News Archive
3/8/2020
Good progress being made by Highland Council on recovery from COVID-19
Members were today asked to note the good progress being made in relation to the local authority's Recovery Action Plan despite the significant challenges faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlighted that important work on the 11 key priorities continues at pace.3/8/2020
Highland Council Reminder - No Change To Funeral Restrictions - Max 20 Attendees To Continue
The Highland Council is issuing a reminder that no more than 20 people should attend a funeral service in person. No changes to these restrictions on funeral services were announced by the Scottish Government following the three weekly formal review of coronavirus controls last week.3/8/2020
The Next Big Bank Collapses May Be Near
We have all seen bank branches closing all over the country but that is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems now roaring to wards our financial stability around the world. Having somehow recovered from 2008 collapse banks proceeded to do something different (well maybe not that different).3/8/2020
Funding Boost For Science Centres
Scotland's four science centres are being offered an extra £2 million in emergency funding to help weather the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The money is on top of annual funding of £2.67 million from the Scottish Government, and means they will be able to start to re-open in the autumn, with safeguards in place to protect visitors.3/8/2020
Emergency Funding To Prevent Homelessness
The UK government must reconsider its position on people with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) according to Housing Minister Kevin Stewart. The move follows a letter from Minister for Immigration Compliance Chris Philp which again stated that there were no plans for the Home Office to suspend its approach to those with NRPF, despite the ongoing public health emergency.2/8/2020
Food For Homeless And People At Risk
Demand for food packs highlights impact of the pandemic. Homeless people and others affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak are to receive further support through the Scottish Government's emergency funding for communities.1/8/2020
Coronavirus (covid-19): Shielding Advice And Support - From 1st August 2020
Overview of shielding We are aware of the harms that can come from shielding. We have been monitoring these impacts and weighing them up the harms against the benefits of shielding.1/8/2020
Contact Tracing App Development - Plans to develop Scottish app
A contact tracing app to support NHS Scotland's Test and Protect system is now in development. The Scottish Government is working towards having a proximity tracing app available in the autumn via Apple and Google app stores.1/8/2020
England - Updates To The Shielding Programme On National And Regional Levels
Shielding guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable to be paused from 01 August 2020 across England. From Saturday 1 August, shielding guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable will be paused across England.31/7/2020
Rare tick-borne infections diagnosed in England
Public Health England (PHE) calls for people to be tick aware as the first case of a babesiosis is diagnosed in England. Public Health England (PHE) can confirm the diagnosis of a case of babesiosis and a probable case of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in England.
31/7/2020
Further Details Of The Job Retention Bonus Announced
Further details of how jobs will be protected through the government's new Job Retention Bonus were unveiled by HMRC today. employers can claim the bonus for all eligible employees who have been furloughed.31/7/2020
Travel To North West Of England
Increase in COVID-19 cases means travel should be avoided. People living in Scotland are being advised to avoid travel to areas in northern England facing new lockdown restrictions after a spike in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.31/7/2020
Prime Minister's Statement On Coronavirus (covid-19): 31 July 2020 - Some Restrictions Back Again
Good afternoon, Two weeks ago, I updated you from this podium on the progress we had made as a country against coronavirus. And in many ways that progress continues.31/7/2020
Beat The Rush By Getting Your MOT Done This Summer
Motorists are being encouraged to bring their MOT forward if it's due in September, October or November 2020, to help beat the expected rush for tests. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is encouraging motorists whose MOT is due this autumn to get their vehicle's MOT done as soon as possible to beat the expected rush for tests.
31/7/2020
USA GDP Second Quarter Worst For 145 Years
The Commerce Department of the United States opened today's announcement of second-quarter economic growth with a frightening statement: "Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 32.9 percent in the second quarter of 2020." 32.9 percent represents the loss of a third of the economy. Take out the annualization, and the economy contracted 9.5 percent.
31/7/2020
Just Transition Commission: Advice on a Green Recovery
Report prepared by the Just Transition Commission, providing advice to the Scottish Government on ensuring a just green recovery. The Commission was established to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on how we can transition to a net-zero economy by 2045 in a way which: maximises the economic and social opportunities that the move to a net-zero economy by 2045 offers.
31/7/2020
Health And Care Workers To Self-isolate On Return To England From High-risk Countries
Registered health and care professionals travelling to the England from high-risk countries will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, the government has confirmed. The move brings them in line with the general public and further protects the NHS and social care system from the spread of coronavirus from overseas, as signs of second waves begin to show in other countries.30/7/2020
New Law To Ensure Furloughed Employees Receive Full Redundancy Payments
Government brings in law to ensure furloughed employees receive statutory redundancy pay based on their normal wages, rather than a reduced furlough rate. New law will ensure that furloughed employees receive statutory redundancy pay based on their normal wages, rather than a reduced furlough rate.30/7/2020
First Far North blood Bike Named
The first "blood bike" to be based in the far north is to be named in honour of NHS workers fighting covid-19. "Hero" was put forward by a Dounreay engineer after the site's operator, DSRL, gave £10,000 to the charity Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes to expand its service in Caithness and north Sutherland.
30/7/2020
