News Archive
25/8/2021
The next steps in reforming the agriculture sector in Scotland and supporting farmers and crofters to cut emissions and produce sustainable, high quality food have been set out today by Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon. Individuals representing land based businesses covering a range of farming, geographical and environmental interests have been appointed to a new, gender-balanced board called the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), co-chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and NFUS President Martin Kennedy.
25/8/2021
More than £14 million will be invested to support North East based workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Oil and Gas downturn. The funding will provide opportunities for more than 3,000 individuals in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through training and enterprise projects across a number of sectors, including entrepreneurship, tourism and energy transition.
25/8/2021
The Scottish Government has published its NHS Recovery Plan, committing more than £1 billion of targeted investment for the recovery and renewal of Scotland's health service. It sets out key actions for the next five years to help address backlogs in healthcare and increase capacity by at least 10%.
25/8/2021
The UK Space Agency is inviting local development bodies to bid for funding of up to £100,000 to help put space at the heart of local economies. The £600,000 Regional Space Development fund launched today aims to accelerate the development of a thriving, resilient and well-connected space ecosystem across the UK.
25/8/2021
Government borrowing in July 2021 was £10.4 billion, down £10.1 billion from the same month last year. Year-to-date borrowing of £78.0 billion is now £26.1 billion below our March forecast profile.
25/8/2021
Scotland's onshore GDP grew by 0.9% in June, according to statistics announced today by the Chief Statistician. Output remains 2.1% below the pre-pandemic level in February 2020.
25/8/2021
Our main aim is to build back better and stronger from the pandemic, says the Secretary of State for Scotland. Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:While today's figures show some resilience, we still face challenges.
25/8/2021
24 projects receive government funding of up to £200,000 to increase UK production of biomass that can be used as sources of green energy. 24 projects will receive government funding of up to £200,000 to increase UK production of biomass that can be used as sources of green energy projects include growing algae from whisky manufacturing, increasing yields of grass varieties and accelerating the breeding of willow trees biomass is used for low-carbon renewable energy generation and is a key component in UK's commitment to tackle climate change Farming seaweed and growing algae from the by-products of whisky manufacturing are among 24 projects today (Wednesday, 25 August) awarded £4 million government funding to boost biomass production.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 24th) sold 23 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (7) averaged 241.7p (+7.2p) and sold to 246.0p per kg and £1,469.85 gross.
24/8/2021
£7.5 million to support dental sector. Young people aged under 26 are now eligible for free NHS dental treatment.
PORTREE, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 23rd) sold 3,503 store lambs and ewes. Lambs (3,105) averaged £59.66 (+£6.59 on the year) and sold to £94 gross for cross lambs from 1 Holoman Park, Isle Raasay.
24/8/2021
The end of Covid restrictions was supposed to boost July's retail sales, but the spreading Delta variant drove anxious shoppers back into their homes. ParcelHero warned last month that two-thirds of shoppers did not want to see such a drastic end to protective measures.
24/8/2021
4,323 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 31,081 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 14.5% of these were positive.
24/8/2021
Talks at advanced stage to take over Edinburgh facility. Hospital parking charges are set to end permanently in Scotland after agreements were reached to buy out two car parks in Glasgow and Dundee operated through PFI (private finance initiative) schemes.
24/8/2021
People who test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) are being encouraged to securely list details of their close contacts when asked by Test and Protect. Information collated from the online contact tracing form means Test and Protect staff can quickly identify people who have been in a higher risk setting, such as in a hospital or on a foreign holiday, and focus on contacting them by phone.
24/8/2021
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging the UK Government to agree to resettle more than the current commitment of 20,000 Afghan refugees in the long term and 5,000 in the first year. The First Minister says a substantial increase in numbers is required and urgently seeks further information on how many civilians, especially women, girls and others in need of refuge, will be protected - as well as further detail on the new Afghan Citizens Resettlement Programme.
24/8/2021
The Scottish Government is inviting views on the draft aims and principles of an independent public inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 Inquiry Establishment Aims and Principles paper is intended to shape its terms of reference with input from stakeholders, including bereaved families.
24/8/2021
A £25 million fund will help businesses utilise digital technologies and enhance workforce skills. The DigitalBoost Fund offers small to medium-sized businesses grants, on a 50/50 investment basis, worth between £2,500 and £20,000.
Rapid COVID-19 community testing will be available in Golspie from Wednesday 25 August to Friday 27 August. The Highland Council and NHS Highland are delivering community testing in the Highlands to help people become confident in using the Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits.
23/8/2021
3,189 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 27,296 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 12.4% of these were positive.