News Archive

Increased Support For Fishing And Shellfish Businesses

The Government has announced enhanced financial support for the seafood industry with cash grants for seafood and aquaculture businesses across the UK.   In January, the Government made available £23 million for seafood exporters that suffered a financial loss because of delays related to the export of fresh or live fish and shellfish to the EU during January 2021.  

630,000 UK businesses now in significant financial distress since new lockdown came into effect

This article was first published by Begbies Traynor.   630,000 businesses now in ‘significant distress1', a 13% increase from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020 (largest numerical quarterly increase since Q2 2017) 27% year-on-year increase in ‘significant distress1' (136,000 businesses) since Q4 2019 Financial distress increases across all 22 sectors monitored by this research London experiences a 33% increase in significant financial distress since Q4 2019 The latest Red Flag Alert research for Q4 2020 has recorded 630,000 businesses in ‘significant distress1' after the largest numerical quarterly leap (73,000) in financially distressed companies since Q2 2017.  

In-school Learning Returns For Some Pupils Across Highland

School communities across Highland are being encouraged to remain vigilant on safety measures as a partial school return begins today.   Chair of the Education Committee, Cllr John Finlayson said: "I am delighted to see the return of some of our pupils to education settings across Highland today.  

American Indians And Alaska Natives Are Dying Of Covid-19 At Shocking Rates

This article was published on the Brookings web site on 18 February 2021.   American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) are dying of COVID-19 at much higher rates and at younger ages than other groups.  

Coronavirus Covid-19 Daily Data For Scotland - 22 February 2021

715 new cases of COVID-19 reported.   12,359 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 6.6% of these were positive.  

First Real-world Uk Data Shows Pfizer-biontech Vaccine Provides High Levels Of Protection From The First Dose

PHE has today published the first independent analysis in the UK showing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is effective against COVID-19 from the first dose.   Data analysed by Public Health England (PHE) shows the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides high levels of protection against infection and symptomatic disease from the first dose.  

Pm Statement At Coronavirus Press Conference: 22 February 2021

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement at the coronavirus press conference.   Good evening, Our extraordinary NHS has now succeeded in vaccinating more than 17.7 million people across the United Kingdom and nearly a year after the pandemic began This unparalleled national effort has decisively shifted the odds in our favour so that we no longer have to rely simply on lockdowns and restricting our behaviour and putting our lives on hold But with every day that goes by this programme of vaccination is creating a shield around the entire population which means that we are now travelling on a one way road to freedom.  

Immune Evasion Means We Need A New Covid-19 Social Contract

This article was published in the Lancet on 18th February 2021 from members of the French COVID-19 Scientific Council.   A worrying prospect for the future.  

The Great Migration Reversal

Recently the Economist published an article entitled "How the pandemic reversed old migration patterns in Europe".  According to the author, in 2020 Europe saw a great reverse migration, as those who had sought work abroad returned home.  

Uber Ruling Will Raise Prices And Cut Off Earning Opportunities For Thousands, Says Iea Expert

Responding to the UK's Supreme Court ruling that Uber must classify its drivers as workers rather than self-employed, Professor Len Shackleton, Editorial and Research Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "This judgment will raise costs for Uber users, who are often young people who cannot afford conventional cabs.  It will also reduce the availability of rides at the time people want them and squeeze out the large proportion of cab drivers who can only work part-time, as Uber will likely concentrate on a smaller number of workers who can commit to regular hours.