Prime Minister Rishi Sunak launches Business Connect - a new conference that champions the dynamism of UK businesses to unlock innovation and grow the economy. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak launches Business Connect - a new conference that champions the dynamism of UK businesses to unlock innovation and grow the economy.
A week-long crackdown on illegal working by delivery drivers from major firms has resulted in 60 arrests across London and the south. Following an increase in immigration offences by gig workers in the region, Home Office teams have stepped up action to tackle illegal working and this week arrested drivers working for companies including Deliveroo, JustEat and UberEats.
LionLink power line between UK and Netherlands will deliver enough electricity to power more homes than Manchester and Birmingham combined. LionLink power line between UK and Netherlands will deliver enough electricity to power more homes than Manchester and Birmingham combined.
The amount of goods Brits bought in March fell by -0.9%. However, e-commerce sales shrugged off the slump as we all spent 0.8% more online.
Ardersier Port, situated near Inverness, has received an initial £300 million investment commitment from Quantum, a US investment firm that provides private capital to the global energy industry, to fuel the port's redevelopment into a major energy transition facility. The funding will accelerate the deployment of offshore wind installations and the decommissioning of ageing oil and gas infrastructure in the North Sea.
Productivity in the UK over the last 15 years has been described as growing at a "snail's pace". Meanwhile, wages lag way behind inflation, and numerous sectors are suffering from staff shortages.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is calling for a ban on landlords who evict tenants illegally as part of a five-point plan to strengthen the private rented sector. A major new report from the charity considers advice data and case studies from across the Citizens Advice network on illegal evictions.
Our proposal - We are proposing to ban the sale of peat in stages, beginning with the retail horticulture sector (peat sold to amateur/hobby gardeners), which accounts for around two thirds of all peat used in UK horticulture. We would then widen the ban to the sale of peat for professional horticulture.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has completed a nearly £7 million project to extend the lifespan of the runways and taxiways at the Mount Pleasant Complex (MPC) airfield in the Falkland Islands. The project included repainting runway and taxiway markings in reflective paint, replacing airfield signage with new compliant back-lit units, and coating the runway asphalt with a layer of bitumen.
Prime Minister and Technology Secretary announce £100 million in funding for Foundation Model Taskforce. Prime Minister and Technology Secretary announce £100 million in initial start-up funding for taskforce responsible for accelerating the UK's capability in rapidly-emerging type of artificial intelligence - on top of £900 million investment into compute technology at Budget.
Universal Music Group has been asking music streaming services like Spotify to stop developers from scraping its material to train AI bots to make new songs. The label, which controls about a third of the recorded music industry, has also been issuing substantial numbers of takedown requests in relation to AI uploads appearing online.
The report on the potential Shetland Way also predicted that over a 10-year period the route could be used by 600,000 visitors and create 52 additional tourism-related jobs. Running over 100 miles from Hermaness in the north down to Sumburgh Head in the south, the Shetland Way links the archipelago's natural, cultural and community assets with the aim of bringing social, economic and environmental benefits to the islands.
Health unions including the RCN have welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to further postpone a vote on the controversial National Care Service Bill. In a letter published this week, Scotland's minister for social care, mental wellbeing and sport, Maree Todd, said pushing back the vote would help "find compromise and reach consensus" with those who have raised concerns about the bill.
There will be a debate on e-petition 628226, calling for a public inquiry to the impact of the UK's exit from the European Union, in Westminster Hall on 24 April 2023 - See link at the bottom of this page. Background The e-petition calls for an independent public inquiry to assess the impact of Brexit on the UK and its citizens, referring to its impact on trade, the economy, opportunities for young people and how it has affected the rights of individuals.
Reforms will speed up the removal of people with no right to be here and enhance safeguards to protect unaccompanied children. On Friday 21 April 2023, the government tabled a number of amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill to strengthen it further, ahead of it returning to Parliament next week - helping to deliver our priority of stopping the boats.
Fourteen major festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow will receive a share of this year's £1.8 million Expo Fund. Established in 2007 by the Scottish Government, the Expo Fund's aim is to build innovation across the festivals and maximise national and international opportunities for the artists contributing to the festivals.
"Keep Calm and Carry On, this is just a test" - that is the clear message from the Deputy Prime Minister on the day of the nationwide test of the national Emergency Alerts system. Officials from the Cabinet Office National Situation Centre will send out the alert at 3pm and it will be received by every 4G and 5G device across the United Kingdom.
Up to £25 million is being made available to help councils identify affordable homes for key workers in rural communities. The five year initiative, set out in the Scottish Government's priorities for the next three years, will enable local authorities and registered social landlords to acquire or lease properties which can be used to provide homes to meet the needs of their communities.
A special service will be held in Edinburgh following the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland during the Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving, which will take place at St Giles' Cathedral later this year.
SHORE INVITES TV's CHERRY HEALEY AND BBC INSIDE THE FACTORY TO SEAWEED HARVEST IN WICK TV's Cherry Healey has paid a visit to Wick-based SHORE as part of a BBC Inside The Factory vegan special. Cherry worked with SHORE'S Peter Elbourne and a team of local harvesters to collect and learn about different types of seaweed.
