Low income families will benefit from a £320 uplift before Christmas as part of the Scottish Government's commitment to tackling child poverty. Eligible families with children in school will receive payments of £160 per child in October and December.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon has written to Lord Frost CMG expressing concern at the UK Government's decision to alter and delay further importing stages of the Border Operating Model. In the letter, Ms Gougeon highlights the UK Government's lack of consultation with the devolved nations, giving Scottish Ministers no involvement in something that has material impact on Scotland and its food and drink industry.
Sixty-six creative professionals from the Highlands will benefit from a new commissioning programme, Spirit:360, it was announced by High Life Highland and Creative Scotland today. The Spirit:360 programme was established to support the creation of new work inspired by stories reflecting the theme of the ‘Spirit of the Highlands'.
26 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive. 94 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19.
Plans to help the UK's farmers and food and drink businesses boost exports have been announced today to mark Back British Farming Day 2021. Plans to help the UK's farmers and food and drink businesses boost exports have been announced today to mark Back British Farming Day 2021.
A strategy to deliver world class cancer care for children and young people has been published by the Scottish Government. Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care, the Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021-2026, was launched by Health Secretary Humza Yousaf during an online event.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 14th) sold 25 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (8) averaged 243.2p (+12.6p) and sold to 256.0p per kg and £1,548.80 gross.
4,917 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 57,383 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 9.2% of these were positive.
The Highland Council and The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL) have launched a new Hydrogen generation and fuelling Dynamic Purchasing System, helping councils across the UK to decarbonise transport. This marks an exciting new partnership between TPPL and The Highland Council and is the first hydrogen DPS of its kind available for the public sector.
FORT WILLIAM, FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (September 15th) sold 348 weaned calves and store cattle, 19 OTM cattle and 12 adult head of breeding cattle. Bullocks (213) averaged 304.9p (+35.5p) and sold 355.9p per kg for 170kg Limousin cross from Crossfield, Anaheilt, and £1,040 gross for a 455kg Limousin cross from Lurignish Farm, Appin.
The institute for Government research paper takes the view that the Furlough Scheme should be finished as planned at the end of September 2021. The furlough scheme risks providing poor value for money and should end as planned at the end of September - even if it is still supporting many jobs.
The Office for National Statistics today reported the highest rate for inflation since records began in the present form. The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.0% in the 12 months to August 2021, up from 2.1% in the 12 months to July.
The records of just under 200,000 people excluded from the cervical screening programme are to be individually reviewed to provide reassurance that their exclusions were correct. Women's Health Minister Maree Todd announced the measure in a statement to updating Parliament on progress in addressing errors in the screening system.
The Scottish Government estimates it has spent over £8.8 billion of the £9.3 billion allocated to support Covid-19 spending in 2020/21. However, transparency around what is classed as Covid-19 spending across government portfolios remains challenging in a fast-moving and unpredictable environment.
The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the economy grew by 4.7% during April to June 2021. Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth.
The Constitution web site Blog today (15 September 2021) discusses the legality of an Independence Referendum if is brought forward to the courts. --------------- Whether or not Scotland can legally hold a referendum without the consent of Westminster is a question that has provoked much debate.
A new Just Transition Commission is to be established to help ensure Scotland's journey to net zero is fair for everyone. It will be chaired by leading climate scientist and IPCC Bureau member Professor Jim Skea CBE and run for the duration of this parliamentary term, reporting annually on the progress Scotland is making to ensure a greener, fairer future for us all.
New guidance will allow care home residents to choose a friend or relative as a ‘named visitor' who will be able to visit them, even during a managed Covid-19 outbreak . This is a change to current practice where most homes suspend routine visiting until outbreaks are over.
Kishorn Port Limited (‘KPL') welcomes the findings of Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council's recent report Scottish Offshore Wind Strategic Investment Assessment and the earlier Port Enhancement for Offshore Wind report by Crown Estate Scotland (CES), Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Our 45ha port has been recognised for its significant potential to support future offshore wind development building on an already approved port masterplan which will see the creation of additional laydown land, a new deep-water quay and an extended dry dock facility.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its advice on the COVID-19 vaccine booster programme. The vast majority of the UK population has received a COVID-19 vaccine since the vaccine programme was launched in December 2020 - including 89.1% of the population who have received a first dose and 81% who have received both doses.
