News Archive
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
Rhoda Grant MSP Seeks Views on Orkney Postcode
Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP Rhoda Grant is seeking views from Orkney constituents on their current Royal Mail postal service and postcode. The North MSP launched a campaign at the beginning of this year which seeks to introduce a new postcode for Caithness and Sutherland, separating the North Highland mainland area from the shared KW, Orkney postcode.17/6/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - 17th June 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 17th) sold 53 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (36) averaged 198.7p (+1.5p) and sold to 221p per kg and £1,486.80 gross.17/6/2014
Devolution promises could be game-changer, finds BES
Many Scots want more devolution, but think those additional powers will be achieved without independence, according to new data released by the British Election Study (BES). The findings by Professor Ed Fieldhouse from The University of Manchester, who Co-directs the BES, reveal that half of voters think more powers will be achieved, even if Scotland votes ‘No'.16/6/2014
Highland pupils take bridge to employment
Around 175 young people from 14 Highland schools recently spent a team-building day (on 11 June) at the Black Isle Show ground taking part in exercises provided by local companies. The event for fourth year Highland secondary pupils aimed to promote skills for working with others as part of an induction to the new Bridge to Employment programme.
16/6/2014
Highlands and Islands businesses polled on Scotland's digital progress
A survey has ben launched to poll around 2,000 companies across the Highlands and Islands on how technology and access to the web impacts on how they do business. The research, which is part of a Scotland wide project, aims to measure current progress in the digital economy and the extent to which businesses are using and exploiting online opportunities.16/6/2014
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week commencing 9th June 2014 Energy & Business Services: I took part in a CNSRP event in Aberdeen this week with colleague Roy Kirk. The influencers' event, run in association with the Scottish Council for Development & Industry (SCDI), attracted around 80 business representatives including many from the energy sector and featured guest speaker Robin Watson, Chief Executive of Wood Group PSN.16/6/2014
Pelamis P2 wave machines reach 10,000 hours of grid connected operations
The two Pelamis P2 machines currently deployed at the wave test site of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney have this week collectively reached a milestone 10,000 hours of grid connected operations. The machines, which are undergoing a progressive test programme at the Billia Croo wave test site, hit the 10,000th hour on Tuesday 3rd June, coinciding with an Ocean Energy Day held by EMEC in partnership with Ocean Energy Europe as part of the EU Sustainable Energy week.
16/6/2014
DISPOSABLE INCOME IN SCOTLAND ON THE RISE
· Scots have seen a four percentage point rise in disposable income over the last quarter · People in Scotland are leading the country in terms of disposable income alongside London · 67 per cent of people in Scotland choose to put money aside each month People in Scotland have seen a four percentage point increase in their disposable income over the last quarter, according to a new report out today. On average, people in Scotland now have nine per cent of their salary left over each month after essential bills have been paid.(1) The findings come from the latest Disposable Income Index from ISA provider, Scottish Friendly, which examines people's attitude towards saving and investing.16/6/2014
Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. An overview of Scottish Agriculture has been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.16/6/2014
FM opens new Stromness pier
Dock development will enable Orkney to benefit from marine renewables industry. A new pier at Copland's Dock in Stromness, ensuring that Orkney continues to play a central role in the growing marine renewables sector, has been officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond.16/6/2014
Scots firm nets international green investment
Funding for tidal project. An Edinburgh-based company has secured £1.85 million from European investors to fund green energy projects in Scotland, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing revealed today.16/6/2014
Scottish SPCA visit highlights need for Air Weapons legislation
Justice Secretary sees impact air weapon crime has on animals. The impact of air weapon crime on animals was highlighted to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill earlier during a visit to the Scottish SPCA's centre in Edinburgh.12/6/2014
DOUBLE-WHAMMY WIN FOR CAITHNESS APPRENTICES
Two local apprentices who are students of the North Highland College UHI have won both 1st and 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year awards for the North of Scotland. This is the first time in the history of the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) competition that a single college has won both of these categories.
12/6/2014
