News Archive
26/10/2020
First Business Hardship Funds Paid Out To Highland Businesses - Deadline to apply Tuesday 3rd November
Following its launch on Tuesday 20th October 2020, Highland Council has received and paid out the first Business Hardship Fund grants. As part of the Scottish Government's response to the COVID-19 Brake Restrictions which came into effect on 9 October, the Council has been asked to deliver this grant scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government.26/10/2020
Free school meals for October and up to Easter holidays for eligible pupils
Eligible school pupils in the Highland Council area are to receive vouchers for the October holiday period and for the coming Christmas break, February and Easter holidays in 2021 to help with food support. Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council's Education Committee said: "Highland welcomes the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Ann Somerville MSP which will provide much-needed support to our more vulnerable families in need during these difficult coronavirus times.25/10/2020
Halloween And Bonfire Night Advice In Scotland during the pandemic
Families and children are being urged to avoid guising this Halloween to minimise the risk of spreading Coronavirus (COVID-19). Deputy First Minister John Swinney says the move is necessary to ensure people stay within the current restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings.25/10/2020
Scottish Businesses To Benefit From UK-Japan Trade Agreement
Scottish businesses are set to benefit from the historic UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed by International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu in Tokyo today (Friday 23 October). The deal could increase UK trade with Japan by £15.7 billion, giving a £1.5 billion boost to the economy and increasing UK workers' wages by £800 million in the long run.
25/10/2020
Britain's Bounce back: The Economic Threats and Opportunities of 2021
Mark Littlewood from the Insitute of Economic Affairs speaking to the Oxford PPE Society is a student society for the Modern Greats: Philosophy, Politics and Economics. This week, Mark spoke to students from the Oxford University PPE society about "Britain's Bounce back: The Economic Threats and Opportunities of 2021", which you can watch here.
25/10/2020
Big broadband boost for Scotland
Thousands of rural homes and businesses across Scotland have been given access to more financial help to get top-of-the-range broadband speeds. New agreement to join up the UK and Scottish Government's broadband voucher schemes to help rural areas get gigabit-capable broadband connections £6m to connect hundreds of public sector buildings across Angus, Dundee, and Perth & Kinross A new collaboration between the Scottish and UK Governments will see voucher funding joined up to make more money available to subsidise the costs of building gigabit-capable broadband networks to hard-to-reach areas of Scotland.25/10/2020
UK And Japan Sign Free Trade Agreement
The UK has officially signed an economic partnership agreement with Japan, marking an historic moment, as the UK's first major trade deal as an independent trading nation and offering a glimpse of Global Britain's potential. The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is the first deal that the UK has struck as an independent trading nation. A British-shaped deal that goes beyond the existing EU agreement, securing bespoke benefits for British businesses and citizens.
25/10/2020
Businesses Trading Timber Urged To Prepare For Change
Firms will need to take action ahead of the end of the transition period. Businesses trading timber between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) are being urged by the UK Government to take action to ensure they are prepared for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.
25/10/2020
Supporting Flagship Cultural Venues - Emergency Covid-19 Funding
Three flagship venues will receive funding as part of the ongoing emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) support for cultural and heritage organisations. Capital Theatres - which operates the Festival Theatre, the King's Theatre and The Studio in Edinburgh – will receive £500,000 in addition to £250,000 already awarded through the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund to help weather the effects of the pandemic.25/10/2020
Additional Mackerel Quota In Area 7d
The additional quota can only be caught by hook and line and fishers must become members of the Handline Association and then seek authorisation from the MMO to qualify for it. This additional quota has been made available following a request from industry and subsequent consultation with the quota advisory group for Area 7d.
25/10/2020
Institute For Economic Affairs - Live With Littlewood - With Tim Montgomerie, Cindy Yu And Many More
On this week's Live with Littlewood, we'll be discussing how we chart a course through the winter of discontent. What next for local shutdowns, and should the government offer these regions greater financial support? Is a No Deal Brexit on the cards? And why have Millennials fallen out of love with democracy?.
24/10/2020
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - How Has It Been Used And What Will Happen When It Ends?
Rishi Sunak's Job Support Scheme (JSS) fixes deficiencies with his previous post-furlough scheme plan but will almost certainly waste taxpayers' money by propping up over one million unviable jobs. This report says the chancellor is designing policy at an economy-wide level but the crisis affects sectors in different ways.
24/10/2020
Podcast - UK government battle with regional politicians and leaders of the devolved nations
The Institute for Government has weekly podcast. This week -The government continues to do battle with regional politicians and leaders of the devolved nations over coronavirus restrictions, and with the EU over Brexit.
23/10/2020
Caithness Councillors Unanimously Backs Business Case For Wick John OGroats Airport PSO
At the Caithness Area Committee on 22 October 2020 members unanimously confirmed their full support to the business case for Wick John O'Groats Airport to receive Public Service Obligation (PSO) status by putting forward a motion and reinforcing their commitment to working with stakeholders and partners to deliver this as a matter of urgency. The motion lodged recognises the fundamental strategic importance of Wick John O’Groats Airport to the economy of the region, and the energy, business and tourism sectors in particular.23/10/2020
NHS Highland Hiding behind Data Protection refusing to reveal if patients were tested before discharge to Care Homes
NHS HIGHLAND has told North MSP Rhoda Grant it cannot reveal whether patients were tested for Covid-19 ahead of being discharged from hospital into a care home. The health board said it was "unable to provide the level of detail you have requested, as this constitutes personal data".23/10/2020
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd- Annual Sale North Country Cheviots 23 October 2020
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (October, 23rd) sold 586 rams at its annual sale of North County Hill Cheviots. Shearlings (94) sold to £3,200 gross twice from Rhifail Farms.23/10/2020
Stop To Traumatic Disability Assessments
There will be no DWP style assessments to access disability assistance under the new Scottish social security system. Decisions will be made using information gathered through the applications process including from health care providers Should more detail be required to make decisions on an application for the new Adult Disability Payment, it will be gathered through a consultation.23/10/2020
Grants For Scottish Businesses Announced
Details of grants available to businesses as part of Scotland's refreshed strategic approach to suppressing coronavirus (COVID-19) have been published. From 2 November, firms that are required by law to close will be eligible for grants every four weeks for as long as the restrictions last.23/10/2020
BEAR Northwest Trunk Roads - works in Helmsdale
From 19:00 on 26 October 2020 to 07:00 on 10 November 2020 the following roads will be affected by temporary roads closures for BEAR Northwest Trunk Roads Unit works. The road closures are necessary to allow BEAR to carry out surfacing works.
23/10/2020
