News Archive

Next Steps Set Out To Permanently Cut Business Rates For The High Street

Legislation has today been introduced to allow government, for the first time, to permanently cut business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties.   To fund this sustainably, the top one percent of high-value properties, such as large warehouses used by online giants will be asked to pay more to support the high-street.  

Driving Progress On Global Climate Financing - Investment To Support Just Resilience Projects

Communities which are most at risk from the impacts of climate change will benefit from Scottish Government funding which will support them to prepare for climate changes ahead.   The Scottish Government will provide £40,000 to Regions4 to deliver a project focused on the emerging area of ‘just resilience'.  

Transport Secretary Launches Review Of Train Company Revenue Protection Practices

The review will help restore passengers' confidence in the system.   rail regulator asked to review how train operators tackle suspected fare evasion.  

Committee Vice Chair Hails Caithness Wards Discretionary Funds Benefits

The Vice Chair of the Caithness Committee, Councillor Struan Mackie has expressed his delight at the number of worthwhile local projects that have benefitted from Ward Discretionary Funding in this financial year.   All Council Wards receive a discretionary budget, and it is for Ward Councillors to consider what they wish to commit funds to, in line with Highland Council objectives and outcomes.  

Discovering The Secrets In The Ground Underneath Western Europe's Most Hazardous Building

Sellafield's legacy waste store, the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo, leaked radioactive liquor into the ground in the 1970s and in 2019 a new leak was discovered.   Our experts are pioneering new ways to help understand and manage what's going on in the ground below it.  

£15 Million Funding Boost To Help To Claim As Government Ramps Up Move To Universal Credit

A £15 million funding boost to the Help to Claim scheme will support thousands of people moving from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions was announced on Tuesday 12 November 2024.   £15 million funding boost to support Government's acceleration of Move to Universal Credit programme, before it ends in March 2026.  

Scottish economic bulletin - November 2024

This edition of the Scottish Economic Bulletin pubished on 12 November 2024 covers latest economic conditions as we move into final quarter of 2024.  Economic indicators continue to show sustained improvements relative to 2023, although business and consumer survey evidence indicates that the pace of activity has eased slightly from earlier in the year.  

Scam Watch Van Featured on TV

The scam awareness van has been on the road since April, visiting locations in almost all local authorities across the country to engage directly with consumers, raising awareness of prevalent scams and how to avoid them.   The van was recently featured on The One Show, with trading standards officers from the Scottish Borders providing information and advice on scams to their local community.  

Committee Adopts Core Paths Plan For Caithness

The Caithness Committee have agreed to adopt the modified Core Path Plans for Caithness.   At their meeting yesterday members had the opportunity to discuss a report that summarised the review of The Highland Council Core Paths Plan in Caithness.  

Almost A Third Of Adults Are Living With Obesity, The Scottish Health Survey Shows

The Scottish Health Survey 2023 results, published today, provide information on the health, and factors relating to health, of adults and children in Scotland.   Almost a third of adults (32%) were living with obesity, the highest level recorded and an increase from 24% in 2003.