UK Export Finance supports financing deal which will secure UK contracts for cable protection systems and the charter of an installation vessel. UK Export Finance (UKEF) has, along with other export credit agencies, supported a financing deal for a Taiwanese offshore wind farm which will generate major UK contracts.
The Serious Fraud Office today charged five men following the collapse of the law firm Axiom Ince and alleged improper use of over £60 million of client money. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today charged five men, including two solicitors, with offences including fraud, forgery, and the destruction of documents, following the collapse of the law firm Axiom Ince and alleged improper use of over £60 million of client money.
The measures are backed by the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an extra £889m on top of the existing budget for general practice. Government consults with British Medical Association on measures including largest boost to GP funding in years and reducing outdated targets to free up time.
Views are being sought on ways to improve how communities will receive additional benefits from renewable energy developments. ‘Community benefits' are provided by developers to local groups and can include funding, actions such as in-kind works, the direct support of projects, or other site-specific benefits - such as a reduction in energy bills through local electricity discount schemes or building affordable housing.
More victims of crime are to receive support through a fund financed by penalties imposed on offenders. More than £1.1 million from the Victim Surcharge Fund (VSF) will be shared among 12 organisations that support those impacted by crime.
The number of non-surgical cosmetic procedures (NSCPs) being carried out across Scotland and the UK has risen considerably over the years and continues to do so[1]. Alongside the growth of this industry there has been increased concern about the safety of these procedures, especially, but not only, where they take place outwith a traditional healthcare setting.
The UK's jobs market continues to cool amidst a wider economic slowdown, but pay growth remains resilient, the Resolution Foundation said today. The Foundation’s analysis using the latest HMRC admin data suggest that the 16+ employment rate has fallen to 61.1 per cent, down from 61.7 per cent in early 2023.
Scotland's wildlife needs our help. Since 1994 we've lost 15% of our precious nature, but there is hope.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison has urged Parliament to engage constructively with the 2025-26 Scottish Budget. The Budget Bill, published today, gives Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise the Scottish Government's public spending proposals as set out by Ms Robison on 4 December.
CPI inflation increased to 2.6 per cent in November - higher than the Bank of England had expected – highlighting the challenge Britain faces in getting inflation back down to its target. The rise was driven by petrol prices, which fell by less over the past year in November than they did in October and have increased over the past month, and rising rents.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. The MPC adopts a medium-term and forward-looking approach to determine the monetary stance required to achieve the inflation target sustainably.
Youth home ownership rates have risen since the mid-2010s trough to leave younger millennials with greater home ownership rates at age 25 than older millennials had at that age. But with middle- and higher-income households gaining the most in recent years, the property divide between rich and poor young people is widening, according to new research from the Resolution Foundation published today (Friday).
Fraudsters don't take holidays. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from your bank, hang up and call the bank directly using a verified number.
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending September 2024.
The Scottish Government is to stop the use of mobile messaging apps, including WhatsApp, on official devices following the publication of an externally-led review. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the review of mobile messaging apps and non-corporate technology and confirmed that access to these apps will be removed from government devices in spring 2025.
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee has responded to the publication of the Scottish Government Workforce September 2024 statistics. Mr McKee said: "There has been a 2.3% reduction to the total Scottish Government workforce between March 2022 and September 2024.
Refugees, people seeking asylum and other forced migrants in Glasgow are benefitting from English classes to help them integrate into communities, supported by £500,000 in Scottish Government funding which will help 800 learners. The classes are helping people who have been forced to flee their country gain the language skills needed to rebuild their lives in Scotland, communicate confidently with people in their new communities and establish and strengthen their social connections.
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to November 2024, up from 3.2% in the 12 months to October. On a monthly basis, CPIH rose by 0.2% in November 2024, compared with a fall of 0.1% in November 2023.
There were 11,751 local authority housing stock units vacant as of 31 March 2024. There were 325,477 local authority housing stock units as of March 2024.
There was a 12% decrease in all sector housebuilding starts and a 10% decrease in completions between 2023 and 2024 (year ending September). In the 12 months ending September 2024, there were 19,828 homes built and 14,768 new builds started.
In Scotland there are 21,606 second homes and 43,538 properties empty for more than 6 months. The latest council tax data (in September 2024) shows there were 21,606 second homes, 43,538 properties that had been empty for more than 6 months, of which, 73% (31,596) were categorised as long-term empty homes (i.e.
Keep your Christmas lights bright and your passwords strong. Use unique passwords for different accounts to keep fraudsters at bay.
A freedom of information request has revealed that an AI system used by the UK government for assessing benefits cases is apparently getting it wrong by a "statistically significant" amount. The admission to journalists at the Guardian emerged after a fairness analysis into universal credit claimants in February 2024.
‘It's not too late to have your say’ - The Highland Council has extended its deadline for Council housing tenants to respond to a rent levels review until Monday 23 December. Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year.
Artists are generally thought of as either starving in a garret (La Bohème and all that) or jammy millionaires producing works valued at eye-watering sums (hello Damien Hirst). But the reality of life in the visual arts is more prosaic and a great deal more worrying, as the publication of Glasgow University's report into the pressures facing UK visual artists reveals.
Planning a holiday getaway? Be wary of travel scams offering deals that are too good to be true. Book through trusted travel agencies.
A special event to mark and celebrate the Flow Country's successful bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. The evening will include a drinks reception, guest speakers and a screening of ‘When Fish Begin to Crawl’ with a chance to meet the team behind the bid.
Refraining from some purchases in order to save for others is a cornerstone of financial wellbeing. However, children, like some adults, lack that understanding and tend to see people who refrain from buying as poor.
From coughs and sneezes to mental health apps, these tips from the MHRA will help you stay safe during the festive season and beyond. The festive season is a busy time for all of us, our friends and our family. As a result, we may forget to look after our health in the clamour to ensure every stocking has been filled, every spud nicely browned and every carrot accounted for.
Caithness largest and most influential jobs, careers, training, and recruitment event is returning to Thurso on Saturday, 8th February 2025. Interested in participating? Get in touch with Tom McGee at [email protected] or 01847 890076.
Teams of 2, 3 or 4..
The Scottish Human Rights Commission uncovers challenges with accessing human rights to health, housing, and food across the Highlands and Islands. In a new report, the Commission highlights that many people in the Highlands and Islands are expressing their frustration regarding their human rights.
Hundreds of individuals and organisations to benefit. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has said an additional £34 million in culture and arts spending next year will be "game-changing" for the sector.
The Gala Queen with Santa in attendance switched on he Wick Christmas Lights for 2024. Before the switch on children paraded into the Market Square with umbrellas decorated with many lights.
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