04/02/2014
Other News In Brief
Scotland's Gay Marriage Bill To Be Given Final Approval
Scotland could welcome the first same-sex weddings this autumn.
Laws which approved gay marriage are expected to be approved by the parliament later today.
In Scotland same-sex couples have the option to enter into civil partnerships, but government brought forward their Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, explaining the move was an important step for equality.
New Democratic Checks Will Help Keep Council Tax Dow
A new public record of how councillors vote on their budget, including Council Tax, will further protect hard-working families, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.
New regulations put before Parliament will require councils to publish, as a matter of record, how each councillor votes on any budget decisions including Council Tax changes. Previously, individual voting records were not usually public with only the overall vote outcome published.
The new development increases council transparency and accountability over Council Tax. It is the latest step in a series of measures the government has taken to help address the cost of living for hard-working families.
The government has worked with local authorities to freeze Council Tax for the last 3 years, cutting average bills by 10% in real terms.
A fourth freeze could be worth up to £718 for the average bill payer with more savings to come next year. The government has offered councils up to £550 million to freeze Council Tax for the next 2 years.
Cellar Girl Rapist Has Sentence Increased
A couple who trafficked a 10-year-old girl to the UK and held her as a servant for a decade have had their sentences increased.
The couple were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court in October 2013 however the Court of Appeal increased the sentences on an application by Solicitor General Oliver Heald who argued that they were excessively indulgent.
The main accused, Ilyas Ashar, 84, who repeatedly raped the girl at his home, had his sentence increased from 13 to 15 years. He was found guilty of 13 counts of rape, benefit fraud and trafficking. His wife, Tallat Ashar, 69, who was found guilty of benefit and trafficking, had her sentence extended from 5 to 6 years.
(CV/CD)
Scotland could welcome the first same-sex weddings this autumn.
Laws which approved gay marriage are expected to be approved by the parliament later today.
In Scotland same-sex couples have the option to enter into civil partnerships, but government brought forward their Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, explaining the move was an important step for equality.
New Democratic Checks Will Help Keep Council Tax Dow
A new public record of how councillors vote on their budget, including Council Tax, will further protect hard-working families, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.
New regulations put before Parliament will require councils to publish, as a matter of record, how each councillor votes on any budget decisions including Council Tax changes. Previously, individual voting records were not usually public with only the overall vote outcome published.
The new development increases council transparency and accountability over Council Tax. It is the latest step in a series of measures the government has taken to help address the cost of living for hard-working families.
The government has worked with local authorities to freeze Council Tax for the last 3 years, cutting average bills by 10% in real terms.
A fourth freeze could be worth up to £718 for the average bill payer with more savings to come next year. The government has offered councils up to £550 million to freeze Council Tax for the next 2 years.
Cellar Girl Rapist Has Sentence Increased
A couple who trafficked a 10-year-old girl to the UK and held her as a servant for a decade have had their sentences increased.
The couple were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court in October 2013 however the Court of Appeal increased the sentences on an application by Solicitor General Oliver Heald who argued that they were excessively indulgent.
The main accused, Ilyas Ashar, 84, who repeatedly raped the girl at his home, had his sentence increased from 13 to 15 years. He was found guilty of 13 counts of rape, benefit fraud and trafficking. His wife, Tallat Ashar, 69, who was found guilty of benefit and trafficking, had her sentence extended from 5 to 6 years.
(CV/CD)
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23 March 2005
4.1% council tax rise announced
Council tax rises in England next year will be the lowest in over a decade, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford has announced. According to new figures from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the average Band D increase in England will be 4.1% – representing a rise of £47 from £1,167 to £1,214 for the whole year.
4.1% council tax rise announced
Council tax rises in England next year will be the lowest in over a decade, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford has announced. According to new figures from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the average Band D increase in England will be 4.1% – representing a rise of £47 from £1,167 to £1,214 for the whole year.
21 February 2005
Tories promise to reduce council tax for pensioners
Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged to reduce council tax payments for pensioners, if the party win at the next General Election. Mr Howard said that, under a Conservative government, households where all adults are aged 65 and over would have their council tax bills halved, up to a maximum value of £500.
Tories promise to reduce council tax for pensioners
Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged to reduce council tax payments for pensioners, if the party win at the next General Election. Mr Howard said that, under a Conservative government, households where all adults are aged 65 and over would have their council tax bills halved, up to a maximum value of £500.
29 January 2004
£3.7bn in extra funding awarded to local councils
Local services will get an extra £3.7 billion in this year's funding grants to councils, it has been announced today. For the second year running, every local authority will receive at least an above inflation increase in government grant with many getting more. The local government formula grant will rise by 5.5% to £2.
£3.7bn in extra funding awarded to local councils
Local services will get an extra £3.7 billion in this year's funding grants to councils, it has been announced today. For the second year running, every local authority will receive at least an above inflation increase in government grant with many getting more. The local government formula grant will rise by 5.5% to £2.
01 March 2005
Average council tax rise dips to 4%
Average council tax will rise by 4% in England this year, the lowest percentage increase since 1994, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has reported. CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.
Average council tax rise dips to 4%
Average council tax will rise by 4% in England this year, the lowest percentage increase since 1994, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has reported. CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.
30 November 2010
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.