News Archive
13/3/2020
Change to Household waste recycling centre vehicle restrictions
A decision was agreed at the full Council meeting of The Highland Council on 12th March 2020 to make a minor amendment to the newly introduced Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) vehicle restrictions policy. The vehicle restrictions which were introduced at the beginning of February 2020 will be amended with immediate effect to allow householders with oversize trailers access to HWRC to dispose of their household garden waste, electrical appliances and furniture only.13/3/2020
Loganair To Stop Flying Wick To Edinburgh
Wick John O'Groats Airport has been hit hard with the news that Loganair is to axe the flights between Wick and Edimburgh Bookings had already dropped in the last year and the Cornavirus has made things worse. The service will cease at the end of March.13/3/2020
Highland Council announces a revised Trades Framework and tender exercise process
Highland Council has listened to concerns raised by members and bidders over the process of the Trades Services Framework and tender exercise. After a stand-still period which ended on 9 March 2020 and further discussion, Highland Council has announced the termination of the original framework and tender process.13/3/2020
Skye and Raasay by-election result
The by-election to elect for a councillor to represent the Eilean a' Cheò Ward on The Highland Council has been won by Calum Munro - Independent -who was one of six candidates who contested the vacancy. He joins Councillors John Finlayson (Independent), John Gordon (Independent) and Calum MacLeod (Non-aligned) in representing Ward 10 on The Highland Council.12/3/2020
NHS Highland Gets Connected With Iot Testbeds
A SERIES of Internet of Things (IoT) testbeds will be developed across hospitals and healthcare facilities in the Highlands and Islands as part of a bid to explore how NHS Highland can drive efficiency and enhance user and staff experience. The initial set of networks will be rolled out over the next few months at Lorn & Islands Hospital in Oban, Fort William's Belford Hospital, and Caithness General Hospital in Wick with more to follow.
12/3/2020
Analysis - Budget 2020: New Uk Chancellor Unveils £30 Billion Coronavirus Fightback - But Debt Forecasts Look Optimistic
Costas Milas, Professor of Finance, University of Liverpool writing for The conversation web site gives his analysis of the budget affect on government debt. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With the British public increasingly anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic and business leaders' confidence in the economy sinking, it comes as no surprise that the UK budget is a targeted effort to alleviate the economic headwinds of the virus.12/3/2020
First Minister Announces Ban on gatherings of over 500
Gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from next week, the Scottish government is advising. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this was to free up emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, to deal with coronavirus.12/3/2020
UK Budget 2020 - Analysis From Institute For Fiscal Studies
IFS Spring Budget analysis Paul Johnson's opening remarks. Yesterday's Budget was really two Budgets rolled into one.12/3/2020
UK Budget 2020: Scottish implications
From the Fraser of Allender Institute. This was one of the most significant UK budgets in recent years - although it has very limited ‘Scottish specific' implications.12/3/2020
May Elections To Be Postponed For England And Wales
The Electoral Commission this afternoon tweeted - "We've written to the UK Government to recommend that the May polls be postponed until the autumn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This is due to growing risks to the delivery of the polls & to mitigate the impact on voters, campaigners & electoral administrators." Does not apply in Scotland as elections are in May 2021.12/3/2020
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes Responds To UK Budget
Rapid joint engagement is needed on funding for the COVID-19 response in Scotland following the UK Government's Budget, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has said. Responding to the UK Budget, Ms Forbes said:"While I’m pleased to see the UK Government’s economic response to coronavirus following my calls for this at the UK Treasury yesterday, we need confirmation on what this will mean for Scotland.11/3/2020
Tax Helpline To Support Businesses Affected By Coronavirus (covid-19)
New HMRC helpline launched to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19). HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
11/3/2020
Emergency Bank Rate Cut Announced At 7.00am Today As Corona Virus Hits Business
An unprecedented announcement form the Bank of England was made unusually at 700am today to help businesses in the face of a down turn due to the Coronavirus. It follows a cut by the Federal Reserve in USA last week.
11/3/2020
Companies To Benefit From The Government's Budget Pledge Of £2.5 Billion To Fill 50 Million Potholes
Government budget to pledge £2.5 billion to fill 50 million potholes. New technology available to help local councils respond to pothole crisis following budget announcement.
11/3/2020
UK Budget 2020 In Brief
The chancellor announced the biggest spending budget in over 30 years. He announced £30bn of help to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and more than £600bn for infrastructure spending over the next five years.
11/3/2020
UK Budget 2020 - Business Rates Scrapped For Shops And Cafes
Tens of thousands of England's retail, leisure and hospitality firms will not pay any business rates in the coming year. Companies with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a tax holiday.11/3/2020
UK Budget 2020: Chancellor Unveils £30bn Coronavirus Package
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a £30bn package to help the economy get through the coronavirus outbreak. Public safety is the government's top priority in its response to COVID-19 and it is taking firm and comprehensive action, consistent with the best scientific evidence.
11/3/2020
Higher income taxes and public spending in Scotland?
Fraser of Allander Institute - March 11, 2020. Since February's Budget, there has been discussion about income tax in Scotland and public spending.
11/3/2020
UK Budget 2020 - Levelling Up And Getting Britain Building
The government is committed to levelling up across the UK by raising productivity and growth in all nations and regions, creating opportunity for everyone, and addressing disparities in economic and social outcomes. For too long the UK has under-invested in infrastructure, leaving many people stuck with delays and poor service.
11/3/2020
