Political deaths in 2024: The well-known names we lost in the last year December 30, 2024 Whether a former deputy Prime Minister infamous for throwing a punch, to a Scottish independence campaigner and former First Minister, 2024 saw the deaths of several political heavyweights. As the year draws to a close, we look back at the lives of some well-known Westminster names who have died over the past 12 months. Derek [...]
Shops being ‘thwacked by colossal’ employment costs December 18, 2024 Business rates rises totalling £7.6m are being faced by shops in Scotland when the new tax year starts, according to new figures. A total of 4,520 shops liable for the intermediate and higher property rates will experience an increase in their rates bills, according to information obtained by Conservative MSP Craig Hoy and published by [...]
It’s time for England to stop subsidising Scotland and Wales December 4, 2024 The devolved nations are living on another planet economically because England essentially pays for their deficits. This has to stop, says Paul Ormerod Every single pensioner will continue to receive payments towards their winter fuel. This is not some fantasy world in which the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has abandoned one of her flagship policies. It [...]
Profit quadruples at biscuit maker Tunnock’s despite chocolate crisis November 26, 2024 Profit at biscuit maker Tunnock’s quadrupled during its latest financial year despite the cocoa crisis in Africa. The Scottish confectionary business, which is headed up by Sir Boyd Tunnock, has reported a pre-tax profit of £4m for the 12 months to 24 February, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The latest figure comes [...]
Center Parcs reveals plans open new £400m UK holiday village November 5, 2024 Center Parcs has revealed plans to open its first holiday village in Scotland in an investment worth up to £400m which would create around 1,200 jobs. The group has earmarked a site in the Scottish Borders, approximately three miles north of Hawick and 55 miles south of Edinburgh. Center Parcs said the plans are at [...]
Ministers to speed up energy ‘skills passport’ amid worker shortages October 17, 2024 The energy secretary will speed up oil and gas workers being able to transition to jobs in the renewable energy industry via a “skills passport” as workforce shortages are “hindering” the sector. Energy security and net zero secretary Ed Miliband confirmed his department will “provide project management advice” to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and Renewable [...]
Alex Salmond obituary: The Scottish firebrand who shook up British politics October 14, 2024 Alex Salmond was the dominant figure in Scottish politics of the past three decades. He led the Scottish National Party for 20 years, was the first pro-independence First Minister of Scotland and brought about a referendum on the Union which ended his front-line career but put to bed any lingering notion that a separate Scotland was unimaginable.
UK Infrastructure Bank sets aside £87m to invest in subsea cable factory September 26, 2024 The project is expected to create around 900 permanent jobs on completion, with the facility producing thousands of km of cables each year.
Scotland set to host 2026 Commonwealth Games September 17, 2024 Scotland are set to step in and host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after a deal was struck this month. A scaled-down version of the Games, started initially as the Empire Games during the times of the British Empire, will return to Glasgow 12 years after the city last played hosts, according to BBC [...]
Lack of wind dents profit at one of EDF’s biggest UK windfarms September 3, 2024 A lack of wind has dented profit at EDF’s Dorenell Windfarm in Scotland, with turnover dropping by more than £20m in 2023, according to newly-filed documents. Dorenell Windfarm, a 59-turbine site south of Dufftown with the capacity to power more than 106,000 UK homes, saw its turnover slump to £56m during the 12 months, down [...]