News Archive
23/6/2014
Public Sector Finances Look Vulnerable in the Long Term
Data released on 20th june 2014 by the UK Office for National Statistics showed that public sector net borrowing for May 2014 was £13.3 billion, £0.7 billion higher than last May and higher than consensus expectations of £12 billion. With year-on-year GDP growth now at 3.1% in the latest (Q1 2014) figures, the recovery is boosting certain areas of taxation compared to a year ago.23/6/2014
BCS Supports National Women in Engineering Day
Following its recent Women in IT campaign which featured 30 women throughout May, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is continuing to champion IT as a profession for all by celebrating National Women in Engineering Day which takes place on 23 June. The celebration will include a Festival of Wikipedia that will see volunteers adding, updating, and improving Wikipedia entries of women in technology, dead or alive, to ensure that their contribution to the profession is recorded and celebrated.23/6/2014
TUC Welcomes New Simpler Minimum Wage Rules
Commenting on the government's new minimum wage remit for the Low Pay Commission published on Wednesday, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "With figures suggesting that nearly a quarter of apprentices get paid less than the law says they should, we welcome moves to simplify the system. This would prevent employers who cheat their apprentices out of the minimum wage from using the excuse that they didn't understand they had to pay it.21/6/2014
CWU Supports Call for Protection of Universal Service Obligation
Responding to the announcement by Royal Mail on Friday 20th June 2014 that they have called on Ofcom to bring forward a review of the direct delivery market, Dave Ward, the deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), said: "Ofcom's primary duty is to protect the universal service which allows us to send a letter to Belfast, Bristol or Brighton all for the same price. If Ofcom does not carry out an immediate review of the impact of direct delivery on universal service, it will have failed in its duty.20/6/2014
Free business seminar - brewing on the edge
The University of the Highlands and Islands Management School will be broadcasting a free seminar from the island of Unst in Shetland on Tuesday 1 July. Key account director, Gary I Campbell, will interview Sonny Priest, the founder of Valhalla Brewery, Scotland's most northerly brewery.
20/6/2014
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 16th June 2014 Tourism, Food & Drink: This week has been the annual Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, and north companies such as Mey Selections and Berry Good have been exhibiting. Indeed Berry Good has won the Supplier of the Year award in Scottish Farmer's awards announced at the event yesterday (Thursday), so congratulations to Jill Brown for yet more recognition for her fruit-infused spirits.20/6/2014
North Kessock toilets on southbound A9 to re-open for Summer
Transport Scotland is to re-open the toilet block at North Kessock on the southbound A9 for the summer period. Alastair Somerville, Area Manager, Transport Scotland said: "We are committed to this facility in the long-term and in the short-term and have asked our contractors BEAR Scotland NW to undertake a review of the facility with an aim of having the toilet block re-opened for the summer period.20/6/2014
Buildings Bill passes Stage 3
Legislation will help local authorities recover costs. A new law that will allow local councils to recover debts they have incurred when taking on enforcement work on dangerous or defective buildings, has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.20/6/2014
Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre launched
Over £11m public funding matched by industry. A new innovation centre for aquaculture will help create jobs and support the growth, sustainability and profitability of the industry in Scotland.20/6/2014
Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review
Interim report identifies challenges to overcome. The main barriers to a vibrant and thriving tenant farming sector in Scotland have been identified in the interim report of the Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group.19/6/2014
Service Point consultation begins on the Council budget blog
The fourth topic on the Council's Budget Blog goes live on Thursday 19 June - how can we organise our customer service provision (Service Points) in the future? The Council engages with customers in a variety of ways and is looking to improve the way customers can access Council services. The blog looks for suggestions on how the Council could reduce costs by delivering more services by telephone and on-line while ensuring that vulnerable groups can still access services.18/6/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 18th June 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 18th) sold 100 store cattle, 8 breeding cattle and 39 OTM cattle. Bullocks (44) averaged 208.3p and sold to 249.2p per kg for 305kg Saler crosses from Coilach, Muir of Ord, and £1,110 gross for a 620kg Hereford cross from Glenurquhart, Cromarty.18/6/2014
Balance Transfer Battle Hots Up Again
Barclaycard has launched a market leading 33 month 0% interest balance transfer card in response to Halifax's 32 month offer Halifax struck first with its longest ever 0% interest balance transfer card, which will allow customers to transfer existing credit card debt to this card and pay no interest for 32 months. There is a 3% fee on balances transferred within the first 90 days, so if you transferred £2,000 to this card you would pay a fee of £60.18/6/2014
Personal Finance and May CPI
Inflation figures released today show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell from 1.8% to 1.5% during May. To beat inflation, a basic rate taxpayer at 20% needs to find a savings account paying 1.88% per annum, while a higher rate taxpayer at 40% needs to find an account paying at least 2.50%.18/6/2014
House Price Index, April 2014
UK house prices increased by 9.9% in the year to April 2014, up from 8.0% in the year to March 2014. House price annual inflation was 10.4% in England, 3.3% in Wales, 4.8% in Scotland and 2.6% in Northern Ireland.
18/6/2014
What Does Sterling's Strength Mean for Holiday Makers
Mark Bodega, director at foreign currency specialists, HiFX, outlines what sterling's strength means for holiday makers: "Sterling hit a five year high against the dollar yesterday and remains relatively strong against all of the world's major currencies. This means most holiday makers will find trips abroad feel a little cheaper than they did last year.
18/6/2014
Aviva Says Deliberate 'Crash for Cash' Road Traffic Accidents Up 51%
Now at Record Levels. Motor injury fraud puts the public at risk of physical harm; Aviva calls for stronger sentences to deter fraudsters 87% of public believe custodial sentences send the strongest message Fraudulent 'slam-ons' - road traffic accidents deliberately caused in order to claim for whiplash compensation – increased by 51% in 2013, according to claims fraud data from Aviva.18/6/2014
Consumer Price Inflation - May 2014
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) grew by 1.5% in the year to May 2014, down from 1.8% in April. Falls in transport services costs, notably air fares, provided the largest contribution to the decrease in the rate.17/6/2014
NEW UHI Principal Meets Staff and Students At North Highland College
University of the Highlands and Islands principal and vice-chancellor meets staff and students at North Highland College UHI. Professor Clive Mulholland met with staff and students last week at North Highland College UHI just 12 days after taking up his post as the second principal and vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
17/6/2014
