This article is from the Scottish Government web site and reminds everyone the deadline for application to buy a council house or from a social landlord is 31st July 2016. Right to buy is ending for all tenants of social housing in Scotland on 1 August 2016.
This year's global credit union statistical report includes information from 57,480 credit unions serving over 217 million members in 105 countries. WOCCU believes that global membership could hit 260 million members by 2020.
Beef and sheep farmers can apply for share of £38 million. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead encouraged farmers to apply for their share of a fund to support beef and upland sheep.
New scheme to focus on affordable homes. The Scottish Government will spend £195 million over the next three years on a new shared equity scheme to help around 6,500 households buy a new-build home.
Festivals across Scotland share £239,000. Experiments and scientific demonstrations will be hosted at 16 festivals thanks to Scottish Government funding, the Science Minister announced today.
New Production Growth Fund to encourage producers to base major projects in Scotland. A new £1.75m Production Growth Fund will give Film and TV producers a new incentive to base their productions in Scotland.
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) has agreed, following the annual meeting of the Wages Board on August 26, 2015, proposed increase in minimum wage rates that will come into effect as from October 1, 2015. The minimum rate of pay for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks continuous employment will increase by 10p per hour to £7.24 bringing the minimum wage for a 39 hour week to £282.36.
The initial results of the recent Highland Council staff survey show a very positive trend. There were 3831 responses with a good overall response rate of 36%.
Works on the long awaited Inverness West Link Project will begin in mid-September. Funding for the project was unanimously agreed by Council in March this year.
Statistics published by Scotland's Chief Statistician show that the value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2014 increased by 18 per cent in real terms from 2013. The quantity of fish landed increased by 31 per cent from 2013.
Transport operator Stagecoach Group is joining forces with Scotland's Towns Partnership to help support the regeneration of the country’s towns and communities. The aim is to improve connectivity, community and prosperity for towns across Scotland and help facilitate their success by sharing ideas, delivering improved accessibility and raising the profile of Scottish towns.
First Minister announces Prince's Trust Scotland investment. Scotland's young people will receive support to kick start their entrepreneurial dreams, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today.
First Minister establishes taskforce to co-ordinate refugee action. An operational taskforce is to be established to co-ordinate Scotland's practical response to the humanitarian refugee crisis following a summit convened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh today.
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 2nd) sold 2,430 store lambs. Lambs (2,430) sold to £72 per head for Cheviots from 24 Liniclate, Benbecula.
Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSPs, David Stewart and Rhoda Grant are seeking a commitment from the Scottish Government to progress the reinstatement of the Lentran Loop, north of Inverness, to allow for the passing of trains in order to reduce congestion and improve the rail service north. In June 2015, David Stewart MSP, asked the Scottish Government if they would consider the construction of a length of re-doubled track at Lentran, that would reduce congestion on the line connecting Inverness and the north.
UNISON has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that it intends to abolish fees for employment tribunals in Scotland. This announcement comes the week after UNISON vowed to go to the UK Supreme Court in its ongoing fight to appeal against the UK government's decision to introduce employment tribunal fees across the UK - after the Court of Appeal rejected UNISON's case.
UNISON is calling on the Scottish Government to extend Freedom of Information (FOI) to cover all organisations delivering public services. This call was made in its response (today) to the Scottish Government's consultation on further extension of the coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 1st) sold 25 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (3) averaged 209.9p (-0.5p) and sold to 212p per kg and £1,341.60 gross.
Budding chefs are being given the chance to win work experience at one of the UK's top restaurants. Entries have now opened for Young Highland Chef 2015.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (August, 28th) sold 112 rams at its fourth annual ‘Great from Grass' on farm sale of rams at Fearn Farm, Tain, on behalf of Messrs J Scott & Partners. Texel shearlings (44) averaged £739.77 and sold to 1300 guineas.
