News Archive

Dounreay Bulletin - Issue 20

DOUNREAY DIRECTOR NAMED AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE Norman Harrison, currently acting chief operating officer of UKAEA, has been appointed its chief executive officer.   A chemist by profession, he was appointed director of Dounreay in 2003.  

Highland Council To Use Firms Registered With Constructionline In Future

Highland councilors will be asked at a meeting of the Resources committee on 14th February 2007 in Inverness to approve the use of contractors who are registered with Constructionline, an Approved List register of assessed companies.   See www.constructionline.co.uk Several councils and other public bodies in Scotland already require contractors and consultants in the construction industry to be registered with Constructionline as part of the pre-qualification requirements when applying for property-related construction tenders.  

UKAEA Pleads Guilty To Charges Under The Radioactive Substances Act

UKAEA pleaded guilty on 6 February 2007 at Wick Sheriff Court to four charges under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960.   The charges related to the disposal of radioactive waste to a landfill site at Dounreay between 1963 and 1975, and the release of particles from the site to the environment on dates between 1963 and 1984.  

To tax or not to tax - a guide to trading online

A new internet-based guide, accessible via the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website for people who trade online is being launched this week.   It outlines the rules for people who trade online for a profit, as opposed to others who are just clearing low value items from the attic.  

10 Arrested In UK-wide VAT Fraud Operation

Customs officers investigating a suspected £250 million VAT missing trader fraud made 10 arrests this morning in UK-wide raids.   Codenamed Operation Euripus, today's action follows a five year investigation, which included one of the biggest swoops ever undertaken by Customs.  

BRITAIN AMONGST HIGHEST WAGE PAYERS IN THE WORLD

The average hourly wage paid to UK workers is 26.5 euros (£17.40), more than a euro higher than the average eurozone total (25.2 euros/£16.55) and sixth in the list of the world's top payers according to a new report, the Global Sectors Outlook (December 2006) from Euler Hermes, the world's largest credit insurance group.   Sweden heads the list of top payers, their employees earning an average of 32.8 euros (£21.53) an hour, closely followed by Denmark, (31.7 euros/£20.81), France (29.6 euros/£19.43) and Germany (28.1 euros/£18.45).  

Last Call For Scotland's New Business Stars

Scotland's budding new business brains have just one week left to make it into a new million pound initiative which will help fund the country's next generation of entrepreneurs.   The Starter for 6 project will build the enterprise skills of up to 300 new entrepreneurs over three years, working in Scotland across all business sectors.  

HM Revenue & Customs - Business Support Team - Free Learning Events

Are you newly Self Employed or thinking of becoming Self Employed? Do you have a Self Employed tax return to complete? Are you a New Employer? Do you have an Employers Annual Return to complete? Do you want to know about the changes to the Construction Industry Scheme? If you can answer "YES" to any of the above questions & would like to learn more, you may be interested in attending one of HM Revenue & Customs free learning events.   The following events will take place in Thurso; 13th March 2007 AM/PM Paying Your Employees 14th March 2007 AM Becoming Self Employed PM Self Assessment for the Self Employed 15th March 2007 AM Employer's Annual Returns PM New Construction Industry Scheme To book a place in one of our sessions, please telephone 01355 275 207.  

Unemployment At December 2006

UNEMPLOYMENT DIGEST SUMMARY The December 2006 unemployment figures were released on 17th January 2007.  During the month, November 2006 to December 2006, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain rose by 0.2%, from 895,833 to 897,758 (1,925 claimants).  

Horticulture For Crofters and Other Small Producers

Saturday 17th February at Dunbeath Community Centre - 09.30am - 4.15pm A training and information event on polytunnel and outdoor cropping.   Visit to 'Food for Thought', Spittal in the afternoon courtesy of Douglas Henderson Attendance free — all welcome.