News Archive
16/3/2020
Knockbreck And Craighill Primary Schools In Tain Closed
Knockbreck Primary School, and Craighill Primary School, Tain are to be closed from today until further notice. A pupil and a member of staff were taken ill over the weekend and the circumstances have been assessed by the NHS and the Council.16/3/2020
Coronavirus Large Gathering Guidance In Scotland
Action will help to support our critical services. Guidance advising that gatherings of 500 people or more should not take place in Scotland has been published.16/3/2020
Prime Minister To Lead Cross-government Drive To Defeat Coronavirus
New daily press conferences to keep public informed on how to protect themselves Meetings with manufacturing industry and calls with international leaders will drive forward efforts to curb the virus UK leading international efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine and produce the medical equipment needed to help people recover From tomorrow daily press conferences will be hosted by the Prime Minister and senior Ministers on the coronavirus pandemic, supported by scientific and medical experts including the Chief Medical Office and Chief Scientific Adviser. The press conferences form part of the government's commitment to clarity and transparency in order to ensure British people are fully informed about the steps they can take to protect themselves and others.15/3/2020
Scotland Remote Working Stats
Flexioffices recently conducted a study on remote working/ flexitime/ flexible working whatever you want to call it in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 67% of Scottish workers currently do not have the option to work remotely.15/3/2020
USA Federal Reserve Emergency Announcement - Interest Rate Dropped To Between 0% And A Quarter Percent
The coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries, including the United States. Global financial conditions have also been significantly affected.14/3/2020
Highland Council And Partners Working Closely - Covid19
The Highland Council is working closely with partners in Resilience and following national guidance in relation to the Coronavirus COVID-19 situation. Chief Executive Donna Manson said: "The situation is rapidly changing and we are planning and preparing for the weeks ahead.14/3/2020
Emergency £320 Million Package Of Support For Businesses - Response To Covid-19.
New measures to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the business community in Scotland have been announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. The following steps will be put in place to support businesses during the 2020-21 financial year: • a 75% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value of less than £69,000 from 1 April 2020.13/3/2020
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
