News Archive
17/12/2020
Moray Council Approve Multi-million Pound Funding For Cultural Quarter
ONE of the flagship projects of Moray's multi-million pound Growth Deal took a step closer to becoming reality today as councillors agreed to fund £3.9 million towards its creation. Plans for a Cultural Quarter, which aims to create a vibrant space in the heart of Elgin that will support economic growth and cultural expansion across Moray were welcomed, and today’s agreement of council funding unlocks the next steps in the project, ensuring it’s ‘shovel-ready’ and work on-site can commence by 2024 - or earlier if possible.
16/12/2020
Deferring Entry To Primary One - Local Authorities To Pilot Extra Funded Childcare From 2021
Families in five local authorities who defer entry to primary one for their child next year will automatically receive an extra year of funded early learning and childcare (ELC). Currently, it is up to councils whether to fund ELC for children born between August and December who defer entry to primary one.16/12/2020
Council reminder that all civic Hogmanay events are cancelled
The Highland council is reminding people that the Red Hot Highland Fling at Hogmanay event in Inverness will not be taking place this year. It, like all other Christmas and New Year-themed civic events including the Winter Wonderland at Whin Park and the Christmas lights switch-on parade, has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid pandemic.16/12/2020
Steering Scotland's pathway to net zero
More than 100 new policies and proposals to support Scotland's green recovery and help deliver a just transition to net zero have been launched. They form part of the Climate Change Plan 2018 - 2032, which has been updated to reflect the world’s most ambitious framework of climate targets as enshrined in Scotland’s Climate Change Act 2019.16/12/2020
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd -Sale 16 December 2020
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 16th) sold 33 MV accredited pedigree females at its annual sale. In lamb gimmers: Beltex sold to 1,500gns from Lochend Farm, Denny.16/12/2020
Joint Approach To Christmas - Clear Messaging On Celebrating Safely
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has joined with the leaders of the UK Government and the Welsh Government in issuing guidance on how the public should approach Christmas celebrations this year. The First Minister has stressed that the strong recommendation of the Scottish Government to people across Scotland is to celebrate Christmas this year within your own household and in your own home - and as far as possible to keep any interaction with other households to a minimum.16/12/2020
Third Quarter Growth In 2020 But Falls Far Behind 2019
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the economy grew by 16.0% during the third quarter of 2020, covering the period July to September.15/12/2020
Childcare Expansion From August 2021
All eligible children will benefit from at least 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare (ELC) from August 2021, the Children's Minister has announced. The expansion of funded ELC, originally intended for August 2020, was paused in April to give local authorities the flexibility to focus on responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.15/12/2020
Government Must Stop Household Mixing This Christmas: A Joint Call By The BMJ And HSJ
Since the UK's first lockdown in March, the government has had one (perhaps only one) consistent message — protect the NHS, write Alastair McLellan of HSJ and Fiona Godlee of The BMJ. Now, with the number of hospital patients with covid-19 again on the rise, and a third wave almost inevitable, the new year is likely to see NHS trusts facing a stark choice: be overwhelmed or stop most elective and non-urgent work.15/12/2020
Drug-related Death Statistics 2019 For Scotland
Drug-related deaths in Scotland increased by 6% last year, according to official statistics. National Records of Scotland figures show there were 1,264 deaths, an increase of 77 on 2018 and the highest figure on record.15/12/2020
First Regional Hub Laboratory Goes Live
Care home staff tests to be prioritised with cutting edge diagnostic equipment. The first of three regional hub laboratories set up to increase Scotland's testing capacity has opened in Glasgow today.15/12/2020
Towards A Safer Bonfire Night - Restrictions on Sales and Times
Forthcoming regulations to curb the general sale and use of fireworks. Regulations to restrict both the sale of fireworks and the times when they can be set off by the general public will be introduced for Parliament to consider in the new year.15/12/2020
New Benefits Help Families
Scotland's least well-off families have seen a marked increase in their income from three Scottish Government benefits, according to an evaluation published today. The evaluation of the three Best Start Grant payments shows that families on the lowest incomes were able to buy essential items for their children as a result of these new benefits.15/12/2020
Rise In Teacher Numbers
The total number of full time equivalent teachers has risen to its highest figure since 2008, official statistics confirm. New figures have revealed that there were 53,400 teachers employed in early learning and childcare, primary, secondary and special schools or centrally employed.15/12/2020
Schools Statistics For Scotland
This release provides the latest information on pupils, teachers and early learning and childcare, and shows that over the year to 2020 teacher numbers increased by 1,153 to 53,400. Pupil numbers have not increased at the same rate therefore the pupil teacher ratio has decreased to 13.3.15/12/2020
Increase In Agricultural Production For 2020 In Scotland
It has been a good year for the cereal harvest in Scotland, with the highest cereal yield and second highest production in the past 10 years. Crop area was very similar to the previous year, but a 2% increase in yield resulted in a small increase in production to just over 3.1 million tonnes.
15/12/2020
Scottish Government Workforce Statistics September 2020
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending September 2020.15/12/2020
Changes To Coronavirus Levels In Scotland
Three local authorities are to move up to Level 3 of the COVID-19 protection scale following rises in the prevalence of the virus in the past week. East Lothian, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire will all move this Friday 18 December at 6pm following significant increases in their infection rates.14/12/2020
UN Warns Of An Impending Famine With Millions In Danger Of Starvation
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 27 2020 (IPS) - The numbers are staggering— as reflected in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which has triggered a new round of food shortages, famine and starvation. According to the Rome-based World Food Programme (WFP) 690 million people do not have enough to eat.14/12/2020
