Latest News
Today
Deputy First Minister Welcomes Completion Of New £49 Million Stornoway Terminal
A Scottish Government-backed deep-water terminal which will support future renewable energy developments and cruise ship opportunities on the Western Isles has been officially handed over to operators by Deputy First Minister Shona Robison. Ms Robison toured the new Stornoway deep-water terminal to mark the end of the construction phase.
Today
Help For Families Of Infants - Cash-first Approach To Help With Infant Food Insecurity
A toolkit for people working with families with infants at risk of food insecurity is promoting cash first responses to allow them to safely, responsively and appropriately feed their babies and helping towards reducing the need for food banks. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto will visit Cranhill Development Trust's Baby and Toddler group in Glasgow to see the help on offer to families with infants who may be facing financial pressure.Today
Aviation Fuel Plan Supports Growth Of British Aviation Sector
Measures announced to give UK aviation and the SAF industry the certainty to keep creating skilled British jobs while ensuring air travel is fit for the future. plans unveiled for world leading sustainable aviation fuel mandate, with 10% of all jet fuel set to go green by 2030.
Today
Trainee Solicitor Scheme Open For Applications
The Government Legal Profession Trainee Solicitor Scheme is now open for applications. The Government Legal Profession (GLP) Trainee Solicitor Scheme is now open for applications, closing at midday on Wednesday 15 May.
Today
Firm Foundations - Understanding Why Employers Use Flexible Contracts
At the end of 2023, more than one-in-eight (13 per cent) employees in UK were working on some form of flexible contract that can be viewed as ‘precarious', accounting for 3.8 million workers nationwide. From variable-hours and zero-hours contracts to temporary work such as casual, seasonal or short-term employment, flexible contracts often entail considerable uncertainty for workers over hours or the length of employment, and a fluctuating income too.
Today
Lower Tax Receipts Leave Borrowing Higher Than Forecast - And No Signs Of Extra Wriggle Room To Fuel Another Pre-election Budget
UK borrowing over the last fiscal year (2023-24) was £7.6 billion lower than last year, but £60 billion higher than the year before the pandemic and, critically, £6.6 billion higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast at the Spring Budget last month, the Resolution Foundation said today (Tuesday). The higher than forecast borrowing was driven by lower than expected tax receipts, down over £7 billion on the OBR’s latest forecast, though they were still over £65 billion up on the year before as a result of high inflation and rising taxes.Today
Stephanie Kelton - "Finding The Money" & "the Deficit Myth"
Stephanie Kelton, bestselling author of "The Deficit Myth" and professor of economics and public policy, talks to Jordan Klepper and Ronny Chieng about changing our understanding of government spending through MMT, or Modern Money Theory. She also explains how the national deficit is not a number to be fearful of, but can be put to good use, and how government finance is far more flexible than you might think.
Today
British Army's Most Lethal Ever Tank Challenger 3 Undertakes Live Firing
Live firings of the British Army's highly lethal future tank - the Challenger 3 - have taken place in Germany this week, witnessed by UK Defence Procurement Minister, James Cartlidge. Live firing tests for Challenger 3 tank completed.
Today
British Army's Most Lethal Ever Tank Challenger 3 Undertakes Live Firing
Live firings of the British Army's highly lethal future tank - the Challenger 3 - have taken place in Germany this week, witnessed by UK Defence Procurement Minister, James Cartlidge. Live firing tests for Challenger 3 tank completed.
Yesterday
Check Your National Insurance Record If You have gaps in your payment record and how to top it up
Information about National Insurance contributions, qualifying for the State Pension, understanding your National Insurance record and whether you should fill gaps in your record. ou have until 5 April 2026 to make up for gaps for the tax year 2019 to 2020.Yesterday
£30 Million Paid This Year To Help Households With Higher Energy Bills
Winter Heating Payment supports households on low incomes, including older people, disabled people and families with children under five. People in Scotland have received more than £30 million via two Scottish Government benefits to help them deal with increased energy costs this winter, new statistics have show. Child Winter Heating Payment helps families of the most severely disabled children and young people. The official figures show more than 400,000 Winter Heating Payments of £55.05 were issued between November last year and the end of March.Yesterday
Government Launches New Free Business Management Course For Small Businesses
Government has launched Help to Grow: Management Essentials, a new online training course for small business leaders. Government has today launched Help to Grow: Management Essentials, a new online training course filled with practical advice and resources for small business leaders.Yesterday
Supporting Vulnerable Witnesses - Investment In Specialist Evidence Suites To Reduce Trauma
More child and vulnerable adult witnesses involved in serious criminal trials will have access to specialist suites to pre-record evidence, away from the courtroom, following a further £2 million investment from the Scottish Government. The funding means dedicated facilities - known as Evidence by Commissioner (EBC) suites – will be established in areas covered by two sheriffdoms which don't currently have their own designated facilities.23/4/2024
Higher Interest Rates Could Add £29 Billion To Household Energy Bills So Britain Needs A Plan To Deliver An Energy Investment Surge That Protects Lower Income Households
Britain needs to increase investment in its power sector four-fold over the next decade to deliver the crucial next step in decarbonising the economy. But promises that electrifying our home heating and driving will lead to lower energy costs have relied on the pre-energy crisis low interest rates world returning, and we need a plan for paying for this investment in case interest rates stay at current high levels, according to new research published on Monday 22 April 2024 by the Resolution Foundation.
23/4/2024
Scotland Is Affected Soon - Labour Metro Mayors Liken ID Photo Rules To Us Voter Suppression Tactics'
Thousands of voters in the May local elections are at risk of being disenfranchised because of "cynical" rule changes that make photo ID compulsory, Labour's metro mayors argue. Mayors including Sadiq Khan in London, Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire and Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester have come together to raise awareness of changes they say are a "brazen assault on our democracy".23/4/2024
UK Economy's Growth To Accelerate In 2025 As Barriers Fall
While the UK's economic outlook is expected to remain modest this year, growth is predicted to build throughout 2024. That is before accelerating in 2025 thanks to falling inflation, higher consumer spending and anticipated reductions in interest rates, according to the new EY ITEM Club Spring Forecast.
23/4/2024
Public Sector Finances UK March 2024
Borrowing - the difference between public sector spending and income - was £11.9 billion in March 2024, £4.7 billion less than in March last year. Borrowing in the financial year ending (FYE) March 2024 was provisionally estimated at £120.7 billion, £7.6 billion less than in the same twelve-month period a year ago but £6.6 billion more than forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
23/4/2024
Economic Activity And Social Change In The UK - Real-time Indicators
Consumer behaviour indicators showed increased activity in the latest week, with aggregate UK spending on credit and debit cards increasing by 1% compared with the previous week and transactions at Pret A Manger stores increasing in 9 of the 10 location categories; meanwhile, overall retail footfall remained broadly unchanged. (Bank of England CHAPS, Pret A Manger, MRI OnLocation).
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
