News Archive

Home care services for the dying in Scotland are patchy at best

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart told MSPs today that end of life care should be at the top of the political agenda but home care services for the dying in Scotland were patchy at best.   He highlighted how one GP had told him that resources for supporting care to help patients who wished to die at home seemed to have been "designed out of the system." Mr Stewart, who is also Labour's Shadow Public Health Secretary, was speaking in the Scottish Parliament at his cross-party member’s debate on the ‘Right to Full Care to Die at Home’.  

Countries In The IMF Financial Spotlight In 2020

By IMFBlog In 2020, the IMF plans to assess the stability of twelve financial systems.  Seven assessments are of jurisdictions with systemically important financial sectors (Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong SAR, Italy, Korea, Norway, and the United States), for which it is mandatory to undergo financial stability assessments every five years.  

Remote Working Is Transforming The Digital Economy And UK Businesses Must Adapt To Keep Up

UK businesses are being advised to ensure they are ready to accommodate the rise of remote working - or risk being left behind.   The advice follows the publication of a new essential guide to remote working, produced by utilities and communications specialist Glide, which contains new research, predictions and guidance for businesses.  

Planning Permission & Building Warrant - Advice From Thermohaus

The latest article on building your own house from Thermohaus.   See links below for all the earlier articles.  

Highland Council Will Set The Budget On 5 March 2020

Leader of The Highland Council will highlight the need for investment in roads at tomorrow's Corporate Resources meeting, Thursday 30 January 2020, in the light of an improving financial outlook.   After considerable effort by officials and councillors, a revenue monitoring report is forecasting a net year end underspend of £0.452m based on current trends.  

Proposed council house rent increase approved by new Housing and Property Committee

A proposed 3% rent increase for 2020/21 was agreed by Highland Council's new Housing and Property Committee today, 29 January.  This would result in an increase in the average weekly council house rent from £75.38 to £77.64 (£2.26 per week).  

Age Scotland criticises further bank closures in Scotland

Commenting on Lloyds Banking Group announcing plans to shut 15 of its Bank of Scotland branches across Scotland, Brian Sloan, Age Scotland Chief Executive, said: "We're very sad to see Lloyds follow other banks and put profits ahead of its loyal customers, especially those who are older, disabled or don't have internet access.   "There's no doubt this will make it harder for tens of thousands of people to access their cash and manage their money on a daily basis.  

A Look Ahead To The March 2020 Budget With IFS

The Institute for Fiscal Studies wil discuss the budget live on 11 March.   Chancellor Sajid Javid is due to deliver his first Budget, the first of this parliament, and the first since Autumn 2018, on Wednesday 11 March.  

Large Increase In Crisis Grants Paid Out

Low income families provided with more than £3 million in one quarter to cover emergencies.   The amount given in crisis grants to those most in need has increased by more than a third, latest figures show.  

More clarity needed on financing public infrastructure projects

A £3.3 billion investment programme in Scotland's infrastructure has enabled more public buildings and new roads to be built.  But the Scottish Government needs to be clearer about how and when they use privately financed contracts.