Highlands and Islands Enterprise latest Strategy covers a five-year period and details how we will deliver through investment in People, Place, Planet and Prosperity. This five-year strategy sets out an ambition for a greener, fairer and more resilient region.
Environmentally conscious SMEs are being offered the chance to reduce their carbon footprint and lower energy bills thanks to a new partnership between Royal Bank of Scotland, the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) and the University of Edinburgh. The free course allows businesses to identify the simple, cost-effective steps they can take to reduce emissions and save on outgoings while also helping the planet at the same time.
The Highland Council are inviting community groups and organisations to apply for Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) to finance capital and revenue projects that will respond to the needs of their local areas and deliver positive impacts. The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is 12pm Friday 8 September 2023.
With the new school term starting, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families to open a Tax-Free Childcare account today to save up to £2,000 per child on their yearly childcare bills. Families can use their Tax-Free Childcare account to pay for any approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries.
Travel and navigation app providers encouraged to ensure new technology offering more streamlined journeys is accessible to all users. Commuters will be able to access easier, cheaper and more personalised journeys, as new guidance is launched for travel apps new code of practice will help ensure navigation apps offer step-free journey options for disabled people and safer travel such as well-lit walking routes.
£341 million investment builds on the government's existing £870 million stake and its plans to rapidly expand nuclear energy in the UK. Government announces measures to speed up preparations for Sizewell C construction.
A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies published on 30 August 2023. The plan applies to England but may have significant affects on the Scottish NHS in the areas of recruitment and pay.
A new partnership with the Post Office will make online government services easier to access. An in-person service for the One Login programme will support people with lower digital skills to verify their identity.
Latest data from the UK Government's Creative Industries Statistics Commentary - August 2023 have shown that: There were 345 claims made for Video Games Tax Relief in relation to the 2021-22 financial year, totalling £189 million of relief. The amount of relief fell by 6% compared to the previous year.
Scotland's onshore GDP remained flat (0.0% change) in June, according to statistics announced today by the Chief Statistician. This follows 0.0% change in May (revised up from -0.2%).
"Tackling them should be near the top of any list of social and economic priorities." Paul Johnson writes in the Times. About one in five working-age adults in the UK is disabled.
Just 9% of Scottish firms agree that the Scottish Government understands the business environment in Scotland, compared to 64% of businesses that disagree according to the latest Fraser of Allander Institute Scottish Business Monitor (SBM) report. Produced in partnership with Addleshaw Goddard, the report on the second quarter of 2023 surveyed over 400 firms from across the Scottish economy in July and August.
This report highlights 10 key facts related to taxes and the public finances that will underlie the fiscal policy challenges and choices faced by citizens and governments in coming decades. It is part of the ‘UK 2040: Options' project, which is exploring policy options to improve outcomes for children born today and reaching adulthood around 2040.
Pick a tax, any tax - That tax almost certainly needs serious reform. It is probably creating large and unjustified distortions to how much people work, how much businesses invest, or to choices people and businesses make over how to allocate their time and resources.
Aleksander Staskiewicz overstated his company turnover in order to secure the taxpayer-backed funds. Aleksander Staskiewicz, 35, from Southampton, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment at Southampton Crown Court on 17 August 2023, for offences contrary to the Fraud Act 2006 and the Companies Act 2006.
The closing date for an exhibition featuring over 200 items of Caithness Glass at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery has been extended. The show, which celebrates the donation of a large collection of Caithness Glass, was due to close on Saturday 9th September but has now been extended to Saturday 21st October.
Ofgem's Chief Executive Jonathan Brearley has emphasised the need for a reevaluation of pricing regulations due to the evolving energy market dynamics. The energy regulator disclosed last Friday that the average energy bill will be around an estimated £1,923 per year, starting from 1st October.
More than 3m UK households owe £2.7billion on 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) borrowing, according to a new analysis by economists at the Bank of England. The figures, which showed those aged between 25 and 34 were the most likely to use it, shed light on the extent of the unregulated practice.
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall & Highland Mart Ltd, (August 28th) sold 2,344 store lambs. Lambs (2,344) averaged £73.47 and sold to £160 gross for a pair of Cheviots from 24 Liniclate, Benbecula.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation's analysis shows the weekly Universal Credit standard allowance is £35 less than the cost of essential items for a single person, contributing to millions of people forced to use food banks because they can't make ends meet. Read more about why so may are forced to use Foodbanks.