The term "temperate rainforest", or "Celtic rainforest", has rapidly gained public attention in the UK recently. In February 2023, British insurance company, Aviva, awarded £38 million of funding for the restoration of these rainforests.
Fraser of Allender Institute take a hard look at council tax in Scotland now that Scottish Government has consultation out with a view to increasing the higher bands. On Wednesday, the Scottish Government and COSLA released their anticipated (and widely leaked) consultation on Council Tax changes.
An evaluation of a decade long regeneration fund shows major social, economic and environmental benefits across Scotland as well as the creation of more than five thousand jobs. The Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) fund, originally set up using the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), provided commercial loans to infrastructure and energy efficiency projects.
The TRA has launched a survey, aimed at retailers and consumers, to understand the economic impact of tariffs paid on e-bikes imported from China. The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today launched a survey to understand any economic impact of the tariffs paid on e-bikes imported from China.
Government launches new opportunity to launch an exciting career in space engineering. A new degree apprenticeship in space engineering will open up more opportunities for young people to build rewarding careers in the space industry and train up the talent the sector needs to grow, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan announced today (14 July 2023).
This weeks newsletter from The International Consortium of Journalists writes about the unfolding story in Australia involving one of the biggest accounting firms in the world. You can't buy much for a dollar these days but a Sydney private equity firm recently nabbed PwC Australia's government consulting arm for a single Australian dollar, or around 67 U.S.
A significant international framework for Ukraine's long-term security arrangements is expected to be agreed by G7 partners in the margins of the NATO Summit on Wednesday 12 July 2023. UK and G7 allies are expected to agree a new framework for guaranteeing Ukraine's long-term security today, delivering on an ambition the PM set out at the beginning of this year.
The Bank of England has issued a warning that one million households could face a significant rise in mortgage payments, resulting in a monthly increase of £500 by 2026. Homeowners who are refinancing during the latter half of this year can expect their monthly interest payments to rise by approximately £220.
UK businesses and charities are set to benefit from a free interactive guide to help their staff spot and tackle economic abuse when speaking to customers over the phone, Financial Secretary to the Treasury Victoria Atkins announced on Wednesday 12 July 2023. Interactive guide expected to help staff spot and tackle economic abuse.
Almost 1,200 long-term homes are being brought back into use for those fleeing the war in Ukraine through an innovative approach. The Scottish Government's £50 million Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement Fund supports Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords to improve properties that are currently void.
The housing market may go into freefall as mortgage rates become unaffordable for many people. Rate for mortgages hit level not seen for many years and the prospects for house sales looks as if there will be more coming on the market at the same time as mortgages are harder to afford.
Fruit and vegetable growers in Scotland have been given assurance on support over the next two years to help improve the quality, market value and sustainability of their produce. The Scottish Government has allocated up to £6 million over the next two years to extend the Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Newsroom 13 July 2023, 09:50 Group to challenge the norms in tackling housing issue The first meeting of a sub-group set up to address the housing problem facing the Highlands and Islands took place in Inverness on Wednesday 5 July, with members agreeing to challenge the norms and bring about changes that will better support the housing needs of the region. The 12-member sub-group was set up by the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership in recognition of the critical influence the housing crisis is having on businesses and communities across the region.
Councils to share accountability for services. The Scottish Government has reached an initial agreement with local government and the NHS about accountability arrangements for the National Care Service (NCS).
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur signed a joint statement, deepening defence cooperation. Over the last 12 months, the UK and Estonia have worked in exceptionally close cooperation to implement the commitments pledged at the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid.
This years Caithness County Show starts on Friday 14 July with the main day on Saturday 15 July 2023. This year everything takes place at the ground at Riverside, Wick.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (July 11 th ) sold 17 Prime Cattle. Prime Bullocks (4) averaged 264.3p per kg (-3.3p) and sold to 268.0p per kg and £1,842.30 gross.
Early estimates for June 2023 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 1.5% compared with June 2022, a rise of 439,000 employees; the number of payrolled employees was up by 3.5% since February 2020, a rise of 1,027,000. Payrolled employment decreased by 9,000 employees (0%) in June 2023 when compared with May 2023, though this should be treated as a provisional estimate and is likely to be revised when more data are received next month.
Mortgage payments will rise by at least £500 a month for nearly one million households by the end of 2026, the Bank of England has said today. Households and firms have been under pressure as interest rates have risen in a bid to lower high inflation.
The jobs market continued to return back to its pre-pandemic health, with men driving another recent rise in employment. But with private sector wage growth rising by 7.7 per cent it will take time pay growth to normalise, the Resolution Foundation said in response to the latest ONS labour market statistics.
