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20/12/2024
Salmon Fishing - Proposed River Gradings For 2025 Season: Consultation Analysis
The number of non-surgical cosmetic procedures (NSCPs) being carried out across Scotland and the UK has risen considerably over the years and continues to do so[1]. Alongside the growth of this industry there has been increased concern about the safety of these procedures, especially, but not only, where they take place outwith a traditional healthcare setting.18/12/2024
Empty And Second Homes In September 2024
In Scotland there are 21,606 second homes and 43,538 properties empty for more than 6 months. The latest council tax data (in September 2024) shows there were 21,606 second homes, 43,538 properties that had been empty for more than 6 months, of which, 73% (31,596) were categorised as long-term empty homes (i.e.18/12/2024
Local Authority Total And Vacant Housing Stock, Scotland, March 2024
There were 11,751 local authority housing stock units vacant as of 31 March 2024. There were 325,477 local authority housing stock units as of March 2024.18/12/2024
English Classes For New Scots
Refugees, people seeking asylum and other forced migrants in Glasgow are benefitting from English classes to help them integrate into communities, supported by £500,000 in Scottish Government funding which will help 800 learners. The classes are helping people who have been forced to flee their country gain the language skills needed to rebuild their lives in Scotland, communicate confidently with people in their new communities and establish and strengthen their social connections.18/12/2024
Ending The Use Of Non-corporate Mobile Messaging Apps
The Scottish Government is to stop the use of mobile messaging apps, including WhatsApp, on official devices following the publication of an externally-led review. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the review of mobile messaging apps and non-corporate technology and confirmed that access to these apps will be removed from government devices in spring 2025.18/12/2024
Progress On Scottish Government Workforce Reform
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee has responded to the publication of the Scottish Government Workforce September 2024 statistics. Mr McKee said: "There has been a 2.3% reduction to the total Scottish Government workforce between March 2022 and September 2024.18/12/2024
Consumer Price Inflation, Uk: November 2024 2.6%
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to November 2024, up from 3.2% in the 12 months to October. On a monthly basis, CPIH rose by 0.2% in November 2024, compared with a fall of 0.1% in November 2023.18/12/2024
Housebuilding And Affordable Home Statistics In The Year To End Of September 2024
There was a 12% decrease in all sector housebuilding starts and a 10% decrease in completions between 2023 and 2024 (year ending September). In the 12 months ending September 2024, there were 19,828 homes built and 14,768 new builds started.18/12/2024
Scottish Government Workforce Statistics September 2024
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending September 2024.17/12/2024
AI Was Supposed To Make The Uk Benefits System More Efficient. Instead It's Brought Bias And Hunger
A freedom of information request has revealed that an AI system used by the UK government for assessing benefits cases is apparently getting it wrong by a "statistically significant" amount. The admission to journalists at the Guardian emerged after a fairness analysis into universal credit claimants in February 2024.17/12/2024
Why Scottish Salmon's Rebrand May End Up Harming The Integrity Of A Top Export And Hurting Producers
Scottish farmed salmon was the UK's top food export last year, ending up in restaurants and on dinner tables all over the world. But also in 2023, the industry trade body Salmon Scotland sought to drop the word "farmed" from its protected geographical indication of "Scottish farmed salmon" after two successive years of falling production.16/12/2024
Scottish Highland Community 'blindsided' By Spaceport Bombshell As Future Hopes Turn To Dust
A community which spent eight years trying to secure Sutherland Spaceport for the future of the area speaks out after the company switched its launches to Shetland. All was well at a lunch in the Tongue Hotel on the final Monday in October when Phillip Chambers, chief executive of aerospace company Orbex, stood up and told those gathered about the bright future for the Sutherland spaceport.16/12/2024
Christmas Adverts - Decoding The Trusted Formula Used To Pull On Consumers' Heart Strings
This Christmas, major brands in the UK are spending more than £10 billion on advertising. And to justify the big spend, they are using sophisticated emotional marketing strategies to capture attention and boost sales.
13/12/2024
Portugal Shows The Impact Of Airbnb On Local Businesses
Short-term rentals don't just happen in a vacuum. They affect the environment around them, contributing to the closure of low-productivity firms and the expansion of surviving ones, especially tourist-oriented enterprises.
13/12/2024
No Notice Savings Rates - 13 December 2024
Average no notice savings rates, sourced from the Moneyfacts Savings Database, represent the average gross rate based on a £5,000 deposit across the whole of market. Average rates have been measured to the nearest ten thousandth to ensure greater precision.
13/12/2024
Chancellor Opens 100th Banking Hub In Time For Christmas - Wick Last Bank Closes 25 June 2025
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq, will today open the 100th banking hub in Darwen, Lancashire. Banking hubs have been set up in response to bank branch closures, with 350 set to be rolled out by 2029.13/12/2024
Suppliers Invited To Second Highland Registrars' Wedding Fair
Back by popular demand, suppliers working in the wedding market are being invited by Highland Registrars to their second Wedding Fair. The Highland Wedding Fair will take place on Sunday 9 February 2025 with public access from 11.00am - 3.00pm (suppliers will have access from 9.00am).
13/12/2024
Moneyfacts Average Mortgage Two Year Rates 13 December 2024
Average fixed mortgage rates, sourced from the Moneyfacts Mortgage Database, represent the mean average initial pay rate of residential fixed rate mortgages for terms of two years across whole of market. Data is collated at the end of each business day and excludes Standard Variable Rate mortgage products as well as those designed for the adverse credit market and products that are only available for new build, self build and equity and shared ownership properties.
13/12/2024
Stay Safe Online At Christmas - Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a popular present but be cautious of scams. Only buy from reputable stores and never share the card details with anyone.
4/12/2024
Sutherland Spaceport To Pause - Orbex To Begin Development Of Medium-sized Launch Vehicle And Switch Launch Operations To Saxavord Spaceport In Shetland
Spaceflight company Orbex is to focus its operations exclusively on developing small and medium sized space rockets after switching its launch operations to SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. The company has decided to pause construction of its own spaceport in Sutherland and will instead launch its first rockets from SaxaVord.Search Our Site
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