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The National
6 hours ago
- Health
- The National
Scotland's births continue to fall - showing we need more migration
The National Records of Scotland (NRS) published the latest statistics on the number of births and deaths in Scotland in the first quarter of 2025, showing a continued downward trend in the number of children born. Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said the figures showed that Scotland needs migration to support the population, and criticised UK Labour's approach to the immigration system. NRS said that there were 11,431 births registered between January 1 and March 31 2025, 460 below the average of 11,891. In the same period there were 16,721 deaths, 1402 fewer (7.7 per cent) than expected. Scotland's birth rate is also continuing to decline, at 8.4 live births per 1000 population. You can see some of the key figures below. Number of births As the above graph shows, the number of births since 2014, in each first quarter, are on a continual decline. In 2014 there were 13,930 births between January and March, the latest figures show this has now dropped to 11,431. The overall birth rate for the first quarter of each year is also on a decline from 2014 as the above graph shows. In 2014, it was 10.6 live births per 1000 population, and now it sits at 8.4. READ MORE: 'We saw Labour winter fuel U-turn on social media', SNP minister says Deaths Scotland's population is at risk of decline not just because birth rates are falling, but because the number of deaths is currently more than births. This has been a constant trend since 2014, according to NRS figures, which you can see in the graph below. In 2025, the leading cause of death was cancer. Phillipa Haxton, head of vital events statistics at NRS, said: 'Cancer remained by far the leading cause of death with 4118 deaths compared to the next largest cause, respiratory diseases at 2291. 'The top four causes also include Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and coronary heart disease. Together these made up 60 per cent of all deaths.' Why does it matter? The last Scottish Census revealed that if it hadn't been for migration, Scotland's population would have declined. And as we previously told, Scotland needs migration more than the rest of the UK because of its specific circumstances. As the country is facing a population decline, experts have said that tailored migration could in part help to solve the issue. Stewart said of the latest figures: 'The latest statistics highlight what we already know, that without migration, Scotland's working age population will fall as deaths continue to outnumber births. 'Positive net migration is essential for supporting the size of the working-age population in Scotland, which is crucial for economic growth, public service planning, and community cohesion. "Later this week the Scottish Parliament will debate how we can continue to attract and retain the migrants we need as part of a system that works for Scotland. 'We need talented and committed people from across the world to live, work and study here without excessive barriers. A one-size fits all approach to immigration fails to meet the needs of Scotland and much of the UK. 'We are deeply disappointed that the UK Government's white paper on immigration fails to take on board our proposals to help meet Scotland's distinct demographic and economic requirements. 'That is why we are calling on the UK Government to deliver changes to the immigration system that meets the distinct needs of our economy and population, in particular our rural and island communities.' READ MORE: SNP urge Labour to abandon disability cuts after winter fuel U-turn It is understood the Scottish Government is set to publish policy proposals it put to the Home Office while the UK Government was preparing its immigration whitepaper. The Labour Government has taken a hard-line approach to immigration, facing criticism for moving to the right with its proposals to stop small boat crossings, and removing visa routes for those working in the care sector. Repeated calls for a bespoke immigration visa for Scotland to tackle shortages in sectors such as care, agriculture and hospitality, have been blocked in Westminster.
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Merthyr Tydfil council leader on his priorities, Reform, UK Labour and his huge pride
Merthyr Tydfil council leader on his priorities, Reform, UK Labour and his huge pride Councillor Brent Carter became the Labour leader of Merthyr Tydfil Council in September 2024 following the resignation of the previous independent leader after a by election (Image: Merthyr Tydfil Council ) It's been about eight months since Labour regained control of Merthyr Tydfil council for the first time since 2017. Following a by-election in Bedlinog and Trelewis, the previous independent administration came to an end and Councillor Brent Carter of Labour became leader having been a councillor for the Plymouth ward since 2008 and now he has spoken to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about topics such as the winter fuel allowance, the rise of Reform, the council's priorities for the town and his pride in leading the council in the place he was born and bred. Reflecting on his new role, he said: 'I've thoroughly enjoyed the last eight or nine months. It's been a challenging experience, very, very challenging, but something I really, really enjoyed. 'Since becoming leader, I wanted to make a difference. For me, that's what it's all about. Making a difference to the people of Merthyr Tydfil and our communities and making it a better place for them to work, live and enjoy being in and spend the rest of their lives in . 'It's trying to enrich them and that's for me, what it's always been about. 'I've been a councillor since 2008 and it's the want to do things to make things better for everybody out there so for me, that was the whole part about it.' Article continues below He added: 'We've had quite a lot of curve balls thrown at us with the storms, we had Storm Bert and Storm Dara, which resulted in the not sinkhole in Pant. 'I'm saying not sinkhole because everybody seemed to call it a sinkhole but it was a collapsed culvert. 'We've experienced rainfall which we've never experienced previously, so there's loads of different challenges coming through that, as well as the financial challenges. 'Money's tight everywhere, we're still in a cost-of-living crisis. Food has gone up, everything has gone up, wages have gone up slightly. So we're still there, but you know, we seem to be coming through the other side. 'We had our engagement throughout the council tax and we went through everything. We wanted to talk about what we needed to safeguard, prioritise et cetera, that went very well. 'We tried to keep council tax to a minimum. So yeah, there's lots of different challenges floating on the outside, but I want to make other things make a difference as well.' To get all the latest Merthyr Tydfil news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter. He mentioned the festival coming to Penderyn Square on Saturday, June 28, which at the time of writing had only 100 tickets left available at £20 plus a small booking fee, which he said was great value for money. He said events like this are about building a feel-good factor about the town again. He highlighted Trago, the leisure park, bowling, cinema and places to eat, as well as Bike Park Wales, which attracts visitors from all over the world. He said: 'Merthyr is an amazing place to be, and I'm really proud to be part of it and proud to be making a difference to actually what's going on in the future and long may that continue… there's loads of exciting projects that are going to happen in Merthyr Tydfil.' Speaking about his council's priorities, Cllr Carter said education is one of them, saying: 'It was something we were keen to ensure is at the forefront of everything we do as a lead administration. 'We took the decision during the budget round consultations that we weren't going to touch education. So we left it because that was a priority for us. 'We see then that children's learning has a massive benefit for everybody in Merthyr Tydfil, whether they go on to college, university, they go away to study, they go away to work, they come back or they actually use their learning and work in Merthyr Tydfil. And we think that's vitally vitally important. So that was our biggest priority.' He said another thing they looked at was safer, cleaner streets, working in conjunction with the police and other agencies to make Merthyr a safe place for people to visit and enjoy. Cllr Carter said: 'What I've harped on about since day one is we've got to do something different. We've got to do things different in the town centre. We all know, Merthyr's not on his own. 'People will say and complain and moan about the town centre and what shops are here and what not here, and quite rightly so.' But he said everyone has a part to play in giving the town centre a boost as shopping habits have changed over the years. He said: 'We shop online. What used to bring us into the town centre previously, you come and do your banking, we don't do that any more. We do it online. 'We've all played a part in this and we've obviously got out of town retail outlets as well, which haven't helped. So I'm acutely aware, we've got to do something different. 'We're bringing the market down from upstairs to downstairs. That'll be open before Christmas. 'There's a town centre masterplan, which is going to be coming online as well, where we need to do something different in the town centre to attract different people in.' He added: 'We've got everything on our doorstep. We've got the Beacons there, as I said, we've got Bike Park Wales. 'We've got the climbing centre, we've got the zip wire, we're in the centre of everything.' The leader also mentioned the Metro system and the Heads of the Valleys road, which he said is 'amazing' now it's finished. 'So we've got it all, we've got the transport links now coming forward,' he said. 'Everything is here, it's ready, geared ready to push forward. So I'm really excited for the future of Merthyr Tydfil.' Turning to the rise of Reform, he said: 'They seem to be able to say what they want and get away with saying what they want without any consequence or any meaning to it. 'It's easy to jump on board and say, we'll stop immigration, we'll do this and we'll do that. Obviously it's easier said than done. 'But people seem to be jumping on the bandwagon and seeing 'oh they're going to do this and they're going to do that'. But underneath, do Reform really want us to have a free NHS, et cetera, going forward?' 'I think people can see a lot of these things and they jump onto it without realising the full consequences. And I think it's very, very similar to what we did with the EU. 'You know, you look at Merthyr Tydfil. Merthyr Tydfil was built on immigration. It was, people come from all over the world to work here. 'European money paid for a vast amount of the regeneration in Merthyr Tydfil, paid for the road network across the Heads of the Valleys. 'We don't realise that, and I don't think we sang enough about it. You know, we've seen the signs go up across the roads built by European funding et cetera but you don't quite realise it and it just gets swept along 'So it is a worry. I do hope people will see through it come the 2026 Senedd elections and the 2027 local elections as well and see Reform for what they are really. hey're just jumping on the bandwagon, very similar to what Ukip did a few years ago.' On the cost of living, Cllr Carter said: 'It has affected us all. And it is obviously it is a national issue and, you know, the Labour government have had to make some really difficult decisions during the first year. 'Whether we all agree with them or not, you know, I'm quite quite open and I think a lot of people agree that the winter fuel was an own goal. We shouldn't have done it. 'We should have looked at things differently, perhaps looked at an approach where it was staged, you looked at what people were earning, et cetera. 'However, I get they got to save money as well. So we are in really difficult times and what we're looking at as a local authority is we try to point people in the right direction, where we can help them. 'We've got a hub in the town centre, where we have different surgeries and advice centres of various different topics throughout the week and we've done that for months.' He said if people need support or guidance, they can go to the hub for advice on benefits and savings, and support on dementia and Alzheimer's, which he said is a key focus this week in the town centre. Speaking about what it means to be the council leader, he said: 'It means everything to me, it really, really does. I'm so passionate about this town. I was born and bred here. Didn't want to move anywhere else. I love living here. 'I'm proud and I feel absolutely privileged to be the leader of this authority, and to be making a difference. And that's what it's all about is to do that thing to make a difference to people's lives out there. 'Some may see things differently to others, but I can guarantee to everybody out there that I will move heaven and earth to make sure their lives are as good as they possibly can in Merthyr Tydfil. 'So for me, it's a passion of mine and yeah, I'm privileged and absolutely honoured to be the leader of this authority.' Moving on to the importance of engaging with residents, Cllr Carter said: 'I think for me, when I took over, I think one of my first speeches in the chamber was about being open, transparent and honest and engaging with the community. We've got to, we've got to be in a position to do that. We've got an excellent corporate comms team here, which we use to the best we possibly can. 'We've got staff here who've worked for the authority for quite a long time. The majority of staff are local staff, you know, so for us, that element is vitally vitally important because they can go out and they can sell Merthyr Tydfil, they can sell the authority as well, the things we do well and listen to what people say out there and bring it back in and feed back into us so we can look to improve services, et cetera, going forward.' He also mentioned they've introduced a weekly update for residents in terms of what he has done the previous week and what is coming up. Cllr Carter said: 'That engagement process is vital for us to continue and grow as an authority, because, you know, we are one of the smallest authorities, but we are punching above our weight. 'You know, you look at everything, we've got in Merthyr Tydfil compared to other areas. It's fantastic. 'I work full time as well, but my commitment to this role is right to the very top could be. I'm here every single day of the week. I'm walking the corridors, my door is open, people come in to see me. 'And I think it's vitally important I've got that presence as well. I'm approachable, if people want me, they can come in. 'And I'm lucky in the fact that we've built up an excellent working relationship with key officers, with the senior leadership team, with the communications team, because without those, you know, I couldn't function and do my role. 'So you know, building relationships internally has been vitally important to the successful transition which I'm doing as well.' Article continues below
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Starmer's migration plans will damage Wales, first minister fears
Wales' first minister says she is worried Sir Keir Starmer's migration plans will damage the to a BBC podcast, Eluned Morgan said she was concerned about "both" the prime minister's policy and the language he used to announce criticised Sir Keir ahead of a meeting with him in London on Friday, telling Political Thinking with Nick Robinson she had a "list" of issues with the UK Welsh Labour leader also called for winter fuel payments for all but the richest of pensioners, and said she would "stick" to the left of UK Labour as the party fights to stay in power in Wales. Morgan has become more publicly critical of the UK Labour government in recent weeks, making complaints over devolution, benefits cuts and other an ITV Wales interview on Thursday evening she called for Sir Keir to "start coughing up" for strategy comes as Welsh Labour prepares for the next Senedd election in May 2026, with recent opinion polls suggesting the party has a fight on its has been the largest party in the Senedd at every election since devolution began in 1999, leading every Welsh government that has been has also been the biggest party in Wales in every Westminster election since 1922. Sir Keir has said the UK risked becoming an "island of strangers" without stricter controls on plans to ban recruitment of care workers from overseas and tighten access to skilled worker has previously said proposals from Sir Keir could pose "challenges" for social care services if they could no longer recruit overseas if she was worried about the prime minister's language and whether his policy would be made in a way that will "damage Wales", Morgan told the podcast: "I think both, actually. I don't think I'd use that language."I'm very keen on making sure that people feel comfortable in a cohesive community and that they feel welcome."Downing Street has previously said Sir Keir stands by his words and "the argument he was making was that migrants make a massive contribution to our country, but migration needs to be controlled".Morgan added: "I think it probably is worth emphasising that in Wales about 7% of the population are immigrants, which is much, much smaller than other parts of the country."But she said "more or less" 50% of doctors and dentists in west Wales "are people who've been trained abroad".She added: "The care services are something I'm particularly concerned about."Even things like getting people to work in pubs and things in the summer in our tourism sector, it's a challenge."Asked if it was something she would raise with Sir Keir, she added: "I've got a list. He knows my list, OK?" Morgan said her administration had "massively gained as a result of the UK Labour government, we have had the biggest uplift in our budget since the Senedd was established".But she said she was putting Wales "first"."I'm doing what it says on my Labour membership card. It says: 'country first'."My country is not quite the same country that Keir perhaps had in mind when he was writing that membership card."She said Nigel Farage's Reform was a "challenge" for Labour "but we've also got a threat from Plaid Cymru, and I think we've got to take that seriously".Morgan said it could not be taken for granted "that Labour will always be in power in Wales"."I'm going to be true to my values. My values are not that I am going to tack to the right to take on Reform."I'm going to stick to the red Welsh way, which is more to the left than perhaps the centre of gravity in UK Labour at the moment." Morgan welcomed the UK government's U-turn over winter fuel allowances for Keir has announced plans to ease cuts but it remains unclear how many will regain their entitlement for the payments, or when the changes will take first minister said: "I'm not sure if millionaires should be getting a winter fuel allowance. So let's just make sure that they don't get it."She added she wanted "the majority of pensioners" to get the Morgan said she would be relaxed if richer people in London were taxed more and people in Wales could get more from the government."I recognise that there's an opportunity there, but that is a tough decision for the chancellor." Morgan and Sir Keir will take part in the Council of Nations and Regions on Street said the prime minister would tell the leaders of the UK's devolved governments and English mayors that trade deals with India, US and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people's lives."These trade deals deliver long-term security for people in Wales," Sir Keir UK government has been asked to comment. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson: Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds, or watch on BBC iPlayer live at 12:30 BST on Friday.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Australian news and politics live: Donald Trump's new man in the UK says AUKUS is ‘vital to the world'
Scroll down for all the latest posts. Donald Trump's new ambassador to the UK has used his first public speech to back the AUKUS partnership with Britain and Australia. Warren Stephens highlighted how 'vital the US-UK relationship is to our countries and to the world' at an event in parliament attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. Stephens said the AUKUS partnership, which is developing a new fleet of nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarines for the UK and Australia, would help maintain a 'free and open Indo-Pacific'. The ambassador's decision to make his first public address in support of the project is symbolically important, given it is a legacy of Joe Biden's term in the White House. The alliance, which also covers collaboration on other advanced technologies, is seen as an attempt to counter the influence of China in the region. Read the full story here. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has presented Pope Leo with a bottle of Australian red wine that retails at Dan Murphy's for $41 and an indigenous artwork after securing Australia's first meeting with a pontiff in 16 years. Pope Leo in return blessed the rosary beads that belonged to Maryanne Ellery, Mr Albanese's mother who the prime minister told the Pope on Sunday would be 'smiling down from heaven' at their encounter. The Vatican said the Pope discussed religious freedom. 'An exchange of views then took place on the socio-political situation of the country, focusing in particular on themes of mutual interest, including environmental protection, integral human development and the freedom of religion,' the Vatican said. Mr Albanese formally invited the Pope to visit Australia in 2028 for World Ecumenical Day. Read Latika M Bourke's exclusive story here. While Anthony Albanese enjoys the sun in Rome he might want to get an English lesson from UK Labour and in particular, Labour's PM, Sir Keir Starmer. The two have so much in common. Both crushed their opponents and had huge majorities after their recent elections. Starmer's is now 10 months old, but still sees him hold 402 out of 650 seats in the Commons, on a par with Albanese's own 94 from 151 in our own Parliament. Both had gushing post-election headlines from a few notable national newspaper editors sucking up while playing catch-up. Both Starmer and Albanese were written as having won 'two term elections' and both spoke of governing for all and wanting to be the natural party of government. Well 10 months in, Starmer is in a flat out panic domestically. He is deeply unpopular and Labour lost a by-election in the previous 'Red Wall' to Nigel Farage's Reform Party on May 2. At the same time, Reform won 677 of 1650 council seats contested nationally. It added eight new mayors to their ranks. Read Cameron Milner's full story here. Home owners can expect more mortgage relief if the Reserve Bank cuts interest rates as widely expected but those looking to break into the housing market could see property prices rise even higher. Traders are pricing in a 95 per cent chance the RBA board will cut its key interest rate to 3.85 per cent when its two-day meeting wraps up on Tuesday. Nicola Powell, chief economist at property portal Domain, said it's pretty much a given. Underlying inflation moderated to 2.9 per cent in the first three months of the year, which will reassure the RBA that they can take some restrictiveness out of the economy. Read the full story here. Australia's mortgage holders are holding their collective breath as the RBA is set to deliver an interest rate decision today. For all the latest in politics, business, news and views - Stay right here throughout the day.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
More than 1m people still on zero-hours contracts despite Labour pledge to crack down on ‘exploitative' practice
More than one million people in the UK are on zero-hours contracts, new data has revealed, despite Labour 's pledge to eliminate the 'exploitative' contracts last year. Some 1.17 million people were on zero-hours contracts in January to March of this year meaning that they are not guaranteed any minimum working hours by their employer. The only other period on record when more people in the UK were on zero-hours contracts was between April to June of 2023, when 1.2 million workers were in such roles. Labour ushered in a plan to offer guaranteed working hours as part of its Employment Rights Bill, which is currently being scrutinised in the House of Lords. As a result, experts expected that bosses would shy away from zero-hours contracts; but in fact, the opposite has happened, with a 12.5 per cent increase in the past year. 'The [Employment Rights] law is likely to be passed later this year, and we had expected to see the start of a long-term decline of zero-hour contracts in the UK,' said Rebecca Florisson, analyst at the Work Foundation. 'But this marked increase may signal some employers are resistant to dropping zero-hour contracts ahead of new legislation being introduced.' The figures are a concern in the midst of the UK seeing 106,000 fewer employees on the payroll from the previous year, according to new ONS statistics. Around 130,000 more people are employed via zero-hours contracts than the first quarter of 2025, rising from 1 million to 1.17 million in just a year. This makes up 3.4 per cent of the total UK workforce, according to the latest Labour Force Survey. 'Many workers are currently trapped in these unstable jobs as they have limited choices to find other forms of employment, and often have to trade security for much-needed flexibility to manage their health or their childcaring responsibilities,' explained Ms Florisson. One in four (25 per cent) of these workers – 291,000 people – are working fewer hours than they'd like, the data shows, and are either seeking more hours, an additional job, or a new job with longer hours. Some people are drawn to zero-hours contracts due to their temporary nature, but the majority (67 per cent) of people on these contracts have been with their employer for over a year; and some for ten years or more. Women are more likely to be employed in this way than men, but concerningly make up 81 per cent of the growth in zero-hours contracts in the past year. 'The growth in zero-hour contracts is likely to impact groups facing structural inequalities in the labour market,' warns Ms Florisson. 'Zero-hour contract work is often concentrated in lower paid sectors like retail and hospitality, and our previous research has shown that women, young and older workers are more likely to be in routine and semi-routine jobs in these sectors.' Young people aged 24 and under are most likely to work on zero-hours contracts, and also more likely to be in education while working. But hundreds of thousands of people in older age groups also work on 'unstable' contracts, including 221,000 people aged 50 and above. Research from the Work Foundation at Lancaster University also suggests that three in four people working zero-hours contracts are in 'severely insecure' work. 'This means they face a worrying mix of financial and contractual insecurity, which also limits their rights and protections,' says Ms Florisson. The East Midlands sees the highest proportion of workers on zero-hours contracts, at 4.7 per cent of all people in employment; a jump from 3.7 per cent the previous quarter. When will the Employment Rights Bill come into force? A package of labour reforms were introduced in the Employment Rights Bill last year. As part of the Bill, zero-hour contracts without the offer of work will be banned, and guaranteed hours will be set by the number worked in a twelve week period. The Bill passed in its third reading by a majority of 233 votes, and is undergoing scrutiny in the House of Lords. A timeline for implementation is not yet set, but the majority of reforms are not expected to take effect until at least late 2026. 'Employers report that their labour costs are increasing due to the rise in the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage and the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions,' said Ms Florisson. 'In that context, it is possible that employers will continue using zero-hour contracts for as long as they can as a way to balance out resourcing demands and increasing costs.'
