News Archive
14/2/2024
Train Services Between Inverness And Wick/Thurso Cancelled Today 14 February
Inverness to Wick terminated at Invergordon. It will no longer call at Fearn, Tain, Ardgay, Culrain, Invershin, Lairg, Rogart, Golspie, Brora, Helmsdale, Kildonan, Kinbrace, Forsinard, Scotscalder, Georgemas Junction (from Inverness at 22:10), Thurso, Georgemas Junction (towards Wick at 22:35) and Wick.14/2/2024
Wick's Community Heating Scheme Expands To Bring Low Cost Heating to More Homes
Wilson Energy Helps Double the Size of Wick's Community Heating Scheme. Midlands-based WilSon Energy, a leading provider of fully integrated heating, metering, pre-payment and billing and bureau services for residential homes and commercial developments, has helped to reduce fuel costs for tenants and boost sustainability by doubling the size of a district heating system in a Scottish town.
14/2/2024
The Stark Reality In BMJ Article NHS Scotland Is Treating Fewer Patients Than Before The Pandemic Despite Boost To Staff And Funding-
The health service in Scotland has more doctors, nurses, and more money than before the pandemic but is treating substantially fewer patients, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned. If the problem of poor productivity is not tackled, people in Scotland could face deteriorating services, it said.14/2/2024
Valentine's Proposals In Scotland - I Do...want A Pre-nuptial Agreement
Gen Z and millennials in Scotland say "I do" to pre-nuptial agreements (PNAs) and how much you earn is no longer a factor according to research conducted by YouGov in partnership with Payne Hicks Beach. 73% of Gen Z and millennials in Scotland think that PNAs are a practical and wise decision.
14/2/2024
Consumer Price Inflation, UK - January 2024 - No change from December Still 4%
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 4.2% in the 12 months to January 2024, the same rate as in December 2023. On a monthly basis, CPIH fell by 0.4% in January 2024, the same rate as in January 2023.
14/2/2024
Rising Sickness Holds Back Return To Pre-pandemic Employment Levels, But Real Wages Enjoy A Mini-revival
A record number of people who are economically inactive due to ill-health mean that Britain remains the only G7 economy yet to return to pre-pandemic employment levels, but fast falling inflation means that real wages are growing at their fastest rate outside the pandemic in nearly five years, the Resolution Foundation said on Tuesday 13 February 2024. The latest ONS labour market statistics - including the return of the labour force survey after a four month absence - showed a cooling labour market, an-inflation driven boost to real pay packets, and rising long-term sickness continuing to hold back growth.14/2/2024
A Deep Dive Into The Latest Labour Market Statistics
Today (13 February 2024) marks an important milestone for labour market wonks. After being deprived of a full labour market release since early autumn due to data issues around one of the ONS' core surveys, this morning we got (almost) the full set of labour market data up to the end of 2023.
14/2/2024
Love It Or Loathe It, It's Valentine's Day - A Decent Excuse To Show You 19 Moneysaving Ways To Take Advantage Of Being In A Couple
Tips on how to save money abound on Money Saving Expert. Today their latest tips list for Valentines Day may well be worth a read with 19 suggestions for couples you may find one or two well worth reading.14/2/2024
It Is Too Cheap And Easy To Set Up UK Companies
An article in the Financial Times on 12 February 2024 describes the situation for registering companies in the UK. Bank robbers go where the money is.14/2/2024
Council Leaders Seek Urgent Budget Meeting With Deputy First Minister
Following a special meeting on Friday 9th February 2024 Council Leaders are seeking an urgent further meeting with the Deputy First Minister in relation to the Budget settlement for Scottish Local Government, highlighting the dire consequences of the Government's current spending plans on communities throughout Scotland. Commenting following the meeting the COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said: "Leaders were clear today that an urgent meeting with the Deputy First Minister is a priority.14/2/2024
Watch Out For Presidents' Day - It's The US Holiday Only 30% Of British Businesses Plan For
Monday, 19 February is Presidents' Day in the USA. It's an (almost) national holiday impacting UK-US businesses, trade and banking, warns the UK-US delivery specialist ParcelHero.
14/2/2024
Romance Isn't Always Rosy, Sometimes It's Sickening - Lovesickness, Erotomania And Death By Heartbreak Explained
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. All you need is love.
14/2/2024
No News Is Good News, As Inflation Remains Unchanged In January, With Food Prices Falling For The First Time Since September 2021
CPI inflation in January remained at its December level of 4.0 per cent - slightly weaker than the 4.1 per cent the Bank of England and financial markets had expected. This was despite the Ofgem price cap rising in January, which was offset by falling furniture and food prices, the Resolution Foundation said today (Wednesday 14 February 2024).14/2/2024
Start Up Loans For UK Businesses
What does this involve? Apply for a government-backed Start Up Loan of £500 to £25,000 to start or grow your business. Unlike a business loan, this is an unsecured personal loan.13/2/2024
Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates Jobs
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years. The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.
13/2/2024
Tea, Weather And Being On Time - Analysis Of 100 Million Words Reveals What Brits Talk About Most
Lovely weather today, isn't it? Time for a cuppa? The way someone talks, and the words they use, tell us quite a bit about where someone is from, their social background and even their age. Language both reflects and shapes society - as a linguist, it's my job to find out how.
13/2/2024
Why I Just Pulled Out - Buying A House In 2024
Earlier today I informed my solicitor that I was withdrawing my offer to buy a house, this is the first property I have offered on since the UK house price crash started but following recent events, it probably won't be the last! We had an offer accepted on a property 2 weeks ago and we were very happy with the price that we agreed, however, after visiting the property yesterday we noticed a noise issue that is a deal breaker for us. The UK housing market is in a very precarious position so it is more important than ever that buyers are confident about the purchase they are making.
13/2/2024
NATOs Biggest Exercise Since The Cold War
In late January, NATO began what it has called its "largest military exercise since the Cold War." Steadfast Defender 24 involves 90,000 troops from all 31 alliance members as well as NATO invitee Sweden for four months of manouvers by land, sea, and air. You have to go all the way back to 1988 for the last NATO exercise that involved more troops: Reforger with 125,000.
13/2/2024
Major campaign to fight fraud launched
Stop! Think Fraud, the National Campaign Against Fraud, launches today. A major campaign to transform the fight against fraudsters launches today (12 February 2024).
13/2/2024
