Latest News

How Much Income Is Needed To Live Well In The Uk In 2023? At Least £29,500 - Much More Than Many Households Bring In

ou don't have to look very hard at the moment to find evidence of the immense financial pressure on UK households.  New figures from the Trussell Trust show that 1.5 million emergency food parcels were provided to people between April and September 2023.  

Why Is It The Elderly Are Living As Long As Ever, But Are Sicker? - Richard Murphy

New research shows that those in their later 60s now are sicker than those in their late 80s were at the same point in their lives.   Why isn't prosperity delivering wellness, and what can we do about it?.  

Flu And Covid-19 Rising Cases - Surveillance Report Published

Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.   This COVID-19, flu and RSV surveillance bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for COVID-19, flu and RSV.  

Construction Starts On New Healthcare Facility For British Army At Leuchars Station

A ceremony in Fife marked the start of construction for a new medical and dental centre at Leuchars Station.   A ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction for a new medical and dental centre at Leuchars Station in Fife.  

Improved Support For Crime Victims - New Victim Contact Team To Be Set Up

Victims of crime will receive improved support, advice and information as part of planned reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS).   Under proposed changes to the scheme - which entitles victims or close relatives of victims to certain information about the person responsible for the crime - a new Victim Contact Team will be set up to give personalised support to victims, based on their individual needs.  

Trading Standards - AA Scam Emails

The AA has warned customers to be wary of emails that appear to be from them and say they have won a 'free' emergency car kit.  Several people have reported these scams in the last week.  

Trading Standards - Gift Card Scams

Several people have recently received emails or social media messages from a friend or relative whose account has been hacked, asking them to purchase gift cards.   The message often says that the sender needs the gift card urgently but cannot buy it themselves, usually because they or a family member is ill.  

Environmental Standards Scotland: Scotland's Soils Should Be Protected In Law

Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) is recommending the Scottish Government bring forward legislative proposals to protect Scotland's soils.   A report published today by ESS, The Risks to Scotland's Soils: A Scoping Report, highlights the need for action to safeguard this valuable resource, which provides a habitat for over half of the world's species, helps to reduce climate change and its impacts and underpins the vast majority of Scotland's food.  

Ten North Highlands Communities Benefit From Projects To Rebalance Tourism

A series of workshop-based projects are helping ten local areas across the North Highlands pioneer a community-first visitor-second approach to tourism.   Following the success of the pilot, the organisers are keen to hear from other communities across the North Highlands who want to use this tailored approach to make tourism work better for them.  

Flow Country Importance - Overhead Line (ohl) Between Spittal And Beauly, Connecting Via Loch Buidhe

Specialist teams at SSEN Transmission have been working with communities and public bodies to minimise the impact of infrastructure works on the Flow Country - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  In this blog, Senior Consents and Environment Manager Tara Cowley explains that environmental protection is at the heart of our project development process.