News Archive
31/8/2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - 31 August 2021
6,029* new cases of COVID-19 reported. 43,512 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 14.9% of these were positive.31/8/2021
Kite Power Reaches New Heights In Shetland
A Lewis man who recently moved to Shetland has been awarded funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help make kite energy a reality. Rod Read set up his company, Windswept and Interesting Ltd in 2012 when he started developing kite turbines.
31/8/2021
Fees Set For The Licensing Of Activities Involving Animals In Highland
New legislation comes into force from 1 September 2021 which will affect people who run certain activities in the Highlands concerned with animals. Current active licences for existing dog breeders and pet shops will continue until their expiry date when they are required to obtain a licence under the new legislation.31/8/2021
Scotland's National Qualifications And Assessments - Views Of Renowned Academic Published
Options for Scotland's future approach to assessment and qualifications have been published. Renowned Professor Gordon Stobart, who was appointed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), considered approaches taken around the world as part of his work.31/8/2021
Scottish Child Payment Helps More Than 108,000 Children
New Child poverty benefit pays out £17.6 million to families in need. More than 108,000 children have benefited from the Scottish Government's new Scottish Child Payment according to the latest official statistics.31/8/2021
Hospital At Home - £2.6 Million Further Funding
Further funding has been announced to provide short-term care for acutely unwell patients in their own homes. An additional £2.6 million has been shared between ten health boards so they can continue to develop Hospital at Home services to avoid admissions to hospital.30/8/2021
Letter To Parents Regarding A Covid Case In Wick High School
A letter has been sent to parents and guardians of pupils in S1 and S3 at Wick High School on Friday 27th August 2021. Dear Parent or Guardian, We have identified a possible case of COVID-19 in a pupil in your child's year group.30/8/2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - 30 August 2021
3,893* new cases of COVID-19 reported. 29,281 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 14.1% of these were positive.30/8/2021
Which UK region spends the most on sweet treats? 
Northern Ireland is the UK's most sugar-obsessed region, with households spending more of their weekly grocery budget on sweets than any other area Scotland, the North-East and the West Midlands are the UK's second biggest sugar lovers, while London and Yorkshire on the Humber spend the lowest amount on sweet treats. Scotland still tops the cigarettes and alcohol sales.
30/8/2021
Workplace Testing Rolled Out To Boost Recovery
Organisations with ten or more employees can now sign up for asymptomatic workplace testing as part of an enhanced drive to identify emerging coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and break chains of transmission. Third sector organisations with ten or more employees (which can include formal volunteers) can now sign up for asymptomatic workplace testing.
30/8/2021
Pig Producers' Fund
Applications now open for hardship support scheme. A scheme will provide up to £715,000 of financial support to pig producers affected by the temporary closure of the abattoir at Brechin earlier this year.29/8/2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - 29 August 2021
7,113* new cases of COVID-19 reported. 55,543 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 13.5% of these were positive.29/8/2021
Universal Credit: When Will The £20 Increase Stop?
Universal Credit Additional Payment of £20 per week ends on 6th October 2021 but some may end sooner depending on when the first claim was made. The TUC writes - Universal credit cut will hit millions of working families and key workers.
29/8/2021
Don't Leave The Job Half Done - Remaining Under 40s Urged To Get Their Second Dose
People aged under 40 who have still to receive their second dose of the vaccine are being urged to book an appointment or go to a drop-in clinic and maximise the protection offered. The number of cases is rising and around two thirds of new cases are in under 40s.29/8/2021
When And How To Raise Taxes?
From the Institute for Fiscal Studies The support given to individuals and businesses and the costs of managing the pandemic have left us with the biggest peacetime deficit in British history. As the economy reopens, and the coronavirus begins to have less of a hold on our lives, the government will need to start thinking about how to return the deficit to a more sustainable level.
28/8/2021
International Travellers To Scotland Will Be Able To Use Private Sector Covid Tests
Economy boosting step backed by move to clamp down on poor performers. People will be able to use private sector tests when returning, or visiting, from green or amber list countries under a change to international travel restrictions.28/8/2021
Funding Boost For Orkney Cheesemaker
Orkney Cheese Company Limited is investing in a £925,000 refurbishment project, which is set to increase production, create jobs and help the company reach new markets over the next three years. Significant improvements will be made at the Hatston Industrial Estate based facility in Kirkwall.
28/8/2021
Have You Wondered If House Flies Can Transmit Covid 19 (SARS-CoV-2)?
Well it was worth asking the question. The answer so far from a piece of research is - Conclusion In the present study, we determined that house flies could readily acquire and harbor SARS-CoV-2 from virus-spiked medium or virus-spiked milk.
28/8/2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - 28 August 2021
5,858 new cases of COVID-19 reported 43,450 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 14.2% of these were positive 8 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive. 49 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19.28/8/2021
