By Christopher Hall

The UK’s third largest supermarket, Sainsbury’s, has racked up half-year profits of 13.3% leading up to October 4th.

In the recent economic climate, the chain has announced underlying pre-tax profits of £272 million.

Sainsbury’s has now recorded 15 quarters of consecutive like-for-like sales growth, with customer numbers appearing to grow – with about 18 million customers a week.

The supermarket Chief Executive Justin King said the supermarket should continue to be successful and profits stay on the rise.

“Our universal customer appeal has been fundamental to our sustained performance,” said King.

Sainsbury’s was predicted to suffer from the current economical downturn due to its association with higher-price and higher quality goods, than many of its main competitors.

By Christopher Hall

The striker has expressed interest in Playing for Scotland

The long running saga of Rangers striker Nacho Novo’s eligibility to play for his adopted nation Scotland gained no further progress yesterday.

Scotland Manager George Burley has yet to make an official statement on the issue but has expressed his desire that the bit-part winger be allowed to turn out for the national side if he obtains citizenship and is playing well for his club.

The Spaniard has no Scottish relatives but has lived in the country for over eight years and is currently eligible for a British passport.

Novo started his career with Raith Rovers in 2001 after moving from Spanish Minnows SD Huesca. He then enjoyed 2 years with Dundee before making a dream switch to Glasgow giants Rangers for £450,000 in the summer of 2004, expressing his desire to remain in Scotland for the remainder of his career.

But former Scotland midfielder, Murdo Macleod, has urged FIFA to re-consider their residency rulings, which would make the Spaniard the first non-related Scottish player to pull on the dark blue jersey.

He said: “With football laws, I think you have to look at people who are born here, that your parents are Scottish or go as far back as your grandparents”

In contrast, SFA spokesman Rob Shorthouse added fuel to the flames by insisting that the Forward would certainly be considered In Burley’s setup if granted dual nationality.

Shorthouse commented: “I know George Peat expressed his own personal opinion that it should be based on bloodlines but the regulations are that if he is eligible he’ll be considered.”

“If a player is eligible then, like any other player, he will be up for consideration”.

The statement comes only weeks after Rangers Striker Kris Boyd, 25, expressed his intentions to never again play for the national team under George Burley after the Scotland gaffer chose debutant Chris Ilewumo over the Ibrox hitman in the recent draw with Norway at Hampden.

By Chris Hall

Government figures show many teens may not be taking what they are owed

Students in Scotland may not be taking advantage of their full financial entitlements, a recent study by the Student Loans Company (SLC) has proven.

Many students who are granted loans may not be aware of other supplementary benefits and entitlements which may be being overlooked by youngsters around the country.

The average student in Scotland leaves University in £11,000 worth of debt.

The Statistics Publication Notice, published in June 2008, highlights that £192.8m was spent on maintenance loans during the financial year 2007/2008.

When compared with the previous year figures, this highlights a dramatic rise of 5% from the year 2006/2007.

These figures may be down to a lack of publicity regarding other benefits outside of the loan which are available to students studying in Scotland.

The Young Students Bursary (YSB), provided by the Students award agency for Scotland (SAAS) since 2001, is available to students whose parent’s income is less than £33,370, with a maximum payout of £2,575 which does not need to be reimbursed and can supplement part of the student loan, reducing the debt of the student in question.

Students studying outside of Scotland can also apply for the Students outside of Scotland bursary (SOSB) up to a maximum of £2,095 per year, providing vital extra income for students living elsewhere in the UK or abroad.

Those with disabilities are also covered by the Disabled students allowance while single parents can apply for the Lone Parents Grant which provides funds of more than £1,270 per year.

Travel times and distances can also be an issue for many students and to counter this The Student Loans Company provides Travel expenses up to a maximum of £900 per year dependent on the student’s financial and personal circumstances.

The figures come after Scottish students were recently freed from paying tuition fees which are now covered by SAAS on application to University.