Raising National Insurance contributions may be controversial because it affects those of working age rather than pensioners. Professor Cam Donaldson, who is an expert in health economics at Glasgow Caledonian University, says the strategy could be a “political ploy” by the UK government to avoid the use of the word “taxation”. The Conservative manifesto committed to no rises of income tax, National Insurance or VAT. “My view would be to go for a fairer (more progressive) taxation system whereby the richer pay more on additional income earned,” said Prof Donaldson.. “Time has long since passed by the ability of National Insurance to pay for much of anything.
Glasgow City Council is funding a scheme to encourage natured-based business schemes A pilot project in Glasgow will see nature-based businesses and organisations receive council support. The scheme will be applicable for a wide range of activities including beekeeping, carbon offsetting, ‘green’ roofs, community growing schemes or tree planting enterprises. The Nature-Based Accelerator Programme is now open to applications and is a three-month fully-funded scheme - worth more than £1500 to each successful applicant. A World Economic Forum report suggested that actions to take nature-based solutions into account could create $10 trillion annually in business opportunities. According to the council the programme aims to encourage a more resilient local nature-based economy while improving and maintaining the city’s open spaces.