News Archive
25/2/2022
New Plans To Protect People From Anonymous Trolls Online
Social media users will have more control over what they see online and who can interact with them as the government steps up the fight against anonymous trolls. New measures added to Online Safety Bill in fight against anonymous abusers.
25/2/2022
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 25 February 2022
5,484 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 11 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.
25/2/2022
Everything Has Changed. We Are Now Living In A Wartime Economy And The Government Needs To Change Almost All Its Economic Policies To Suit That New Situation
A very important article by Richard Murphy of Tax Research to make everyone think carefully about finances going forward. Posted on February 25 2022 As the FT has noted this morning.: UK consumer confidence plunged in February and many measures of spending remained below pre-pandemic levels as surging living costs hit morale even before Russia invaded Ukraine.24/2/2022
Highland Council To Agree 3 Per Cent Council Tax Rise - Offset for Bands A to D
Highland council hold their Special Meeting on 3 March 2022 to agree the 202223 budget. A Council Tax increase of 3 per cent has been agreed with the main parties so it looks like a foregone conclusion to pass.
24/2/2022
Blue Badge Petition
Members of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have agreed to keep the £20 administration charge for the reapplication of a Blue Badge until such time as the Scottish Government reviews its policy on the Blue Badge Scheme which local authorities administer on its behalf. Under The Highland Council’s Petitions Procedure, Councillors considered a petition that had been lodged with the Council seeking to abolish the administration charge for the reapplication of a Blue Badge.24/2/2022
Save And Borrow With Your Highland And Islands Based Credit Union - Hi-Scot
As the world begins to hesitantly open up, it's no surprise that the past two years have taught us the value of shopping local. But have you ever thought about banking local? "A credit union is rooted in the community, especially as it is owned by its members and not external shareholders," said David Mackay, General Manager of HI-Scot Credit Union.
24/2/2022
Response To Consultation On ‘National Litter And Flytipping Strategy'
Members of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have endorsed a response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy. The response recognises the benefits that could be achieved by carrying out research to understand the influences on littering behaviour and supports a collaborative national anti-littering behaviour change campaign.24/2/2022
Actions For Attainment In Highland Schools
Collaborative engagement sessions are planned with Head Teachers to raise attainment and achievement in Highland primary schools. Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "Improving attainment and achievement is one of our priorities and while this is important, we must also recognise and celebrate the hard work that is currently being undertaken in our schools.24/2/2022
Measures To Release £880 Million From Dormant Assets To Boost Opportunities Across The Country
Expanded scheme will use dormant funds from insurance, pensions, investment and wealth management, and securities sectors. Public consultation will launch in the summer to consider good causes to benefit from additional £880 million Proposals to include boosting investment in youth programmes, social enterprises and money management support Youth activities, community projects and other good causes could benefit from an additional £880 million, following government action to unlock cash tied up in dormant assets.24/2/2022
Top Scams After Your Money
A recent study shows that 58% of Brits have handed over their personal information that has cost them financially through new online scams, and almost a third of those who said they were successfully targeted are under 35 year olds. Dating apps and the Domino Pizza scams were most popular with 22% of those successfully targeting victims.24/2/2022
Student Loan Rules Just Got Tougher In England - Will Scotland Follow?
The higher education system in England will be made fairer for students and taxpayers thanks to major reforms announced by the government today. Student finance will be put on a more sustainable footing by ensuring more students are paying back their loan in full, and there will be a clampdown on poor-quality university courses that don't benefit graduates in the long-term.24/2/2022
Chancellor To Call For ‘new Culture Of Enterprise' As He Sets Out His Vision For Uk Prosperity
Delivering a low tax, higher growth economy is set to form the cornerstone for the Chancellor's economic vision when he delivers the Mais lecture on 24 February 2022. Chancellor Rishi Sunak will set out his vision for a lower tax, dynamic market economy, when delivering his first major speech at the annual Mais lecture on 24 February.24/2/2022
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 24 February 2022
7,195 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 16 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.
24/2/2022
Council Tax Proposal Will Increase Bills On Average By Only 77p Per Week
The Highland Council is proposing a below inflation council tax increase of 3% for 2022-23. The increase together with a range of efficiency and management savings will be required to close the budget gap of £34m.24/2/2022
Ambitious Highland - My Future, My Success - plans for ambitious and sustained destinations for children and young people
Education Committee Members approved the Council's plan titled ‘My Future, My Success' which sets out the vision and plans for ambitious and sustained destinations for children and young people in Highland. Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "This ambitious plan will help to empower our young people to make the right decisions at the right time for their future.24/2/2022
Western Isles Council Agrees 3 Per Cent Rise in Council Tax
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has set its budget for 2022/23. The Comhairle agreed a Council Tax increase of 3%, or 69p per week for a Band D taxpayer.24/2/2022
Cothrom Do Cheumnach Sa Ghàidhlig Is Sna Meadhanan Sòisealta - Graduate Opportunity In Gaelic And Social Media
Tha Sgioba Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd air cothrom a chruthachadh do Cheumnaiche Inntearnach Gàidhlig airson a' Ghàidhlig a leasachadh air meadhanan sòisealta na Comhairle agus portal dà-chànanach a leasachadh cuideachd. Bidh an tagraiche soirbheachail ag obair le diofar sgiobaidhean taobh a-staigh na Comhairle a leithid Sgioba na Gàidhlig, Sgioba a’ Chonaltraidh, agus Sgioba an Lìonraidh Dhidseataich.24/2/2022
Orkney Council Goes For 3 Per Cent Rise In Council Tax But Shetland Freezes Tax and Rents
The Council will spend £91,260,200 on its services, against a Scottish Government budget settlement of £84,715,000 including £15,528,000 of ring-fenced grants. In order to meet the shortfall, the Council will increase Council tax by 3% and take an additional £11.826m from its reserves.24/2/2022
£2.8 Billion Of Benefit Credits Available To Pensioners Are Not Claimed A Year
Pension Credit The estimates show that: caseload: up to 850 thousand families who were entitled to receive Pension Credit did not claim the benefit. expenditure: up to £1.7 billion of available Pension Credit went unclaimed: on average, this amounted to around £1,900 per year for each family entitled to receive Pension Credit who did not claim the benefit.24/2/2022
