News Archive

Three Year Savings Plan And Investment Strategy Approved By Council As It Sets Revenue Budget - Job Cuts And Potential Cuts Spread Across Services

Members of Highland Council on 29 February 2024 have agreed a package of £54.634m savings as part of a three-year strategy to manage an estimated £113m budget gap.  £26.079m of these budget savings have been agreed for 2024/25, with further savings in years 2 and 3.  

Biggest Ever Crackdown On Money Mules In The UK

Efforts to disrupt money mule activity and support exploited victims will be strengthened through a new action plan.   Efforts to disrupt money mule activity and support exploited victims will be strengthened through a 22 point action plan announced by the Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, today (1 March 2024).  

New Payments For Dentists To Make More Appointments Available In England - Scotland Updated Payments in July 23

New patient premium starts to offer dentists cash incentives to take on new NHS patients.   From 1 March, dentists to benefit from extra payments for seeing new NHS patients Participating NHS practices to benefit from payments of up to £50 per new patient treated Part of the government and NHS's plan to deliver an additional 2.5 million dental appointments Dental practices will benefit from extra cash for taking on new NHS patients from today (Friday 1 March) in the latest milestone in the government and NHS's plan to make millions more dental appointments available.  

Takeaway Owner Banned As Company Director For Abusing Covid Loan As The Law Closes In

The takeaway owner applied for a Bounce Back Loan and did not use the funds as declared in his application.   Zaman Shaa fraudulently secured a £30,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan during the pandemic.  

Scottish Secretary Reacts To GDP For Q4 2023 And December 2023

Alister Jack says boosting business and continuing to drive down inflation is key to long-term growth.   Latest figures show Scotland's onshore GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.4% in December 2023.  

Labour Calls Out Half Baked National Care Service Bill

Speaking ahead of the Stage One debate on the government's National Care Service bill, Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: "Scottish Labour is steadfast in its support for a National Care Service worthy of the name.  But the botched bill that the SNP, supported by the Greens, is trying to force through parliament is well short of what is needed.  

In Too Deep? The Impact Of The Cost Of Living Crisis On Household Debt

Economists Felicia Odamtten and Simon Pittaway from The Resolution Foundation look at household debt.   Hard economic times and rising interest rates have brought a renewed focus on household debt in recent years, with concerns that more and more families could find themselves overwhelmed by the burden of debt.  

Parcelhero's Move Into The £14bn B2b Logistics Market Creates Exciting New Opportunity For Investors

The international delivery expert Parcelhero is introducing Parcelhero Pro, a revolutionary B2B SaaS platform.  Its launch creates a new opportunity for potential investors looking to enter the fast-growing B2B logistics market.  

Free Court Transcripts For Rape Victims

Victims in rape and serious sexual assault cases in Scotland will be the first in the UK to have access to transcripts from their court cases free of charge.   The year-long pilot, commencing this week (01/03), will see complainers whose cases are heard in the High Court be eligible to apply for transcripts of what was said in court.  

£24.5m To Secure £350m Inward Investment

Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector.   A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.