Scotland Office Minister John Lamont has been in Madrid for a two-day visit focused on renewable energy, trade and cultural links between our two countries. During his visit he met with representatives from the Iberdrola Group, one of the largest utility companies in the world and owners of Scottish Power.
Millions of the lowest paid workers across the UK will receive a pay increase as the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rise comes into effect. The National Living Wage will see an increase of 9.7%, up to £10.42 for workers aged 23+, as well as an increase for younger workers on the National Minimum Wage.
A history of weak and highly volatile public investment has contributed to Britain becoming a low investment nation, leaving us poorer and affecting people's everyday lives. This is the result of repeated policy failings that require radical reforms so that public investment can be used to boost growth and meeting the challenges of the decade ahead.
First Minister Humza Yousaf has reaffirmed the Scottish Government's commitment to resetting the relationship with local authorities in a meeting with COSLA President Shona Morrison. A New Deal for local government has been embodied in the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Joe FitzPatrick, who joined the meeting alongside Deputy First Minister Shona Robison.
A waste wood product which can improve water quality has been named as the ‘Innovation of the Year' at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards. Developed through a collaboration between researchers at UHI North Highland's Environmental Research Institute and Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC, the ‘biochar' is produced by baking waste wood.
The British Army will receive modern artillery platforms to replace those supplied to Ukraine, as part of an agreement struck with Sweden. Army to replace the AS90 gifted to Ukraine with new ‘Archer' heavy artillery guns.
In presenting his spring budget, the British chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, claimed his plans are all about growth. For the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, growth is his key "mission".
Low-paid workers across the country will receive a pay increase this weekend as all rates of the National Minimum Wage rise. The National Living Wage (NLW) increases on Saturday 1 April by 9.7 per cent to £10.42, providing a pay rise to millions of workers aged 23 and over across the UK.
UK Government invites bids for next Carbon Capture and Storage clusters and commits to projects that will boost UK energy independence. New jobs and investment are set to come to Scotland as the UK Government today unveils ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain.
Age Scotland, the national charity for older people, has welcomed the announcement from the UK Government that proposals to increase the State Pension Age early to 68 will not now be brought forward. The government's planned rise to 67 will still take place between 2026-2028.
The first ever UK trial of heavy uncrewed ground systems (H-UGVs) has taken place, testing their effectiveness in battlefield situations. The first ever UK trial of heavy uncrewed ground systems (H-UGVs) has taken place, with companies from the Human-Machine Teaming framework winning an invitation to put their vehicles through their paces and demonstrate their capabilities to the British Army.
Positive progress has continued on the next phase of Ajax trials as new in-service dates are confirmed and payments resume to General Dynamics. Positive progress on Reliability Growth Trials continues.
The window for making the most of your savings this tax year is closing. As the final day of the 2022-23 tax year, April 5 is your last chance to make full use of this year's tax allowances.
Prime Minister announces deal to join CPTPP - a huge trade bloc in the Indo-Pacific which will now have a total GDP of £11 trillion. Prime Minister announces deal to join CPTPP - a huge trade bloc in the Indo-Pacific which will now have a total GDP of £11 trillion.
Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has procured a new multi-role weapon system to equip the British Army on operations. A £4.6 million order has been placed with Saab for a delivery of Carl-Gustaf M4s, plus a package of ammunition and training.
A £1.6 billion contract has been awarded to Team Resolute to manufacture the vessels providing munitions, stores and provisions to Royal Navy ships. Team Resolute to deliver three naval support ships in £1.6 billion contract.
Britain's cycle of weak and highly volatile public investment has left the country poorer, and is so deeply embedded that a complete overhaul is needed of how we make decisions on critical public investment, according to new research published on Thursday 30 March 2023 by the Resolution Foundation. Cutting the cuts - the 34th report of The Economy 2030 Inquiry, funded by the Nuffield Foundation – notes that Britain has long been a low investment nation, which has damaged economic growth.
As most car manufacturers move to produce many more electric cars and the Ukraine war shows we cannot depend on oil at sky high prices the wind industry is fast moving to fill the gaps. Added to the net zero programmes of governments and the wish to have energy production closer to home is the knowledge that oil may one day run out.
The second review of State Pension age has been published by the Government today. State Pension age rise to 67 will take place as planned between 2026-2028.
If you want to know why banks are important and why it is dangerous to allow them to fail then this article and video by Tejvan Pettinger sets it all out. Bank bailouts are back.
