News Archive
3/4/2020
Covid-19 - SSPR Update For Businesses With Fewer Than 250 Employees
At Budget 2020 the Chancellor announced details about a new coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. This scheme will allow small and medium sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, to apply to HMRC to recover the costs of paying Statutory Sick Pay to their employees.3/4/2020
Chancellor Strengthens Support On Offer For Business As First Government-backed Loans Reach Firms In Need
Rishi Sunak is taking further action to support firms affected by coronavirus by bolstering business interruption loans and announcing a new scheme for larger companies. 90 million of business interruption loans approved for nearly 1,000 firms and £1.9 billion corporate finance provided to firms hit by COVID-19.3/4/2020
NHS to benefit from £13.4 billion debt write-off
Health Secretary announces over £13 billion of debt will be written off as part of a major financial reset for NHS providers. This announcement applies to England.2/4/2020
Serco NorthLink Ferries maintains lifeline service to Northern Isles
A new temporary timetable has been introduced by Serco NorthLink Ferries, designed to continue to provide a lifeline service between mainland Scotland and the Northern Isles whilst reflecting travel demand during the COVID-19 outbreak. In line with advice from the Scottish Government and health officials, restrictions have been implemented in recent weeks to allow only necessary travel, resulting in a significant reduction in passenger numbers.
2/4/2020
Social Care Workers And Social Workers - Workforce Support And Wellbeing During Covid-19
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) have produced a new resource to support staff health and wellbeing during the challenging time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Social care workers and social workers are on the frontline in providing support to some of society's most vulnerable citizens and we know the crucial role they're playing brings with it additional pressures and stress.2/4/2020
Another Example Of Problems For Self-Employed - Childminders
Yoopies, one of the UK's leading childcare platforms, is urging the Government on behalf of the childminding industry to reassess this scheme to protect this industry verging on collapse. Childminders: "I never want to feel this helpless again" Leading childcare platform, Yoopies, has spoken to over 300 childminders, painting a picture of heightened anxiety, financial dependence on the goodwill of parents and forced business closures in light of Rishi Sunak's proposed "Covid-19 Self-employed Income Subsidy".2/4/2020
Coronavirus support: can we stop people falling between the cracks?
Fraser Of allender Blog Emma Congreve - April 1, 2020. There is no doubt that support for the UK workforce during this Coronavirus outbreak announced so far has been completely unprecedented.2/4/2020
Social Service Workforce - Guidance For Employers On Core Training For Redeployed Workers, Temporary Workers And Volunteers
Scottish Social Services Council Employer advice published 27th March 2020. With the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the country, it will be necessary for health and social care staff to be deployed to work in frontline care services they may be unfamiliar with.2/4/2020
NHS Highland Board approves Healing Process
The NHS Highland Board has today approved its Healing Process, which has been developed in close partnership with colleagues, trades unions and Whistleblowers in response to the Sturrock Report. Funded by the Scottish Government, the Healing Process enables former and current employees to access an independent team of external advisers which include human resources, legal, communications and mediation specialists.1/4/2020
Shielding For The Extremely Vulnerable In Highland
What is 'shielding'? If you fall within one of the groups recommended to shield, you will have received a letter or text from the NHS. Shielding is a measure to protect extremely vulnerable people by minimising contact between those who are extremely vulnerable and others.1/4/2020
Help available for Council Tax payers in Highland
Council tax payers in Highland who have lost their jobs or are experiencing a drop in their income are being encouraged to apply as quickly as possible for a reduction in their council tax. This help, known as the ‘Council Tax Reduction Scheme', is available for lower income households, including home owners.1/4/2020
Busy First Week For Highland Council's Covid-19 Helpline
Since The Highland Council's dedicated helpline went live last Wednesday afternoon staff have dealt with over 1,600 calls. The helpline has been set to give assistance and to collect details of individuals and community groups looking to provide volunteering support.1/4/2020
Billing Pause For Business Rate Payers In Highland
Around 19,000 business rate payers in Highland will not receive their annual rates bill this April. The Highland Council recognises the exceptional economic challenges for local business and has therefore decided to pause business rates bills in respect of financial year 2020/21.1/4/2020
Supporting Local Highland Businesses During Covid-19
The Highland Council is working hard to release business grants to eligible local businesses as quickly as possible. The Council has received over 2,000 applications since the scheme was introduced last week and has set up systems to process these applications quickly while ensuring the necessary information is received.1/4/2020
Coronavirus: A fifth of smaller UK firms 'will run out of cash'
Nearly a fifth of all small and medium-sized businesses in the UK are unlikely to get the cash they need to survive the next four weeks, in spite of unprecedented government support. That's according to research from a network of accountants which suggests between 800,000 and a million firms nationwide may soon have to close.1/4/2020
Update On Devolved Benefits In Scotland
Priority will be to deliver Scottish Child Payment. Social Security Secretary Shirley Anne Somerville has updated Parliament on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on social security services in Scotland.1/4/2020
Pregnant Prisoners To Be Temporarily Released From Custody
This statement from Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service applies to England and Wales. Pregnant women in custody who do not pose a high risk of harm to the public will be temporarily released from prison.1/4/2020
This Isn't A V-shaped Recession....
Fraser of Allander Institute - March 31, 2020 Just three weeks ago, the OBR published forecasts of 1.1% growth in 2020. How times have changed.Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 1st April 2020
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (April, 1st) sold 3,913 sheep of all classes including the annual spring sale of ewe lambs. Ewe lambs (1,654) averaged £67.74 (-5.52 on the year) and sold to £90 gross (trice) for pens of Cheviots from Viewbay, Munlochy, (twice) and a pen of Beltex crosses from Simpsons croft, Scotsburn.1/4/2020
