News Archive

Caithness projects to benefit from Coastal Communities Fund

At today's meeting of the Caithness Committee (Wednesday 9 February) members agreed on two projects to receive support from their area allocation of the Highland Coastal Communities Fund.   The Highland Coastal Communities Fund is a new fund designed to support economic regeneration and sustainable development around coastal areas in Highland.  

Uk Monetary Tightening Continues - Responding To Higher-than Expected Inflation

A report by DBRS Mornngstar.   Key Highlights • DBRS Morningstar views the BoE's monetary tightening in response to higher-than-expected inflation as in line with its mandate, trying to rein in inflation expectations.  

Energy Prices: How Covid Helped Them To Surge - And Why They Won't Go Down Any Time Soon

After months of volatility and concern, it was revealed that energy costs for the average household in the UK will increase by £693 this year.  A steep rise, it came as wholesale gas prices jumped to about 300% higher than at the beginning of 2021.  

Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 9 February 2022

7,640 new cases of COVID-19 reported.   15 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.  

More Funding To Improve Patient Services - £82.6m To Help Deal With Winter Pressures On Gp Practices

To improve services for patients £82.6 million has been allocated to health boards to expand teams within GP practices and modernise systems.   The funding will allow healthcare professionals to be established in every GP practice including increased: pharmacy support for repeat prescriptions and medication reviews nursing support for routine tests and wound treatment access to physiotherapy services These measures will ensure patients can see the right healthcare expert at the right time while giving GPs more time with patients most in need of their skills and allowing doctors to focus on complex diagnosis, such as suspected cancer cases.  

Economic Migration: The Root Problem Is Not Smugglers But Global Inequality

Migration has always been a regular feature of human existence, but these days it is more visible - and politicised - than ever.  A 2016 survey found the vast majority of people (80%) would welcome refugees, in agreement with the 1951 UN refugee convention that those fleeing wars or at serious risk of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality or political opinion have the right to cross borders and seek asylum.  

Green Shipping Boost As Maritime Minister Announces Plans To Explore Shore Power

Call for evidence launches as government aims to accelerate maritime decarbonisation by switching to emissions-cutting shore power at UK ports.   vessels could one day plug into onshore power sources while berthed, lowering emissions.  

Three-quarters of People would welcome noise cameras on our roads

Seven in ten people (71%) say they support speed cameras having noise detectors to catch and fine illegally noisy vehicles in cities, whilst more than two thirds (67%) support this in rural areas.   The new research from used car buying service Choose My Car, suggests that the majority of UK drivers would welcome a move to install noise monitoring equipment onto speed cameras.  

Preparing Pupils For Careers In Tech - £1.3 million for computing in schools

Every primary and secondary school across Scotland will receive support to refresh computing science for pupils.   Backed by up to £1.3 million from the Scottish Government, secondary schools can bid for grants of up to £3,000 to purchase additional computing science equipment, devices, software or teaching resources.  

Help For People Living With Dementia in Scotland

A £1 million investment over two years will fund work with people with dementia and their families to design and shape the support they need following diagnosis.   The funding, part of the £120 million Mental Health Recovery and Renewal fund, will see the Scottish Government working with Age Scotland to enhance support giving people a bigger say in what works for them.