Analysis of the longer-term trends in average hours worked in the UK, more recent changes since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the impact on economic growth. Between 1998 and 2022, average weekly hours worked in the labour market fell by 1.3 hours, reflecting a significant fall for men aged 25 to 49 years who are full-time, and increases in women's hours worked have been insufficient to offset this; average hours have also fallen because of compositional changes in the labour market, with more women and older workers present.
"Cast a vote for a greener planet, lower food bills, better health and kindness to animals. And you don't even have to wait for a general election," states the global Veganuary campaign that encourages people to eat plant-based throughout January.
The Highland Council's parking enforcement team are reminding drivers that during February they will be enforcing the new pavement parking ban. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 has prohibited pavement parking, double parking, and parking at dropped kerbs and anyone caught can face a £100 fine.
Garage rents for the Sutherland area will increase by 10% for 2024/25 as agreed at today's Area Committee. Garage Rent for Council Tenants will increase from £7.58 to £8.34 per week.
Officers are reminding the community to ensure they have appropriate measures in place to help deter and prevent heating fuel thefts, following a recent incident in Caithness. It's important to put measures in place to protect your fuel tank and make it extremely difficult for thieves to target your fuel.
In many offices (not to mention on Zoom, Teams and Slack), employees and managers alike are whispering about the "great resignation". The UK saw a sharp rise in people quitting their jobs in 2021, and one fifth of UK workers still say they plan to resign in the next year in search of greater job satisfaction and better pay.
New law will create a new specific offence for dog and cat abduction. A new criminal offence for pet abduction has taken a significant step forward today (19 January) with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.
Strong winds associated with Storm Isha are likely to bring some disruption to travel and utilities across the UK on Sunday and Monday. What to Expect Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen.
Storm Isha has been named by the Met Office, with strong winds for all from Sunday and heavy rain for some. Cold Arctic air that has been dominating the UK in recent days is subsiding, replaced by an Atlantic influence which will bring a return to milder conditions, but also bring wet and windy weather across the UK on Sunday.
Border Force have made the highest number of illegal drug seizures since records began, as action at the border helps stop illegal drugs reaching the country. In the year ending March 2023, Border Force made a total of 25,834 drug seizures, a 24% increase from last year and the highest on record.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Private rental prices paid by tenants in the UK rose by 6.2% in the 12 months to December 2023, unchanged from the annual percentage change in the 12 months to November 2023. Annual private rental prices increased by 6.1% in England, 7.1% in Wales and 6.3% in Scotland in the 12 months to December 2023.
The Post Office's chief executive admitted it is a possibility the money taken from branch managers could have been part of "hefty numeration packages for executives", as he appeared before MPs alongside a senior Fujitsu figure. Money wrongfully taken from victims of the Horizon scandal may have gone into the pay of Post Office executives, MPs have been told.
Professor Robert Clancy has found similarities between long covid and long post covid vaccination syndrome. Here he shares new findings on the theory and practical medical management of these two conditions.
Views sought on transitioning to a circular economy. Proposals to increase reuse and recycling and cut waste are being put forward as part of a consultation.
This photo from Highland council shows the conditions for the last couple of days. Not many folk on the North Coast 500 this week.
GMG Energy the rapidly expanding Highland timber products specialist which contributes significantly to the circular economy in the Highlands and the Northern Isles, is set to play a bigger role in Scotland's construction sector. The Halladale-based business has seen three of its senior employees, including Director Malcolm Morrison, secure visual softwood structural grading credentials which qualifies the company to supply builders and joinery businesses with the stress tested timber used in housing and commercial property construction projects.
The Highland Council's Employability Service and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are delighted to announce an exciting collaboration to offer a pre-employability programme which seeks to support out-of-work young people on a pathway to the trades. Supported through the Scottish Government's No One left Behind Employability Funding, the Access To Trades initiative will provide a pathway for young people up to the age of 29 years to progress on to the CITB's Scottish Academy for Construction Opportunities (SACO) Programme.
There are two live streams going on today. This disgraceful situation has a long way to go.
