This summer, an out-of-this-world experience is set to tour 10 locations across the UK, exciting the next generation about career possibilities within the growing space sector. The UK Space Agency's Space for Everyone tour will showcase the role of space in improving life on Earth and highlight the diverse and varied career paths open to young people looking to enter this fast-growing industry - demonstrating how space works for them, and how they can work for space.
The Scottish Government has published (19 May 2023) the latest report on raising the attainment level in Scottish Schools. The report is lacking in some of the issues that may adversely affect education such as shrinking school budgets and the impact of the cost of living on families.
The Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has written to the Prime Minister calling for detail of the announcements made by the UK Government this week. Ms Gougeon writes: "It is vital...that we receive some more information about any funding announcements described in your letter this week to enable us to gauge the sufficiency, extent and implications of those announcements for the sector and to understand how these apply to Scottish agri-food producers and those of the other devolved governments." The full text of the letter is below.
23 projects receive a share of £2 million as part of the UK Government's ongoing investment in multi-sport facilities in collaboration with the Scottish Football Association. UK Government reaffirms commitment to improving access to high quality facilities and increasing participation in grassroots sports in Scotland.
By Professor Donald Hirsch, Policy Adviser to the Financial Fairness Trust. On April 1st, the government refocused support for living costs back onto the worst-off - those already receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, for which only the lowest-income households qualify.
A wake up call that may affect many of you. Hear from former Chancellor and member of the steering group of the IFS Pensions Review, Alistair Darling, on why we need to take a look at the pensions system.
A new study has shown that Universal Credit is harmful to the mental health of claimants, particularly lone parents. The research, part of the Changing Realities programme, showed that 32% of lone parents on Universal Credit (UC) experience mental health problems, compared to 28% for all adults in receipt of UC.
The Bank looks set to have almost finished the sharpest interest rate tightening cycle since the 1980s. But the switch from variable to longer fixed-rate mortgages has delayed the impact on households, with two-thirds of the eventual £12 billion increase in annual mortgage costs still to be passed on, according to new research published by the Resolution Foundation.
A new course developed by UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to enter the fast-growing and dynamic green economy industry. Starting this September, the HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management course will focus on important activities such as ecology and ecosystems, species and habitat monitoring, conservation, land management and sustainable wildlife management.
UK sanctions 86 individuals and entities, targeting Russia's theft of Ukrainian grain, advanced military technology, and remaining revenue sources. UK sanctions 86 individuals and entities - freezing the assets of those involved with key revenue streams Package includes companies connected to theft of Ukrainian grain, and those involved in shipment of Russian energy.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding employed workers they can claim a refund on work-related expenses directly through GOV.UK. More than 800,000 taxpayers claimed refunds for work expenses during the 2021 to 2022 tax year, but while the average claim was £125, over 70% of claimants missed out on getting the full amount they were due because they used an agent to make their claim instead of claiming directly with HMRC.
The cost of living crisis is often thought of as a cost of energy crisis. That is an understandable, but increasingly inadequate, view.
From The Resolution Foundation. In this essay, part of our Navigating Economic Change series, the authors explore how cities can reverse long-term economic underperformance and move towards a new trajectory, looking at seven cities across five countries that have faced severe economic shocks but managed to break away from the resulting cycles of decline and transition to a more successful development path.
The Scottish Government's Finance Minister today told Parliament that Ministers remain committed to restoring parity with England on the Higher Property Business Rate but will only do so "when affordable". This appears to walk back on the commitment in the 2021 SNP manifesto (p47) and subsequent Scottish Government ‘Framework for Tax' (p21) to restore the level playing field with England on the Higher Property Business Rate "over the course of this Parliament.".
Rising employment and falling economic inactivity drove a big expansion in the workforce in early 2023 - putting aside fears that it had been permanently shrunk by the pandemic. But more recent data showing falling vacancies and the first decline in payrolled employment in over two years, suggest that firms' demand for more workers is cooling, the Resolution Foundation said in response to the latest ONS labour market statistics.
The Scottish Retail Consortium has fired another warning to Scottish Government over the Deposit Return Scheme regulations. The scheme threatens to force some retailers out of the drinks business.
A very revealing article at Insider shows the extent to which Scottish businesses have been snapped up by bigger companies both in England and overseas. The numbers and size of the businesses based in Scotland and now not is surprising and has many implications for employment and perhaps even the Independence cause.
The Chief Statistician has released statistics relating to the 2023 non-domestic rates revaluation. As a result of revaluation, the total rateable value increased by £390 million or 5.36%, compared to that on the day before revaluation took effect.
A new twenty-year plan to secure the world-leading strengths of the UK's semiconductor industry has today (Friday 19 May) been unveiled by the government. National Semiconductor Strategy reveals plan to double down on design, research and advanced chip leadership - securing the UK's position as a global science and technology superpower.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will warn against complacency in defending our values and standing up to autocratic regimes, as he meets G7 leaders in Hiroshima. Prime Minister will focus on redoubling support for Ukraine's defence on the first day of the G7 Summit.
