With the Autumn Budget set to be delivered in just a few days, speculation about which taxes Chancellor Rachel Reeves will opt to raise has reached fever pitch. On entering No 11 Downing Street, Reeves commissioned the Treasury to conduct a thorough spending audit, which she claimed unearthed a "fiscal black hole" of £22bn, paving the way for a slew of tax rises that hadn't been in her party's manifesto.
What impact might a Trump or Harris US Presidency have on UK retail, courier and supply chain businesses?. As the neck-and-neck election nears, the international delivery expert Parcelhero says there are pros and cons to both candidates, which could have significant repercussions for UK-US trade.
On 28th October 2024 Paul Johnson wrote an article published in The Times and on The IFS web site covering his thoughts on the speculation around coming budget. Only a couple of days now until the most eagerly awaited budget for just about as long as I can remember.
Residents in rural areas are reminded to review the security of their heating oil tanks following several thefts in the Huntly area. Heating oil tanks have the potential to store thousands of pounds worth of fuel and are often located in remote areas - this can make them an attractive target for thieves.
Labour keeps talking about working people and says everyone knows what they mean when they use the term. Except, most people don't, and the term makes no political sense in the way that they use it.
Special Guest - Santa. Children up to P7..
Stromar is a floating offshore wind farm development off Caithness in northern Scotland, around 80km north of Fraserburgh. Generating up to 1.5GW of power it could be one of the world's largest floating offshore wind farms.
For those of you who look at this web site regularly you will have seen videos from Richard Murphy explaining Modern Monetary Theory and today we are grateful for him pointing to the video interview with Stephanie Kelton. It may seem like a video for economy students but it gives good easy to understand explanations.
Buy-to-let fixed rates stand at their lowest since the start of September 2022, according to the latest analysis by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk. However, the upcoming Budget could reveal tax raids on landlords.
If, as expected, Rachel Reeves increases employers' national insurance next week, and she doesn't compensate the NHS, education, local authorities and other departments for the cost. Then the impact on public services is going to be very big - and in some cases bigger than any budget settlement they might get.
A New Poll Of Business Leaders reveals public services causing problem for businesses and staff. 94% say public services important to success of the UK economy.
Come along and see Santa arrive on the Wick lifeboat. Then it's all aboard the exclusive Santa Express Train to visit Sant in his grotto..
Buy tickets at the bar or at glkpromotios.com.
On the 26th of October 1940 a group of three Heinkels attempted to bomb Wick airport dropping over twenty high explosive bombs. A third of these bombs were duds.
For memorable Christmas party. British Legion Thurso..
Hailing from the far north of Scotland in the Caithness region, although KATANES are relative newcomers to the live circuit, the indie rock group come with experience if performing in various other bands. They headline Harpers Bar & Function Suite in WICK on Saturday 14 December 2024 with support from Socialites, Foosum and In Crisis.
Members of the public as well as NHS staff and experts will be invited to share their experiences views and ideas for fixing the NHS. Health Secretary calls on entire nation to shape the government's plans to overhaul the NHS.
Tha Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2024 a' tighinn gu crìch, an tachartas as motha de a sheòrsa a th' air a bhith ann an còig bliadhna. Bidh tàlantan ciùil bho air feadh na dùthcha agus nas fhaide air falbh a' tighinn còmhla ann am baile seunta an Òbain a' toirt crìoch air an fhèis iongantach naoi-latha.
Ambassador to work with employers to help women experiencing menopause symptoms to stay in work and progress in their careers. Leading campaigner and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup appointed as Government's new Menopause Employment Ambassador.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has commissioned Morrison Construction to carry out the works and the Torrance Partnership to oversee the contract. A £1.3m contract has been awarded for the refurbishment of a building on Enterprise Park Forres to create the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM).
Sales volumes - the amount we all bought – rose by 0.3% in September. The home delivery expert Parcelhero says volumes finally returned to July 2022 levels, before Liz Truss' disastrous September mini-budget hit household spending.
New rules will give millions of Buy-Now, Pay-Later users key protections offered by other forms of credit. Providers will have to ensure lending is affordable - stopping users from accumulating unmanageable debt Rules deliver better protection for shoppers and clarity for innovative sector after years of uncertainty Millions of shoppers are set to be protected by new rules for Buy-Now, Pay-Later products.
Highland Council Trading Standards are warning residents to be on their guard following reports of an unsolicited text message claiming to be from the UK Government Living Allowance Office. The text reads.
There have been reports of scam text messages which say you may be eligible to receive a "UK Government living expenses subsidy" for 2023-2024. You are asked to click the link in the message within 24 hours to claim the subsidy.
Fancy Dress, Disco and Karaoke. Raffle proceeds to Thrumster Association..
It's estimated that £23 billion worth of help and support - from housing benefits to pension credit - goes unclaimed every year. We look at what's available and how to get it.
Highland Council can help with money problems Follow the steps in our worrying about money leaflet to find out where to get help in Highland. Go HERE.
Follow OPSS guidance to purchase, use and dispose of fireworks safely and responsibly. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has produced safety tips for this fireworks season on how to use fireworks responsibly and considerately to help protect both people and animals.
For parents and carers of young people. All events are free.
Afternoon Tea. Santas Grotto..
Sarah was in a comfortable job, working for an archaeology business before being diagnosed with cancer. Much of her 20-year career had left her with reliable employment rights in the civil service.
ou don't have to look very hard at the moment to find evidence of the immense financial pressure on UK households. New figures from the Trussell Trust show that 1.5 million emergency food parcels were provided to people between April and September 2023.
Over 60% of Brits now shop from Chinese marketplaces such as Temu and Shein. But that has caused an increase in the number of potentially dangerous creatures such as scorpions and spiders accidentally arriving in UK homes.
The Highland Council's winter service starts today (Monday 14 October). The Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,785km of roads for which it has responsibility.
New research shows that those in their later 60s now are sicker than those in their late 80s were at the same point in their lives. Why isn't prosperity delivering wellness, and what can we do about it?.
A series of session November and December for age 0 to 5. Free story, song and rhyme sessions for babies and toddlers, pre-school children and heir families..
Development and Collaboration Grants are open for application until Monday 28th October. These grants are for up to £50k.
People urged to check and use Best Start Foods card. Families getting a Scottish benefit to help them buy healthy foods are being urged to check their balance on their prepaid card.
Tickets include a two course meal and complimentary drink. Dance to Peers Disco..
Introduction to the basics of acting on stage and improvisation. For ages 11 - 16.
The Mòd provides a world-wide platform to showcase of our rich Gaelic and cultural talent and heritage. 10 - 18 October 2025.
This year's World Mental Health Day - due to take place on Thursday, 10 October 2024 - aims to highlight what can be done to prioritise mental health in the workplace. The day is observed each year to raise awareness of mental health and encourage people to reach out for help.
The Highland Council's Early Learning & Childcare Consultation is now live, and we want to hear from those living across Highland. The survey is open until Monday 28 October 2024 and can be filled out HERE The survey is about Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) services, and includes questions for families who: are currently using ELC, have used ELC in the past, are not currently using any ELC services.
Book a slot and come visit Santa's Grotto and the Elves' Workshop. Receive a present from Santa and venture through to the elves workshop to do some Christmas arts & crafts to take home.
A date for the Diary - Thursday 28th Nov. We are delighted to be hosting our annual Christmas Fayre at Reiss Village Hall again this year.
Leader of Inverness and Area Councillor Ian Brown has recently accepted a sculpture designed by art students of Inverness, Florida USA which celebrates the Sister Cities status of Inverness - Florida and Inverness - Scotland. Cllr Brown said: "I am delighted to accept this sculpture which has been gifted to the City of Inverness under the ownership of the Inverness Common Good Fund and curatorship of The Highland Council.
The third Book Festival. 11th, 12th and 13th October 2024 CAITHNESS BOOK FESTIVAL at Murkle Hall.
Thurso Players was formed in 1950 following the closing of the Thurso Dramatic Society, Thurso Dramatic Club and earlier Caithness drama groups that can be traced back to the 1890s. Despite the logistical problems of finding rehearsal and performance spaces the Players thrived, and in 1959 founder member Robin Sinclair offered a building in the old mill complex - if they could make it safe and watertight, which eventually over two to three decades later they were able to.
The culture sector needs to have stable and supportive financial arrangements in place in order to fulfil its potential, the Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has said. In a letter to the Chair of Creative Scotland, Mr Robertson reiterated the Scottish Government's support for the arts and culture sector.
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