News Archive

West Link, Inverness Project On Track For Completion In Spring

The West Link project is expected to be completed this spring, with the opening of a second bridge over the canal greatly anticipated.   Stage 1 of the West Link Project was completed in December 2017 and Stage 2 began in 2018.  

Tackling Race Inequality In Employment

Public sector organisations in Scotland are being urged to help break down the barriers faced by minority ethnic workers.   As part of a joint commitment, the Scottish Government is calling on employers in the public sector to review their recruitment procedures and publish the "pay gap" faced by minority ethnic groups in order to confront, and address, issues of race inequality.  

128 Covid Grant frauds identified so far by Highland Council Internal Audit Team and passed to Police

Extract from audit report to be discussed by The Highland council Audit committee on Wednesday 31st March 2021.   Corporate Fraud and other investigations activity.  

£1 Million For Armed Forces Charities

Armed Forces charities across Scotland will benefit from a new £1 million support fund.   The Scottish Government fund will help the sector offset a shortfall in income due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

Labour Market Overview, UK: March 2021

Todays report from the Office for National Statistics.   The latest three months to February 2021 recorded small increases in the number of payroll employees although since February 2020, the number of payroll employees has fallen by 693,000 with the largest falls seen at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

The Semi-conductor Industries Are In Trouble As Shortages Hit Many Firms Worldwide

The worldwide shortages of micro-chips that are built into most products these days is leading to layoffs and reduced supplies for many products from computers, laptops, cell phones, cars and affecting anything you can think of that has internal controls.   Covid has affected production but other issues are combining to create a perfect storm.  

Closing date for Taxi Fund extended to 25 March

Highland Council has announced that the closing date for applications to the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Driver Support Fund this scheme has been confirmed as 5pm on Thursday 25 March 2021.   The Scottish Government has also now clarified that if you have received a grant through the Taxi Fund this will not now affect any Universal Credit payments you are also receiving.  

Labour Market In The Regions Of The UK: March 2021

From todays report by the Office for National Statistics.   Of the 693,000 decrease in payrolled employees since February 2020, 209,000 can be attributed to employees living in London, 105,000 in the South East, while only 7,000 can be attributed to employees living in Northern Ireland.  

Over £8 Million For Healthcare Students In Scotland

Nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students will be able to access alternative clinical placements to support their practical education disrupted by coronavirus (COVID-19).   Funding of £8 million will help to ease pressure on clinical placement capacity in health and social care settings to ensure students gain the required practical skills, learning and practice hours for their studies.  

Scottish wedding sector supported by £25million fund

Over 2,800 businesses which operate within the Scottish wedding industry have been supported by £25.9million worth of funding to help survive the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.   A total of 2,811 eligible firms received a share of the Scottish Wedding Industry Fund, which was provided by the Scottish Government and administered by a partnership of South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).