Amazon's entire UK site has been placed on the US Government's ‘Notorious Markets List' of marketplaces known for counterfeit goods. The US deliveries specialist ParcelHero says the move is not only insulting to UK retailers, but could also have a significant impact on their future US sales.
The Highland Council's COVID helpline 0300 303 1362 which has been up and running since 25th March has now handled over 5000 calls. The helpline provides support for those needing urgent help including those shielding or otherwise vulnerable and anyone interested in volunteering.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (May, 6th) sold 822 sheep of all classes. Lambs (431) sold to £98 gross for a pen of Cheviots from 286 West Pittentrail, Rogart.
Farmers team up to tackle climate change and Covid-19. An island described as "Scotland in miniature" could help serve as a blueprint for Scottish agriculture to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
A longer video but does it tell us we may not be doing things the right way on dealing with Covid19. With over one million views in a short time there is lot of interest in how Sweden is handling things differently.
Message From HIE To Businesses. Last week, we contacted you to make you aware of new COVID-19 business funds that had been made available, following the Scottish Government's announcement of an additional £100m support for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
At UnHerd, we've spoken to experts at both ends of the range of estimates, from Neil Ferguson (who believes the IFR to be just under 1%, perhaps 0.8-0.9%) to Johan Giesecke who maintains that it is nearer 0.1%. This may sound like splitting hairs - they are both under one percent after all – but in reality the difference between these estimates changes everything.
As he is careful to point out, Professor Michael Levitt is not an epidemiologist. He's Professor of Structural Biology at the Stanford School of Medicine, and winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for "the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems." With a purely statistical perspective, he has been playing close attention to the Covid-19 pandemic since January, when most of us were not even aware of it.
A £5 million fund will offer interest-free loans to landlords whose tenants are having difficulty paying rent during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The Private Rent Sector Landlord COVID-19 Loan Scheme will offer eligible landlords up to 100% of lost rental income for a single property.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has asked the Health Minister Jeane Freeman about the tragic outbreak of Covid-19 at Home Farm Care Home on Skye. During Topical Questions today she said:"I am deeply distressed for the residents and staff at Home Farm Care Home.
From the Daily Telegraph. Conspiracy theories, panic buying and scapegoating are all common trends during times of crisis.
Expert tech review announced as further business support opens to applications. The second phase of the Small Business Grant scheme - which extends grant support to all subsequent eligible properties - is now open for applications, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has told the Scottish Parliament.
Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill. Legislation which allows the Common Agricultural Policy to be simplified and improved post-Brexit has passed Stage 1, following a debate in the Scottish Parliament.
From today (Tuesday 5 May), the COVID-19 small business and self-catering grant scheme, set up by the Scottish Government to help companies stay in business during the coronavirus crisis, has been extended to ensure that, in addition to a 100% grant on the first property, small business rate payers will be eligible to a 75% grant on all subsequent properties. The scheme has also been extended to include certain properties who previously were ineligible due to the cumulative rateable value of their premises.
This week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has started contacting around three and a half million customers who may be eligible for the government's Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) to explain the application process and help them get ready to make a claim. The claims service opens on Wednesday 13 May and is being delivered ahead of schedule, with payments reaching bank accounts by 25 May, or six working days after the claim is made.
UNISON welcomes decision by social care charity to pay Scottish Living Wage and says more must follow. UNISON, the union for care workers, has welcomed today's (Tuesday 5 May 2020) announcement by Quarriers that it will pay all staff the UNISON welcomes decision by social care charity to pay Scottish Living Wage and says more must follow UNISON, the union for care workers, has welcomed today’s (Tuesday) announcement by Quarriers that it will pay all staff the Scottish Living Wage of £9.30.
Today in the Scottish Parliament, in response to a question from Scottish Labour Local Government spokesperson Sarah Boyack, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes, called COSLA's demand that councils receive the entirety of the £155m they are entitled to via Barnett Consequentials a "storm in a teacup". Commenting, Scottish Labour Local Government spokesperson Sarah Boyack said:"Councils across Scotland are under unprecedented strain due to the pandemic and are delivering daily for those in need.
The UK Government has mobilised the army to set up Corona Virus Test Centres In Scotland. Mobile testing units travel around the UK to increase access to coronavirus testing.
Funding allocated directly to schools not via councils by the Scottish Government to help close the poverty related attainment gap. The amounts to schools was announced today.
The Highland Council is now accepting applications for the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for 2021-2022. The fund, which is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government, supports locally developed regeneration projects for communities, helping with job creation and support, and in building sustainable communities.
