Advisory / Counseling Services News

SUBSEA ENERGY CABLE STUDY EXAMINED BY HIE AND PARTNERS

The case for laying long distance subsea cables from renewable energy projects on Scotland's islands to areas of large population in the south is far from being clear cut under current regulation, according to a key consultants' report.   The review was prepared by TNEI for island authorities together with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Executive to investigate the best options for transmitting power generated by island renewable energy projects to the mainland TNEI described the current situation as a 'Catch-22 scenario' whereby prospective renewable energy developers require confidence that they will be able to connect to the grid, but conversely, investment in grid infrastructure is reliant on securing a guaranteed level of supply.  

Market Development Scheme Worth £9.2 Million In Food And Drink Sales

Highlands and Islands food and drink producers have attributed £9.2 million of new sales to events and exhibitions organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), through its UK Market Development programme.   A recent evaluation of the programme commissioned by HIE has demonstrated that bringing together food and drink producers and buyers is an effective way for speciality companies in the Highlands and Islands to do business.  

Hie Approves £5m Boost Towards Uhi Quest For Title

THE drive to create a university for the Highlands and Islands has received a major boost from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   The enterprise network this week announced a funding package of nearly £5m over the next three years designed to facilitate specific outputs which UHI Millennium Institute needs to attain to satisfy the Quality Assurance Agency that university title is appropriate.  

Unemployment Update - March 2007

Summary The March 2007 unemployment figures were released on 14th March 2007.  During the month, February 2007 to March 2007, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain fell by 1.9%, from 948,577 to 930,094 (18,483 claimants).  

Unemployment In The Caithness and Sutherland Wards - March 2007

Caithness and sutherland unemploment fell as at March 2007 to 722 claimants for benefit with the percentage dropping for unemployment benfit claimants by 3% between Feb 07 and March 07.  The precentage drop between March 06 and March 07 was 11.6%.  

Public Agencies Join To Assist New Residents Settle In To The Region

A range of new services for people who have recently moved into the Highlands from other countries has won support from the European Social Fund (ESF).   Highland Wellbeing Alliance, a partnership of public sector organisations in the area, has secured ESF funding worth £260,500 to back initiatives which will help the area's new residents with issues such as improving their English language skills, gaining employment and finding out how to access services and advice.  

PATH IS CLEARED THROUGH FOOD SAFETY CONFUSION

A BRAND new easy-to-access system for small and medium sized food manufacturers to introduce a food safety quality assurance scheme will be launched on Monday (March 19) at the International Food Exhibition in London.   It has come about after four food-chain organisations recognised that although smaller food providers are being courted more and more by retailers and food service companies, their ability to meet the demands of a range of different buyers is often blighted by confusion over exactly what quality assurance level they are required to aspire to.  

Pultenytown Area Of Wick Still Has Highest Unemployment In The North

The Pulteneytown electoral ward has shown an increase over last month recording 64 males and 22 females registered as unemployed.   This compares to the previous month of December when the figures were 57 Males and 22 Females.  

WHY HI LINKS MAY LEAD TO HIGH BUSINESS GROWTH FOR LOCAL COMPANIES

Small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Caithness and Sutherland are being urged to grasp a unique opportunity to help boost future company growth, by tapping into a ready-made resource based within UHI Millennium Institute that helps companies crystallise opportunities to move the business forward.   This free service - a ground-breaking university-based initiative called HI Links, is a three-year project funded by a SEEKIT grant from the Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and UHI.  

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.