People should ’know who to turn to’ for health advice ahead of the New Year weekend. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith says it’s really important to know where to go for help over New Year, with seasonal illnesses such as flu and norovirus rising and further weather warnings for snow and ice that can lead to road accidents, slips and falls. Continue reading Staying safe over Hogmanay
WHILE temperatures plummet across Scotland in the lead up to the New Year, motorists are urged to take extra care when on the roads. As temperatures have already dropped below freezing across Scotland, roads are icy meaning drivers should only travel when necessary and be overly cautious when they do. Continue reading Simon says: stay safe while driving this winter
The Brain Tumour Charity has launched a new employment resource. Responding to a nationwide gap in information, the newly-launched resources will improve the quality of life for all those affected in the UK. Continue reading Brain Tumour Charity’s new employment resource helps local family
Advice and Support session
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Thursday 9 November, 10am – 12 noon
Business owners should prepare for spot checks on their staff pension schemes, a local tax specialist has warned. Continue reading Business owners should prepare for pensions spot checks, warns local tax specialist
Friday 23 June: 10am – 1pm, North Local Office
Over half of Scots sometimes run out of money before payday
More than half of Scots (51%) say they occasionally run out of money before payday, with 15% saying they do so ‘most of the time’ or ‘always.’
The figures are part of a major new report published by Citizens Advice Scotland (see below) which aims to take a snapshot of the financial realities facing Scots in 2017, and in particular the relationship people have with debt.
Other key findings from the research, which was conducted by Ipsos Mori, include:
• 55% of Scots would be unable to pay a sudden bill of £100 without borrowing, using savings or cutting back on essentials. The equivalent figure for a £250 bill is 69%, and for £1,000 is 83%.
• Only 42% of Scots feel they understand their rights in relation to debt.
• Older people and those with full-time jobs are less likely to be in debt, but many Scots who are in work report that they often need to borrow to supplement their income.
• Those who are in work are just as likely to be refused credit as those not in work.
Publishing the report, ‘Living one payday to the next,’ CAS policy manager Keith Dryburgh said: “This study shows that for most Scots debt is just a fact of life. It also shows that debt is not just an issue for people who are on low incomes. Many working Scots on reasonable salaries occasionally need to borrow money to get them from one payday to the next.
“While many of these people would not regard this as a crisis situation, our research also finds that many people are vulnerable to financial shocks, like being unable to pay a sudden bill without getting into debt or using savings. And more than half of Scots are not familiar with their rights as debt consumers.
“Given that debt is so pervasive in Scotland, we are keen to make sure that people know their rights in relation to debt, and also know what options they have if they want to manage their finances better. We have information and tools on our website that will help anyone do this, and free impartial advice is also available at every local CAB.”
A local tax specialist is urging small businesses to spring clean their finances as they tackle a raft of changes from this April.
Alan Johnston, who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Goldenacre, said: “Although the Government has now decided not to increase National Insurance contributions for self-employed people following a major backlash, other announcements in the Spring Budget added to a long list of changes and new responsibilities for small businesses. We want to ensure that local business owners make the most of all relevant tax breaks and don’t get caught out by the new rules.
“Although some of the changes, such as reduced dividend tax allowance for director-shareholders, will not start until next year, there are significant challenges for local business owners which come into force from April this year.”
Key changes from April 2017 include:
TaxAssist Accountants Goldenacre is a local business providing tax and accountancy advice and services purely to small businesses.
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith and Social Security Committee Member, Ben Macpherson has called on constituents across the city to claim the benefits that they are entitled to, following the launch of a Scottish Government awareness campaign. Continue reading Take up your benefits
