Scottish Budget: Higher earners to pay more income tax

Scottish Budget: Higher earners to pay more income tax

The Scottish government has announced that higher earners will be paying more income tax. Finance Secretary Shona Robison confirmed that a new 45% tax bracket would be introduced for individuals earning between £75,000 and £125,140, meaning they will pay more tax than before. In addition, the top tax rate for those earning over £125,000 will… Continue reading Scottish Budget: Higher earners to pay more income tax

Scottish ministers to abandon UK gender block appeal

Scottish ministers to abandon UK gender block appeal

The Scottish government is expected to abandon its legal action against the UK government’s veto of gender reform legislation. The move comes after the Court of Session in Edinburgh rejected the Scottish government’s legal challenge to the veto earlier this month. The Scottish parliament passed legislation allowing people to change their legally-recognised sex last year,… Continue reading Scottish ministers to abandon UK gender block appeal

Transgender guidance: Schools to keep parents informed

Transgender guidance: Schools to keep parents informed

The UK government has published new guidance that advises teachers to inform parents if their child wishes to change their gender identity at school. The guidance applies to schools in England and also states that teachers should take a cautious approach if pupils want to use a new name, pronouns, or uniform. According to the… Continue reading Transgender guidance: Schools to keep parents informed

Pub tax hike and new Welsh budget cuts to prop up NHS

Pub tax hike and new Welsh budget cuts to prop up NHS

Wales is set to face a fresh round of spending cuts in order to direct more funds towards its struggling health service. Business rates for pubs, shops, and restaurants will be increased as part of Welsh Labour’s budget for the next 12 months from April. The discount of rate relief, which was previously at 75%… Continue reading Pub tax hike and new Welsh budget cuts to prop up NHS

Memorial service to be held for Alistair Darling

Memorial service to be held for Alistair Darling

A memorial service is scheduled to take place in Edinburgh for former Chancellor Alistair Darling who died in November aged 70 after being ill for a short while. The ceremony is set to be attended by various high-profile members of the political world including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and the First Minister of Scotland –… Continue reading Memorial service to be held for Alistair Darling

Stormont talks: What issues are affecting people in Northern Ireland?

Stormont talks: What issues are affecting people in Northern Ireland?

As the prospect of a deal to restore devolution in Northern Ireland before Christmas is ruled out, the region remains without a functioning executive for almost two years. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) terminated the power-sharing institutions at the beginning of 2022 over post-Brexit trade regulations. It was hoped that an agreement to restore Stormont… Continue reading Stormont talks: What issues are affecting people in Northern Ireland?

NI talks: Chris Heaton-Harris to outline next steps

NI talks: Chris Heaton-Harris to outline next steps

Today, Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, is expected to outline the next steps for the UK government following a failed attempt to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland before Christmas. The DUP has been boycotting devolved government at Stormont for 22 months due to their objections to post-Brexit trade arrangements. Meanwhile, business groups have… Continue reading NI talks: Chris Heaton-Harris to outline next steps

Scotland's papers: Scottish budget tax plans and Mone PPE fallout

Scotland's papers: Scottish budget tax plans and Mone PPE fallout

In today’s modern age, the internet has become an essential part of our daily lives. From social media to streaming services, we rely on the internet for entertainment, information, and communication. However, one significant issue with the internet is the abundance of fake news, misleading information, and propaganda that can spread quickly and easily. The… Continue reading Scotland's papers: Scottish budget tax plans and Mone PPE fallout

Dame Esther Rantzen: 'If I were PM, we would vote on assisted dying'

Dame Esther Rantzen: 'If I were PM, we would vote on assisted dying'

Dame Esther Rantzen, the prominent media personality and founder of ChildLine and The Silver Line charities, has said that if she were Prime Minister for one day, a national vote on assisted dying would be at the top of her agenda. Speaking to BBC News, Rantzen stated that “the law needs to catch up with… Continue reading Dame Esther Rantzen: 'If I were PM, we would vote on assisted dying'

Newspaper headlines: 'Furious' Covid PPE row and Esther Rantzen signs up for Dignitas

Newspaper headlines: 'Furious' Covid PPE row and Esther Rantzen signs up for Dignitas

The Guardian has reported a dispute between Michelle Mone and the UK government over her links to a PPE company that was awarded contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mone, a Conservative peer, claimed that the Cabinet Office, the government, and the NHS were aware of her involvement before the company she co-owns with her husband… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: 'Furious' Covid PPE row and Esther Rantzen signs up for Dignitas