News Archive
16/9/2020
Eat Out To Help Out Scheme Hits Supermarket Sales
Grocery sales rose by 10.8% during the 12 weeks to 6 September 2020, but growth slowed as some aspects of pre-Covid life resumed, new research finds. The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar show in the most recent four weeks year-on-year sales growth decelerated to 8.0%, the slowest rate since April 2020.
16/9/2020
Funding Boost For Wester Ross Dry Dock Accommodation Project
A project to create accommodation facilities at Kishorn dry dock in Wester Ross has secured investment of up to £94,675 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Having on-site accommodation will enhance the dock's capacity and help it attract more high-end contracts in offshore renewables and oil and gas decommissioning.
16/9/2020
Initial Implications of the UK High Court Business Interruption Insurance Test Case Ruling
On September 15, 2020, the UK High Court largely decided in favour of the position of policyholders in the test case brought forward by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regarding the interpretation of a sample of business interruption (BI) policies used by several insurance companies in the British market. In May, the FCA announced that it would seek legal clarity on the interpretation of a number of BI insurance policies to resolve concerns from small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), whose claims due to BI losses during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic were initially denied or disputed.16/9/2020
Another Milestone For Orkney Island Council Delivery Of New Rastar 3200sx Tugs
Despite COVID-19 and related travel restrictions mid-August saw another milestone towards the modernisation and renewal of the Orkney Island Council (OIC) tug fleet that provides towage and marine services in Scapa Flow, Orkney. The vessels set off 17 days ago from the shipyard where they were built and today completed a non-stop voyage of 3,500 nautical miles.
16/9/2020
£16m To Tackle Fuel Poverty
Fuel-poor households are to benefit from a further £16 million investment to improve energy efficiency in their homes. The money will be used to improve insulation and install energy efficient heating systems, including those using renewable technology, contributing to Scotland's net zero targets and helping to meet a key Programme for Government commitment.16/9/2020
Boost For Scottish Youth Work
Scottish Government funding for youth work is being increased by more than 30% to recognise the vital role the sector will play in making up any ground lost in learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A newly created £3 million Youth Work Education Recovery Fund will be targeted at those communities and young people who need the most support, bringing Government spending in the youth work sector this year to at least £12.5 million.16/9/2020
UK Inflation Rate Drops In August
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) 12-month inflation rate was 0.5% in August 2020, down from 1.1% in July 2020. The largest contribution to the CPIH 12-month inflation rate in August 2020 came from recreation and culture (0.35 percentage points).
16/9/2020
Economy Contracts 19.4% In The Second Quarter Of 2020
The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the economy contracted by 19.4% during the second quarter of 2020, covering the period April to June. Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth.16/9/2020
Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 16 September 2020
PORTREE, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 16th) sold 1,415 weaned calves and store cattle at their annual district ballot sale. Bullocks (834) averaged 285.5p (+64.6p on the year), and sold to 448.3p per kg for a 145kg Limousin cross from 1 & 2 Conon, Uig, and £1,110 gross for a 615kg Aberdeen Angus cross from 3 Kilmuir, Dunvegan.16/9/2020
Labour Market Statistics For Young People (16 To 24 Years): Scotland
New statistics from the Annual Population Survey show that 299,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years were in employment in Scotland in July 2019 to June 2020. The employment rate for young people was 53.2%, lower than a year ago (59.1%).16/9/2020
Impact Of Furlough - Scottish Government Wants UK Government To Extend The Scheme
Extending the furlough scheme by eight months could save 61,000 jobs in Scotland, according to new research. A Scottish Government report estimates that the direct cost of extending the furlough scheme in Scotland to June is around £850 million - and wider economic benefits, such as increasing GDP, mean that it could pay for itself.15/9/2020
Organ And Tissue Donation Opt Out System
New law comes into effect next March. Legislation to introduce an opt out system of organ and tissue donation for deceased donors will come into effect on 26 March 2021.15/9/2020
High Life Highland swimming provision bounces back
High Life Highland is continuing its bounceback campaign with additional swimming provision planned during September and October. Graeme Ross, Principal Facilities Manager said, "In getting our locations reopen, our priority was, and continues to be to make our premises safe and welcoming for customers and staff.
15/9/2020
Regulation Of Short-term Lets - Consultation on licensing plans
A consultation will gather final views on proposed new legislation for the regulation of short-term lets. The Scottish Government's proposals include a mandatory licensing scheme to ensure that all short-term lets are safe and to address issues faced by neighbours.15/9/2020
Dingwall & Highlands Marts Ltd- Sale 14 September 2020
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highlands Marts Ltd, (September, 14th) sold 3,907 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual show and sale. Highland Mule gimmers (1,127) averaged £179.24 (+£36.21 on the corresponding sale of last year) and sold to £210 from Mountrich Farm, Dingwall.15/9/2020
UK Unemployment Rate Rises
The Office for National Statistics has published the latest Employment and Unemployment statistics today. Early indicators for August 2020 suggest that the number of employees in the UK on payrolls was down around 695,000 compared with March 2020.15/9/2020
HighLife Highland want to ensure customers are not missing updates?
During lockdown High Life Highland found the use of technology more important than ever before. It was, and remains, one of the primary forms of communication with its members throughout the fast-changing environment in which everyone has found themselves immersed.
15/9/2020
Scottish Public Sector Employment
Public Sector Employment Statistics for Scotland released today by Scotland's Chief Statistician show that there were 565,600 people employed in the public sector in Scotland in June 2020. As of June 2020, public sector employment accounted for 21.2% of total employment in Scotland and private sector employment accounted for 78.8% of total employment.15/9/2020
Living In Scotland In 2019
Community feeling remains strong in Scotland with more than three-quarters of adults (78% in 2019) reporting a very or fairly strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. This figure has remained at this level since 2012.15/9/2020
