Latest News
22/10/2020
Coronavirus Vaccine Trials Won't Tell Us If They Save Lives, Prevent Serious Illness Or Stop Transmission - Here's Why
Article from The Conversation web site - Author Sarah L Caddy Clinical Research Fellow in Viral Immunology and Veterinary Surgeon, University of Cambridge. ------------------------------------------------------- There are currently at least six COVID-19 vaccines in phase 3 clinical trials - the final phase of testing.
22/10/2020
New Mobile Post Office for Wick
The post office at Bridge Street Wick closes at the end of October. A new mobile service starts from 3 November 2020 at Riverside Car Park, Wick.22/10/2020
The Latest On The Race For A Vaccine - An American View On Podcast From The Washington Post
The latest on vaccine trials, and who would get a vaccine first. Why personal protective equipment such as the N95 mask is still so scarce.
22/10/2020
Councillors approve over £2 million of investment in Caithness council housing
Members of the Caithness Committee have identified fuel poverty as their number one concern and are pleased to announce that the member-led capital housing budget has increased to 10% as they welcome £2,253,000 of investment which will be used to carry out improvements to the housing stock across the county. A specific priority of the capital programme is improving heating and make homes more energy efficient, with over £1,300,000 of budget approved to replace the oldest and most inefficient heating systems with a further £150,000 for one-off heating replacements.22/10/2020
Something Has To Change - The Bifab Failure Is A Fiasco -
Ben Wray writing on Source Direct today. As damning indictments go, the government-supported, Fife-based BiFab withdrawing its bid to build jackets for the government-licensed NnG wind farm project off the coast of Fife is right up there.22/10/2020
Why Sovereign Credit Downgrades No Longer Matter As Much As They Used To
The decision by credit ratings agency Moody's to cut the UK's sovereign credit rating has been a gift to the government's critics. The agency downgraded the UK from Aa3 to Aa2 on the rationale that its heavy reliance on face-face services would mean that economic growth would be worse than expected because of the coronavirus pandemic.
22/10/2020
Help For Residential Outdoor Education Centres
The Scottish Government will provide £2 million of funding to mitigate the financial challenges facing the residential outdoor education sector as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The package will include funding to help centres provide safe, impactful outdoor learning experiences to support young people's education and wellbeing through this challenging period.22/10/2020
Chancellor Increases Financial Support For Businesses And Workers
The announcements today apply to England but it is expected that Scottish Government will announce something similar incoming days. First minister today on television said they would be examining the announcements closely and discussions were to take place later today.
22/10/2020
Quarantine Measures For Travellers From Liechtenstein
Canary Islands, Denmark, the Maldives and Mykonos added to exempt list. Travellers from Liechtenstein must quarantine on arrival in Scotland for 14 days from 4am on Sunday 25 October 2020.21/10/2020
Posties to collect as well as deliver the mail on the doorstep
Royal Mail announces one of the biggest shake-ups to the daily delivery since the launch of the postbox in 1852. Royal Mail has launched a parcel pick-up service across the UK in a shake-up of the daily round.
21/10/2020
Fire And Smoke Alarms: Changes To The Law By February 2021 - Update - Delay for one year proposed
Proposed delay to fire alarm regulations - Update today. Change to implementation due to coronavirus impact.
21/10/2020
John OGroats Mill Trust Looks For A Development Manager
The John O'Groats Mill Trust is looking for an experienced and dedicated individual organisation to work with the John O'Groats Mill Trust to lead on the development and implementation of an Action Plan for the regeneration of the Mill into a Community Hub and Visitor Attraction. The Development Manager post is part-time 26 hours pre week and the contract will carry a total remuneration of £56064 over Two years.
21/10/2020
Health Secretary Warns Of Long-term Effects Of Covid-19 As New Film Released
New data suggests long COVID affects around 10% of 18 to 49 year olds who become unwell with COVID-19. The Health Secretary urges people to follow the guidelines to protect themselves and others from the potentially debilitating long-term impact of COVID-19.
21/10/2020
Stamp Duty Holiday Continues To Help Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs After Further 21.3% Boost In September
House sales rose by 21.3% in September following the introduction of the stamp duty holiday - helping to protect hundreds of thousands of jobs in the housing sector and wider supply chain, new figures revealed today. residential property transactions rose 21.3% in September following introduction of stamp duty holiday.21/10/2020
Financial Services Bill Introduced Today
A new Bill designed to ensure the UK's world-leading financial services sector continues to thrive and grasp new opportunities on the global stage will be introduced to Parliament today (21 October 2020). Financial Services Bill to maintain UK's world-leading regulatory standards and openness to international markets introduced today this Bill is the first step in shaping a regulatory framework for the UK’s financial services sector outside of the EU.21/10/2020
Monthly GDP Estimates For August
Scotland's GDP increased by 2.6% in August, according to statistics announced today by the Chief Statistician. This is the fourth consecutive month of increasing GDP following the large drops in March and April, but represents a slowdown from the increase of 6.4% in July.21/10/2020
Benefit For Young Carers Enters Second Year
People urged to check if they are eligible to apply again. Young carers are being encouraged to check if they are entitled to further awards as the Young Carer Grant marks it's anniversary.21/10/2020
Improving Additional Support For Learning
Children and young people with additional support needs will be now be directly involved in the decisions that affect them following an independent review. The Scottish Government and COSLA have drawn up a joint action plan for additional support for learning (ASL) after accepting the recommendations made in the independent review chaired by Angela Morgan.21/10/2020
New Guidance Published To Support Commercial Fishers, Merchants And Exporters From 1 January 2021
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is supporting businesses to prepare from 1 January 2021. From 1 January 2021, the UK will have sole responsibility for the future of our seas and fishing industry and we need to be ready for change.
21/10/2020
