Next week will see the publication of September's inflation figure, the basis on which key working-age benefits are normally uprated in the following April. But with the public finances under real pressure, and prices expected to fall in the coming months, there are signs the Government is considering a departure from standard practice by under-indexing key working-age benefits in 2024-25.
Wet wipes containing plastic could be banned as part of proposals to tackle plastic and microplastic pollution. The consultation, which is being undertaken by all four UK nations, seeks views on a proposed ban on the manufacture, supply and sale of plastic-containing wet wipes across the UK.
Cars that burn petrol and diesel must be replaced with renewable alternatives if the climate crisis is to be overcome. Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely viewed as the best option available.
If you're one of the more than 200 million Prime members Amazon claims to have worldwide, you'll be well aware of the benefits. Among other things, it gives you access to a video and audio streaming service and free, fast delivery on all Amazon-dispatched items - for less than £100 per year.
One argument put forward in defence of fossil fuels is that they were a historical necessity, because there was no other viable substitute for much of the 20th century. We owe fossil fuels a debt of gratitude, the argument goes, because they supercharged our development.
Centenarians, once considered rare, have become commonplace. Indeed, they are the fastest-growing demographic group of the world's population, with numbers roughly doubling every ten years since the 1970s.
It's been more than a year since the UK economy was thrown into crisis after then-prime minister Liz Truss suggested making a wealth of unfunded tax cuts in her September 2022 mini-budget. But a recent bond market sell-off has now sent borrowing costs rocketing again, pushing the bond market even higher than after Truss's announcement.
International Development Minister Christina McKelvie has pledged new funding from the Scottish Government to support projects providing access to clean water, food and shelter in Gaza and Libya. Ms McKelvie has confirmed the Scottish Government will provide £500,000 towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) flash appeal in response to the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip.
Drones equipped with cutting-edge sensors to detect ground mines and explosives are being researched by UK scientists and could alter the face of land warfare. New drone technology could significantly reduce the threat and effectiveness of ground mines.
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions' pipeline reaches over 1300 hydrogen fuel cell powerplants as it secures letter of intent from Dronamics, the world's first cargo drone airline. Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) and Dronamics have signed an MoU to further progress the application of the CAeS hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) propulsion system to the Dronamics Black Swan cargo drone aircraft.
The Prime Minister has deployed UK military to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel and reinforce regional stability. Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft to begin patrols today to help partners track emerging threats to regional security.
A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. We document the patterns of neighbourhood and secondary school segregation across England and Scotland.
The new deal for Microsoft to buy Activision without cloud gaming rights has been cleared after the CMA concluded it would preserve competitive prices and better services. Deal to buy Activision without cloud gaming rights cleared by CMA Ubisoft acquiring rights instead of Microsoft addresses CMA concerns.
International construction and consultancy firm, Mace, along with AtkinsRealis, Gleeds and i3Works, will deliver a range of project & programme management and project controls services as part of a four-year framework with the NDA - the non-departmental public body working on behalf of government to clean-up the UK's earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively. A Mace, AtkinsRealis and Gleeds alliance has been working collaboratively with the NDA for the past two years via a framework, and i3Works has now joined the team for this latest edition to add even more capability and capacity.
FORT WILLIAM: Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd (October 12th) sold 176 store cattle and OTM cattle. Bullocks (110) averaged 243.5per kg and sold to 295.0per kg for a pen of 285kg Shorthorn cross from National Trust for Scotland, Isle of Canna and £990 gross for a 420kg Shorthorn cross from 9 Bohuntin, Kilmonivaig.
The NDA is looking for research proposals related to nuclear decommissioning for its 2024 PhD Bursary Call. The NDA has launched its 2024 PhD bursary scheme as part of its commitment to developing talent within the nuclear sector and supporting the pioneers of the future.
The Highland Council's winter maintenance programme starts on 14 October 2023 and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,766km of roads for which it has responsibility. Chair of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "We have the supplies and resources in place to provide a winter service according to the Council's policy.
The international delivery expert ParcelHero says the conflict in Israel is continuing to disrupt some deliveries and exports to the country - but a number of express air freight services continue. The ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza is continuing to have an impact on UK-Israel trade, warns the international delivery expert ParcelHero.
Communities and organisations are being invited to submit their proposals to become Scotland's next National Park. A key commitment in the Bute House Agreement is to designate at least one new National Park in Scotland by 2026, to bring positive benefits for the environment and economy.
An awareness campaign has been to launched to make sure people know the best place to go for healthcare over the winter. Right Care Right Place has been rolled out earlier than in previous years to help Scots know which health setting is best for their medical concerns, and in turn to help alleviate pressures on the NHS and social care ahead of an expected increase in demand.