News Archive

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 27 March 2018

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 27th) sold 8 prime cattle.   Prime bullocks (2) averaged 221.2p (+2.5p) and sold to 227.0p per kg and £1,360.80 gross.  

Business Hub Launched For Life Sciences Firms

A new facility that provides workspace and collaboration opportunities for life sciences businesses across the Highland Council area was launched in Inverness on Tuesday 27 March 2018.   The NEXUS project is part of the Northern Innovation Hub, led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with funding from the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal.  

Children's Social Work Statistics 2016-17

Two per cent of children in Scotland were being looked after by local authorities or on the child protection register on July 31 2017, according to the latest Children's Social Work Statistics published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.   The statistics which include information on children who were looked after, on the child protection register, or in secure care accommodation show that: 14,897 children were looked after in 2017, a decrease of three per cent from 2016, and the fifth consecutive year of decline Foster care remains the most common accommodation for looked after children, accounting for over a third of looked after children (36%), whereas residential care accounts for 10% of looked after children.  

Fairer And Integrated Employability

Up to £96 million for unemployment support.   Scotland's first fully devolved employment service will start delivering flexible and tailored support from Tuesday 3 April 2018.  

Cluttered Policy Landscape' Risks Diluting Delivery Of Scottish Government's Economic Strategy

Brexit remains biggest challenge on the horizon The Scottish Government's focus on following a single, unified approach to the economy risks being blurred by a proliferation of strategies, advisory groups and discussion forums, warns the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI).   In our latest Economic Commentary, supported by Deloitte we caution that a cluttered policy landscape can lead to confusion, a lack of alignment, duplication and weakened accountability.  

Public Feeling Safer After Fall In Crime

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has welcomed National Statistics confirming that crime in Scotland has fallen by around a third in just under a decade while more people than ever feel safe in their neighbourhood.   The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2016-17, based on interviews with almost 5,600 adults about their experience of crime, whether or not reported to police, estimates there were around 712,000 crimes - 32% fewer than in 2008-09 - while property crime is down 34% and violence down 27% over the same period.  

No Action On Number Of Taxis And Private Hire Cars In Highland

The Highland Licensing Committee agreed on 27 March 2018 to take no action towards introducing restrictions on the number of taxis and private hire cars (PHC) licensed to operate in Highland or any particular part of the Highland area.  This follows consideration of a specialist and independent legal opinion commissioned to seek clarification of the Council's powers in this regard.  

Street Traders licence condition 8 to be removed

The Highland Licensing Committee has considered a report in relation to street traders licence condition 8 and agreed to remove this condition from its standard licence conditions.   The continued use of the condition was reviewed following a recent court decision which made clear that licensing conditions must serve a licensing purpose namely preserving public order or public safety.  

Gender Pay Gap Reporting For Large Employers - Deadlines

If you are an employer with 250 employees or more, new legislation means you will need to publish your annual gender pay data.  The deadline is 30 March 2018 for public sector employers and 4 April 2018for private and voluntary sector employers.  

Final Chance To Submit 2017-18 Saas Applications

Issued on behalf of the Student Awards Agency Scotland.   Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) would like to remind any students who have not yet submitted their 2017-2018 application for funding and tuition fees, to do so now and before the 31 March 2018 closing date.