News Archive

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.  

£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.  

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.  

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).  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.