News Archive
20/3/2020
Co-op To Hire 5000 Out Of Work Hospitality Staff
Convenience retailer, the Co-op, has announced plans to create 5,000 store-based roles in a bid to provide temporary employment for hospitality workers who have lost their jobs and to increase support for local communities, amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Recruitment procedures have been simplified so that candidates can apply for positions by walking into their nearest Co-op with a view to starting work in a matter of days.
20/3/2020
Highlands And Islands Enterprise - Latest Covid19 Guidance
We would like to reassure you that HIE is doing all it can to gather information and work with Scottish Government to ensure that the appropriate support is reaching our communities and local economy. We hope to soon have more detail about how to access the recently announced Scottish Government grants to help communities affected by Covid19 https://www.gov.scot/news/helping-communities-affected-by-covid-19 You will have seen new headlines emerging daily at a national and UK level with proposed measures to help individuals, businesses and communities.20/3/2020
Wick High School Ready To Learn Digitally During Corona Virus Emergency
As the ongoing COVID-19 crisis unfolds, we will post information for parents and pupils here. Please check daily for updates or subscribe to our website's news service by clicking on the ‘Follow Wick High School' option on the right of the school page.
20/3/2020
Highland Council Universal Credit Claimants Urged To Act Ahead Of Annual Rent Increase
Highland Council tenants claiming Universal Credit are being urged to look out for messages from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The messages, due to start being sent to claimants from the 6th April 2020 will remind people to log on to their online journal and complete a to-do ‘Report any changes to your housing costs' to ensure their entitlement covers their annual rent increase for the year ahead.20/3/2020
Highland Council Help For Hospitality And Tourism Workers Affected By Covid19 Crisis
The Highland Council is urging those from the hospitality and tourism sector who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis to get in touch for support. The Highlands has a large seasonal workforce, many living in ties accommodation provided by their employer.20/3/2020
Changes To Bus Services Across The Highlands
Measures reflect reduced travel and keeping key workers communities connected Temporary reduced service to operate from Monday 23rd March 2020. Changes follow new government advice on social contact + non-essential travel Stagecoach support for national effort to help tackle challenging situation.20/3/2020
Reduced Trains Timetables From Monday 23 March 2020 Due to Corona Virus
With the unprecedented global crisis, staff availability in ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland has been affected, as well as customer demand. That's why, from Monday, 23 March 2020, we'll be operating a revised timetable.20/3/2020
Reduced Rail Timetable Agreed To Protect Train Services And Staff
government and rail operators across the UK agree reductions in service levels following reduced passenger demand as people change their travel patterns to help tackle spread of COVID-19. move will keep core services running to ensure those who need to get to work, including emergency services and NHS can continue to do so.
20/3/2020
Coronavirus Bill - Scottish Government Legislation will bolster COVID-19 response
New measures contained in the UK Coronavirus Bill will help enhance Scotland's response to COVID-19 and strengthen frontline services. Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said the Bill, introduced into the UK Parliament today, followed close co-operation with the devolved administrations and was required because of "extraordinary public health and economic challenges posed by the pandemic".20/3/2020
Update On School Closures And Exams
Exams will not go ahead, teaching, learning and support can continue with local flexibility. Deputy First Minister John Swinney has updated Parliament on the decision to close schools and confirmed that: the exam diet will not go ahead this year.20/3/2020
Highland Schools will close at end of school day on Friday 20 March
As communicated by the First Minister yesterday, we can confirm that all schools in The Highland Council region will close at the end of the school day on Friday 20th March. Pupils should not return to school on Monday 23rd March.
20/3/2020
How can High Street business adapt to these times?
Betting companies and retailers under threat. But examples from other countries could offer hope Dr Gordon Fletcher, retail expert from the University of Salford Business School, comments as several big High Street names signal distress over coronavirus.
20/3/2020
£2.9 Billion Funding To Strengthen Care For The Vulnerable In England
The funding will help patients who no longer need urgent hospital treatment to return home, making at least 15,000 beds available during the coronavirus outbreak. The funding comes from the £5 billion COVID-19 fund announced by the Chancellor in last week's budget.20/3/2020
Chancellor Hosts Business Groups And The Unions Roundtable
Representatives of business groups and the unions attended a roundtable this afternoon hosted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak The Chancellor of the Exchequer this afternoon hosted a roundtable with representatives of business groups and the unions. In attendance were: Frances O'Grady (TUC), Carolyn Fairbairn (CBI), Adam Marshall (BCC) and Mike Cherry (FSB).
20/3/2020
Bank Of England Cuts Interest Rate To 0.1% - The Lowest Ever
The Monetary Policy Committee at a special meeting on 19 March 2020 voted to cut Bank rate to 0.1% and increase its holdings of UK government and corporate bonds by £200 billion. The spread of Covid-19 and the measures being taken to contain the virus will result in an economic shock that could be sharp and large, but should be temporary.20/3/2020
Highland Council Trading Standards launches webpage on COVID-19 Scams
It has become apparent that in the wake of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, individuals and organised groups of criminals are now operating to attack the economy and wealth. Highland Council Trading Standards have today launched a webpage on the Highland Council website aimed at both consumers and businesses to identify the scams known to Trading Standards and our partners.20/3/2020
Shops Closing In Bigger Numbers
TK Maxx's 349 stores are due to close until further notice once trading ends today. Stablemate Homesense's 78 stores across the UK and Ireland are to be temporarily closed.20/3/2020
Supermarkets To Join Forces To Feed The Nation
Competition laws relaxed to allow supermarkets to work together on coronavirus response. The government is temporarily relaxing elements of competition law as part of a package of measures to allow supermarkets to work together to feed the nation.
20/3/2020
NHS Highland Covid-19 - Outpatients And Diagnostic Testing
As part of our preparation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NHS Highland has cancelled all non-urgent outpatient reviews and diagnostic tests which will enable our staff to support essential services and patient care during the anticipated periods of increased demand on our services. Prevention of transmission of infection is essential therefore face to face outpatient attendances will be on an exceptional basis only.20/3/2020
