News Archive

Scottish Budget To Be Published Post-christmas

The Scottish Budget 2020-21 was scheduled to take place on Thursday 12 December 2019 BUT............The UK elections have scuppered that.   Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has confirmed that due to the UK General Election and the cancellation of the UK Government budget, it will not be possible to publish the Scottish Budget 2020-21 until after Christmas.  

The Future Path Of Minimum Wages

Minimum wages can play an important role in raising living standards, and have become an important part of a government's toolkit in addressing low pay.  In the forthcoming election, both main parties have commited to increasing the level of the minimum wage.  

Rural Economy Committee Seeks Views On Proposed Cap Transition Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee has issued a public call for evidence on proposed legislation which would allow the continued operation of the European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during a post-Brexit transition period.   The REC Committee is inviting comments from farmers, crofters and other interested stakeholders on the Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill, which was recently introduced to the Scottish Parliament.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 13 November 2019

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 13th) sold (384) weaned calves, store & breeding cattle including 71 Highland and Highland crosses.   Bullocks (157) averaged 198.2p per kilo sold to 262.8p per kilo for a 255kg Limousin cross from Craigton, Bonar Bridge and £985 gross for a 485kg Blonde D'Aquitaine cross from Muirend Croft, Auldearn.  

Mixed results in firework, cigarette and vape test purchasing by Trading Standards

Highland Council's Trading Standards team is reporting mixed findings from its Autumn age restricted product test purchase programme.   During the exercise, premises in Easter Ross, Inverness and Aviemore were test purchased for fireworks, cigarettes and vape liquids.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 12 November 2019

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 12th) sold 27 prime cattle.   Prime Bullocks (1) averaged 215.0p (N/C) and sold to 215.0p per kg and £1,268.50 gross.  

Conservatives Select Andrew Sinclair To Contest Westminster Seat

Highland Conservatives have named their candidate to contest the three-way marginal seat of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross at the December General Election.   Cllr Andrew Sinclair has been selected by the party to stand for mainland Great Britain's most northerly Westminster seat.  

Labour Selects Cheryl Macdonald As Candidate For Caithness, Sutherland And Easter Ross

Cheryl Macdonald has been selected to be the Labour party candidate in the 2019 Election for the UK parliament.   Long term Labour party campaigner Cheryl said,"I have been a Labour member for 23 years, a Labour voter since I could vote.  

Drilling at East side of Dunnet Bay - Notice To Mariners

Proposed routes of vessels involved in installation (from port to site) Main Vessel Route: Kirkwall -Scrabster Scrabster -Dunnet Bay Scrabster VTS will be notified of all operations and movements Details of any areas to be avoided Vessels are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 250 meters from the stated Co-ordinates submitted.  INSTRUCTIONS TO VESSELS Vessels involved will be keeping continuous listening watch on Channel 16 and 6 and will display appropriate lights and marks as required by the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea.  

For Anyone Interested in Economics

Each year early career economists at Institute for Fiscal Studies deliver a day of public economics talks, aimed at A-level and undergraduate students who have an interest in economics or might want to pursue a career in public policy research.  As part of this year's Festival of Social Science, and for the first time, we will be live streaming and recording a selection of topics from the series.