News Archive
21/4/2020
Lifeline Support For Business Confirmed
Support for the newly self-employed and firms suffering hardship to be paid in early May. Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has confirmed that grant funding for the newly self-employed suffering hardship and SMEs in distress will be available in the coming days.21/4/2020
Covid-19 Impact On Scotland's Economy
The economic impact of the efforts to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic could see Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fall by around a third, according to a report by the Chief Economist. The latest State of the Economy report, published by the Scottish Government's Chief Economist Gary Gillespie, presents analysis showing that GDP in Scotland could fall by around 33% during the current period of social distancing, similar to estimates from UK and international bodies such as the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).21/4/2020
Short-term Prisoners Considered For Early Release
Further safeguard for those working and living in prisons amid COVID-19 outbreak. A number of short-term prisoners nearing the end of their time in custody are to be released early, under measures designed to help tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.21/4/2020
More Than 110,000 Universal Credit Claims Since Coronavirus Outbreak
Household claims for Universal Credit in Scotland have increased from an average of 20,000 per month in 2019 to over 110,000 between 1 March and 7 April, highlighting the impact the pandemic is having on people's finances. That’s why the Scottish Government, in partnership with the Citizens Advice network, is launching a new campaign to raise awareness of the financial support available to people.21/4/2020
Emergency Free Meals To Those Most In Need
More food deliveries through £70m Food Fund. More community food projects will receive funding to provide emergency free meals to those most in need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.20/4/2020
Highland Council Warns Of Business Grants Scam - Don't Get Caught Out On This
The COVID-19 crisis has seen an unprecedented rise in scams across the whole of the UK and Highland Council Trading Standards is issuing a warning to local businesses about a new scam that has come to light, regarding business grants. This scam involves an unsolicited email informing the business that its business grant application has been processed and a payment to be made to you soon.20/4/2020
Highland Council ramp up team responsible for processing business grants
The Highland Council is ramping up the team responsible for processing small business grants to respond even more quickly and to as many applicants as possible. On Friday almost 4,000 applications had been received by Highland Council and 1000 of those have already been processed, to the value of over £12.8million.20/4/2020
Business Grant Payments Pass 1000 Mark in Highland
Following the establishment of a dedicated Council team and system to manage the COVID-19 Business Grant scheme, the number of and value of grants to Highland businesses is increasing daily. On Friday 17 April alone, business grants were awarded to 233 businesses to the value of £2.84m which took the overall total to over 1000 businesses and total grants secured to over £12.8m.20/4/2020
What To Do About Holidays Already Booked?
The Transport Secretary has said today that he won't be booking a summer holiday anytime soon. What does this mean for your summer holiday? When asked about future travel on Radio 4's Today programme, Grant Shapps said; "I won't be booking a summer holiday at this point, let's put it that way." If you've got a summer holiday booked or are thinking of booking one, what does this mean for your holiday and what should you do? Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator from online travel price comparison site, TravelSupermarket, provides the following advice:- Whatever you do, don’t cancel.20/4/2020
The Office of Budget Responsibility Coronavirus Analysis
Coronavirus lockdown to deliver large (but hopefully temporary) shock to the economy and public finances In addition to its impact on public health, the coronavirus outbreak will substantially raise public sector net borrowing and debt, primarily reflecting economic disruption. The Government's policy response will also have substantial direct budgetary costs, but the measures should help limit the long-term damage to the economy and public finances - the costs of inaction would certainly have been higher.
20/4/2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Up And Running
The Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme went live today, with businesses able to claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages. Government's furlough scheme opens for applications today - 10 days ahead of schedule employers can now go online to claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker 5000 HMRC staff will operate the scheme - which is expected to help thousands of firms across the UK The Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme went live today, with businesses able to claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages.20/4/2020
Corran Ferry currently not running
The Highland Council is advising the public that the Corran Ferry is not in operation due to a technical failure. On Saturday evening one of the MV Corran propulsion units failed and work is underway to source the part needed and get it fitted as soon as possible.
20/4/2020
Not just another advisory committee?
Fraser of Allander Institute - April 20, 2020. On Friday we wrote about the long-term challenges (and opportunities) that are likely to come our way as we emerge from the COVID-19 economic crisis.20/4/2020
Highlands and Islands MSP urges communities to stand up for Air Traffic Control Services
Too many jobs are being stripped from rural and vulnerable areas under the SNP's Centralisation Policies according to Highlands and Islands Regional MSP Rhoda Grant. In the latest blow to the Highlands and Islands, HIAL is proposing to centralise its Air Traffic Control services to a Hub in Inverness, affecting airports from Benbecula to Lerwick, and leaving some of the most peripheral and vulnerable airports in Scotland being monitored by remote controllers using screens.18/4/2020
How Dounreay is responding to coronavirus
Dounreay is working with the community to provide assistance during the coronavirus outbreak. Protecting our site We have reduced operations at the site to a level where we require a minimum number of people to leave their homes each day to keep Dounreay in a safe and secure state.
18/4/2020
Important HMRC News For Employers - Job Retention Scheme - Launch Day
Monday 20 April 2020 is an incredibly important day for all employers who have furloughed their workers. The Job Retention Scheme (JRS) goes live at 8am on Monday with full digital support.17/4/2020
Chancellor Extends Furlough Scheme To End Of June
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended by one month to reflect continuing social distancing measures. move will allow firms from across UK to continue to protect millions of jobs.17/4/2020
CMA Provisionally Clears Amazon's Investment In Deliveroo
In light of a deterioration in Deliveroo's financial position as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), the CMA has provisionally cleared Amazon's investment in Deliveroo. After completing an initial, Phase 1, investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was concerned that the deal could damage competition by discouraging Amazon from re-entering the online restaurant food market and further developing its presence within the online convenience grocery delivery market in the UK.17/4/2020
Council thanks communities for responsible waste actions
While Recycling Centres are temporarily closed, and the Bulky Uplift service is suspended, The Highland Council is reminding the public to safely store their items until services resume. Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson said: ""We have temporarily closed all our Household Waste Recycling Centres in line with national guidance and suspended our bulky uplift service to allow us to prioritise keeping our domestic and commercial waste collections running to protect public health.17/4/2020
