News Archive

25/2/2023

Tens Of Thousands Of Ukrainian Refugees Helped To Access Uk Banking Services

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have been able to access banking services in the UK thanks to government action, data released on Friday 24 February 2023 shows.   government intervention sees tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees' access banking services in the UK.  

25/2/2023

Covid 19 Wellbeing Study - You Can Help If Over Age 60

We are looking for participants (aged over 60) to take part in a PhD (doctoral-level) research project at the University of St.  Andrews and we would be grateful if you could spread the word about this opportunity to older people.  

25/2/2023

 
Food Security - Vertical Farming Sounds Fantastic Until You Consider Its Energy Use

A company in Scotland has unveiled what it claims is arguably the world's most technically advanced indoor farm.  Intelligent Growth Solutions' vertical farm uses artificial intelligence and specially designed power and communication technologies.  

25/2/2023

 
Why Supermarkets Are Rationing Food And How To Prevent Future Shortages

Calls for the government to provide better support to UK food producers have intensified recently as supermarkets have been forced to ration sales of some fresh produce.  Weather-related disruption has caused supply shortages of vegetables from places including Spain and North Africa.  

25/2/2023

 
Gender Pay Gap Is Bigger For Some Women Than Others - Here's How To Work It Out

Women in the UK earn, on average, 14.9 pence less per pound than men, based on the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).  This means that while men are getting paid from January 1, women have effectively worked for free for the first 53 days of the year.  

24/2/2023 : Visitor Attractions

 
Mothers Day Afternoon Tea At 8 Doors Distillery - Limited Places So Book Early

"Treat your mum to a lovely afternoon tea in the whisky lounge at 8 Doors Distillery in John O'Groats.  Relax in comfy surroundings and enjoy sweet treats, sandwiches and your choice of tea or coffee for £20 per person.  

24/2/2023

Letter To Parents In Highland Regarding Teacher Strikes on 28 Feb And 1 March

Dear Parent/Carer Industrial Action -Teaching Unions You may be aware from coverage in the media, that some teaching unions including the largest, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS),have indicated their intention to take strike action on Tuesday 28th February and Wednesday 1st March 2023 across all Highland Council schools.   This action is part of a national dispute regarding pay.  

24/2/2023

 
Scottish Salmon Was UKs Biggest Food Export In 2022 - New HMRC Figures

Scottish salmon was the UK's biggest food export in 2022, new HMRC figures have revealed.   Sales of the nutritious fish grown in cold waters off the Highlands and islands reached £578 million in the calendar year, with France leading the global demand.  

24/2/2023

NHS Highland - Changes To Delivery Of Vaccination Programme

Whether you are staying at home or heading abroad vaccines are here to keep you safe.  They help protect you and your family from certain infectious diseases.  

24/2/2023

New Sanctions Ban Every Item Russia Is Using On The Battlefield

The Foreign Secretary announced a new package of sanctions, including export bans on every item Russia has been found using on the battlefield to date.   New sanctions ban export of every item Ukraine has found Russia using on the battlefield to date.  

24/2/2023

Scottish Parliament Refuses Consent For Retained EU Law Bill

The UK Government should withdraw the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill after MSPs voted to withhold the consent of the Scottish Parliament, according to the Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson.   Speaking during a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Robertson said the Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords, threatens vital regulations in the environment, food standards and employment sectors and must now be withdrawn.  

24/2/2023

Amazon Workers Strike For Two Days As First Ever UK Industrial Action Against Company Escalates

Amazon workers will take two more days of strike action this week as the first ever industrial action the company has faced in the UK escalates.   More than 350 Amazon workers are expected to walk out on both days in anger at a 50 pence pay rise .  

24/2/2023

 
When And Why Do Employees Change Their Pension Saving?

Key findings - Changing employer significantly increases the probability of private sector employees starting and stopping saving in a workplace pension.  Between 2019 and 2020, 27% of private sector employees who save in a pension and then change employer stop saving in a workplace pension (at least temporarily), compared with just 7% of those who do not change employer.  

23/2/2023 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Ulva Ferry Waterfront Project Awarded Almost £250k

Ulva Ferry is situated on the far western coast of the Isle of Mull, with a 40-minute drive on single track roads to the nearest town of Tobermory.   The £852,475 project is being taken forward by the Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT), which has led several projects at Ulva Ferry for more than a decade.  

23/2/2023

 
Meygen Tidal Energy Project Generated 50gwh Of Clean Electricity From Tidal Energy

The MeyGen tidal energy project located in the Pentland Firth, developed by SIMEC Atlantis Energy, has become the first tidal stream array in the world to generate 50GWh of clean electricity from tidal energy.   The achievement represents a significant milestone in delivering tidal stream power at scale, according to SIMEC Atlantis Energy.  

23/2/2023

 
Astar Media A' Buannachadh Duais Ghàidhlig Le Sponsaireachd Bho Hie - Astar Media Wins Hie Sponsored Gaelic Award

Tha na duaisean a' comharrachadh dhaoine fa leth, gnothachasan agus buidhnean coimhearsnachd a tha air cur gu cudromach ri cànan agus cultar na Gàidhlig ann an Alba.   A-nis san deicheamh bliadhna, chaidh an tachartas a stiùireadh leis a’ chraoladair, Cathy NicDhòmhnaill rè Seachdain na Gàidhlig.  

23/2/2023

 
Full Transparency On NHS Scotland Recovery Needed As Waiting Lists Grow And Lack Of Doctors And Nurses

The Scottish Government needs to be clearer about how long it will take the NHS to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and to reform services.   The government's NHS recovery plan aims to reduce the healthcare backlog and change how services are delivered.  

23/2/2023

Government Action To Supercharge Competitiveness In Key British Industries And Grow Economy

300 businesses across the UK will benefit from the British Industry Supercharger: targeted measures to ensure the energy costs for key UK industries are in line with other major economies around the world.   The government announces the British Industry Supercharger: decisive measures to make Britain's strategic energy intensive industries more competitive across Europe.  

23/2/2023

 
Old Man Of Storr Footpath Improvement Project Completes

An ambitious footpath improvement project at the world famous Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, has been completed in time for the peak tourist season.   The Storr is an iconic and internationally recognised site, with annual visitors reaching approx.  

23/2/2023

An Open Letter To Ukrainians In Scotland And Across The World

First Minister says "Scotland is your home for as long as you need it to be".   Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Friday 24 February, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has issued an open letter to Ukrainians in Scotland and across the world.