Latest News
5/12/2021
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 5 December 2021
2,067* new cases of COVID-19 reported. 29,017* new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 9.6%* of these were positive.5/12/2021
UKHSA Calls For Everyone To Get Their Flu Jab This Week
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging all those eligible to take up their flu vaccine by 10 December to ensure protection in time for Christmas. The vaccine takes 14 days before it provides maximum protection, so people should get it before 10 December to help keep themselves and vulnerable relatives safe throughout the festive season.5/12/2021
People Urged To Get Booster As Uk Approaches 20m Top-up Jabs
Almost 20 million COVID-19 booster vaccines and third doses have been administered in the UK. Booster programme is being accelerated with more vaccination centres and military support.5/12/2021
Unvaccinated Mothers Urge Pregnant Women To Get Jabbed
Powerful new video shows their experiences of severe COVID-19 during pregnancy. Pregnant women are being urged to get the vaccine by unvaccinated mothers Powerful new video shows their experiences of severe COVID-19 during pregnancy 98% of pregnant women in hospital with symptomatic COVID-19 are unvaccinated Vaccines continue to provide tens of thousands of pregnant women and their babies with vital protection from the virus Unvaccinated women who suffered with COVID-19 during their pregnancies have told their harrowing stories of battling the virus, from being hospitalised to having emergency c-sections, as part of a new campaign encouraging expectant mothers to get the vaccine.
5/12/2021
Ambitious Budget For A Fairer, More Prosperous Scotland
Initiatives to tackle the climate emergency, support economic recovery and reduce inequalities will be at the heart of this year's Scottish Budget. The 2022-23 Budget, which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament on 9 December, will set out how the Scottish Government will forge a path that transitions Scotland towards becoming a fairer, more prosperous and greener country.5/12/2021
Armed Forces Support Storm Arwen Response In Scotland And Northern England
297 personnel from the British Army and Royal Marines are supporting communities impacted by the storm by conducting door-to-door checks on vulnerable people. Military personnel have deployed at pace in response to urgent requests for assistance from civil authorities in Scotland and northern England.
4/12/2021
Christmas Fayre At Bilbster And Thuster Village Hall
11 December 2021. See poster for details.
4/12/2021
New Case Of Avian Influenza
Disease confirmed in poultry in Scotland. A flock of free-range hens from a commercial premises near Gretna, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway, has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1.4/12/2021
Nigg multi-million investment welcomed NOW by Highland Council Leader
Leader of The Highland Council, Margaret Davidson has welcomed the announcement today by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon in relation to the much anticipated Nigg Offshore Wind ("NOW") tower rolling factory. The £110m project proposed by Nigg Offshore Wind Asset Company Limited (NOW) - a joint venture by Global Energy Group and leading European tower manufacturer, Haizea Wind Group, Bilbao - was announced today (Friday 3 December).4/12/2021
Funding To Address Childhood Obesity
Projects awarded share of £759,000. Eight projects working with young families to encourage good nutrition are being allocated funding by the Scottish Government as early intervention to reduce childhood obesity.4/12/2021
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 4 December 2021
1,257* new cases of COVID-19 reported. 22,975* new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 5.9%* of these were positive.4/12/2021
Pre-departure Test Requirement For Travel
Nigeria also added to red list to control omicron spread. People arriving in Scotland from abroad will need to take pre-departure Covid tests to help stem the spread of the omicron variant.3/12/2021
Fort William and Ardnamurchan, Ward 21 By-Election Result
The by-election to elect a councillor to represent the Fort William and Ardnamurchan ward on The Highland Council has been won by Sarah Fanet (Scottish National Party) who was one of seven candidates who contested the vacancy. Voters went to the poll yesterday (Thursday 2 December) and the by-election count was held in Lochaber High School earlier this afternoon.3/12/2021
Caithness initial agreement approved by NHS Highland Board 
The redesign of services in Caithness took a step forward at the end of last month when the initial agreement was approved by the NHS Highland Board at its November meeting. Having been ratified by the NHS Highland Board, it will now go to the Scottish Government Capital Investment Group for approval.
3/12/2021
Increase In Omicron Cases In Scotland
Cases no longer linked to single event. Commenting on the increase in Omicron cases to 29, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:"The number of Omicron cases now being reported in Scotland is rising, and cases are no longer all linked to a single event, but to several different sources including a Steps concert at the Hydro on 22 November.3/12/2021
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 3 December 2021
2,432 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 34,445 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 7.6% of these were positive.
3/12/2021
Eyewatering Fraud - The Bounce Back Loan Scheme: An Update
Counter-fraud activity for the Bounce Back Loan scheme was implemented too slowly to be effective and government's activity to limit taxpayers' exposure to fraudulent loans is inadequate, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (the Department) launched the Bounce Back Loans scheme (the scheme) on 4 May 2020, offering Bounce Back Loans of up to £50,000, or a maximum of 25% of annual turnover, to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3/12/2021
Support For Action On Fireworks And Pyrotechnics
Tougher action on the sale and use of fireworks and tackling the misuse of pyrotechnics has been backed in a new consultation. The public consultation, which attracted a total of 1,739 responses, asked for views on the Scottish Government's Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill.
3/12/2021
Social Security Experience Panels - Seldom Heard Programme Of Research: End Of Life
This report presents the main findings of the first wave of research with bereaved people and those at the end of life as part of the ‘Seldom Heard Voices' research programme. Scottish Government Search site About Topics News Publications Statistics and research Consultations Blogs Home Publications PUBLICATION - RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Social Security Experience Panels - Seldom Heard Programme Of Research: End Of Life Published: 3 Dec 2021 From: Director-General CommunitiesDirectorate: Housing and Social Justice DirectorateISBN: 9781802017175 This report presents the main findings of the first wave of research with bereaved people and those at the end of life as part of the ‘Seldom Heard Voices' research programme.
3/12/2021
