News Archive
19/1/2024
The Subpostmasters Still Being Hit By The Post Office Discredited Horizon System
It is unbelievable but it is now coming to light that present sub-postmasters are still being penalised by the discredited Horizon computer system run by the Post Office. More and more stories are coming out about the plight of current sub-postmasters who are suffering from the faulty Horizon system still run by Fujitsu.19/1/2024
Fujitsu Will Not Bid For Uk.gov Business Until Post Office Inquiry Closes
Fujitsu has written to UK Government to confirm it will no longer tender for business in the public sector amid the ongoing inquiry into the Post Office scandal - weeks after winning a £485 million ($614 million) contract. Despite the supplier of the controversial Post Office Horizon system being scrutinized in Britain like never before, it continued to be selected for expensive projects that are paid for by taxpayer.19/1/2024
Post Office Board Knew About Horizon System Flaws And Exclusive Document Show Insurers Were Alerted
As the Post Office Inquiry continues to hear testimony, more and more details are coming to light about who knew what when. Back in 2019, the Post Office spent at least a-hundred-million pounds still defending the Horizon system when more than five hundred subpostmasters won their landmark settlement.
19/1/2024
Post Office Inquiry - Fujitsu Manager Called Bankrupted Subpostmaster 'nasty Chap' - Unbelievable Bullying treatment of Sub Postmaster
A Fujitsu employee called a subpostmaster who was bankrupted by the company's faulty computer system a "nasty chap" in not-seen-before email sent internally in 2003. Peter Sewell, who was in the Post Office Account Security Team at Fujitsu, said that Lee Carrington was a "nasty man" after the subpostmaster had threatened the company with legal action after losing all his money due to no fault of his own.
19/1/2024
Highland Road Conditions Report - Friday 19 January 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.
19/1/2024
Why Is Local Government In Such Trouble? Radio 4 Programme
Today at 11.00am a programme on the BBC RADIO 4 at 11.00am highlights the problems facing local government in England. Scottish councils also have serious problems facing them with staff reductions and cuts being looked at for the next financial year The programme is available on https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001vbrr While highland council financial issue may not be on the scale of some English councils they are extremely serious.19/1/2024
Post Office Scandal: Software Company Faces Questions Over Remote Access
The inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal has heard that Fujitsu employees could remotely access postmasters' accounts as early as 2002. Staff at the Japanese software company could change the accounts of sub-postmasters without them knowing.
18/1/2024
Campus Closures Again - Thurso, Halkirk And Dornoch - Thursday 18th January 2024
Due to the ongoing weather warnings and poor weather conditions predicted, our Thurso, Halkirk and Dornoch campuses will be closed on Tuesday 16th January and Wednesday 17th January 2024 Also now Closed 18 January due to more weather warnings All on-campus classes will be moved online where possible. Staff and students should work from home.
18/1/2024
Met Office Warns More Snow May Hit Again And Another Severe Warning For Sunday 21st January
An Amber warning has been issued for northern parts of Scotland as winter hazards continue to dominate the UK weather. Warnings persist for 18 and 19 January with no warning for Saturday 20th.
18/1/2024
Highland Road Conditions Report - Thursday 18 January 2024 - Caithness Main Roads Passable
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.
18/1/2024
Major Disruptions To Trains Wick To Inverness - Cancellations 18 January
Several routes are disrupted today due to weather Check Scotrail before travelling..18/1/2024
Innovation At The Heart Of The Scottish Economy - Funding of up to £8m per annum to support innovation centre
First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced long term funding to ensure innovation continues to grow and support Scotland's economy. Annual funding of up to £8 million has been allocated to the Scottish Innovation Centres, delivered through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).18/1/2024
Uk House Price Index For November 2023
The UK HPI shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The November data shows: on average, house prices have fallen -0.8% since October 2023 there has been an annual price fall of -2.1% which makes the average property in the UK valued at £285,000.18/1/2024
Visitor Levy Legislation Passes First Stage
Bill to help councils invest in local tourism. Legislation which would give councils the power to introduce a visitor levy to raise funding for local tourism facilities and services has passed its first vote in Parliament.18/1/2024
44,800 Customers Opt To Spread The Cost As Tax Deadline Looms
As the deadline to submit a Self Assessment tax returns looms, nearly 44,800 people have sorted their tax bills totalling almost £148 million, by setting up a payment plan. More than 7.7 million Self Assessment customers have already filed their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year, but HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding anyone who still needs to pay their tax bill should do so before the deadline on 31 January or risk facing a penalty.
18/1/2024
Highland Council Announce Roads closed
Message on Highland council Facebook page. The #A836 #Bettyhill to #Melvich road is being closed due to snow.17/1/2024
Met Office Forecast - More Snow On 17 January
Further snow showers, perhaps merging into a longer spell of snow, are likely to cause further disruption on Tuesday 17 January 2024. What to Expect Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers.
17/1/2024
Launch Of New Access To Trades Initiative
The Highland Council's Employability Service and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are delighted to announce an exciting collaboration to offer a pre-employability programme which seeks to support out-of-work young people on a pathway to the trades. Supported through the Scottish Government's No One left Behind Employability Funding, the Access To Trades initiative will provide a pathway for young people up to the age of 29 years to progress on to the CITB's Scottish Academy for Construction Opportunities (SACO) Programme.
17/1/2024
Thurso High School Closed on 17 January
There are no bus services running again tomorrow, Wed 17 Jan 2024, with further snow forecast. Unfortunately the school will be shut again to pupils and staff; this is very disruptive to prelim exams and we will work to reallocate times as soon as we can to minimise stress to pupils.17/1/2024
