News Archive
28/7/2014
"Undecided moving towards ‘Yes', but not enough to win referendum vote"
New data released by the British Election Study (BES) shows that previously undecided voters are more likely to say Yes on September 18, but are not enough in numbers to catch up with No voters. The findings come from waves of data collected in March and June by BES and analysed by Professor Ed Fieldhouse from The University of Manchester, who Co-directs the study.28/7/2014
In Perpetuity Problem With Time Shares Follow You After Death
Most debts die with you. But not Timeshare.26/7/2014
Gross Domestic Product Preliminary Estimate, Q2 2014
Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth. GDP increased by 0.8% in Q2 2014, the second consecutive quarter on quarter increase of 0.8%.26/7/2014
Lifting the Lid on Sneaky Fees and Charges
Which? launches a campaign to Stop Sneaky Fees and Charges on financial products, as our new research reveals that two thirds of consumers who have paid a fee agree companies use the charges to trick people. Almost half the population have paid a fee or charge on a financial product or service in the last year, and two thirds (68%) of them agree that companies use separate fees or charges to trick people into thinking that the cost of their product or service is lower than it is.26/7/2014
The Currency Conundrum: How to Make the Most of the Strengthening Pound
As the pound continues to strengthen against the Euro and the US Dollar, British holidaymakers heading abroad are struggling to know when's the best time to buy their currency. Leading travel money card provider, Ukash, is offering some tips to help travellers deal with the currency conundrum to get the best value for their pound.26/7/2014
Children Feeling Short Changed as Pocket Money Falls
* 8-15 year olds now receiving less pocket money than last year. Despite increasing news coverage of the recovering economy, it appears children are not experiencing any green shoots, as the amount of pocket money parents are giving their children has dropped in the past year.26/7/2014
UK Economy Passes Pre-Crisis Peak
European Economist, Azad Zangana, comments on today's preliminary estimate for second quarter UK GDP figures: "The release of the preliminary estimate for second quarter UK GDP shows that the economy has surpassed its previous peak, set in 2008. "GDP increased by 0.8% compared to the first quarter - in line with consensus estimates – and by 3.1% on a year-on-year basis.26/7/2014
The 'Gadget Generation': British Parents Spending Over £2 Billion a Year on Gadgets for Their Kids
UK parents are spending a combined £2.25 billion a year(1) on technology for their children, according to new research released today by E.ON(2). The research, which has been conducted to explore gadget use in the home, also found: Gadget generation: Parents estimate they typically spend just under £300 a year (£292.20) per household, with children now owning an average of four gadgets each.25/7/2014
Major Children's Food Festival Announced for June 2015
A brand new children's food festival will take place in the North Highlands in the summer of 2015 it has been announced. Created and organised by the North Highland Initiative (NHI) in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, the festival will take place from 5 and 6 June 2015 and aims to highlight the importance of local food production, how to make great cuisine and good food choices and the variety of career opportunities in food production and service.25/7/2014
Subsea cabling work started to create Scottish islands fibre broadband network
The biggest fibre cable laying project undertaken in the UK in recent years has begun on the West Coast of Scotland to deliver superfast broadband to some of the country's most remote island communities. Thousands of homes and businesses are set to benefit from the publicly funded digital network being built to bring world class connectivity to Scotland.
25/7/2014
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Energy & Business services: Pelamis Wave Power has issued a project update on its Farr Point project off the coast of north Sutherland. The company reports on the results consultation work and survey work in support of its likely application later this year to Marine Scotland for a 10MW array of Pelamis wave devices.25/7/2014
Atlantis Resources Closing In On Turbine Deal For Pentland Firth
Atlantis Resources has signed a turbine supply contract with Andritz Hydro Hammerfest for its Scottish tidal current energy project, MeyGen. Andritz will supply three 1.5Mw tidal power turbines for Phase 1A of the project in the Pentland Firth while Atlantis will also use one of its own 1.5MW turbines.
23/7/2014
Good progress with new school provision in Wick
The main construction contract for the new £15.4M Noss Primary School in Wick has been signed. The site, on the existing North Primary School campus, is already cleared and ready for the foundation work to begin.
23/7/2014
Council encourages retailers to get ready for Carrier Bag Charges
The Highland Council are encouraging retailers throughout the Highlands to get ready for the 20th October when retailers will be required to make a minimum 5p charge for all single use bags. Scotland currently uses 750 million bags each year and the legislation aims to encourage shoppers to think about reusing bags in order to prevent litter and combat our throwaway culture.
23/7/2014
Trading Standards launch doorstep and distance selling business advice survey
New rules that apply to business activities in an off-premises contract, such online sales, mail order, telephone sales and agreements made in a consumer's home came into force on 13th June 2014. These new Regulations cover sales of goods and digital content and the supply of services and may affect a large proportion of Highland businesses involved home improvements, gardening and trades like plumbing, electrical, joinery, and painting as well as those Highland based businesses who regularly sell goods and services online by telephone or by mail order.21/7/2014
Combination of Factors Sees Drop in Deals and Drilling in North Sea
Oil and gas firms may be adopting a "wait and see" approach before making further investment decisions in the North Sea, according to a new report from Deloitte. The report, which details drilling, licensing and deal activity across North West Europe over the second quarter of 2014 and was compiled by Deloitte's Petroleum Services Group (PSG), found a total of seven exploration and appraisal (E&A) wells were drilled on the UKCS.21/7/2014
Cities and Local Authorities Can Plug Britain's Energy Investment Gap
Cities and local authorities can provide an alternative to the big six and create a cleaner, smarter, more competitive and affordable energy system, according to a new report from the think tank IPPR. The report urges Britain's cities to get even more active in energy markets and for the pioneers to go further.21/7/2014
Deloitte Consumer Tracker: Confidence Gathers Pace Across the UK
* Consumer confidence continues to improve and is now four points higher than a year ago; * The North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland see a six percentage point rise in confidence concerning household disposable income in Q2 vs Q1; * Overall, confidence about disposable income increases by 11 points year-on-year; * Confidence over level of debt falls two points since last quarter. * The North of England*, Scotland and Northern Ireland saw a sharp rise in consumer confidence in Q2 2014, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker.21/7/2014
Carbon Trust Comment on UK Government Launch of £20 Million Electricity Demand Reduction Pilot
Paul McKinney, EDR Project Director at the Carbon Trust, said:"Reducing peak time electricity demand is an absolutely critical part of delivering a secure, low carbon energy system at the lowest cost, helping to keep the lights on in the UK. And improving energy efficiency frequently comes with a rock-solid business case, so the decision to invest in it seems like it should be a no-brainer.21/7/2014
