme. A total of 387 fledgling firms received assistance from the £42 million Scottish Government project - the most comprehensive of its kind in Europe - which provides free mentoring and advice to early stage business owners.
Proposed reforms to council tax in Scotland would further reduce regressivity but should go further, and the issue of revaluation is ducked yet again. In 2017, the Scottish Government increased the relative tax rates (termed ‘tax relativities') applied to properties in bands E-H by between 7.5% and 22.5% in an effort to raise revenues and reduce the regressivity of council tax.
Bi-annual fiscal events "have become an engine for an over-proliferation of measures, generating instability and confusion." Paul Johnson in the Times. You may not have marked it in your diary yet, but the big news for us fiscal nerds is that we now know the date of this year's autumn statement (November 22, since you ask).
Six ground-breaking projects including an investigation looking at how endometriosis impacts women in the workplace have been awarded £12.4 million, the government has announced today, Tuesday 12 September 2023. £12.4 million awarded to six innovative new projects to understand barriers to getting into work.
UHI North, West and Hebrides is celebrating its launch as Scotland's newest college following the merger of UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland. UHI North, West and Hebrides will create an anchor institution connecting rural and island communities through distinctive education and research shaped by the culture, location, and landscapes of the North and West Highlands, Skye, and Outer Hebrides.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch signs UK-Italy export and investment partnership boosting UK exports, help create jobs, increase wages and grow the economy. Kemi Badenoch signs UK-Italy export and investment partnership on visit to Rome - the first such partnership between the UK and any EU country.
Government and industry funding to significantly upgrade truck stops for lorry drivers and support recruitment and workforce retention in England. lorry drivers will enjoy better rest areas and more secure parking thanks to nearly £8 million awarded to 39 roadside facility operators across England.
Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth sails from Portsmouth for her autumn deployment. Britain's flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sails this week from Portsmouth as she heads north to lead a Carrier Strike Group deployment alongside ships from partner nations.
The UK Hydrographic Office has donated survey equipment and cartographic software to Ukraine to support safer navigation in the area and keep waters safe. The UK Hydrographic Office, an agency of the MoD, has donated £1.6 million worth of equipment to the State Hydrographic Service of Ukraine, helping to keep the seas around Ukraine safe and support commercial shipping amid ongoing Russian attacks.
DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (September 8th) sold 6,629 Store lambs. Cheviot Wedder Lambs (983) averaged £58.31 and sold to £100 gross from Bogburn Farm, Duncanston.
DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (September 7th) sold 11,117 Store lambs. Cheviot wedder lambs (8,441) averaged £58.04 and sold to £96 gross from 6/7 Badralloch, Garve.
Inspections carried out by local authorities have shown that, at present, there are 16 council areas which have identified schools as containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Local authorities have responsibility to ensure schools are safe for pupils, staff and all their users, and are carrying out inspections of school buildings to identify the presence of RAAC.
