News Archive

Eight Reasons To Shop Local This Week To Help The High Street Bounce Back

Government urges shoppers to visit their local high street and support businesses during Shop Local Week.   Shoppers are being urged to hit the high street and support their local businesses during Shop Local Week (10-16 August) shopping local helps support the local economy, creates jobs and boosts local communities.  

First Flagship UK Government Hub In Scotland Completed

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's unwavering commitment to strengthen and sustain the United Kingdom took a crucial step forward today with the completion of Queen Elizabeth House, the new UK Government flagship hub in Edinburgh.   The hub will house nearly 3,000 civil servants from 11 departments, to deliver a bigger, better and more coordinated service to people and businesses.  

Water Quality Regulator says Scotland's tap water quality remains high

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) for Scotland's latest annual report shows that Scottish Water's compliance with the stringent standards for drinking water remains high at 99.92%.   The report, covering Drinking Water Quality in Scotland during 2019, states that a total of 310,605 regulatory tests were carried out on Scotland's drinking water last year.  

Did You Know? - How to make best use of teaser tups to tighten lambing

Actually a topic for farmers but interesting.   From Farmers Weekly.  

Importance Of Self-isolation - Do You Really Need To Go Out and Take a Risk?

Today's item from Scottish Government begs the question for everyone - Do we need to go out other than for essential purchases? The virus does not care about changes to say you can go out.   --------------------------- Test and Protect vital to containing spread of COVID-19.  

Children and schools must come before pubs and shops in planning for future Covid-19 lockdowns

Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England, has published a new briefing setting out the key actions needed to ensure children are at the heart of planning for any future coronavirus lockdowns, including making sure all children are back in school in September.  The Children's Commissioner argues that if any local or national lockdown takes place, schools should be the last places to be locked down, after pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops.  

£2.9 Million More For Social Care

31 projects secure an additional year's funding.   Funding for 31 third sector projects in social care has been extended to March 2022 with the announcement of an additional £2.9 million of Scottish Government backing.  

More People To Get Free Flu Jab If They Want It

Vaccine programme expanded to protect those most at risk during COVID-19 pandemic.   Social care workers, people over 55 and household members of those who are shielding will all be eligible for the free seasonal flu vaccine.  

Coronavirus support measures help 65,000 businesses in Scotland

New data published today reveals more than 65,000 businesses in Scotland benefitted from over £2.3 billion of support through government-supported loan schemes.   over 63,000 loans worth over £1.8 billion have been offered under the Bounce Bank Loans Scheme over 2,600 loans and support worth £587 million have been offered under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme 29% of employees furloughed and 155,000 people supported through the SEISS More than 65,000 businesses in Scotland benefited from over £2.3 billion of support to bounce back from COVID through government-supported loan schemes.  

Creating Opportunities After Covid-19

Funding for digital and workforce training.   Immediate investment in jobs and digital technology will provide the foundations for a strong economic recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19), Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said.