News Archive
1/4/2015
Social housing - New Standards From today
Minister welcomes higher standards for hundreds of thousands of tenants. Social landlords will be required to make sure their properties meet high quality energy efficiency and health and safety standards from today.1/4/2015
New debt law comes into force
Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act enacted to help financially vulnerable families New legislation comes into force today (1st April 2015) which sees Scotland introduce one of the most modern systems of debt advice and debt management in the world. The Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act introduces a suite of measures, including the Minimal Asset Process, which offers debt relief quickly and at less than half the cost of an application for bankruptcy under the previous equivalent scheme for those on low incomes.31/3/2015
Beauty students attend UK's leading beauty event in London
Beauty Therapy students from the North Highland College UHI have recently returned from a trip to the Professional Beauty Exhibition at the ExCel in London. With more than 800 brands, including Clarins, 3D Lipo, CACI, Dermalogica, CND and OPI the exhibition houses all the different aspects of the beauty industry.
31/3/2015
Operation Monarda update - campaign against bogus callers and associated doorstep crime
As part of Operation Monarda, Police Scotland's campaign against Bogus Callers and associated Doorstep Crime, officers from Police Scotland, VOSA, SEPA and Highland Council Trading Standards, carried out a high visibility operations in both Inverness and Brora last week. Operation Monarda aims to raise awareness of bogus callers, rogue traders and associated doorstep crime by providing advice and information on how householders can protect themselves from such crimes.31/3/2015
Lockheed Martin for design work on 400 MW tidal project in Pentland Firth
Atlantis Resources selects Lockheed Martin for design work on 400 MW tidal project in Pentland Firth. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, and now, its northern neighbor, Scotland, is looking to a green future as well with the development of a 400 MW renewable energy facility powered by the tides.
31/3/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 31 March 2015
DINGWALL, ., (March, 31st) sold 55 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (37) averaged 200.2p (-8.4p) and sold to 212p per kg and £1,452.30 gross.31/3/2015
Call for landowners to dial in damage
Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) is calling on farmers, land owners and land managers to store its number on their phones in case they find damage to the electricity network on their land. Operating in the north of Scotland and central southern England, SSEPD is aware that some of its poles, pylons and wires run through private land and want to make it as easy as possible for information on damage, potential damage and power cuts to be passed on.
30/3/2015
Removal of trapped fuel elements from the Dounreay Fast Reactor 
The removal of trapped fuel elements from the Dounreay Fast Reactor moved a step closer with the successful trial of bespoke equipment to lift off the top plate. Decommissioning the 50-year-old experimental reactor is one of the most technically challenging projects in the NDA estate.
30/3/2015
NDA sets out Dounreay clean-up tasks
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the public body that owns Dounreay and funds its clean up, has published its annual business plan, setting out key tasks for the site licence company DSRL to deliver in the next 12 months. These include: - Decontamination of Prototype Fast Reactor pond to meet regulatory requirements - Completion of construction of new fuel characterisation facilities - Material Test Reactor raffinate immobilisation complete - Continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance.
30/3/2015
NDA Sets Out SME Spending
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) estate has measured that over 21% of its spend is with SMEs. This equates to over £330 million spent out of our total annual supply chain spend of £1.7 billion.30/3/2015
Independent school closure panel
New panel takes responsibility for closure decisions. An new independent panel will make final decisions on school closure proposals from today.30/3/2015
Rural funding schemes live
Forestry Grant Scheme and Agri-Environment Climate Scheme open for applications. Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced the launch of further rural funding schemes today (30 March 2015).30/3/2015
More control over care
One year of Self-directed Support Self-directed Support (SDS) became law in Scotland one year ago, meaning that everyone who is eligible for social care now has a right to design their own support package. Thousands of people are now able to take more control of their lives by choosing how they direct their support including receiving direct payments to employ their own support workers.30/3/2015
HIAL invites Prospect to hold talks over strike ballot
Regional airport operator HIAL has urged the trade union Prospect to resume discussions in a bid to resolve their current pay claims. The company wrote to Prospect last week inviting the union to hold further talks, but received no reply.30/3/2015
Modern Slavery is closer than you think: Understanding Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Modern Slavery is closer than you think. This film includes information on how to spot potential victims, how they may be exploited and what you can do to help free the UK from Modern Slavery.
30/3/2015
Operators ready for introduction of exit checks
The Government is working closely with ports and carriers for the introduction of exit checks at the border from 8 April 2015. Exit checks will improve the government's understanding of who is leaving the UK and create a much clearer picture of who is staying in the country when they have no right to be here.
30/3/2015
Paying back to communities
Unpaid work remains high. Over 1.8 million hours of unpaid work was undertaken by offenders in Scotland last year as punishment for their offences.30/3/2015
Private rented sector reforms
Simplified and improved system for tenants and landlords. Plans to reform private sector tenancy laws will remove the fear of eviction and help tenants to assert their rights, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said today.29/3/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 23rd March 2015. Energy & Business Services It was good to meet up this week with directors of Abbey Group, whose company Abbey Ecosse has taken over ownership of the Forss Science and Technology Park.29/3/2015
