News Archive

UK offers visa relief for foreign nationals

The UK has announced visa extensions until 31 May for all foreign nationals in the country.   The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in extraordinary travel restrictions being imposed around the world to curb the spread of the virus.  

Urgent Announcement - Council Responds To Government Lockdown - School Meals Cancelled From Tuesday 24 March

In light of the UK and Scottish Government's decision tonight to begin a three-week lockdown in order to delay the spread of the Coronavirus, the Highland Council has taken the decision to cancel the provision of school meals tomorrow Tuesday 24th March.  The current format of provision would involve staff and children gathering at school premises and this would go against national advice and directives.  

Highland Council issues householders with guidance on recycling and waste services during Coronavirus

The Highland Council's Waste and Recycling team have on (Monday 23 March 2020) issued special Coronavirus (COVID19) guidance to update households on new arrangements and to provide specific information for anyone self-isolating.   From today the Council has suspended the booking of new bulky uplift collections to allow staff to concentrate on providing regular waste collections.  

New online support service for Highland Council staff is available now

The Highland Council is offering its 9,500 staff and their family members, a new, free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service.   The local authority has partnered up with an organisation called Spectrum.Life to provide staff with free mental wellbeing support, fitness plans, legal assistance, financial advice, and eLearning content related to a variety of wellbeing topics.  

Scottish Government Stumps Up £1,000,000 Towards NHS Highland Bullying Claims

David Stewart MSP has posted a message.   I have been told the Scottish Government will give a maximum of just over £1million to NHS Highland to cope with the number of bullying and harassment cases being lodged.  

COVID-19 - NHS Highland Plea - Stay Away

Paul Hawkins, Chief Executive of NHS Highland, said: "As a community we in the Highlands, Argyll and Bute are friendly, welcoming and hospitable to the thousands of visitors we get all year every year.  However, we are currently in a situation that has never been experienced before and for the first time we are making a plea for you to stay away.  

The UK Government Has Effectively Nationalised The Railways Today

The British government is effectively nationalising the state's railways for a temporary period, it has been announced.   Rail franchise agreements are to be suspended to avoid train companies collapsing due to the coronavirus, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.  

Government Ensures Ticket Refunds And Protects Services For Passengers With Rail Emergency Measures

We're supporting train operators to make sure our railways stay open for key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.   - government steps in to provide stability and certainty on key services and to rail staff during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak all train operators presented with opportunity to temporarily - transition onto Emergency Measures Agreements, enabling greater flexibility and transferring revenue and cost risk to the government.  

PM Boris Johnson Address To The Nation On Coronavirus: 23 March 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on coronavirus.   Good Evening, The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades - and this country is not alone.  

First Minister COVID-19 update

Good afternoon everybody, thank you for joining us today.  If I can begin, today, with an update on case numbers.