News Archive
8/2/2024
Raigmore Hospital, Inverness Gets First Pop-up Solar Car Park And EV Charging Hub
Solar car park installer 3ti has completed the installation of a Papilio3 pop-up solar car park and electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. The latest delivery is the first of its kind to be operational in Scotland and provides hospital users with access to 12 charge points boosted by renewable energy.
8/2/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Thursday 8 February 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.8/2/2024
Scottish Economy Expected To Improve After Slow Growth In 2023
The Scottish economy is expected to improve in 2024 after little growth over the course of 2023, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. The Institute's quarterly Economic Commentary, which includes an assessment of all the latest key data on the UK and Scottish economies, is published today.
8/2/2024
Fraser Of Allender Podcast - Economic Commentary 2023 Q4
FAI economist Dr Hannah Randolph is joined by our director Professor Mairi Spowage to talk about our latest Economic Commentary, which covers the fourth quarter of 2023. We talk about the current state of the economy and some reasons for optimism, then turn to an evaluation of where the Scottish economy is now in comparison to before the Covid-19 pandemic.8/2/2024
Scottish Budget Plan 'Misleading', Says IFS Think Tank
The Scottish budget gives a "misleading impression" about spending increases, a think tank chief has said. Institute for Fiscal Studies associate director David Phillips warned it was unlikely NHS Scotland would "survive" without extra funding this year.8/2/2024
Efforts To Tackle Small Pension Pots Step Up A Gear
New group comprised of government and pension industry representatives to look at helping savers track their pensions. Members will discuss the design and implementation of the proposed new consolidation system as part of new Small Pots Delivery Group.
8/2/2024
Celebrating Apprentices In Counter-fraud
Cabinet Office Minister, Baroness Neville-Rolfe shares her experiences of working with apprentices at the Public Sector Fraud Authority. National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the vital contributions apprentices now make in the public sector.8/2/2024
UK Extends Tariff-free Trade With Ukraine Until 2029
UK to support Ukrainian businesses by extending tariff-free trade until 2029. UK and Ukraine extend tariff-free trade on majority of goods for an additional five years.
8/2/2024
Scottish Minister Michael Mathieson Who Blamed £11k Ipad Bill On His Sons Quits
Michael Mathison health minister in the Scottish Government has resigned in advance of a report about the use of his ipad while on holiday with his family. This is the second ministerial resignation in a week.8/2/2024
Crucial Summit Over Calmac Ferry Services
Island communities affected by poor ferry services have raised their concerns direct with CalMac, thanks to a UK Government summit. At a meeting on Monday 5 February - convened by Scotland Office Minister John Lamont - community representatives talked about the effects of unreliable services on families, business, and the tourist trade, with warnings the viability of some islands is at risk.7/2/2024
Exam Success For Wick Woman Louise Cormack
Phil Anderson Financial Services is thrilled to announce that Louise Cormack, a valued member of our team at the Wick Office in Caithness, has successfully passed her final exam and is now a fully qualified mortgage adviser. Louise's accomplishment comes after passing the Chartered Insurance Institute CF6 mortgage advice exam, completing the rigorous Certificate in Mortgage Advice.
7/2/2024
Don't Lose Your Parents Home To Care Fees - How To Not Get Cut Out Of Your Inheritance
Don't Lose Your Parents Home To Care Fees In this video, we explore the vital topic of protecting your parents' home from care home fees in the UK. As house prices continue to climb, ensuring that your family home is safeguarded against these costs is more important than ever.
7/2/2024
Disclosure Scotland's Post Office Scandal - BBC One Tonight 8.00pm
As time moves on the Sub postmaster scandal gets more exposed. The BBC programme Disclosure at 8.00pm highlights Scottish sub postmaster examples of miscarriages.
7/2/2024
Venues With An Inclusive Approach To Hospitality Will Have Better Innings
Getting diversity, equity and inclusion right leads to better customer experience and increased visitor numbers. The International Longevity Centre (ILC), the UK's leading authority on demographic change, has launched an inspiring short film sharing best practice in hospitality.
7/2/2024
Soaring Caesarean Rate In Far North Exposes Maternity Failings, Says MSP Edward Mountain
The number of women having caesarean births in the far north has rocketed in the past five years as maternity services have been cut, says Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain. New figures have shown 43.4 per cent of Highland births in 2022/23 were caesareans, compared to 33.4 per cent in 2017/18.7/2/2024
The UK And Other Ageing Populations Will Have To Increase Their State Pension Age To 71 By 2050 To Maintain The Number Of Workers Per Retiree
The International Longevity Centre's Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index ranks 121 countries against six indicators: life span, health span, work span, income, environmental performance, and happiness. However, most of those countries ranked at the top of the Index have rapidly ageing populations making it increasingly important for these governments to act to support healthy ageing.7/2/2024
Last Day To Have Your Say On Council Services Before Budget Cuts Hit
Several council services that have been suggested for cuts or reduction are the subject of the Highland council survey. The budget for highland will be decided later in February and many difficult decisions will be taken.7/2/2024
Scottish Budget Implies Real-terms Cuts To Health Spending - A Fact Not Revealed In Official Documentation
The Scottish Government is raising taxes on the 5% highest-income Scots, but health funding is, on current plans, set to fall in real terms next year. New analysis shows that funding for the Scottish Government's NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care portfolio is currently set to fall by 0.7% in real terms in 2024-25 compared with this financial year, despite official Budget documentation showing a 1.3% real-terms year-on-year increase.7/2/2024
Scottish Budget - The Medium-term Outlook And Choices
A report from The Institute for fiscal Studies. Devolved income tax revenues are forecast to boost the Scottish Government's funding over the next five years, but many services could still see cuts.7/2/2024
