News Archive
29/7/2024
Creating Economic Benefits For Local Communities - Still Time To Have Your Say
The Highland Council is reminding individuals and community groups that there is still time to take part in the consultation seeking views on the Draft Community Wealth Building Strategy. This new strategy aims to ensure every area and community across the Highlands can participate in, and benefit from economic activity.
29/7/2024
Blue-green Algae Warning At Loch Watten, Caithness
The Highland Council's Environmental Health team is advising caution as blue-green algae has been found in Loch Watten, Caithness. During periods of prolonged warm weather, the chance of Blue Green algae (cyanobacteria) affecting water courses, particularly ponds, lochs and canals (as well as rivers), increases significantly.
29/7/2024
Wealth Check - What The New Government Needs To Know About Household Wealth As It Navigates The Challenges Ahead
ritish household wealth has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent years. In Q1 2024, it was estimated to be worth more than six times GDP (630 per cent), more than 50 per cent higher than the last time Labour came into power (410 per cent in 1997).
29/7/2024
Medicines And Medical Devices - Five Top Tips For Summer
Key advice on medicines and medical devices for the holiday season. The summer is upon us, and with it the arrival of warmer weather and promise of holidays at home and abroad.29/7/2024
Fairer Workplaces Fund - Support For Flexible Working
A fund to help businesses, charities and other organisations adopt fair work practices has opened for applications. Grants are available to implement changes such as the delivery of workplace training and processes that support flexible working and help to create and sustain a more diverse workforce.29/7/2024
Pay Rises For Teachers And The NHS Will Pay For Themselves - Richard Murphy
The government will agonise over the cost of paying NHS workers and teachers the above inflation pay rises that have been recommended for them, but doing so is absurd. Once tax is taken in to account a large part of any payment due heads straight back to the government, quite quickly.
28/7/2024
Caithness Hospital Changes And Hubs Delayed Further In Latest Announcement
All new NHS building projects including those in Caithness were put on hold in February for up to two years because of budget constraints. The Scottish Government said then that a revised plan would be released in the spring.28/7/2024
Why Highland residents were 'not surprised' the council was rated Scotland's worst - but should it be split?
An article in the Scotsman today highlights he problems in the Highlands with comments from a recent letter by a local community council. Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council made a "crise de coeur" this year regarding the urgent need to arrest the continuing decline in population, services and infrastructure within the county within the local authority area.27/7/2024
World Heritage Status For Flow Country
The Flow Country in Caithness and Sutherland has been granted World Heritage Site Status by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. It joins Scotland's six existing WHS - the Neolithic Heart of Orkney, New Lanark, The Antonine Wall, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge, which were all awarded the designation for their cultural heritage, and St Kilda, recognised for both its cultural and natural importance.
27/7/2024
How To Avoid Paying Tax On Your Savings Interest
Recent data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows that people are probably not doing enough to avoid paying tax on their savings interest. For the 2023/24 tax year the amount of Income Tax collected from UK savers was around £6.6billion.
27/7/2024
Government Watchdog To Help Stabilise University Finances
Interim Office for Students chair appointed as Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 is stopped. The role of the Office for Students will be refocussed to prioritise the financial stability of the higher education sector and deliver better quality and outcomes for students, the government has announced.27/7/2024
UK Joins Groundbreaking Global Digital Trade Agreement
UK joins the first global digital trade agreement negotiated under the World Trade Organization. The UK and 90 other countries have negotiated a set of new rules designed to make global trade faster, fairer, cheaper and more secure.
27/7/2024
AI Expert To Lead Action Plan To Ensure UK Reaps The Benefits Of Artificial Intelligence
UK Science Secretary Peter Kyle has commissioned an Action Plan to identify how AI can drive economic growth. UK Science Secretary commissions Action Plan to identify how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive economic growth and deliver better outcomes for people across the country.
27/7/2024
You've Got No Money In The Bank - Richard Murphy
It's an economic truth that no one has money with their name on it in a bank. All you have when you make that claim is a bank statement with an IOU printed on it.
26/7/2024
Over £100 Million Boost To Quantum Hubs To Develop Life-saving Blood Tests And Resilient Security Systems
Five new quantum research hubs backed by over £100 million of government funding will deliver breakthroughs in healthcare, cybersecurity and transport. Five new hubs to develop practical use of quantum technology in areas like medical scanners, secure communication networks, and next-generation positioning systems.
26/7/2024
Young Aviators Encouraged To Reach For The Sky In Skills And Outreach Programme
Giving young people from under-represented groups the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation. Aviation Minister rallies industry to get more people to choose a career in aviation through skills and outreach scheme.
26/7/2024
£30 Million To Reduce Waiting Times In Scotland
Significant activity is underway to clear the longest NHS waits following the allocation of £30 million of targeted funding. The funding has been allocated to specialty areas where it can have the greatest impact against the longest waits - this includes cancer, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, dermatology and diagnostics.26/7/2024
The Russian Federation Is Increasing Its Malign Activities And Interference - UK Statement To The OSCE
Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown underlines the increased scale and intensity of the hybrid threat now faced by many participating States. Thank you, Madam Chair - The threat from the Russian Federation comes in many forms, so let me thank France for tabling this item, and allowing participating States the opportunity to put on record just how reckless it is becoming.26/7/2024
Scotrail Issues Sunday Travel Advice
ScotRail is issuing travel advice to customers for Sunday, 28 July as the train operator aims to provide certainty to customers. With ScotRail currently operating a temporary timetable due to fewer drivers being available for rest day working (as is their contractual right) during a pay dispute with drivers' union ASLEF, this Sunday will see a number of additional alterations to train services which may impact on journeys.26/7/2024
