Hi ,

We said in our last newsletter there would be some exciting announcements this week. We weren't lying!

In one month, The Ferret is relaunching with a brand new website, new content, revelatory investigations, as ever, and a more modern look.

It was 10 years ago that The Ferret's founders sat round a kitchen table planning the project and we've evolved greatly since then. Now as we enter our second decade, we're making some exciting changes to make sure we continue to grow and provide our members with the high-quality journalism you've hopefully come to expect.

To celebrate all this, we're also hosting a birthday/relaunch party! On 13 November, The Ferret will be taking over Drygate in Glasgow for a shindig. There will be music, dancing, prizes and of course, a cake!

So come down and party with us! Tickets available here.

Yours,

Ali

Story of the week

An in-depth look at a Ferret investigation

Scottish companies are roping NHS and council workers into veiled tax avoidance schemes that could see them hit with big unexpected tax bills.

HMRC recently named tax avoidance schemes run by two Scotland-registered businesses used by recruitment agencies to pay temporary workers.

These ‘umbrella firms’ can act as legitimate middlemen between freelancers and their often multiple employers. But more than 100 have promoted tax avoidance schemes to workers, according to HMRC.

What did we dig up this week?

A round up of our investigations in the last seven days

Shetland spaceport under fire from local community

Disgruntled islanders have criticised Scotland’s first spaceport in the far north of Shetland for a “culture of secrecy and bad stewardship”, according to a new report.

Claim English drug deaths ‘written out of figures’ is False

The level of drug-related deaths in Scotland has been persistently high in recent years, with the Scottish Government facing criticism.

Question of the week

Should the government crack down on 

tax avoidance schemes?

We now have a platform exclusive for Ferret Underground subscribers where you can share ideas about future investigations, answer polls and more!

Create an account here to get access.

Best of the rest

Investigations we've enjoyed from around the world

Reform UK council backs climate denial motion saying man made climate change is 'unproven'

The motion denying the existence of man-made climate change comes after Reform councils across the country ripped up local environmental schemes. (Byline Times)

We’re suing ICE for its $2m spyware contract

404 Media has filed a lawsuit for access to ICE's contract with Paragon, which sells spyware for breaking into phones and accessing encrypted messaging apps. (404Media)

‘An eye for an eye’: some Duterte death squad members unrepentant as he awaits ICC trial

Up to 30,000 alleged drug users and dealers were slaughtered in the Philippines’ so-called drug war, but some of their killers still believe they did the right thing. (Guardian)

Any comments? Have you seen something we could include? Email us at contact@theferret.scot.

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