News Archive
1/5/2024
Time To Renew For Tax Credits Customers
Around 730,000 tax credits customers will start receiving their annual renewal notices from this week. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said tax credits claimants will receive them between 2 May and 19 June 2024.1/5/2024
Why Monopolies Are Harmful - Richard Murphy
Monopolies exist when one or a very few companies or organizations control a market and can exploit consumers as a result. The modern economy is riddled with monopolies, many of which are very powerful.
1/5/2024
Dingwall And Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 30 April 2024
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April 30th) sold 13 Prime Cattle. Prime Bullocks (11) averaged 296.26p per kg and sold to 306.0p per kg and £1,932.25 gross.1/5/2024
Will Local Government Pick Up The Tab For Increased Defence Spending?
The article published on the LocalGov web site on 30 April 2024 looks at the affect of an increase in defence spending from an English perspective u there may well be knock on effects for Scottish councils Cllr Graham Chapman, vice-chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA), looks at what the PM's announcement of an increase in defence spending means for local authorities. It is clear that last week's sudden announcement of a ‘substantial' increase in defence spending is not a well thought-through proposition.1/5/2024
Defence Sector Continues Contributing Significantly To UK Economy
The Joint Economic Data Hub (JEDHub) report shows growth in Defence sector employment, recruitment and revenue. The Joint Economic Data Hub (JEDHub) report shows growth in Defence sector employment, recruitment and revenue.1/5/2024
Highland Council Appoints 3 Assistant Chief Executives
Kate Lackie, Malcolm MacLeod and Allan Gunn have been appointed as Assistant Chief Executives with The Highland Council. Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: "I am delighted to say that Kate Lackie, Malcolm MacLeod and Allan Gunn have been appointed as Assistant Chief Executives with The Highland Council.
1/5/2024
Unemployment On The Rise - Beware Of These Job Scam Warning Signs And Update Your CV
Over 156,000 jobs were lost in the UK compared to the previous three-month period, marking the largest drop since last August. As firms continue to shed workers and unemployment figures climb to 4.2% - the highest since summer 2023 - job scammers are dangling their bait in hopes of cashing in on desperate job seekers.
1/5/2024
Beware Of Unexpected Calls About Your Funeral Plans, Warns FCA
A Financial Conduct Authority warning - Take care if you get an unexpected call about your funeral plan, we're warning consumers - It may be a scam. Don't engage if you get any unexpected calls from your funeral plan provider asking you to transfer money to top up your funeral plan due to the recent issue at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.1/5/2024
Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged As Inflation Subbornly Keeps High
The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged at between 5.25% and 5.5% — the highest level in more than a decade — as annual inflation rates continued to stall. In its statement announcing the hold, the central bank said that in recent months, there had been "a lack of further progress" toward its 2% percent inflation goal.30/4/2024
Online Voluntary National Insurance Payments Service Launches
Find out if voluntary National Insurance contributions will boost your State Pension. The government is making it easier for customers to check for and fill any gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record to help increase their State Pension by launching a new online service today (29 April 2024).
30/4/2024
First Minister Humza Yousaf Stands Down
on 29th April 2024 Humza Yousaf SNP First minister of Scotland announced he is standing down. The announcement last week that he was ending the Bute House agreement with the Green Party started the slide to the end.30/4/2024
Pay Packets Worth Less Than 2008 In Nearly Two-thirds Of UK Local Authorities - TUC Analysis Reveals
Pay packets are still worth less than in 2008 in nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK local authorities, according to new TUC analysis, published today (Monday 29 April 2024). The analysis of official statistics shows that 16 years on from the global financial crisis, wages are set to be lower - in real terms - in 212 out of 340 UK local authorities in 2024.30/4/2024
Consultation Launched To Reduce Disability Benefits
There has been a surge in numbers of people claiming disability benefits since the pandemic and projections show this is continuing, Consultation published on 29 April on proposals to move away from fixed cash benefit system towards tailored support. Comes as over 2.6 million people of working age now receiving PIP with monthly new claims almost doubling since 2019.
30/4/2024
Another Brexit Hit - Some Imported Foods To Be Charged New Import Duties From Today 30 April 2024
The government has already revealed how much companies will have to pay to import foods from the EU due to Brexit. Small imports of products such as fish, salami, sausage, cheese and yoghurt will be subject to fees of up to £145 from 30 April, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).30/4/2024
UK Goods Exports To EU Tumbled £10.7bn In 2023. Brexit Turmoil Is Not Over Yet
The UK's official trade figures for Q4 2023 have been released, and they reveal the UK’s goods exports to the EU slumped from £196.7bn in 2022 to £186bn last year. The international delivery expert ParcelHero says new post-Brexit charges and red tape are likely to further damage UK goods exports this year.30/4/2024
Cash Injection For Millions As National Insurance Cut Hits Payslips From Today
Millions of workers checking payslips from today 30 April 2024 will see a tax cut As the economy turns a corner, the government is rewarding hard work, with over £900 a year boost for typical worker. Marks another step in long-term ambition to end unfair double tax on work; There are 27 million employees in the UK, and tomorrow (Tuesday 30 April) millions of them on monthly salaries will wake up with a little more cash in their pockets, as the government's Spring Budget cut to National Insurance appears in April’s pay-packets.30/4/2024
Empty Defence Spending Promises Are A Shot In The Dark
"The government's announcement was misleading and opaque and does nobody any favours." Paul Johnson writes for the Times. Last week the prime minister committed to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income by 2030.30/4/2024
Mortgage Lending Highest Since February 2023
The Bank of England has released the latest mortgage lending statistics. Individuals borrowed, on net, £0.3 billion of mortgage debt in March, compared to £1.6 billion in February.
30/4/2024
Lending To And Deposits From Businesses - Bank Of England
In March, UK non-financial businesses (PNFCs and public corporations) repaid, on net, £1.1 billion of loans from banks and building societies (including overdrafts), compared with £2.8 billion of net repayments in February. Within this measure, large non-financial businesses repaid £0.7 billion in March, compared to £2.2 billion of repayments in February.
30/4/2024
