Largest welfare reforms for a generation to help sick and disabled people who can and have the potential to work into jobs - backed by a £1 billion investment, unveiled by the Work & Pensions Secretary. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has confirmed the date that changes to the benefits system saving taxpayers £5 billion will come into effect.
The team at Fraser of Allender have published their thinking on the coming changes to welfare benefits. The UK Government's Green Paper that has been in the rumour mill for weeks.
The biggest announcement that had not been trailed before today is related to this: those under the age of 22 will no longer be able to claim any incapacity benefits through universal credit. This is an attempt by the government to disrupt the flow of young people finishing school straight onto health benefits, which has so alarmed ministers.
Social housing residents in Scotland will be given greater protection against issues of disrepair in their homes such as damp and mould through the introduction of Awaab's Law. Awaab's Law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after being exposed to mould in his home in Rochdale.
The Health and Disability Green Paper will boost Universal Credit (UC) support for up to four million families without any health conditions or disability by around £3 a week. But these tiny gains are overshadowed by reforms that risk causing major income losses for those who are too ill to work, or those who no longer qualify for disability benefits, the Resolution Foundation said on Tuesday 18 March 225.
Yesterday, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) released its latest report containing information about the UK cyber security sector. This includes the number of businesses, the sector's contribution to the UK economy, the number of people employed and the products and services offered by these firms.
Higher interest rates, weaker growth and lower tax revenues mean that fresh fiscal tightening is likely to be needed on 26th March for the Chancellor to meet her fiscal rules. But with the jobs market already in recession territory, she must avoid hitting the living standards of lower income families in the process, the Resolution Foundation said on Monday 17 March 2025.
Whether you want to buy and sell goods, make money out of your carpentry skills, or run your own cafe, running a business can be daunting. The internet has greatly increased the opportunities for individuals to sell goods, with the absence of any need for traditional 'shopfront' premises.
It is being widely reported that the on-again, off-again Green Paper on changes to welfare benefits will finally be published tomorrow, Tuesday 18 March. Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, is expected to target sickness and disability benefit payments for savings on Tuesday, which comes ahead of the spring statement next Wednesday 26 March by Rachael Reeves.
Paul Johnson writing for the Times and reproduce at The Institute for fiscal Studies sets out the problems for Rachel Reeves with her spring statement coming next week. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Perhaps the chancellor is contemplating Romeo and Juliet as she prepares for her spring forecast.
The reason why Egypt retained its special economic system and was not allowed to share in the general economic freedom of the Roman Empire is that it was the main source of Rome's grain supply. Maintenance of this supply was critical to Rome's survival, especially due to the policy of distributing free grain (later bread) to all Rome's citizens which began in 58 B.C.
The DWP is expected to announce up to £5bn in welfare cuts on Tuesday, with many PIP claimants worried they are in the firing line. Expected reforms to the welfare system are likely to be announced on Tuesday with disability payments under the microscope as the government looks to cut the benefits bill by £5bn.
The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas will meet the Foreign and Defence Secretaries in London to discuss coordinating cooperation on Ukraine. EU foreign affairs chief arrives in London for talks with Foreign and Defence Secretaries as joint efforts intensify to curb Russia's economy.
From cancer detection to new scientific discoveries, AI is already catalysing opportunities for growth and productivity across the UK economy and public services. We are witnessing firsthand how AI is rapidly becoming the world's next great General-Purpose Technology - like electricity and personal computers - with widespread applications and the power to reshape entire economies and societies.
A speech given yesterday by Sarah Cardell, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Chief Executive. Delivered at the techUK Tech Policy Conference 2025.
People struggling with Council Tax arrears will have access to enhanced advice through the expansion of a Citizens Advice Scotland project. Backed by an additional £2.2 million in Scottish Government funding, the project provides tailored support to affected households and works with local authorities to support good practice in Council Tax debt collection.
UK secures over 2,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities through annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands, valued at £5 million. The UK fishing industry will receive over 2,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities in Faroese waters, following annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands for 2025, the UK government has announced.
The TRA has initiated an anti-dumping investigation and a countervailing investigation into imports of HVO biodiesel from the United States of America. The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today, 17 March 2025, initiated an anti-dumping investigation and a countervailing investigation into imports of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biodiesel from the United States of America.
Learner drivers will need to give more notice when changing or cancelling their car driving test to avoid losing the test fee from 8 April 2025. From 8 April 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will require learner drivers to give 10 full working days' notice to change or cancel their car driving test without losing the test fee.
Obligated businesses must submit 2024 packaging data by 1 April 2025 under new extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme. There are now just two weeks to go for businesses to submit 2024 packaging data under the new extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme.
The Chancellor will meet top regulator bosses in Downing Street today (Monday 17 March) as she unveils an action plan to deliver on the pledge to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter, make Britain the best place to do business and drive economic growth. Chancellor meets regulators in Downing Street as she unveils action plan to cut red tape as part of Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth.
The Scottish Government hosted a major investment event in Edinburgh aimed at unlocking new private investment in the country's rapidly growing offshore wind industry. More than 100 stakeholders, including investors and developers, attended the Global Offshore Wind Investment Forum, hosted by First Minister John Swinney.
President Trump has mentioned the deficit in the USA many times as a reason why he wants big changes. But corporate America is not paying its share of taxes that would help reduce the deficit.
The Daily Record ran the story about the old Wick High School up for auction at guide price of £55,000. Closed in 2017 when the new school opened it is in a sorry state now.
A new programme is being launched to attract more people into the planning profession and build their skills. The National Planning Skills Commitment Plan will provide training and skills development through monthly themed webinars, hands-on learning and recruitment support.
Entertainment from Junior members. See poster for tickets.
Tickets from the bar from 14 March. Show starts at 7:15pm.
Venue: Mount Pleasant Primary School, Thurso Programme: Bizet - L'Arlessienne Suites 1 & 2, conducted by Susie Dingle Wagner - The Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauseer, conducted by James Doherty.
Venue: East Caithness Church of Scotland, Argyle Square, Wick. Programme: Bizet - L'Arlessienne Suites 1 & 2, conducted by Susie Dingle Wagner - The Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauser, conducted by James Doherty.
More crime victims will get access to a range of information about the perpetrator and have a say on decisions about their prison release under newly unveiled justice reforms. Currently victims can register with the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) if the offender in their case has been sentenced to 18 months or more in prison, or with the Victim Information Scheme if the sentence was less than 18 months.
Today is World Book Day, an important moment to reflect on the power of storytelling to inspire, educate and connect young people across the world. Reading is a fundamental right - one that opens doors, fuels imaginations and shapes futures.
People who have purchased Boots Paracetamol 500mg Tablets 16s (Item code 81-99-922, Batch 241005, Expiry date 12/2029) are advised to stop using the product immediately and return it to a Boots store for a full refund, because of a packaging error. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a medicines recall alert due to a packaging error where the foil blister inside the carton incorrectly states ‘Aspirin 300mg Dispersible Tablets' instead of ‘Paracetamol 500mg Tablets'.
The Highland Council is inviting community groups and organisations to submit Expressions of Interest for Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) to finance capital projects that will respond to the needs of their local areas and deliver positive impacts. Community Regeneration Funding is an umbrella term being used to cover multiple community-led external funding programmes being administered by the Highland Council.
People across Scotland encouraged to get potential symptoms checked earlier. The latest phase of the Scottish Government's ‘Be the Early Bird' campaign has a new focus on head and neck cancer symptoms.
The following article is the result of research in England but Scotland may well be similar with a higher level of social housing. As of 31st March 2022, there were 2.7 million dwellings estimated in Scotland.
Lybster Heritage Trust Annual General Meeting Wednesday 26th March 2025 at 0900 Waterlines, Shore Road, Lybster Harbour All Welcome Cheers Andrew.
When The Highland Council's Harbours Management Board met earlier today, (Friday 28 February 2025) members expressed their delight that two projects are bringing benefits to the council, the fishing industry and their local communities. The Highland Council manages approximately ninety ports, harbours and marine facilities, ten of which provide Marine Gas Oil (MGO) bunkering facilities.
Gaelic language broadcasting is to receive an additional £1.8 million to help build on the success of BBC Alba's crime thriller An t-Eilean. The increase is contained in the Scottish Government's 2025/26 Budget and raises total funding for MG ALBA (the Gaelic Media Service) to £14.8 million in the upcoming financial year.
Demonstrations, talks, stalls and more..
The government is bringing forward strengthened support for millions of households to help pay their energy bills next winter. Nearly 3 million more families would be eligible to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter under new proposals to help people with their energy bills.
See poster..
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy yesterday (Thursday 20 February 2025) made an inaugural lecture marking the 60th anniversary of the first ever arts white paper. In 2019, as Britain tore itself apart over Brexit, against a backdrop of growing nationalism, anger and despair I sat down with the film director Danny Boyle to talk about the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye is to be a Gaelic hub in the new Centre for Teaching Excellence, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has announced during a visit to the college. The Cabinet Secretary met with staff at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, during a visit to discuss the aims of the new Centre in providing opportunities for Gaelic teachers across the country.
Over £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in major boost for growth. Intervention is next step of Government's Plan for Change to help boost local economies and increase opportunities to gain creative skills.
Growth in jobs, tourism and regional regeneration to be ushered in by funding for major cultural projects across the UK. egional growth and regeneration will get a much-needed boost as 10 major culture projects across the UK will receive more than £67 million, the government confirmed this week.
For many low-budget, independent films, an Oscar nomination is a golden ticket. The publicity can translate into theatrical releases or rereleases, along with more on-demand rentals and sales.
Residents across Highland are being asked to be alert to vulnerable adults in their communities who are susceptible to financial harm. Adult Support and Protection Day takes place on Thursday 20 February 2025 and NHS Highland is urging everyone to report any concerns to ensure those in need are able to access support.
Garage rents for non-council tenants in the Sutherland area will increase by 8% for 2025/26, as agreed at yesterday's Area Committee. Cllr Richard Gale, Sutherland Area Chair said: "We felt it was important to give Council tenants a little break, following the 8% increase in their council rent as agreed at last week's full council meeting.
Tha luchd-eagrachaidh A' Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail, an fhèis chultarail is ainmeil a thachras gach bliadhna, a' sireadh iarrtasan airson Mòd na bliadhna ann an Loch Abar. A' tilleadh dhan Ghearasdain agus an sgìre mun cuairt 10 - 18 Dàmhair, an naoidheamh uair a bhios an tachartas 133 bliadhna a dh’aois sa sgìre.
Scottish Secretary confirms £2.6 million for V&A Dundee - investment on top of £20 million for Dundee regeneration projects. V&A Dundee is to receive £2.6 million in UK Government capital funding.
Community owned Halls across Highland are receiving much needed help from perhaps one of the most stigmatised groups in society, namely those with a criminal record. Staxigoe Hall near Wick is a great example, where the Community Payback team has helped with the refurbishment of the Hall three times now.
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