You might be surprised by someone from Alcohol Change UK advocating this, but we’re more than half-way through Dry January® – so maybe it’s time to head to the pub!
Giving up alcohol shouldn’t mean giving up socialising. Pubs are increasingly supportive of Dry January®, and for good reason. Our research shows that 44% of those going alcohol-free this month are more likely to visit a bar or pub if it serves a good selection of alcohol-free beers, wines or spirits.
So how about seeing what’s behind the bar at your local? You might find a range of good options already on offer – there’s been a huge increase in the quality and availability of alcohol-free products over recent years. And they can help us cut down the amount of alcohol we drink, while making nights out more inclusive.
But they’re still not universally easy to find. You can help change that. In fact, many of our supporters have told us that speaking to the landlord of their local has resulted in better alcohol-free options being stocked year-round.
Of course, some of us doing Dry January® will feel less comfortable in a pub because it might trigger cravings. Alcohol-free alternative drinks are not right for everyone, and that’s fine. But if you’d like to see improved options behind the bar, why not pop into your favourite pub and start a conversation with the staff? Your encouragement might just help make your local even better!
Increasing exemptions to additional properties tax
Legislation enabling councils to increase their affordable housing stock without having to pay a tax on additional properties has been introduced in the Scottish Parliament.
Under changes to the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS), paid as part of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, the length of time a buyer moving between properties has to sell their original home in order to be able to reclaim ADS would also be extended from 18 months to 36 months.
Other changes include an exemption for people buying a new property to live in after divorce or separation if they are required by court to keep their previous home. Further amendments will exempt buyers from paying ADS on a property for which missives have been signed when a separate property has been inherited in the meantime.
Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur said: “The Additional Dwelling Supplement is an important source of revenue and in 2022-23 raised £163 million to support vital public services. The tax works well in most cases but we have taken on board feedback about the way it operates in certain circumstances.
“We want everyone in Scotland to have an affordable home that meets their needs, which is why we’re extending the scope of relief for councils to help them increase their affordable housing stock without having to pay tax on additional properties.
“The amendments also take on board feedback that it can be tricky for people moving house to sell their original home within 18 months due to differences in supply and demand in the housing market across Scotland.
“I am grateful to everyone who responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on these changes and look forward to working with MSPs as the legislation progresses through Parliament.”
New law will create a new specific offence for dog and cat abduction
A new criminal offence for pet abduction took a significant step forward yesterday with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.
Under the Pet Abduction Bill – a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
By supporting the Pet Abduction Bill, the Government is delivering on pledges made in its Action Plan for Animal Welfare. This recognised that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers.
Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests that around 2,000 dog theft and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “As a dog owner myself, I appreciate deeply what treasured members of the family dogs and cats are. It is a deeply traumatic experience for both the owner and the pet when they are stolen.
“This vital Bill will recognise the severity of this shocking crime and should act as a deterrent to anyone considering stealing a dog or cat. We will do all we can to support its swift passage through Parliament.”
Anna Firth MP said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Pet Abduction Bill has passed its second reading, and will move on to Committee stage. As a nation of pet-lovers, it is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact that the abduction of a pet can have, and brings the perpetrators to justice that correctly reflects this.
“Pets are not merely property like a smartphone or watch – they are part of the family. It is not right that the law does not distinguish this and I am delighted that my bill will redress this wrong.”
Friday’s announcement builds upon wider work to protect pets from theft, including making it compulsory to microchip all pet cats and dogs in, making it easier for lost, stray or stolen pets to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.
This builds on the Government’s efforts to enhance ‘our world-leading standards of animal welfare’. The UK was the first country in the world to introduce animal cruelty offences and is the highest ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index. Our flagship Action Plan for Animal Welfare committed us to going even further to protect animals.
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill – which is only possible now we have left the European Union – was introduced to Parliament last month and will put an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping animals enduring unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury on long journeys.
Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, we have also brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; extended the ivory ban to cover other ivory bearing species; introduced legislation to ban the keeping of primates as pets and supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.
The UK’s biggest cat charity Cats Protection has welcomed the Pet Abduction Bill, following its second reading.The charity says the Private Members Bill – proposed by Anna Firth MP – would give cats and their owners greater protection in law and help prevent pet theft.
In particular, the proposals would help tackle the backstreet market in purebred cats and kittens, driven by a growing demand for pedigrees.
Cats Protection’s Senior Advocacy & Government Relations Officer Annabel Berdy said: “No matter what the animal, pet abduction is a particularly abhorrent crime, leaving owners devastated and pets at high risk of mistreatment.
“Most cat owners share a deep emotional bond with their pet and consider them part of the family. When cats are stolen, it rips that companionship away, and leaves owners living with the nightmare of not knowing how their cat is being treated or if they’ll ever be reunited.
“More than 40% of all cats obtained in the last 12 months were pedigree, and this hasn’t gone un-noticed by those who want to profit in animal trade at any cost.
“These unscrupulous sellers will be looking to profit either by selling stolen cats to unsuspecting buyers, or keeping them to breed kittens for onward sale.
“Clearly, we are incredibly concerned about the welfare of these cats and kittens and this proposed law has the potential to be a much-needed deterrent to stamp out this market.
“We look forward to continuing to work with other animal charities and politicians to help push this Bill forwards and bring about better protections for pet owners and pets alike.”
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys between 30 January and 15 March 2024 across the UK
the week-long sale starts on 23 January 2024, slashing rail ticket prices on many routes over 6 weeks
comes as government seeks to reform the railways and bring more passengers back to the rail network
offers on journeys on thousands of popular routes across England and Wales
Passengers will have from 23 to 29 January 2024 to claim up to 50% off selected advance and off-peak rail tickets, through the Great British Rail Sale.
Over a million discounted tickets will be available to destinations across England and Wales, as well as on cross-border trips into Scotland, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024.
Whether it’s a city break, family holiday or countryside escape, passengers are encouraged to make the most of this sale to get to popular destinations across the country.
Popular journeys passengers could claim savings* on tickets for include:
Route
Standard price
Sale price
Portsmouth to Penzance
£43
£21
Birmingham to Bristol
£30.60
£15.30
Manchester to Leeds
£8.60
£4.30
Leicester to Sheffield
£7.30
£3.60
The government is committed to helping families with the cost of living, and working with industry to offer up to half-price rail tickets will not only boost tourism and encourage sustainable travel but also help connect friends and families across the UK.
This comes as the government delivered its commitment to halve inflation by the end of last year – helping to keep travel costs lower in the long term.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “The return of the Great British Rail Sale is good news for passengers, following the success of the previous sale which saw passengers benefit from around £7 million in savings on their travel costs.
“With discounts on more than a million tickets, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to connect with friends and family and explore great destinations across the country – I hope passengers make the most of this sale and choose to travel by rail.”
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Train travel is the greenest way to explore our towns and cities as well as connect with your family and friends because nothing beats being there in person for those special moments.
“Following the success of the Great British Rail Sale in 2022, we are really excited that it’s coming back, and customers will be able to once again purchase over a million advance ticket fares starting on 23 January 2024 and enjoy what rail has to offer.”
The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) estimate that the first Great British Rail Sale in 2022 saw passengers save around £7 million on rail tickets and encouraged around 70,000 adults who had not travelled by train since the COVID-19 pandemic to take a trip.**
The government and industry are, therefore, launching a second Great British Rail Sale to save passengers money and get more people using our railways.
The Great British Rail Sale is just one way the government is seeking to improve rail passengers’ experience, with London North Eastern Railway (LNER) launching a pilot scheme for simpler fares earlier this week, removing the complex web of ticket types and replacing them with options that are simpler, more flexible and better suit passengers’ needs.
Suzanne Donnelly, Passenger Revenue Director at GBRTT, said: “I’m delighted the rail industry has, once again, come together to deliver another huge round of savings on tickets for passengers.
“At GBRTT, we are focused on driving initiatives that will boost the number of rail journeys people make to reduce the cost of running the railway for taxpayers, whilst providing value for money for customers. The Great British Rail Sale is just one example of what can be achieved through a one railway, joined-up approach.”
Sale tickets will start to become available from midnight on 23 January 2024. The Rail Delivery Group will host a central webpage, helping customers find the best deals. Tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024. Only a limited number of tickets are available, and no further sale tickets will go on offer once sold out.***
Operators are not offering sale tickets on days when their services might be impacted by the strikes announced by ASLEF on 15 and 18 January 2024.
* The savings quoted are against a typical advance purchase ticket, as these tickets vary in price the exact savings may be more or less compared to what a passenger usually purchases.
** Estimate is based on survey data from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and scaled using YouGov data.
*** Travel periods may differ across operators, with few or no tickets available on days impacted by industrial action. More tickets will be made available on days unaffected by industrial action.
The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for wind. As such, there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas:
Central, Tayside and Fife
Clackmannanshire
Falkirk
Fife
Stirling
South West Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
East Lothian
Midlothian Council
Scottish Borders
West Lothian
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute
East Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
North Lanarkshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
The Amber warning is effective from 1800 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0900 hrs Monday 22nd January.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for rain. Combined with the win there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas
Central, Tayside & Fife
Angus
Clackmannanshire
Dundee
Fife
Stirling
Perth and Kinross
Grampian
Aberdeenshire
Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Highland
South West Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
Scottish Borders
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute
East Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
Inverclyde
North Lanarkshire
Renfrewshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
The yellow warning is effective from 1200 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0600 hrs Monday 22nd January.
General advice for road users:
Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather
Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter for up-to-date travel information.
Wind:
HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.
Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.
Rain:
Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility.
Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Dry January
Dry January is back, challenging you to become alcohol-free for one whole month. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can increase your risk of developing heart diseases, increase your blood pressure and cause weight gain.
Getting used to a new alcohol-free lifestyle can be hard, see our tips below to help you this January:
Changing your behaviour
Changing your behaviours can be difficult and it may be beneficial to find alternative habits to distract you when you would usually be drinking.
You might find it useful to try cooking healthy meals or go for a walk in the local park instead of having a drink. You could even take up a new hobby or sport!
Finding alternatives
Finding an alternative drink to the alcoholic one you usually have will help you to refrain from drinking.
There are many non-alcoholic options for you to try mocktails, alcohol-free beer or soft drinks are a few.
Knowing the benefits
There are a number of benefits to reducing your alcohol intake, you will be reducing your calorie intake which could help you to lose weight, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and ultimately reduce your risk of developing heart diseases.
You may also feel improvements in your sleep quality, mental health and energy levels.
Reducing your intake
It is perfectly acceptable to enjoy an alcoholic drink from time to time but by reducing your overall consumption you will be benefitting your health.
Below are some tips to help you:
Have a glass of water after every alcoholic drink Have smaller drinks or bottled beer Have lower-strength drinks Have several alcohol-free days each week Cut down with your friends and family by supporting each other.
The average price of car insurance in Scotland is now £806, following a 62% increase in the past 12 months
Significant increases across the 4 main Scottish regions put prices at the highest on record, with some drivers paying £897 for their car insurance.
In particular, motorists in Central Scotland are seeing the steepest changes to their premiums, with year-on-year prices increasing the most of all UK regions (64% / £350).
It’s a similar picture across the rest of the UK, where drivers are now paying £995, on average. That’s a £366 (58%) increase compared to 12 months ago.
But further research(1) suggests that those opting to renew could be paying even more. Three in 4 (75%) UK drivers who received their renewal last quarter saw their price increase by £93, on average.
Why are car insurance prices so high? Louise Thomas, car insurance expert at Confused.com, explains why drivers are seeing such a significant shift in their costs.
New data has revealed that drivers in Scotland face record high car insurance costs, as the average price in Scotland reaches £806.
That’s following a £309 (62%) increase in prices in the past 12 months, according to the latest car insurance price index by Confused.com, powered by WTW. Based on more than 6 million quotes per quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index for new business premiums in the UK.
Significant increases across the region means that some drivers are paying out as much as £897 for their car insurance. This is the case for those living in Central Scotland, where prices have accelerated at a staggering pace over the past 12 months. According to the data, prices in this Scottish region rose by 64%, equivalent to £350, in the past 12 months. This is the steepest increase seen across all UK regions when it comes to the percentage of their premium. This makes it the most expensive Scottish region for car insurance.
Those in East and North East Scotland have seen a similar change to their car insurance costs. Prices in this region increased by 61%, or £279, in the past 12 months. This puts the average cost of insurance here at £735.
Meanwhile, those in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, and Scottish Borders pay slightly less, despite premiums also increasing significantly in the past year. The average cost of car insurance in these regions is now £712 and £657, respectively.
On a more granular level, some drivers in Central Scotland have seen even bigger shifts in their prices, compared to the regional average.
Those in Glasgow and Edinburgh have seen the steepest changes in their premiums in the past 12 months, compared to the rest of the UK areas. The average price of insurance in Glasgow, for example, increased by 65% (£394) over the last year.
While a 65% increase in Edinburgh meant prices rose by £318, on average. This means drivers in these 2 Scottish areas can now expect to pay £998 and £806 for their car insurance, respectively, on average.
Prices in Central Scotland
Region
Average £
Annual £ change
Annual % change
Quarterly £ change
Quarterly % change
Central Scotland
£897
£350
64%
£77
9%
East & North East
£735
£279
61%
£60
9%
Highlands & Islands
£712
£264
59%
£58
9%
Scottish Borders
£657
£239
57%
£55
9%
Significant annual increases in premiums can be seen across the rest of the UK. The average driver is now paying £995 for their car insurance, on average – the highest price on record in the UK.
According to the data, prices have increased by an average of £366 (58%) in the past 12 months. However, in the past 3 months, prices only increased by 8%, or £71, on average. While this is a significant change over a short time, it’s still considerably lower than the changes over the last 6 months. Between March and September last year, prices increased by 41%, or £267, on average. This worked out at increases of 18% and 19% for each 3 month period
However, as it stands, prices are still rising, and some drivers could be paying significantly more for their premiums if they choose to renew. That’s as further research suggests renewing customers are now even more likely to see significant annual price increases.
In a survey of 2,000 UK drivers(1), around 3 in 4 (75%) of those who renewed their policy in the last 3 months saw their premium increase. This is around 10% more than those who renewed at any other point last year, on average. And those who received a higher renewal price were quoted £98 more than the previous year, on average.
In comparison with Confused.com’s data, this is more expensive than the price they could be paying if they took out a new policy. Of these, 37% went on to shop around and took out a new policy with a different insurer, saving £96, on average. Meanwhile, only 7% received a cheaper renewal price, on average.
So while prices are up across the board, it’s clear from the data that those who choose to shop around rather than renewing their policy could be better off. And this could be a key consideration for some drivers, who are paying significantly more than the UK average.
Motorists aged between 17 and 20 have seen their premiums rise by more than £1,000, on average, compared to 12 months ago. For 17 year olds, this is a 98% increase year-on-year, equivalent to £1,423, on average. This brings the average price of a policy to £2,877.
Meanwhile, a £1,447 (84%) increase in prices for 18-year-olds means they’re paying more than £3,000 for the first time. Their premiums reached £3,162 on average. Hefty increases also means that drivers up to the age of 43 can expect to pay £1,000 or more for their car insurance, on average.
It’s a similar picture for different regions across the UK too, with some paying significantly more than others. In particular, prices in Northern Ireland have tipped over the £1,000 mark for the first time on record. This is after prices increased by £383 (57%) in the past 12 months. This brings the average premium in the region to £1,051. Meanwhile, a 64% (£350) increase in prices in Central Scotland means premiums have doubled in 2 years, with the average driver now paying £897.
However, London remains the most expensive region in the UK for car insurance. Drivers in Inner and Outer London pay £1,607 and £1,291 respectively, on average.
With prices increasing significantly, it’s a bleak time for drivers and their car insurance. That’s even if they’re able to save compared to the year before. But experts at Confused.com urge drivers to review their policies to see if there are other ways they can save. Especially as the cost of living crisis continues to impact many.
There are some tips drivers can try to keep costs down when it comes to renewal:
Use a price comparison site – When it comes to keeping costs down, the best thing you can do is compare prices. That way you can ensure you’re getting the best deal to suit your needs and not paying more than you need to. And it’s likely that you can make a saving.
Pay for your car insurance annually – If you can afford it, pay for your insurance in one go rather than monthly. That’s because insurance companies often charge interest for spreading the cost of your cover over the year.
Increase your voluntary excess – Increasing your voluntary excess can help you get cheaper car insurance. But you need to make sure you can afford to pay it, if you need to claim.
Be accurate with mileage – Generally, the more miles you drive, the more likely you are to have an accident and make a claim. This means the higher your mileage, the more you pay for your car insurance. So, driving fewer miles can be a great way to save money on your car insurance policy. But don’t assume that a low mileage always means low prices. If you barely drive at all, your insurance company could see that as a risk as well.
Enhance your car security – The harder it is to steal your car, the less of a risk it is. This usually means cheaper car insurance. There are several ways to improve your car security including:
= Installing a Thatcham-approved car alarm or immobiliser, if it doesn’t already have one
= Adding secondary levels of security like a steering lock
= Parking overnight in a secure, well-lit car park, or at home in a garage or driveway, if possible
Inflation has played a key role in the rise of car insurance costs, due to the impact on the cost of repairs and claims. Since the end of the pandemic, the number of cars on the road has increased to a normal, if not inflated level. This means the risk of accidents and claims is a lot higher than before.
And the amount insurers are having to pay for these claims has increased too, as parts and labour costs are all impacted by inflation. Similarly, cars are holding their value for longer, or are generally equipped with more technology or expensive equipment. This means the cost to replace a car is more than before too.
So while inflation remains high, insurers are paying more to cover the cost of claims. This is reflected in the prices they’re offering drivers for their car insurance.
While it seems from Confused.com’s data that there’s some respite from steep increases, the car insurance market remains incredibly volatile. This is why it’s so important that drivers are shopping around and comparing policies. By doing this, they can make sure they’re getting the best price, as prices are probably going to be high for some time.
Louise Thomas, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance comments, “Like a lot of our expenses, car insurance is getting more costly. And this is to be the case for some time.
“Claiming is one of the biggest factors when it comes to insurers pricing up policies. And with the cost of paying out for claims being considerably high, insurance prices are going to be too.
“While it looks like increases could be slowing down for now, we still need to be doing what we can to keep these costs as low as possible. Things like increasing security, reviewing how many miles you drive or adjusting your excess could bring your overall cost down. But it’s important to remember that the information you’re providing should be accurate otherwise you risk invalidating your policy if you need to make a claim.
“Ultimately, shopping around is the only way to know you’re paying the cheapest price available to you. With prices so high, it’s a very competitive market. So if you look around, there’s likely to be an insurer out there willing to offer a cheaper price.
“We’re so certain that we offer a guarantee to beat your renewal, or pay you the difference, plus £20(2). In this scenario, you not only get the best price, but you also get more cash. So there’s nothing to lose and lots to be gained.”
Be suspicious of any ‘too good to be true’ offers or prices
