News Archive
4/2/2022
Rate Increase Will Make Things Worse - Borrowing Costs To Hit Mortgages, Rents and Credit Cards
The Bank of England has today raised interest rates for the second month in a row as it sends a signal to markets that it is determined to lower inflation. But what will the impact be? Here Dr Tony Syme, macroeconomics expert from the University of Salford Business School says it could hit people already struggling with cost of living increases.4/2/2022
Flu Vaccination Programme Success - Huge uptake across the country
More than 2.7 million people have received their free flu jab and anyone eligible who has not yet been vaccinated has been urged to come forward. The programme, which has so far seen a 90% uptake in over 65s, was paused in December so that health boards could prioritise the delivery of COVID-19 booster jabs to combat the Omicron variant.4/2/2022
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 4 February 2022
7,676 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 17 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.
3/2/2022
New Plans for Castletown Mill From Dunnet Bay Distillers
Dunnet Bay Distillers has submitted a planning application to Highland Council asking permission to refurbish a 200 year-old mill and surrounding land at Castletown, near its headquarters. The Caithness company produce the Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka brands and took over the mill last year.
3/2/2022
Thurso Community Development Trust Gets Share In £1.5 Million For Highland-wide Climate Movement To Reduce Waste
Community groups across the Highlands are coming together as part of a new climate movement to help reduce waste and tackle a throwaway culture. The Highland Community Waste Partnership, led by Keep Scotland Beautiful, is being made possible by a £1,498,568 award, announced today (Tue 25 January) by The National Lottery Community Fund.3/2/2022
Highland Council Committee Discusses Response To Draft National Planning Framework 4
Highland Councillors have today expressed concerns that the Scottish Government's new national planning strategy and policies could fall short on delivering regional priorities for Highland and in achieving Scotland’s transition to net zero. At the meeting of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee on 2nd February 2022 members took the opportunity to discuss the Council’s emerging response to Scottish Government’s Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), currently out for consultation until 31 March 2022.3/2/2022
MSP submits her opposition to changes to Scotrail Ticket Offices
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant yesterday submitted her opposition to the Scotrail consultation on the proposed changes to Scotrail ticket office opening hours calling it a "cash saving exercise." Sign The RMT petition to object HERE The MSP has submitted her opposition because she has concerns about traveller safety and the future of jobs in the sector in the Highlands. Specifically, she raises concerns on connectivity, staff wellbeing, women's safety and disadvantaging the disabled and elderly.3/2/2022
Boost For Space Clusters Across The UK
Ten space clusters across the UK have been given a boost, thanks to new UK Space Agency funding. These regional hubs, known as space clusters, will support new and growing companies, building on local expertise and catalysing investment into the space sector.
3/2/2022
Energy Cap Rises By 54 % - £693 Rise Per Year From April
Ofgem confirms that the domestic energy price cap will increase by £693 from April. The new CAP is £1971.3/2/2022
Bank Of England Announces Interest Rise By 0.25% To 0.5%
Interest Rate rise of .25% taking interest rate level to .5 percent. There was a push for even higher rate of half a percent.3/2/2022
Council houses very close to full compliance with new fire safety legislation
Highland Council's Housing and Property Committee was told today (3 February 2022) that the local authority is very close to full compliance with new fire safety legislation which came into force on February 1 2022. Highland has been installing new interconnected smoke and heat alarms to meet the new standard into its homes.3/2/2022
Chancellor Announces Help For 28 Million Families On Energy Price Rise
Energy Cap rises to £1971 in April so the UK government is stepping in with help. Price of gas on the world market has quadrupled.3/2/2022
Chancellor's Statement To The House - Energy Price Cap
Statement, as delivered by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, on 3 February 2022. Mr Speaker, The UK's economic recovery has been quicker and stronger than forecast.
3/2/2022
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 3 February 2022
8,210 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 31 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.
3/2/2022
Price Cap To Increase By £693 From April - Prepayment Customers See Biggest Rise
Record increase in global gas prices sees energy price cap rise of 54% Ofgem knows this rise will be extremely worrying for many people. Customers struggling to pay their energy bill should contact their supplier to access the help available.2/2/2022
Wick's High Street Redesign Project A Step Closer
The Highland Council has been successful in applying to SUSTRANS for £150,000 from its Places for Everyone fund to allow it to take forward the community of Wick's vision to redesign the High Street. The project taps into the enthusiasm and determination to highlight the many positive reasons to live in and visit Caithness.
2/2/2022
Orkney Businesses Welcome Graduates To New Roles
Seven graduates have been recruited at businesses in Orkney through a programme funded and delivered by HIE. The Graduate Support Programme helps companies in the region by offering 12-month, well paid work experience placements in key sectors that span a wide variety of industries.
2/2/2022
Waste Metrics Dashboard For Nuclear Industry Including Dounreay - Lots Of Detailed Graphs
The National Waste Programme publishes a range of waste metrics to track progress and ensure that expected programme benefits are being delivered. The metrics demonstrate: the successful diversion of waste away from disposal to the LLW Repository the optimal use of key national assets, such as the LLWR Site and waste treatment facilities the safety and environmental performance of the National Programme.
2/2/2022
Industry First Trial To Decarbonise Heat Launched In Highland
The Scottish Government, SP Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution have launched a trial called Project Re-Heat to decarbonise homes in Highland and across Scotland. The industry-first project will trial how electricity networks can respond to the increase in electricity demand created by decarbonising heat.
2/2/2022
