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News Archive


5/8/2021
Prehabilitation For Cancer Patients
A new scheme to provide pre-treatment support to cancer patients is launching across Scotland.   The project will give tailored help and advice on exercise, nutrition and mental health, to improve outcomes for those preparing for cancer treatment.  
5/8/2021
Travel Restriction On France Lifted
India also turns amber in latest update to international restrictions.   Arrivals from France to Scotland will no longer need to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated under the latest review of travel restrictions.  
5/8/2021
HMRC latest information about the financial support schemes available to help employers
HMRC latest information about the financial support schemes available to help employers, as part of the UK Government's Plan for Jobs.   This includes a reminder of the 16‌‌ ‌August deadline for submitting your July Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims, changes to the scheme from this month and claiming Statutory Sick Pay for employees who are self-isolating.  
4/8/2021
Mortgage deals back to pre-pandemic levels: Expert tips on how first time buyers can find the right one
Taking that first step onto the property ladder is much easier if you know exactly what help is available to you and where to find the best mortgage deals.   Following the news that the number of mortgage products on the market are back to pre-pandemic levels after the co, Nisha Vaidya, a mortgage expert at money.co.uk, has compiled a quick and simple guide on everything you might need to know when it comes to purchasing your first home.  
4/8/2021
Ethical Hackers Collaborate With Defence To Strengthen Cyber Security
In a first for the Ministry of Defence, 26 ethical hackers have taken part in a Bug Bounty programme in collaboration with US based organisation HackerOne.  The 30-day challenge aimed to identify and fix vulnerabilities in cyber systems to strengthen Defence's security and to ensure better resilience.  
4/8/2021
Customs Declaration Service to become UK's single customs platform
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), a system founded on world-leading technology, will serve as the UK's single customs platform from 31 March 2023.   HMRC will be closing its Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system on 31 March 2023.  
4/8/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19: daily data for Scotland - 4 August 2021
1,271 new cases of COVID-19 reported.   29,257 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 4.7% of these were positive.  
4/8/2021
Postmasters Impacted By Horizon Who May Have Been Made Bankrupt
The Insolvency Service is seeking information from postmasters who believe they may have been made bankrupt due to the Horizon IT system.   The Court of Appeal and Crown Court have quashed the convictions of a number of former postmasters who were prosecuted using evidence from Post Office's Horizon IT system, which is now known to have been unreliable.  
4/8/2021
CBI Scotland Responds To Latest Covid Announcement
Gregor Scotland, CBI Scotland Head of Policy, said: "Moving beyond level zero to remove the vast majority of Covid restrictions creates a much-needed platform for kickstarting Scotland's economic recovery.   "Ending social distancing requirements is a vital step that boosts business capacity just when firms need it most.  
3/8/2021
Scotland To Move Beyond Level 0 - Some Protective Measures Will Stay In Place
The legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings will be removed on 9 August when all venues across Scotland are able to re-open.   Some protective measures will stay in place such as the use of face coverings indoors and the collection of contact details as part of Test and Protect.  
3/8/2021
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - 3 August 2021
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 3rd) sold 21 prime cattle.   Prime bullocks (15) averaged 240.4p (+0.1p) and sold to 250.0p per kg and £1,537.50 gross.  
3/8/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19: daily data for Scotland - 2 August 2021
1,016 new cases of COVID-19 reported.   13,704 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 8.1% of these were positive.  
3/8/2021
Student rent rises almost 20%
Average UK student rent £518 per month.   Glasgow rent cheapest in the UK.  
3/8/2021
New national facility for families affected by drug use
A new residential rehabilitation facility to support families affected by drug use is to be developed in North Ayrshire.   Funding for the National Specialist Residential Family Service which will be run by the charity and housing association Phoenix Futures and based in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, has been agreed in principle.  
3/8/2021
Funding To Support Equality And Human Rights
Additional £1 million annually for third sector organisations.   Organisations across Scotland will share £21 million funding over three years to advance human rights, promote equality and tackle discrimination.  
Pentland seeking views on proposed transfer to Cairn ahead of ballot
Pentland Housing Association tenants are to be formally consulted on a proposed transfer to Cairn Housing Association, which will bring new investment to homes and a locked-in affordable rent guarantee, from a new combined Cairn and Pentland team in Caithness.   Detailed information leaflets are being posted out and members of staff from Pentland and Cairn are aiming to personally visit every household to try and speak to residents and answer any questions they might have.  
2/8/2021
Soft Play Top-up Grants Paid By Highland Council
Indoor soft play centres across Highland have received top-up grants in recognition of the enhanced Covid-19 restrictions they have faced for much of the pandemic.   Grants of between £3,500 and £5,000, totalling £29,500 have been paid out to eight indoor soft play centres, depending on the rateable value of their premises.  
2/8/2021
Addressing depopulation on Scotland's islands
A consultation seeking the views of people from across Scotland on the proposed Islands Bond has been published.   The Islands Bond aims to tackle population decline across the Scottish islands and provide funding to help people stay on or move to the islands.  
2/8/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19: daily data for Scotland - 2 August 2021
799 new cases of COVID-19 reported.   13,807 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 6.5% of these were positive 1 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive (noting that Register Offices are now generally closed at weekends).  
2/8/2021
Increase In Payments To Help Boost Family Incomes
Best Start Foods payments are increasing this month marking the achievement of another commitment for the first 100 days of this government.   The payment supports low income families to buy healthy food for children under the age of three, and forms part of the Scottish Government's national mission of eradicating child poverty.