News Archive
23/4/2024
Recent Trends In UK Trade Volumes And Balances: 2010 To 2023
UK trade trends have been volatile over recent years following a range of overlapping economic and trade shocks. UK export growth has become increasingly dominated by services since 2010, with goods exports increasing by just 7% in real terms, compared with services exports growing by 63% over the same period.
23/4/2024
Retail Sales, Great Britain - March 2024
Retail sales volumes (quantity bought) were estimated to be flat (0.0%) in March 2024, following an increase of 0.1% in February 2024 (revised from 0.0%). Within retail, sales were mixed, with automotive fuel and non-food stores sales volumes rising by 3.2% and 0.5%, respectively.
23/4/2024
Current Account Switching Cash Offers Vanish
Consumers looking to switch their current account will find switching cash perks have vanished. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk compares some of the most attractive current account packages for consumers to consider.23/4/2024
Business Insights And Impact On The Uk Economy
The latest results suggest business conditions remain challenging but estimates since January 2024 show small signs of improvement for some measures. More than one in five (22%) trading businesses reported that their turnover had decreased in March 2024 compared with February 2024, while 16% reported their turnover had increased; these figures are broadly stable with February 2024.
23/4/2024
Alcohol-specific Deaths In The UK - Scotland Tops The Numbers
In 2022, there were 10,048 deaths (16.6 per 100,000 people) from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, the highest number on record. The number recorded in 2022 was 4.2% higher than in 2021 (9,641 deaths; 14.9 per 100,000) and 32.8% higher than in 2019 (7,565 deaths; 11.8 per 100,000), the last pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic year.23/4/2024
Dingwall And Highland Marts Ltd - Sales 17 April 2024
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (April, 17th) sold 1,101 store cattle and 63 OTM cattle. Bullocks (553) averaged 312.0pp per kg and sold to 383.1p per kg for a 355kg Limousin cross from Wester Tomloan, Nairn, and £1,680 gross for a pen of 588kg Limousin crosses from 2 Hallum, Forss.
23/4/2024
Contract Awarded For UK First All-electric Green Prison
Mitie Care & Custody has been awarded the contract to operate HMP Millsike, the UK's first all-electric prison that will provide around 1,500 places. Mitie Care & Custody awarded 10-year contract following rigorous competition. Green prison will use 75% less energy than older prisons Boost to Yorkshire economy with hundreds of jobs and over £117 million spent locally.
23/4/2024
NDA Group Establishes Innovative Partnership To Manage Asbestos Waste At Legacy Nuclear Sites
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), in collaboration with its subsidiary Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), has awarded two contracts to establish an innovative partnership for the enhanced management of asbestos waste. The Asbestos Innovation Partnership (AIP) will work with the NDA, NWS and the supply chain, to test and develop new solutions to treat asbestos waste, helping to deliver efficiencies and enable more effective waste management.
23/4/2024
UHI and SQA announce new pathways for learners with articulation agreement 
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have announced the signing of a new articulation agreement. Yjis will allow learners who have completed SQA's Higher National Certificates and Diplomas to seamlessly progress onto UHI degree programmes at advanced levels increasing accessibility to higher education and streamlining progression pathways.
23/4/2024
Recent Trends In And The Outlook For Health-related Benefits
Recipients of and spending on health-related benefits have risen rapidly since the start of the pandemic, posing a serious challenge for policymakers. Individuals in the UK with health conditions may be entitled to two types of benefits - incapacity benefits (for those whose condition prevents them from working) and disability benefits (to help with extra living costs arising from the disability).
23/4/2024
New Rules Introduced To Increase International Sales Of Premium Scottish Salmon
New rules have been agreed that will enable Scottish farmers to sell more prestigious ‘Label Rouge' salmon in France and other European markets. The French quality mark, which comes with a stringent set of standards, has been updated to allow farmers to implement modern solutions to improve salmon health and welfare while maintaining the taste and quality the fish is known for.
23/4/2024
Pm To Announce Largest-ever Military Aid Package To Ukraine On Visit To Poland
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce the largest-ever military aid package to Ukraine on his visit to Poland. PM to travel to Poland and Germany to cement security, trade and diplomatic ties with key European allies.
23/4/2024
Teachers To Get Up To £6000 Extra To Teach Vital Subjects In England
The incentive is backed by £200 million investment to support schools and colleges attract and retain the excellent teachers they need in vital subjects. From September, up to £6000 will be available for teachers working in key STEM and technical subjects such as maths, construction and engineering, as well as early years education, as part of the government's drive to recruit and retain the best staff, the Department for Education announced.23/4/2024
Rwanda Bill To Become Law In Major Illegal Migration Milestone
Final phase of implementing the flagship policy to commence, marking a crucial step in the global response to illegal migration. UK government efforts to stop the boats and tackle illegal migration took a major step forward, after the Safety of Rwanda Bill completed its passage through Parliament overnight, Monday 22 April. The Bill's passing means the government can enter the final phase of operational planning to get flights off the ground to Rwanda, pioneering a new response to the global challenge of illegal migration. Robust operational plans are in place to ensure a first flight to Rwanda can be delivered within 10-12 weeks, with multiple flights set to take off after this.22/4/2024
Scottish Businesses Look To The Future After Tough Start To 2024
Scottish businesses have delivered their top priorities for any future UK government, according to the latest Addleshaw Goddard Scottish Business Monitor (SBM) report. The survey of around 400 firms from across the economy found that "delivering long-term economic growth" was top of the wishlist, selected by 72% of businesses, followed by "tackling labour and skills shortages" (45%), "reducing UK business taxes" (43%), and "investing more on infrastructure" (39%).
22/4/2024
Climate Change 2030 Targets - Focusing On The How Of Policymaking
On Thursday, the Scottish Government announced the 2030 climate change target is "out of reach". So, what went wrong? In 2022, we undertook research commissioned by ClimateXChange for the Joint Budget Review between the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament on matters related to climate change.22/4/2024
Unit Cost And Hope - Increased NHS Resilience Through Tech-enabled Transformation
The pace of advances in the biological and data sciences continues to accelerate, having direct impact on the daily lives of most people on the planet. These twin scientific revolutions have accelerated innovations in healthcare, which is great news for patients.
22/4/2024
Ban On Wet Wipes Containing Plastic
The supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic will be banned across the UK following overwhelming support during public consultation, with 95% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing with the proposals. Measures have been set out in a joint response by all four UK nations published today (Monday April 22), including a transition period for businesses to help them prepare.
22/4/2024
Another New Tax - Powers Secured To Introduce Building Safety Levy
A tax on developers to raise funds to help fix building safety issues will be considered in Scotland under powers secured from the UK Government. The proposed Scottish Building Safety Levy would apply to the construction of new residential buildings, mirroring measures being introduced in England through the Building Safety Act passed by the UK Parliament.22/4/2024
