News Archive
24/7/2020
More Materials To Be Accepted At Household Waste Recycling Centres
The Highland Council announced on Thursday 23 July 2020 additional materials will start to be accepted at many of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) across the region and some opening times extended as part of the planned phased reopening. Wood and scrap metal have now been added to the range of items that are accepted at the majority of facilities where the layout and size of the site allows.
24/7/2020
Most Comprehensive Flu Programme In UK History Will Be Rolled Out This Winter In England
Providers will work to vaccinate more than 30 million people during this flu season - millions more than received it last year. Expanded flu vaccination programme to protect vulnerable people and support the NHS Free vaccine to be made available for people aged 50 to 64 later in the year Households of those on the shielded patient list eligible for free flu vaccination and school programme expanded to the first year of secondary schools for the first time The most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in the UK's history has been announced by the government today (Friday 24 July 2020).24/7/2020
Young Entrepreneurs Supporting Economic Recovery Join Impact30
IMPACT30 is a fully funded business growth programme, offering bespoke support from industry specialists. It is open to people aged 35 and under, who are in key decision-making roles in young ambitious businesses.
24/7/2020
Scotland, Wales And Northern Ireland Receive Additional Coronavirus Funding Of £3.7billion From UK Government
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive additional coronavirus funding guarantee from UK Government. UK Government guarantees the devolved administrations will receive a minimum of £3.7 billion in additional funding this year.
24/7/2020
Less Than 6 Months To Go Until UK Brexit Transition With EU Is Over - Are You Ready For All The Changes?
Major new campaign to prepare UK for end of the transition period. The government has launched a new campaign to help businesses and individuals prepare for the end of the transition period.
24/7/2020
Tax credits deadline: customers at risk of losing out
People whose circumstances have changed in the last year or who have received a letter to reconfirm their income details must contact HMRC before 31 July 2020. Tax credits customers have just one week left to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about changes to their circumstances or income before the deadline on 31 July 2020.24/7/2020
Latest data on the Scottish economy - Update 24th July 2020
From Fraser of Allender Institute 24 July 2020. This update provides a snapshot of new data on the Scottish economy and households.
24/7/2020
£200,000 Boost For Better Mobile Connections On Rail Network
New funding for antenna prototype will help avoid internet blackouts on train journeys. Transport Secretary announces £200,000 towards research into developing an innovative antenna prototype for rail gantries, helping to make internet blackouts on the commute a thing of the past.
24/7/2020
Pentland Firth East cable replacement
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are to commence our core work programme to replace one of the two submarine electricity distribution cables connecting Orkney to mainland Scotland, ensuring strengthened resilience of electricity supply to the islands ahead of the coming winter. The £30 million cable replacement project, which received marine licence approval from Marine Scotland earlier this week, sees the installation of a new 33 kilovolt (kV) cable which follows the existing route from Murkle Bay, near Thurso, to Rackwick Bay on the island of Hoy.
24/7/2020
Retail sales claw back to normal levels, but online snatches over 30%
Today's ONS retail statistics for June show retail sales up 1.5% YOY - but ParcelHero warns stores not to celebrate yet: 31.8% of those sales were made online. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) retail sales figures for June showed sales soared by over 13% compared to May, to reach near-normal levels.24/7/2020
The EU's recovery package does not signal the advent of an EU superstate
Georgina Wright writes for the Institute for Government and independent think tank. In her latest article she outlines details of the €750 billion coronavirus recovery package and approved the €1,074 trillion seven-year EU budget which will take effect on 1 January 2021.23/7/2020
Don't get Petfished: Vets And celebrities lead public warnings Against cruel And Opportunist Lockdown Pet Sellers 
Prospective puppy and kitten owners warned of risks of being ‘Petfished' when buying a pet online following lockdown demand surge. Vets, charities and animal-loving celebrities have joined forces with a government campaign to warn against unknowingly buying puppies, kittens, cats and dogs from unscrupulous sellers amid a rise in demand for pets since lockdown.
23/7/2020
UKAEA welcomes new funding for Tokamak Energy
Selection in UK Government's Advanced Modular Reactor projects is positive news for fusion. Tokamak Energy, a private company working to develop compact fusion power based in Milton Park, Didcot, has recently been awarded £10 million from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, as part of the UK Government's Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) project.
23/7/2020
Planned Changes To VAT Will Result In Higher Costs And Less Choice For Online Shoppers
UK shoppers should make the most of international marketplace bargains on Amazon Prime Day on 5 October, says ParcelHero. A new Government policy paper deals a double-whammy to overseas purchases from 1 January: post-Brexit Brits will pay 20% VAT on all international online purchases while overseas sellers will have to register for UK VAT.
23/7/2020
UK And Scottish Governments Share Growth Deal Of £100 Million For Island Groups
The Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland will benefit from investment of up to £100 million by the Scottish and UK Governments in partnership as part of the Islands Growth Deal. A range of areas, including tourism, infrastructure, innovation, energy transition and skills, will be targeted with the funding.23/7/2020
Over £100 Million Cash Boost To Manufacture Millions Of Doses Of Covid-19 Vaccine
New state-of-the-art centre to scale up COVID-19 vaccine and gene therapy manufacturing gets £100 million investment. New state-of-the-art centre to scale up COVID-19 vaccine and gene therapy manufacturing gets £100 million investment [b[additional £4.7 million for new training facilities and an online learning platform to boost vaccine and cell and gene therapy skills[/b] new centre and skills vital for the UK's ability respond to diseases like coronavirus, and potential future pandemics The UK's capability to manufacture vaccines has received a substantial boost today (Thursday 23 July 2020), as the government announces an additional £100 million to ensure that any successful COVID-19 vaccine can be produced at scale in the UK.
23/7/2020
Shielding To Be Paused In Scotland
People who have been advised to shield because of Covid-19, will no longer have to do so from 1 August. Those affected will receive a letter from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith outlining updated guidance as well as the pause in shielding, which is possible due to the continuing low levels of Covid-19 infection in Scotland.23/7/2020
£50million Additional Funding For 850 More Teachers In Scotland
Funding of £50 million will be ring-fenced for the recruitment of approximately 850 extra teachers and around 200 additional support staff as local authorities plan for the re-opening of schools. Addressing Parliament, Education Secretary John Swinney also pledged that £20 million will be allocated to help councils with additional costs associated with new health protection measures, school transport, enhanced cleaning and other essential logistical issues.
23/7/2020
UK Space Innovation Programme Launches With Fund For Climate Change And Communications Projects
New National Space Innovation Programme to provide £15 million to support pioneering ideas in UK space sector. The first projects to be funded will use space technology to tackle global issues such as climate change or increase connectivity.
23/7/2020
