News Archive
18/12/2020
Nicola Sturgeon Urges Scots To Spend Christmas At Home As Pandemic Worsens
Scotland's first minister has urged people to spend Christmas at home and not to form any unnecessary social bubbles over the holidays. During a press conference on Wednesday, Sturgeon said the flexibility in allowing households to meet that had been agreed across the four UK nations would remain in place as taking it away wouldn't be 'fair' or 'realistic'.
18/12/2020
Impact Of Covid-19
Study examines the pandemic's far-reaching effects. A wide-ranging analysis of the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on Scotland's health, economy and society has been published.
18/12/2020
Minister appointed to tackle drugs deaths
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has appointed a dedicated Minister for Drug Policy to lead the Scottish Government's work on tackling and reducing the harm of drug misuse, supporting the rehabilitation and recovery of those living with drug addiction, and reducing the unacceptable number of deaths from drugs. The new Minister will report directly to the First Minister.
17/12/2020
Chancellor Extends Furlough And Loan Schemes To End Of April 2021
Certainty for millions of jobs and businesses as furlough scheme extended until the end of April 2021. businesses struggling will have now until the end of March to access government generous loan schemes Chancellor also confirmed that the Budget will be on the 3 March and set out the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs.
17/12/2020
Shetland Youngster Showcases How Pioneering Energy Project Benefits His Islands' Economy, The Community And His Future
Shetland's 10 year-old Thomas Leask and Keiko the cat are set to become internet sensations in a new film highlighting why Lerwick's district heating system means local people can have warmth, fight fuel poverty and save the planet. Thomas tells the story of the community wide partnership, which inspired by Scandinavian district heating, developed a scheme which used unrecyclable waste to provide lower cost, green heating.
17/12/2020
Police to receive more than £15 billion to fight crime and recruit more officers
The funding package for 2021 to 2022 will include more than £400m to continue recruitment of 20,000 extra officers. Policing will receive up to £15.8 billion to build back safer and cut crime, the government announced on Thursday 17th December 2020.17/12/2020
Joint statement on staying safe at Christmas from the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government
A joint statement on staying safe at Christmas from the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government. As we approach the festive period, the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government are seeking to balance pragmatism with the overriding priority of protecting public health.17/12/2020
Planning Application Lodged For A New Railway Station At Inverness Airport
Application Number: 20/04746/FUL Address: Land 685M South Of Inverness Airport Dalcross. Proposal: Construction of two platform railway station and ancillary infrastructure including: car and cycle parking; bus drop off zone; electric vehicle charging points; waiting shelters; access road improvements; pedestrian and cycle access ramp off C1017; surface water drainage system.
17/12/2020
Government Announces New Funding Boost For Councils In England
Councils across England will receive £51.2 billion next year - an increase of £2.2 billion from last year. Local Government Secretary confirms £51.2 billion package of funding for local services Represents £2.2 billion increase in core spending, including access to extra £1 billion for social care Estimated £3 billion additional support for councils to deal with COVID-19 pressures Councils across England will receive £51.2 billion next year - an increase of £2.2 billion from last year, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (17 December 2020).17/12/2020
UK and US sign Customs agreement to ensure continued smooth trade
Businesses trading with the United States will be able to continue to trade smoothly following EU exit, after the UK and US governments agreed a deal to continue Customs cooperation. The bilateral Customs Assistance Agreement was signed by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman and US Ambassador Robert Wood Johnson today at a signing ceremony at the US embassy in London.
17/12/2020
WTO General Council: UK statement
The UK's Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, delivered these statements during the WTO General Council, December 2020. Item 5 - MC12 Thank you, Chair.17/12/2020
Over £2.5 million for families of disabled children
13,000 Child Winter Heating Assistance payments made. Thousands of families of disabled children in Scotland have received an additional £200 to help heat their homes this winter.17/12/2020
Budget 2021
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced that the government will publish the Budget on Wednesday 3 March 2021..17/12/2020
Meeting Of The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee On 17 December 2020
UK Government statement following the meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, 17 December. The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee met today, 17 December, by video conference.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
