News Archive

MSPs Tell Cabinet Secretary Of Their Concern Over The Monitoring Of Nhs Board Performance

Better monitoring of NHS board performance is needed to identify and address failings, according to a letter issued on 28th November 2019 by the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee.  The Committee state that failure to monitor performance has had significant impacts on service delivery and the public purse.  

Discretionary Housing Payments

The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme provides financial assistance towards housing costs for those claiming housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.  Statistics released today by Scotland's Chief Statistician show that during the period 1 April 2019 to 30 September 2019, Local Authorities in Scotland made 99,910 awards under the DHP scheme, with a total value of £59.1 million and an average award of £592.  

SNP manifesto 2019: fact checked

The web site Full Fact has analysed the SNP Manifesto.   https://fullfact.org/election-2019/snp-manifesto-2019/ The other parties manifestos are also fact checked - links to each one are also there.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 28 November 2019

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 28th) sold 3,865 store sheep.   Lambs (2,886) sold to £85.00 gross for Texel crosses from Hillend, Auldearn.  

General Election 2019: IFS manifesto analysis

The institute For Fiscal Studies is an independent body.   Opening remarks by IFS Director Paul Johnson: Who knows what to make of party manifestos? When we looked at the manifestos in 2017 we said "the Conservatives would preside over yet more spending cuts" and that their manifesto would mean "another parliament of austerity".  

General Election 2019: IFS Manifesto Analysis - Taxes

Taxes Again, there is little to say about Conservative proposals.  They have very few beyond a small cut in National Insurance Contributions and an ill-advised promise not to raise rates of income tax, NICs or VAT.  

General election 2019 IFS Manifesto Analysis - Welfare Spending And The Labour Market

Welfare spending and the labour market Considering the scale of increases they propose on public service and investment spending Labour's proposals on working age welfare spending are relatively modest, undoing only just over half the cuts implemented since 2015 and less than a quarter of those put in place since 2010.   Conservative proposals appear to be all but non-existent, though the continued roll out of Universal Credit, a benefit that will be received by more than a quarter of working age households, is of course a big ongoing change in itself.  

Statement from David Stewart MSP on NHS Highland's compensation policy for victims of bullying or harassment

Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart, who is also Labour's Shadow Public Health Minister said: "This is a huge blow for the many people who have contacted me with very distressing details about how they were treated by the health authority.   "There are former employees who've lost or left their jobs and, in some cases, had their careers ruined and most, if not all, will be unable to go to an industrial tribunal due to a time-bar on cases, and will be unable to afford a civil case.  

Report Highlights Importance Of Social Enterprises To Scotland's Rural Economy

Social enterprises are a critical part of the rural economy contributing £250m in the Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland areas.   This is according to new figures released by HIE and South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP).  

A Caithness Maritime Calender 2020

If you know someone who loves boats then this 2020 calender from John Hay may fit the bill.   The photos are from around the Caithess coast and harbours.