Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work & Energy is at the heart of the Scottish Government's ambition to build a stronger, fairer, and greener economy, which meets the needs of Scotland's people and places. This portfolio is responsible for employment and jobs, energy and offshore wind, digital strategy and connectivity, international trade and investment, and the funding of Scotland's enterprise agencies, VisitScotland and the Scottish National Investment Bank.
The NHS Recovery, Health & Social Care portfolio is responsible for supporting our health and social care services as they continue to recover from the pandemic, and ensuring an effective, efficient and sustainable health and social care system that is fit for Scotland's future. It seeks to improve health and wellbeing at all stages of life, supporting infant, maternal health and the ageing population by preventing ill health, promoting healthier active lifestyles, reducing health inequalities and pursuing our national mission on drugs.
Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands supports Scotland's agriculture, forestry, fishing and aquaculture sectors, the food and drink sector, land reform, and promotes the protection and restoration of our land and seas, particularly peatland. The portfolio's responsibilities are diverse, and include farming and food production, animal and plant health and welfare, rural and island communities, land reform, food and drink, crofting, forestry, peatland, natural capital, fishing and aquaculture.
We are prioritising our budget towards our aim to ensure excellence and equity in education and skills, including reducing the poverty-related attainment gap and to support our wider national mission to tackle child poverty. This portfolio's responsibilities include support for children and families plus early learning and childcare, school and post-school education.
Couple sentenced for abusing Covid loan then dissolving their company. Liverpool directors closed their company after moving Bounce Back Loan money into family bank accounts.
As an American living in Britain in the 1990s, my first exposure to Christmas pudding was something of a shock. I had expected figs or plums, as in the "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" carol, but there were none.
Sellafield's newly-opened Direct Import Facility receives first box of historical nuclear waste, paving the way for clean-up of one of the site's oldest buildings. One of the biggest challenges at Sellafield is the need to remove historical nuclear waste from its legacy ponds and silos and place it into safe, modern stores.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies Pensions Review report sets out key challenges for the UK's state pension system and suggests a way forward for the future. In this major report of the Pensions Review, led by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in partnership with the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, we consider the role of the state pension in the UK pension system, analyse the key challenges for future generations of pensioners and set out policies that would improve the current system.
Moneyfacts Unsecured Lending Trends Treasury Report data, which studies the UK personal finance market (Credit Cards, Personal Loans and Overdrafts), reveals the cost to borrow on credit cards hit a record high during Q4 2023. The average length of 0% introductory balance transfer terms contracted to the lowest recorded in over eight years.
The UK is to implement a new import carbon pricing mechanism by 2027 to support the decarbonisation drive. imports of iron, steel, aluminium, ceramics and cement from overseas will face a comparable carbon price to those goods produced in the UK.
The government has today announced that circa £138m has so far been paid out to over 2,700 claimants across the three Post Office compensation schemes. New data reveals 27 overturned conviction claimants from Horizon Scandal have agreed full and final settlements.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove sets out £64 billion funding package for councils to deliver vital services. A funding package worth over £64 billion to support councils in England to deliver frontline services has been announced today (Monday 18th December) by the Levelling Up Secretary.
A report from the Institute for Fiscal Services. We examine financial help from family to first-time buyers, quantifying this help and studying its role in homeownership and wealth inequalities.
The Service Centre will close at 4pm on 22 December, re-opening on 27, 28 and 29 December (opening times 10am to 4pm). It will be closed on 1 and 2 January and open 8am to 5pm from 3 January 2024.
As rumours ripple around the internet another increase in income tax rates for higher rate payers it is worth noting that marginal rates already hit many more than you would think. The Fraser of Allender already laid out the issue recently.
The 2024-25 Scottish Budget will set out targeted funding for the Government's key missions of equality, community and opportunity amid a profoundly challenging financial situation, Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary Shona Robison has said. Tomorrow (Tuesday 19th December) Ms Robison, who is also Finance Secretary, will outline the Scottish Government's financial priorities for 2024-25.
Around a million homes will be made warmer and hundreds of business supported, as £6bn is allocated to cut energy use and bills. Around a million homes will be made warmer, with £6bn allocated to cut energy use and bills.
From the Government Actuary Department. Accounting is an essential part of the UK government's financial management.
On 21st November 2023 Shona Robison outlined a huge range of cuts and savings. The trend was set but tomorrows budget will almost certainly add to the woes.
More than 42,000 jobs supported by Scotland's renewable energy sector, our new report finds. Scotland's renewable energy industry and its supply chain supported more than 42,000 jobs and generated over £10.1 billion of output in 2021.