Non-Domestic Rates Legislation New draft legislation on non-domestic rates (NDR) aims to tackle tax avoidance and promote the Scottish Government’s ground-breaking Deposit Return Scheme. Regulations laid before the Scottish Parliament will empower councils to crack down on tax-avoidance such as the artificial use of insolvency,
Families Urged to Make Sure They Don’t Miss Out Parents and guardians who get qualifying benefits or tax credits and who have a child born between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018 are being urged to check whether they should apply for Best Start
Scottish Government maintaining focus on key actions The significant pressures on our National Health Service have dominated the news so far this year, and it is no exaggeration to say that this winter has probably been the most difficult ever faced by the NHS. Our
Almost 45 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s a year ago. Scotland benefits from the most comprehensive concessionary travel schemes in the UK. More than a third of the population, over 2.3 million
Supporting Disabled People to Access Devolved Benefits A free independent advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Scottish Government benefits has marked its first year in operation. The Scottish Government is investing more than £20 million to deliver this service over the course of four
Tighter Laws to Protect Scotland’s Wildlife New legislation to prevent the chasing and killing of wild mammals for sport has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government’s Hunting with Dogs Bill will close loopholes in existing laws that have allowed the practice of
Evidence Review Will Inform Action An urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes has been commissioned. The review, which comes in response to emerging concerns around the negative consequences of the disposable devices, will inform potential policy responses, which could include
Minister Confirms Intention to Cap Rents at 3% Emergency measures to protect tenants will be extended, Tenants Rights’ Minister Patrick Harvie has confirmed, with private rents capped and enforcement of evictions prevented in most cases. Subject to the approval of Parliament, changes to the Cost
Agri-Environment Climate Change Scheme awards. More than 600 rural businesses with projects that protect the environment and mitigate the impact of climate change will share £30 million from the latest round of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) 2021. – Graeme I am delighted to see
A record 183,025 studied at Scottish universities in 2021-22. A record number of Scottish domiciled students have enrolled at the country’s universities. The latest Higher Education Student Statistics show the number of Scottish domiciled students studying at Scotland’s universities rose from 180,170 in 2020-21 to