News Archive
18/6/2021
Cobalt In EV Batteries? The Story Of Cobalt & Its Importance To Batteries & Electric Cars
Cobalt has hit the headlines in recent years in relation to its role in batteries and reports of controversial mining, but how much do you really know about it? It's been with us for thousands of years but as the world becomes more electrified our interest in this chemical element has grown. Cobalt plays a key part in Lithium-Ion batteries which can be found in pretty much anything electrical we use from hearing aids to electric cars.
18/6/2021
Highland Council Submits Levelling Up And Community Renewal Fund Bids
The Highland Council has submitted bids to the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund and Community Renewal Fund totalling over £80 million. When the Chancellor set out details of the Levelling Up Fund in March 2021 the Council was advised that they could submit one transport bid and one bid for each of the three Westminster constituencies.18/6/2021
£3,400 Electric Car! Would You Buy Wuling's Mini EV? | Fully Charged Cars
Is the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV the most exciting electric car on the market? Probably not. But what is it about this little box on wheels that has led to it outselling Tesla? It's small, it's cheap but it could also be the answer to mass EV adoption.
18/6/2021
Rise In Delta Variant Cases Leads To Manchester Travel Restriction
Step taken to protect public health in Scotland. A rise in the prevalence of Delta variant cases has led to travel restrictions being placed on Manchester and Salford.18/6/2021
First Results From UK Experiment Point To A Solution To One Of Fusion's Hottest Problems
Tests on the MAST Upgrade machine at Culham Science Centre are crucial for developing fusion power plants. UKAEA's new MAST Upgrade device is solving a major challenge for commercial fusion energy.
18/6/2021
First Doses Booked In For All Adults Ahead Of Schedule
All over 18s will be scheduled by the end of next week. All adults in Scotland will have been booked in for their first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine appointment by the end of next week (27 June), five weeks ahead of the target of 31 July.18/6/2021
New Fund Opens For Island Communities
Businesses and community groups located across Scotland's inhabited islands are now able to apply for grants of up to £150,000 through the new Island Communities Fund (ICF) for projects focussed on supporting sustainable island economies and the journey towards net zero. The fund is backed by £2 million of Scottish Government funding, which comes from the £9.5 million committed to the Islands Programme for 2021-22.18/6/2021
Balanced Budget Despite Pandemic Pressures
Despite unprecedented challenges presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19) the Scottish Budget was balanced last year. The 2020-21 Provisional Budget Outturn shows 99% of the £48 billion budget was spent, meaning the Scottish Government has fulfilled its legal obligation to deliver a balanced budget.18/6/2021
Alcohol Sales Fell To 26-year Low In 2020
Overall alcohol consumption in Scotland fell to a 26-year low during 2020, according to a comprehensive report published today by Public Health Scotland. The annual Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland's Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) report brings together data on alcohol consumption, price and related harms into a single publication.18/6/2021
Fusion Industry Challenges - An Introduction
UKAEA is launching the Fusion Industry Challenges, a £2m project to support the development of the UK fusion private sector, sustain clean energy needs in the UK and facilitate the UK's transition into an exporter of fusion technologies. Tim Bestwick, Chief Technology Officer and Director of Strategy, Communications and Business Development, gives an overview of the challenges and more details on the application process.
18/6/2021
Coronavirus Covid-19: Daily Data For Scotland - 18 June 2021
950 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 29,254 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 3.5% of these were positive.17/6/2021
Highlands And Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, Speaks In Debate On Maternity Services Highlighting Moray And Caithness
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, supported a Scottish Parliament cross-party members' debate yesterday about the downgrading of the consultant-led maternity unit at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin. "It is a huge disappointment that the service at Dr Gray's has not been reinstated, and we need to see more tangible action now," she said.17/6/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19: daily data for Scotland - 17 June 2021
1,317 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 30,990 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 4.6% of these were positive.16/6/2021
Wick and East Caithness ward bi-election to be held on 12th August
Two Highland Council by-elections to take place. Following the recent resignation of two Councillors, preparations are underway to hold by-elections in both the Inverness West ward and the Wick and East Caithness ward.
16/6/2021
Early Learning And Childcare Expansion
More than seven out of ten children in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) are now receiving the full 1,140 funded hours. The number of children has risen by 10,510 since February - an increase from 65% to 72%.16/6/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19: daily data for Scotland - 16 June 2021
1,129 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 35,638 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 3.4% of these were positive.16/6/2021
Small businesses in Scotland encouraged to apply for Brexit support funding before 30 June deadline
With two weeks to go before the deadline, small and medium sized businesses in Scotland are being encouraged to apply for funding to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU. The £20m Brexit Support Fund, which closes 30 June, enables businesses who trade with the EU to access up to £2,000 of funding for practical support including training and professional advice on new customs, rules of origin and VAT processes.16/6/2021
Government Extends Business Support Measures
The Government has extended temporary insolvency measures providing further support to businesses during the pandemic in England. Update June 2021 Regulations are set to be laid that will mean restrictions on statutory demands and winding up petitions will remain for a further three months until 30 September 2021 to protect companies from creditor enforcement action where their debts relate to the pandemic.16/6/2021
House price boom, and rise in inequality, looks set to continue
Tony Syme, expert in macroeconomics at the University of Salford Business School, looks at what is driving a huge increase in house prices since the start of the pandemic. Some economic think-tanks predicted double-digit reductions in house prices this year as a result of the pandemic.16/6/2021
