Ensuring Scotland looks outwards will be even more vital in 2023 for creating opportunities and delivering on our priorities, External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has said. He said the Scottish Government's international network of nine offices will continue working with the enterprise agencies to attract further investment, jobs and opportunities to Scotland.
Use of cutting-edge AI technology is associated with tripling of patients recovering and able to perform daily activities from 16% to 48%. Brainomix e-Stroke system reduced door in and out time from 140 to 79 minutes cutting lifesaving time off one of the most time sensitive diagnoses in medicine.
Unlimited fines and prison sentences for those felling trees without a licence to be introduced. Unlimited fines and prison sentences are amongst a package of new powers to be introduced as part of a crackdown on illegal tree felling in England, Defra and the Forestry Commission announced today (Friday 23 December).
Ann Street in Edinburgh now most expensive street in the country Bank of Scotland's annual review finds top 10 priciest roads in Scotland all in Edinburgh Bank of Scotland has revealed Scotland's most expensive streets, with prestigious Ann Street in central Edinburgh taking the top spot. The street, known for its stunning aesthetics and classic Georgian architecture, will now set wealthy buyers back an average £1.7 million (£1,685,000).
• 87% of SMEs understand what the Net Zero target means for their business. • But challenging external factors are negatively impacting their progress.
Edinburgh may bring to mind the famous annual festival of performing arts but it is also one of the UK's foremost financial services hubs, having been a significant centre of financial services for over three centuries - the Bank of Scotland was founded there back in 1695 (just one year after the Bank of England) and the Royal Bank of Scotland in 1727. Its prominence was emphasised further on 9 December 2022 when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, launched a large package of reforms to the regulation of financial services in the UK at an industry roundtable in Edinburgh (the Edinburgh Reforms).
All eyes may be on the war in Ukraine but let us not forget the UK is still bombing from time to time in Syria. The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
New rules are being proposed to mandate second staircases in new residential buildings over 30m. Government considering rules to mandate second staircases in new residential buildings over 30m Proposals also include sprinkler systems for all new care homes Measures set out today will build on fire safety measures introduced since the Grenfell Tower tragedy Buildings will be made safer under government proposals set out today (23 December), including mandating second staircases for new tower blocks and sprinkler systems for new care homes.
More than 1,000 personnel have been trained in recent weeks to provide cover for ambulance trusts, Border Force, and fire and rescue services. Members of the UK Armed Forces involved in providing cover for public services during planned industrial action throughout the festive period will receive additional payment, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced.
We hope you all have a happy Christmas and enjoy the day where ever you are..
The following links contain information on the Scottish Government Population Programme; a cross-cutting programme of work which aims to deliver Scotland's Population Strategy, which articulates a vision for Scotland's population profile to provide a platform for economic success, prosperity and wellbeing across Scotland's communities. This programme of work is articulated in Scotland's first Population Strategy, published in 2021, which sets out how Scottish Government and partners identify and respond to Scotland's long term demographic challenges and trends at local and national level.
Up to 17 staff work at the Children's home in Wick but it is now closed. Read the story in the John O'Groat Journal It leave some unanswered questions and points the way to worse to come with Highland council projecting a £41million gap in its budget for 23/24.
Teams serving community payback orders (CPOs) have been making Christmas wreaths for sale to support people's mental health over the festive season. Unpaid workers in Fife have been raising money for mental health charity the Samaritans through the sale of wreaths made from foraged local materials.
We are advising people to avoid visiting vulnerable people in hospitals and other health and social care settings if they have flu-like symptoms. There has been a large increase in the number of cases of influenza cases this winter across Scotland and this is creating increased pressure on our hospitals.
Paul Johnson the director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies writing for The Times looks at the state of the health service and the rising tide of illness facing the UK. "The problems facing the NHS — rising waiting lists, struggling A&E departments, strikes — are all too well known.
Anyone who may be feeling anxious, stressed or low is being encouraged to seek support as soon as possible and not wait until the festive season is over. They are also being reminded that mental wellbeing support is available over the festive period for anyone who may be struggling over the coming days and weeks.
Gemma Tetlow writing for the Institute for Government looks at a topic we have a recently heard more about from Ministers on the public sector pay topic. Are ministers hiding behind Pay Review bodies or ae they performing a necessary service? Pay review bodies serve an important function.
We have al heard and probably quickly passed over when we hear that fuels duties have been frozen for another year. Well that may be coming to an end if the figures buried in the report from the Office for Budget Responsibility are borne out.
From Wick High School. We are please to announce that the school recently gained a Bronze award as part of the SCQF School Ambassador Programme.
The UK's efforts to become a global player in electric vehicles (EVs) are back in the spotlight with two government announcements: a £500 million loan guarantee for Ford and a £73 million package to support various smaller clean transport projects. The loan guarantee is enabling Ford to spend £230 million on its Halewood plant near Liverpool to nearly double output of EV powertrains to 420,000 units a year.
