News Archive
29/11/2005
Scotland's Lorry Operators Suffer From High Fuel Duty and Unfair Competition
Lorry operators in Scotland say that the Government's high fuel duty strategy, coupled with the increasing operation of foreign lorries in the UK, is causing serious problems for the Scottish transport industry. Members of the Freight Transport Association's Scottish Freight Council, meeting at the end of October, were concerned that plans for Lorry Road User Charging (LRUC), scrapped by Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling in July, had not been replaced with any alternative strategy.23/11/2005
Unemployment Digest For October 2005
The October 2005 unemployment figures were released on 16th November 2005. During the month, September 2005 to October 2005, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain fell by 0.6%, from 842,433 to 837,100 (5,333 claimants).16/11/2005
Training For Potential Local Food Producers
The Highlands and Islands Local Food Network (HILFN) is on the look-out for trainee food producers to help expand the availability of locally grown fruit and vegetables. HILFN is planning to run a one-year programme to provide in-depth training to help small agricultural producers in the Highlands and Islands establish successful new businesses based on the supply of fresh horticultural produce to local customers.16/11/2005
Bosses Risk Being Left In The Lurch By Job-hopping Employees
Scottish Businesses Struggling to Hold on to Staff. More than three-quarters of the Scottish workforce (78%) know or suspect that colleagues are on the lookout for a new job, according to new research.15/11/2005
CASE Approvals List - October 2005
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.31/10/2005
Full Steam Ahead For New Ironing Service
A new Caithness business aims to offer a very welcome alternative for those tired of hours spent at the ironing board. Janet Crossley and Lorna Gunn from Watten have started ‘Press On’, which will offer a complete ironing service, including collection and delivery, throughout Caithness.
[Builders]
26/10/2005Good News As Caithness Firm Gets Contract At Dounreay
A £2.5 million contract has been awarded to M M Miller (Wick) Ltd to construct the containment building needed to safely remove the last of the radioactive breeder elements from the Dounreay Fast Reactor. The contract has been let by ALSTEC Ltd on behalf of an alliance of companies working with UKAEA on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to remove the breeder from the sphere.25/10/2005
Youth Challenge 2006 Launched
The hunt has begun to find the Highlands and Islands' answer to Richard Branson. The ICT Hothouse Youth Challenge 2006 is looking for young entrepreneurs with bright ideas.23/10/2005
CASE Approvals List - September 2005
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.18/10/2005
Highland £1 Billion Project A Step Closer
The findings of an independent economic impact assessment of the proposed Forscot project have been published. The report examines the impacts on employment and income associated with the proposal to build a £1 billion state-of-the-art integrated pulp mill, paper mill and renewable energy generation plant, together with a sawmill that will be owned and operated by a leading UK sawn goods company, at Invergordon in the north-east of Scotland.
14/9/2005
CASE Approvals List - August 2005
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.7/9/2005
Calling Young Northern Chefs
Scotland's first Scottish Food Scholarship embarks on search for new culinary talent. Young chefs across Scotland will be encouraged to develop their culinary skills and talents next year at the launch of Scotland's first Scottish Food Scholarship 2006.6/9/2005
Site Repairs and Updates
Just completed are the repairs and updates that have been outstanding since our recent server move. Due to upgrade of the hardware and software that is used to host our site, many features (especially photgraphs) were unavailable.4/9/2005
Does Your Caithness or Sutherland Business Deserve A Queens Award?
Midnight on 31 October 2005 is the deadline for companies to apply for the ultimate business accolade - The Queen's Award for Enterprise, for outstanding achievement in international trade, innovation and sustainable development. And for individuals it is also the closing date for nominations for the new Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, which will reward those inspirational people who encourage enterprise skills and attitudes in others.4/9/2005
Managers Leading The Way
Business managers, owners and managers of the future are all set to benefit from a new series of development courses on offer from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE). The extensive variety of options in CASE's Leadership and Management programme will provide businesses, both large and small, with the opportunity to enhance their skills in various activities, from managing staff and managing projects to financial management, purchasing and negotiation and legislative topics, such as employing people.1/9/2005
Training Event For Highland Meat Producers
The Highlands and Islands Local Food Network (HILFN) will be holding a training day on 14th September at Dingwall Auction Mart, aimed at all farmers and crofters who want to supply meat for local consumers. Those attending will hear from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Soil Association and environmental health representatives about the various considerations and benefits to producing meat for local markets.30/8/2005
Launch Of The First Highlands & Islands Food And Drink Awards
The first Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards will be held in October 2005, and organisers are on the look-out for potential winners from any Highlands and Islands businesses linked to the food and drink sector. The awards will be given to businesses achieving excellence within the industry and will highlight those which are demonstrating innovative, forward thinking and collaborative work.21/8/2005
CASE Approvals List - July 2005
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.14/7/2005
CASE Approvals List - June 2005
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.13/7/2005
