The Institute for Fiscal Studies takes a look at the latest DWP report. This comment investigates the robustness of a new DWP report suggesting that benefit sanctions reduce employment.
In February 2021, the Scottish Government established an Independent Working Group on Misogyny and Criminal Justice in Scotland, chaired by Baroness Kennedy QC. The Working Group was tasked with considering how the Scottish criminal justice system deals with misogyny, including looking at whether there are gaps in the law that could be addressed by a specific criminal offence to tackle such behaviour.
Loft Insulation Surveys The Scam There has been a recent increase in cold calls from companies offering 'free' surveys of loft insulation. One woman was cold called by someone who said they needed to come and inspect her loft insulation.
Monthly construction output is estimated to have increased 2.4% in volume terms in February 2023; this follows a 1.7% fall in January 2023, with February 2023 being the highest monthly value in level terms (£15,558 million) since records began in January 2010. The increase in monthly construction output came from increases in both repair and maintenance (4.5%) and new work (1.1%) on the month.
Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have shown no growth in February 2023, where falls in services and production were offset by growth in construction. This follows growth of 0.4% in January, revised up from growth of 0.3% in the previous publication.
NHS Highland is pleased to confirm that Balfour Beatty Plc has been appointed as the Principal Supply Chain Partner for the Lochaber and Caithness General Hospital redesign projects. Balfour Beatty will take on the role of managing contractor, leading the design and construction processes for the new hospital in Fort William and the refurbishment of Caithness General in Wick.
Three people have this week been convicted for investment fraud, after scamming over £1.2 million from around 120 UK investors. They made cold calls to members of the public, using pseudonyms, to convince them to invest with a fake company.
Prize Draw Scams - Facebook. Some Facebook users have recently received messages that appear to be from friends or relatives and encourage them to enter a prize draw.
Consumer body Which? has warned that scammers are buying adverts that appear at the top of Google search results when shoppers look up popular retailers, such as Next, TK Maxx and Zara. Clicking on these adverts leads you to a 'rewards' website using the branding of the genuine retailer, where you will be asked to complete a series of tasks in order to win a voucher.
A speech by Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England -Given at the Institute of International Finance. It is a great pleasure to be back in Washington.
RICS Residential Market Survey, March 2023. Metrics on buyer enquiries, agreed sales and new instructions all remain negative House prices still falling at the national level Twelve-month sales expectations point to a more stable trend emerging.
Scottish Bakers, a membership organisation which supports the bakery trade throughout Scotland and which is a major independent provider of apprenticeships to Scotland's food and drink manufacturing industry, has written to the Government to express dismay at the delay in confirming funding for new apprenticeships starts. Chief Executive Officer Alasdair Smith said: Scottish Bakers received early confirmation of 481 places for registration during 2023/24.
Invinity Energy Systems plc has today been awarded £11 million in funding by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to build the largest grid-scale battery ever manufactured in the UK. The Vanadium Flow Battery Longer Duration Energy Asset Demonstrator ("VFB LEAD") project will see a 30 MWh Invinity VFB system deployed at a key node on the National Grid.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April 11th) sold 10 Prime Cattle. Prime Bullocks (1) averaged 292.0 per kg (+3.9p) and sold to 292.0p per kg and £1,795.80 gross.
The Bank of England has raised interest rates 11 times since December 2021 but, while this may boost bank profits, it is less likely to boost many people's bank balances. Alongside the sharp spike in interest rates over the past year, many big names in the UK banking business have been reporting bumper 2022 profits.
Scrupulous biosecurity is the most effective method of disease control and all bird keepers should apply enhanced measures to prevent future outbreaks. Current situation Mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds, which were introduced across England and Wales to help stop the spread of bird flu, will be lifted from 00:01 on Tuesday 18 April 2023, the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed following a latest assessment of the risk level.
Increasing and accelerating housing supply, tackling homelessness, ending rough sleeping and progressing Scotland's 20-year housing plan are key priorities for Housing Minister Paul McLennan. On his first public visit as Housing Minister, Mr McLennan visited the Letham Mains housing development in Haddington and saw first-hand how Scottish Government funding is supporting local councils and housing associations to deliver energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of communities across Scotland.
Farmers bringing cattle into Scotland will be subject to tighter controls in order to reduce the risk of spreading Bovine Tuberculosis (TB). From 18 May, changes to legislation will come into force which will require stricter pre-movement testing of cattle, adding extra precautions for animals coming from areas of higher risk of infection.
New offence will make it easier to prosecute a large organisation if an employee commits fraud for the organisation's benefit. The new failure to prevent fraud offence will make it easier to prosecute a large organisation if an employee commits fraud for the organisation's benefit.
Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Alice Jacobs at the UN Security Council debate on export of weapons and military equipment. I'd like to start by congratulating Mozambique on their Presidency in March and also thank you to Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu for her briefing today.
