News Archive
17/3/2021
Thousands of families in Scotland reap the benefits of Tax-Free Childcare
More than 14,000 families in Scotland using their Tax-Free Childcare accounts to pay for childcare costs are benefitting from a UK Government top-up worth up to £500 every three months, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced. But there are thousands of families missing out on the chance to save money on childcare.17/3/2021
Liz Barclay Named As Small Business Commissioner To Lead Crackdown On Late Payments To Small Businesses
New Commissioner named to champion small businesses and tackle issue of delayed invoices. Experienced business advocate and former journalist Liz Barclay appointed to head up government office tackling late payments to businesses.17/3/2021
Targeted Support For Scottish Cities And Regions
Kick-starting economic recovery after COVID-19. Cities and regions can apply for additional funding to help them recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.17/3/2021
Uk's First Ever Hydrogen Transport Hub Kick-started By £3 Million Government Investment
Hydrogen transport hub is one step closer to becoming a reality in Tees Valley. Tees Valley to become home to the UK's first-ever hydrogen transport hub.
17/3/2021
Vaccination Programme Reaches Two Million People in Scotland
Scotland's vaccination programme has delivered first doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to more than two million people - 44% of the adult population. The landmark was reached on Wednesday 17 March.17/3/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19 daily data for Scotland - 17 March 2021
625 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 23,451 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 3.0% of these were positive.17/3/2021
Islands Deal Being Signed Off Today
The Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland will benefit from investment of up to £100 million by the Scottish Government and UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. A range of areas, including tourism, infrastructure, innovation, energy transition and skills, will be targeted with the funding.17/3/2021
Homelessness And Universal Credit - Report Outlines Link To People Losing Their Homes
A new report reveals how the introduction of Universal Credit has contributed to homelessness in Scotland. The report highlights how people can lose their homes due to problems with the five-week wait to receive the first payment, and sanctions which lead to payments being withdrawn if claimants don't meet certain conditions.17/3/2021
Economy Grows 2.0% In The Fourth Quarter Of 2020
The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the economy grew by 2.0% during the fourth quarter of 2020, covering the period October to December. Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth.17/3/2021
Scotland's Testing Strategy Update
Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon has today published an updated testing strategy for Scotland, setting out how testing will support the easing of restrictions and a return to everyday activities. It includes a £13 million investment in 2021/22 to establish Scotland's own genomic sequencing service to track new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants, and manage future outbreaks.17/3/2021
Croft House Grants Awarded
Grants to improve or build new homes in some of Scotland's most remote and marginal communities have been awarded to 10 crofters. The Croft House Grants scheme aims to retain and attract people to rural and remote areas, and the latest round of funding totals £353,002.16/3/2021
Timetable For Further Lockdown Easing In Scotland
Stay Local rule to apply from 2 April. The First Minister has set out a timetable for the re-opening of parts of society over the next two months.16/3/2021
Carers Trust Calls On UK Businesses To Help Support Young Carers Into The Workplace
Young carers need support: 67% of young carers and 78% of young adult carers are more worried about the future since coronavirus. UK employers, including People's Postcode Lottery, Quilter plc and Bloom & Wild already working with Carers Trust to recognise the skills of younger carers and support them into the workplace.
16/3/2021
Coronavirus Covid-19 Update: First Minister's Statement - 16 March 2021 - The Way Forward
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh on Tuesday 16 March. Presiding Officer My statement today will set out our next steps out of lockdown and back towards a way of life that is much closer to normality.16/3/2021
Painful time on the High Street As Thorntons Chocolates Announce Closures
Chocolate retailer Thorntons is the latest well-known high street brand to fall victim to the Covid crisis, announcing the closure of all its 61 stores, with the likely loss of 600 jobs. The Thorntons brand will remain on offer in supermarkets and other retailers, while its factory in Alfreton, Derbyshire, will make more chocolate for international markets.
16/3/2021
Scottish Government Spent £426,474 On Youtube Advertising Since 1st March 2020
A freedom of information request published today shows that Scottish Government spent £426,474 on advertising since 1st March 2020. No breakdown is given regarding the types of advertising concerned.16/3/2021
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 16 March 2021
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 16th) sold 9 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (1) averaged 220.0p (+8.6p) and sold to 220.0p per kg and £1,342.00 gross.16/3/2021
Scottish Government Workforce Statistics December 2020
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending December 2020.16/3/2021
Crime In Scotland Almost Halved Over The Decade
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has welcomed official figures showing the volume of crime covered by the survey in Scotland is down 46% since 2008-09, with violent crime having fallen by nearly two-fifths (39%) over the same period. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) 2019-20 of around 5,600 adults interviewed before COVID-19 restrictions came into effect - which includes incidents not reported to police – shows people are now less likely to be a victim – with one-in-eight (11.9%) of adults experiencing crime compared to one-in-five (20.4%) in 2008-09.16/3/2021
