News Archive

Tough Decisions Required At Cairngorm Mountain

The public body responsible for Cairngorm Mountain acted appropriately when selecting a private company to manage the resort, but tough decisions on its future are now required.   Cairngorm Mountain Limited (CML), which operated the mountain's winter sports and leisure activities, went into administration in 2018 following the closure of the funicular railway due to structural problems.  

Highland Pupils To Receive Free School Meals During Summer Holidays

Following the First Minister's announcement on Tuesday, 16 June 2020, eligible school pupils are to receive free school meals during the summer break to help tackle food poverty.   In Highland, P1-3 pupils entitled to school clothing grants and P4-S6 pupils who are eligible for free school meals have been receiving £15 per pupil, per week, which is paid fortnightly using a voucher system.  

Employment, Unemployment And Inactivity For Young People (16 To 24 Years): Scotland

New statistics from the Annual Population Survey show that 309,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years were in employment in Scotland in April 2019 to March 2020.  The employment rate for young people was 54.8 per cent, lower than a year ago (58.3 per cent).  

Firm Grip Kept On Scotland's Finances

New figures show that prudent budget management is enabling the Scottish Government to maximise its response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.   The 2019-20 Provisional Budget Outturn reveals a 0.7 per cent underspend on a total budget of £34.6 billion - down from 0.9 per cent the previous year - with all of the £258 million underspend carried forward and most having already been deployed.  

Biotoxins affecting Bivalve Shellfish in Coastal Waters - Loch Eishort, Sleat, Isle of Skye

The Highland Council's Environmental Health Team has identified raised levels of naturally occurring bivalve shellfish biotoxins following routine monitoring at Loch Eishort, Sleat, Isle of Skye.   Eating bivalve shellfish such as mussels, cockles, oysters or razor fish from these areas may pose a health risk arising from the consumption of these biotoxins.  

Important information for employers

The Employer Bulletin (June 2020, Issue 84) includes all of the latest Covid-19 updates to help you continue to meet your payroll obligations to HMRC and to claim any relevant grants and rebates during this challenging time.   We've included the latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, along with updates on the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and a reminder for reporting Expenses and Benefits for the tax year ending 5 April 2020.  

Bank Rate Maintained At 0.1% - June 2020

The Monetary Policy committee of the Bank of England voted unanimously to maintain Bank Rate at 0.1% and to continue with the existing programme of £200 billion of UK government bond and sterling non-financial investment-grade corporate bond purchases, financed by the issuance of central bank reserves.   The Committee voted by a majority of 8-1 to increase the target stock of purchased UK government bonds, financed by the issuance of central bank reserves, by an additional £100 billion, to take the total stock of asset purchases to £745 billion.  

Jobs Go As Travis Perkins In Thurso To Close

Bad news for the north as Travis Perkins announced 165 branches to close throughout the UK.   The Thurso branch of the company will close with the loss of 5 jobs.  

World First Coronavirus Treatment Approved For NHS Use By Government

The government has immediately authorised the NHS to use the world's first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death.   Ground-breaking coronavirus treatment approved for use across the NHS from today Government-funded UK trial showed drug saved lives by significantly reducing risk of death in hospitalised patients who require oxygen Government ensures drug is available across all NHS healthcare settings and across the whole of the UK with immediate effect Thousands of lives will be saved in the UK with the government immediately authorising the NHS to use the world's first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death.  

Free School Meals Extended in Scotland

Additional £27.6 million to help feed pupils and other key groups.   Children eligible for free school meals will be among those who continue to be supported over the summer through a package of £27.6 million of additional funding from the Scottish Government.