News Archive
8/3/2021
Royal Mail Scam Text Message Alert
The Highland Council Trading Standards team have been alerted to a smishing scam that is currently targeting Highland residents. The scam involves a text message claiming to be from Royal Mail advising the recipient that they are holding a piece of mail due to unpaid postage.8/3/2021
Public's views sought on the future economy of the Inner Moray Firth
At a critical time for the Highland economy views are being sought on a range of options for how the Council can assist the local economy to respond, recover, progress and transition. The immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the potential major changes resulting from Brexit, and the need to respond to the Climate and Ecological Emergency are at the forefront of the review of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan which offers a chance to set out a collective medium to long term vision for the area's economy.8/3/2021
Covid Outbreak At Ward 2c In Raigmore Hospital
On Saturday 6 March visiting and admissions to Raigmore Hospital Ward 2c was suspended due to a Covid outbreak. Ward 2C at Raigmore Hospital is closed to new admissions and visiting following the detection of a very small number of cases of Covid-19.8/3/2021
Rhoda Grant MSP Highlights B&B support
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has welcomed the expansion of funding for B&B and guest house owners and self-catering businesses but believes the Scottish Government should "hang its head in shame" over its handling of the process. It follows the government's announcement that the support net has been widened, however Mrs Grant understands that there is only a seven day window to apply for this fund.8/3/2021
New Immigration Rules Provide Boost For Scottish Fishing Industry
The Scottish fishing industry has received a major boost as new immigration rules make it easier to recruit skilled deckhands from abroad. The Home Office has accepted the Migration Advisory Committee recommendation that deckhands on large fishing vessels, with three or more years of experience using their skills, should be included in the list of occupations eligible for Skilled Worker visas.8/3/2021
Getting Over Covid Speech By Andrew Bailey, Governor Of The Bank Of England
On Monday 8th March 2021 Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England talks about the post-Covid future as the economy recovers from the pandemic. He examines the nature of the shock to the economy and looks at how it may change the way people work and shop.8/3/2021
Forres Firm Looks To Employee Ownership
A solar energy manufacturer in Forres, Moray is to continue its expansion in a move that will increase turnover, create jobs and take the next steps towards employee ownership. AES Solar has secured up to £50,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).8/3/2021
Budget Deal Secured in Scotland
Agreement has been reached with the Scottish Green Party to ensure passage of the Scottish Government's budget through parliament. Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has struck a deal which guarantees the Budget Bill can clear its final stages.8/3/2021
Additional Funding Increases Training Support For Women In Agriculture
Access to scheme allows women in crofting and agriculture to develop their skills. Women living or working in Scottish agriculture will benefit from £115,000 of extra funding for a wide range of practical training courses including tractor and trailer driving.8/3/2021
Forbes Comments On Pay Shows Scottish Government No Longer Clapping For Carers Says GMB
Responding to the Finance Secretary's comments to the Finance and Constitution Committee meeting this morning (Monday 8 March) on social care pay, Rhea Wolfson of the GMB Scotland Women’s Campaign Unit said: "On International Women’s Day Kate Forbes has cut a budget deal with the Greens that sells short tens of thousands of women across the social care sector - and what’s worse is the Finance Secretary used our NHS nurses as a reason for not delivering a £15 an hour minimum. “The fight for a £15 social care minimum hasn’t been “plucked out of a hat".8/3/2021
Rental Sector Loan Schemes Extended - Tenants and landlords can apply for support beyond 31 March
Tenants and private sector landlords facing financial difficulties caused by the pandemic have more time to access support after two loan schemes were extended. The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme, both of which offer interest-free loans, will continue to receive applications beyond the original deadline of 31 March 2021.8/3/2021
Coronavirus COVID-19 daily data for Scotland - 8 March 2021
501 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 11,529 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 5.0% of these were positive.8/3/2021
The National Minimum Wage increases in April
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates will increase on 1 April. In addition to the new rates, the age from which workers become eligible for the National Living Wage will be lowered.7/3/2021
Coronavirus Covid-19 Daily Data For Scotland - 7 March 2021
390 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 14,057 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 3.2% of these were positive.7/3/2021
New Scheme To Increase Connectivity Unveiled
Wider roll-out of 4G and 5G technology. A "game-changing" initiative which will pave the way for greater 4G and 5G mobile connectivity across Scotland has been unveiled.6/3/2021
Coronavirus Covid-19 Daily Data For Scotland - 6 March 2021
555 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 22,992 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 3.0% of these were positive.6/3/2021
Further Judicial Review Legal Advice Released By Scottish Government In Alex Salmond Case
A further document release of key legal advice received about the judicial review brought by Alex Salmond against the Scottish Government has been published today. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that the public can have confidence that the information further disproves allegations made against the Scottish Government's handling of the judicial review.6/3/2021
Second Doses Given To More Than Half Of Care Home Residents In Scotland
The injection gives people longer lasting protection. Scotland's vaccination programme has delivered second doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to more than half of care home residents.6/3/2021
Driving Progress To A Net-zero Future - Hydrogen Bus Investment Announced
Funding of £4.5 million has been awarded to Aberdeen City Council for the introduction of 10 new hydrogen buses into the city's public transport fleet. The money comes from the £62 million Energy Transition Fund which was set up to help ensure a green recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and support the energy sector's transition to a net-zero economy.6/3/2021