News Archive

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

Unsung Britain - The Changing Economic Circumstances Of The Poorer Half Of Britain

This report marks the launch of Unsung Britain, a one-year research programme designed to understand the economic circumstances of today's low-to-middle income families and how these have changed in recent decades, with support from JPMorganChase.   The launch paper finds that Britain's 13 million low-to-middle income families are older and more likely to suffer from poor health or a disability than three decades ago.  

Bonar Bridge Repainting To Be Discussed At Economy And Infrastructure Committee

Bonar Bridge will be discussed at the Economy and Infrastructure Committee of Highland Council on 14 November 2024.   Bonar Bridge had a paint inspection carried out in 2016, which stated that the paint system had largely failed and should be replaced within 5 years.  

HIE recognised for carer-friendly policies

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been formally recognised for the level of support given to their employees who have caring responsibilities.   The agency is the first employer in the region to be awarded exemplary employer status by Carer Positive, the organisation launched in 2013 to support employers and working carers.  

Government Issues Rallying Cry To The Nation To Help Fix NHS

Members of the public as well as NHS staff and experts will be invited to share their experiences views and ideas for fixing the NHS.   Health Secretary calls on entire nation to shape the government's plans to overhaul the NHS.