News Archive

Coronavirus hotel quarantine: key questions for the government

An Institute for Government article sets out the issues.   The UK government is finalising arrangements for a partial hotel quarantine system to begin on 15 February 2021.  

Prioritising Jobs And Skills

Young people, those made redundant, and people who have been unemployed for a long time, will be able to access more support thanks to an additional £125 million from the Scottish Government.   Announced in the latest Budget, the funding will help people impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic access employment opportunities.  

USDAW victory blocks Tesco fire and rehire tactic

USDAW victory blocks Tesco ‘fire and rehire' tactic - Scottish Court of Session rules in favour of workers affected Retail trade union USDAW has won an interdict in the Court of Session (12 February 2021) in Edinburgh against Tesco forcing some of the staff at the Livingston distribution centre onto a new contract, which would result in the affected staff losing between £4,000 and £19,000 per year.   The judgement, which applies to the Livingston site only, means that Tesco are legally prohibited from unilaterally withdrawing entitlement to retained pay and/or terminating the contract in order to re-engage the worker on new terms which do not include retained pay.  

Avian Influenza Update

Bird keepers in Scotland are reminded to maximise biosecurity and keep their flocks housed after avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed in a flock of approximately 14,000 mixed gamebirds on a gamebird rearing premises in Leven, Glenrothes.   Laboratory results of samples taken from the flock have identified the strain as highly pathogenic in poultry.  

Recruitment To Support Disability Payments - Opportunities Available In All Local Authority Areas

The first phase of an 18 month recruitment programme to deliver Scotland's newest social security benefits has opened.   These additional roles will initially support delivery of Child Disability Payments by assisting families of children with disabilities or long term health conditions to access the benefits they are entitled to when the new benefit is introduced later this year.  

Preparing for the future - Setting the direction and shape for agricultural support

Speaking at his annual address at the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) AGM, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing set out proposals for legislation on the protection of livestock, proposals for a green recovery and provided farmers and crofters with financial clarity by setting out the payment strategy for 2021.   After a tumultuous year with coronavirus (COVID-19) and Brexit uncertainty, Mr Ewing laid out the key role that farmers and crofters will play in managing Scotland's environment and landscape along with being part of the climate solution.  

Renewed Commitment To International Development

Support for vital aid projects is outlined in a new report which emphasises the Scottish Government's ongoing commitment to international development.   The report reviews projects supported between April 2019 and December 2020, and details the impact of COVID-19.  

Temporary road closures in Wick

On Tuesday 16 February 2021 from 9:30 until 17:00, motorists are being advised by The Highland Council that two streets in Wick will be temporary closed to allow KIER to safely carry out Iron work repairs.   U3529 Grant Street, Wick, will be closed from its junction with the U3560 Huddart Street to its junction with C1073 Macarthur Street U3560 Huddart Street, Wick, will closed from its junction with the U3654 Smith Terrace to its junction with U3569 Kinnaird Street.  

ICT In Learning Strategy in Highland For Education And Learning 2021

Members of the Council's Education Committee today agreed The Highland Council's ICT in Learning strategy, written in collaboration with Education Scotland, for this year.   The key themes of the strategy are: Empower leaders of change to drive innovation and investment in digital technology for teaching and learning.  

Coronavirus And The Social Impacts On Great Britain: 12 February 2021

This week, over the period 3 to 7 February 2021, based on adults in Great Britain.   Compliance with most measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) remained high, with similar proportions to last week reporting always or often handwashing after returning home (90% this week compared with 89% last week), using a face covering (95% this week compared with 94% last week) and avoiding physical contact when outside their home (93% both this week and last week).