News Archive
2/5/2019
Credit Union Membership Continues To Increase
The latest quarterly statistics December 2018 issued by the Bank of England show that membership of credit unions continues to increase and now stands at 2,059,827 adult and Junior members. In 2008 membership was just over 650,000 and the rise in membership is due to range of factors from the banking crisis, reduced interest payments from banks and the slow spread of information about what credit unions do.
2/5/2019
Interest Rate Stays At 0.75% Says Bank Of England
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 1 May 2019, the MPC voted unanimously to maintain Bank Rate at 0.75%.
2/5/2019
Supporting Social Enterprises - A New £17 Million Fund Launches
Schemes to create jobs and protect the environment are set to benefit from a new fund to help social enterprises which will be backed by £17 million of investment. The money from the Scottish Social Growth Fund will enable social enterprises, charities and voluntary groups to deliver community projects while contributing to the wider economy.2/5/2019
Offshore Wind Summit Commits To Way Forward
Proposals to ensure contracts stay in Scotland. Trades unions, offshore wind developers and supply chain companies have agreed to take urgent action to ensure more Scottish companies benefit from the awarding of contracts for offshore wind projects.2/5/2019
New Non-executive Directors Announced For Scottish Government
Four Non-Executive Directors and two Deputy Non- Executive Directors appointed. Four new Non-Executive Directors and two Deputy Non-Executive Directors have been appointed to the Scottish Government.2/5/2019
Economy Growth Through Exports
Plan to increase the value of exports by 2029. An ambitious growth plan will aim to increase the value of exports from 20% to 25% of Scotland's GDP over the next 10 years.2/5/2019
Scotland Will Go Greener, Faster With World-leading Targets
Scotland will stop contributing to climate change within a generation under new, tougher climate change proposals. Amendments to the Climate Change Bill have been lodged to set a legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest with Scotland becoming carbon neutral by 2040.2/5/2019
South of Scotland enterprise investments - Planetarium and activity centre created in economic regeneration plan
Funding for skills and economic development across the South of Scotland has been announced by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing. Through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP), the former Johnston school building in Kirkcudbright, which is currently lying empty, will be transformed into a Dark Skies Visitor Centre and Planetarium.2/5/2019
Scottish Retail Sales Grow By 1.2% In 2019 Quarter 1
In 2019 Quarter 1, the quantity of retail sales in Scotland grew by 1.2% compared to the previous quarter, according to the Retail Sales Index Scotland (RSIS) which was published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. Over the same period Great Britain as a whole saw a 1.6% increase.2/5/2019
Safe NHS Staffing Law Passed
Health And Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill passes Stage 3. Legislation to support staffing across health and social care services has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.2/5/2019
Scottish GDP and Quarterly National Accounts for 2018 Quarter
Scottish GDP growth is confirmed at 0.3% during the fourth quarter of 2018, according to updated statistics announced today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. For 2018 as a whole, annual GDP growth was 1.3% compared to 2017, revised down slightly from the first estimate published on 20 March 2019.
2/5/2019
Council keeps drains and roads clear of sand in Thurso
The Highland Council's Community Services has recently (Wednesday 1 May 2019) carried out a clear-up in an effort to tackle wind-blown sand affecting the local community in Thurso. The Council is continuing to monitor its roads and drains under its responsibility near Thurso Beach and is in dialogue with environment partners in Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage and SEPA.
1/5/2019
Delivering the Highland Council budget through change
The Chief Executive and Budget Leader are meeting with all budget holders this week to set out the need for tight budget controls to continue throughout the year. The Council approved the Council's change programme "A Sustainable Highland" in February, which is set to deliver £37.456m savings over the next three years.
1/5/2019
Ross and Cromarty Councillors to liaise with communities over changes to festive lighting and decoration support
Ross and Cromarty Councillors are to liaise with Community councils and local community groups wishing to provide festive Christmas lighting and decorations. It follows a new uniform policy that has come into place in order for the Highland Council to recover the costs associated with providing festive lighting and decoration assistance to communities.1/5/2019
SpareRoom reveals average UK rents have increased by 3% since 2018
The cost of renting a room in the UK has increased by £15 per month since the same period last year - up from £567 in 2018 to £582 in 2019. South Shields is ranked as the UK's cheapest town averaging £300 per calendar month (pcm).
30/4/2019
Leask Marine Successfully Complete Decommissioning Of Ola Pier Linkspan
Leask Marine have recently completed the decommissioning of the redundant 160 tonne Ola Pier linkspan as part of the redevelopment at Scrabster Harbour, Caithness. The project included the preparation works of dismantling of the linkspan ramp from the existing pier, placing in temporary support beams to the linkspan prior to the cutting works, removal of the tar from the linkspan road surface, cutting and dismantling the support towers and cutting the actual linkspan into firstly pieces.
30/4/2019
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 30th April 2019
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 30th) sold 15 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (2) averaged 223.5p (-2.6p) and sold to 236.0p per kg and £1,298.00 gross.30/4/2019
GMB Union Concerns As Four Seasons Health Care Goes Into Administration
Four Seasons Health Care Administration. Responding to this morning's announcement that one of the UK's biggest care home providers, Four Seasons Heath Care, has entered administration, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser Drew Duffy said: "This is yet another case in point of the crisis in our care sector.30/4/2019
Updates To Driving Licences To Include Alternatively Fuelled Vans
Drivers with a category B driving licence will be able to operate alternatively fuelled vans, provided they complete a minimum of 5 hours additional training. - See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-licence-requirements-for-alternatively-fuelled-vehicles ***drivers who hold a category B driving licence will be able to drive alternatively fuelled vans provided they complete additional training in new legislation set out by government.30/4/2019
