News Archive

Health And Social Care Staff Shortages

Published by the Scottish Government.   Response to the UK Migration Advisory Committee call for evidence on the shortage occupation list summarises skills shortages within health and social care sector in Scotland, and details the contribution of international workers.  

Cuts to social work services are putting lives at risk, says UNISON, as strike action looms

Social workers in West Dunbartonshire are gearing up for strike action amid fears the service has reached crisis point.   UNISON, the union for social work and social care staff in Scotland, met with the council again earlier this week to demand urgent changes to put an end to short staffing; excessive workloads and to provide greater access to services.  

Children's services planning: provision of statutory guidance - consultation

The Scottish Goverment wish to consult whether the content, scope and format of the statutory guidance is still helpful and fit for purpose.   Consultation: Children's Services Planning - Provision of Statutory Guidance Overview The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, placed a requirement on Local Authorities and Health Boards to present evidence to the Scottish Government in a Children Services Plan which clearly sets out and demonstrates the actions planned, taken and delivered to improve outcomes for our children and young people in their area.  

Recruitment Of Key Workers Under Threat

Shortages of skilled workers in Scotland across key sectors of the economy such as health and social care will be made worse after Brexit, Migration Minister Ben Macpherson warned today.   The warning forms part of the Scottish Government's submission to the UK Government's Migration Advisory Committee about the range of occupations which are officially classed as suffering from a shortage of staff.  

In With The Old and Out With The New - Second-hand Clothing Market Set To Overtake The Fast Fashion Movement

Consumers are increasingly turning towards second-hand clothing, studies are revealing - with conscientious buyers set to make pre-loved items a bigger market than so-called ‘fast fashion' by 2029.   In a poll conducted by waste management agency, BusinessWaste.co.uk, almost half of the 1500 respondents (45%) said they would buy clothes that had been pre-owned.  

Plans To Introduce Breathing Space For People In Problem Debt Progressing

Work is underway to introduce legal protection from creditor enforcement for people in problem debt to enable them to seek advice and enter into an appropriate debt relief solution.   The purpose behind breathing space is intended to benefit both debtors and creditors by encouraging individuals to seek debt advice earlier.  

Local Government In Scotland: Challenges And Performance 2019

Councils must continue to change to address gap between demand and resources.   Scotland's councils are managing to improve and maintain most services.  

First GP mentors in Highland

For the first time in Highland GPs working in the area now have access to mentor support to help promote staff health and wellbeing.   NHS Highland's Mentoring Scheme, which saw the first trained mentors graduate in 2016, was recently extended to include GPs as trained mentors and a group of 10 mentors were successful in graduating last month (February).  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 20th March 2019

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 20thth) sold 711 store cattle and 65 OTM cattle.   Bullocks (369) averaged 223.3p and sold to 288.6p per kg for a 395kg Limousin cross from Park Farm, Nairn and £1,240 gross for a pair of 665kg Limousin crosses from Ashley, North Kessock.  

Common Agricultural Policy - Payments Underway

Payments worth more than a third of a billion pounds have begun, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has announced.   In the coming months, eligible farmers, crofters and land managers will receive their Common Agricultural Policy Pillar 1 2018 entitlement, with around 78% of eligible claimants having already received up to 90% of their entitlement through a government loan in October.