News Archive

COSLA Pay Offer Is A Slap In The Face To Scotlands Local Government Workers, Says Unison

UNISON, the union for local government workers, says a pay offer put forward by COSLA today (Tuesday) is a ‘slap in the face' for hard working local government workers who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.   Mark Ferguson, chair of UNISON Scotland's local government committee, says the offer falls far short of what local government workers deserve for keeping local services going in the most difficult of circumstances.  

Alumni Event Marks Three Years Of Pathfinder

A fully funded business growth programme aimed at nurturing life sciences and technology businesses is celebrating the completion of its third year.   Pathfinder Accelerator was developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help businesses bring new ideas to market quicker.  

Third Covid Wave Sweeps Across EU And Forces New Restrictions

A big increase in Covid numbers across Europe has sparked many stories in the news.   A third wave of the Covid pandemic is now advancing swiftly across much of Europe.  

Urgent Act Fast Last Chance- Grant Scheme For BandBs And Self-catering Who Pay Council Tax

B&B's and Self-catering businesses who pay Council Tax, can now for one week only, apply for grant support from the Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund.   If you miss this last date to apply you may not get anything.  

100,000 More Affordable Homes

Plans to deliver 100,000 affordable homes over the next decade are set out today in a 20-year housing strategy.   Recognising the importance of everyone having a safe and affordable home that meets their needs, Housing to 2040 - Scotland's first long-term housing strategy – outlines what the Scottish Government wants housing and communities to look and feel like for the people of Scotland, with actions on how to get there.  

More Mental Health Workers Recruited

More than 500 additional mental health workers have been recruited over the past three years in a drive to expand the workforce and improve access to treatment.   The Scottish Government has made over £51 million available since 2018-19 to support the employment of additional mental health workers in key settings such as Accident and Emergency departments, GP practices, police station custody suites and prisons.  

Store Openings and Closures - 2021 - Record closures as retail and leisure responds to changing consumers

A comprehensive report from PwC UK one of the big accountancy firms looking at store closures and new starts.   Full pandemic impact yet to show, but choosing the right location may matter more post-COVID-19.  

A New Standard For Housing

Plans for a new legal requirement for all homes to meet the same standards will be included in a major national housing strategy to be published this week.   The new Housing Standard, applying to all tenures, is an important element of Housing to 2040, which will set the path for how Scotland's homes and communities should look and feel in 2040 The new standard will create a single set of quality and accessibility standards, no matter whether a home is owned or rented.  

Padlocks to be removed from Coghill Bridge, Wick

The Highland Council will be removing padlocks and any other attachments from the Coghill Bridge at Wick Riverside.   These padlocks detract from the historic nature of the bridge as well as causing paint damage and encouraging rust spots to the recently refurbished guard rails.  

Caithness Roads Recovery Campaign

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, is supporting the Caithness Roads Recovery campaign.   Mrs Grant was contacted by the group asking for her backing and she has written to Highland Council to ask specifically about the predicted cost of road repairs in Caithness and North West Sutherland, but also across the region.