News Archive
29/11/2023
Behaviour And Relationships In Schools - New research published
Thousands of head teachers, teachers and support staff have shared their views on pupil behaviour and relationships in Scotland's local authority schools. The fifth edition of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR) report found staff perceived the majority of pupils to be behaving well.29/11/2023
How Much Are Companies Investing in AI?
Global corporate investment in artificial intelligence has risen greatly over the past decade. A Stanford University analysis estimates that total mergers and acquisitions, minority stake and private investments and public offerings amounted to $934.2 billion from 2013 to 2022.
29/11/2023
Writing Instructors Are Less Afraid Of Students Cheating With ChatGPT Than You Might Think
When ChatGPT launched a year ago, headlines flooded the internet about fears of student cheating. A pair of essays in The Atlantic decried "the end of high-school English" and the death of the college essay." NPR informed readers that "everybody is cheating." Meanwhile, Teen Vogue ventured that the moral panic "may be overblown." The more measured tone in Teen Vogue tracks better with preliminary findings from our 2023 survey that examined attitudes and feelings about artificial intelligence among college faculty who teach writing.29/11/2023
Building Back - Autumn Statement Seeks To Deliver Investment Confidence
On 22 November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, presented the government's Autumn Statement 2023. The Statement contained a variety of measures related to energy including: £600bn of planned public sector investment over the next five years to underpin future growth and support energy security, net zero, and public services.29/11/2023
A First Self-harm Strategy For Scotland And The World
Plan includes delivery of national self-harm support services. A new strategy focused on supporting people who self-harm is being launched, backed by new investment from the Scottish Government of £1.5 million.29/11/2023
Crime falls by more than half since 2008
Crime levels have dropped by more than half since 2008-09, according to the latest Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS). The 2021-22 official statistics show that people feel safer in their communities, with the proportion of those experiencing the types of crime covered in the survey at an historic low.29/11/2023
Ambitious Step Change Outlined For Greener And Warmer Buildings In Scotland
Proposals to replace fossil fuel heating with clean heating and improve energy efficiency Clean heating systems will replace polluting heating systems in Scotland's homes and buildings by 2045 under proposals published today. Under legislation to be introduced in 2025 which will start taking effect later in the decade, those buying new homes or buildings would be asked to move to a "clean" heating system, such as a heat pump or connection to a heat network, within a fixed period of time following that purchase.29/11/2023
New Bins For All - Waste Services Projects In Highland
Members at today's (29 November 2023) Communities and Place Committee were updated on a series of Waste Projects and approved Highland Council's amended Household Waste Policy. An update was provided on the progress of the phased introduction of waste and recycling collection service changes, which is being funded through the Scottish Government Recycling Improvement Fund (RIF).
29/11/2023
Why Royal Mail Is Struggling To Deliver
Royal Mail, the UK's oldest postal service, has received plenty of bad news in recent weeks. It has been fined for failing to achieve its delivery targets, lost an exclusive deal with the Post Office and recorded operating losses of £319 million - £100 million higher than for the same period last year.
29/11/2023
Highland Winter Roads Report - Wednesday 29 November 2023
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.
29/11/2023
£121 Million Investment Into Future Submarines Supports 250 Jobs
Two contracts, worth collectively over £100 million, have been awarded to Babcock to support the development of the UK's future nuclear deterrent. Contracts awarded to Babcock for in-service support expertise and weapon handling.
29/11/2023
Landlords First In Line - Proposals to replace fossil fuel heating with clean heating and improve energy efficiency
Proposals to replace fossil fuel heating with clean heating and improve energy efficiency Clean heating systems will replace polluting heating systems in Scotland's homes and buildings by 2045 under proposals published today. Under legislation to be introduced in 2025 which will start taking effect later in the decade, those buying new homes or buildings would be asked to move to a "clean" heating system, such as a heat pump or connection to a heat network, within a fixed period of time following that purchase.29/11/2023
ScotRail confirms services unaffected by ASLEF industrial action
ScotRail has confirmed that its services will be unaffected when members of the train drivers' union, ASLEF, take part in industrial action. Members of ASLEF at various train operating companies across the UK plan to take strike action on Saturday, 2 December and Sunday, 3 December, and again between Tuesday, 5 December and Friday, 8 December.29/11/2023
Innovation In Inshore Fishing - Trial Explores Opportunities In Scotland's Razor Clam Fishery
A trial to research the economic opportunities and environmental impacts of electrofishing for razor clams has been extended for a further 12 months. The extension aims to strengthen the evidence-base and inform future decisions about capacity for a sustainable razor clam fishery in Scottish waters, including developing fisheries management measures.
29/11/2023
Monthly Gdp Estimates For September
Scotland's onshore GDP grew by 0.1% in September, according to statistics announced today by the Chief Statistician. This follows 0.2% growth in August (revised up from 0.1%).28/11/2023
Dingwall And Highland Marts Ltd - Annual Highland Zwartbles Sale
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, sponsored by Camus Consulting and the Bissett Family amd supported by the Zwartbles Sheep Association, (November, 24th) sold 65 Pedigree, Pure and Cross Bred Zwartbles. Dingwall's Annual Highland Zwartbles Sale sold sheep up and down the country.
28/11/2023
A Million Fewer People Are Gaining Health Benefits From Nature Since 2020
People in the UK are spending less time in natural environments since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. An estimated 1.1 million fewer people across the UK gained health benefits from spending time in nature in 2022 compared with two years earlier.
28/11/2023
Panama Canal Christmas Crisis - Fees Soar As December Sailings Slashed - It May Affect Many Prices In Shops
The Panama Canal's ongoing drought crisis will see daily sailings reduced from an average of 36 to 22 by the end of this week. One desperate shipping company recently paid $4 million to transit the canal, which is a vital route for container traffic.28/11/2023
The Decline Of News Sites - The Audience Data Behind Reach Decision To Close 13 Regional Newsbrands
Ten sites have announced they will no longer be updated from Thursday. Eleven of the 13 local news websites being closed by Reach before the end of the year saw a double-digit percentage drops in audience in the past year.28/11/2023