Ninety-three successful low carbon projects from across the UK were awarded a contract by the UK government's department for business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS), securing record low prices to sell their power. Audrey MacIver, director of energy transition and net zero at HIE, said, "This is a major milestone for the region’s renewable energy industry, which will ultimately help boost the economy and create many new jobs in the Highlands and Islands.
The recent dramatic events that led to the resignation of UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, on July 7 2022 raise the issue of how politics - and economic policy uncertainty more specifically - affects the UK economy. The answer, of course, is that it does, and sometimes for as much as two years.
The US dollar has been on a major surge against major global currencies in the past year, recently hitting levels not seen in 20 years. It has gained 15% against the British pound, 16% against the euro and 23% against the Japanese yen.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has confirmed speculation that it will become the latest central bank to start raising headline interest rates to try to ward off inflation. The bank is to raise rates by 0.25 points to 0.25% for lending and -0.25% for deposits, with plans for another rise at the next meeting in September.
The Highland Council is urging businesses - particularly those in the tourism and hospitality sectors - to be prepared for the end of relaxation of planning and building warrant controls on 30 September 2022. In line with changes to the COVID-19 guidance from the Scottish Government many of the pandemic mitigations that were put in place in terms of the provision of temporary structures and their uses – are no longer required.
A state-of-the-art shed which will use cattle waste products to power a methane capturing system and grow indoor crops has received nearly £3 million from the UK Government through its Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). Led by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), the GreenShed system will also produce low-carbon fertiliser and has the potential to remove the equivalent of 237 tonnes of carbon dioxide per farm per year.
The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to increase across the UK in the latest week, passing an estimated 2 million people in England who would have tested positive for the virus. Estimates are for the week ending 29 June 2022 for England and Northern Ireland and week ending 30 June for Wales and Scotland.
Parents who refuse to pay child maintenance could face curfews, as Ministers plan new powers for the Child Maintenance Service. The change is being considered as part of fresh proposals that will get more of the money that is owed to the children of separated parents.
The Royal Air Force has deployed Typhoon FGR4 and F-35B Lightning jets to Finland, and Typhoon FGR4 jets to Sweden, for integrated fighter aircraft training as part of an increased presence in the region. The deployments, which took place over the last month at the request of the host nations, allowed the partner air forces to develop their joint tactics and strengthen their ability to operate alongside each other.
6 July 2022 Risk of death involving COVID-19 in England has been consistently lower for people who had a third vaccine dose or booster at least 21 days ago, compared with unvaccinated people and those with only a first or second dose. Before March 2022, people who had received a second vaccine dose but not a third dose had a higher risk of death involving COVID-19 if their second vaccine dose was over six months ago than if they had their second dose less than six months ago.
Nuclear Waste Services has awarded a four-year framework contract worth up to £41 million to three suppliers for the treatment and conditioning of radioactive waste. The new service has been hailed as offering additional value to radioactive waste producers as in addition to the core elements of incineration and supercompaction routinely used to dispose of waste streams, it will also enable access to a wide range of other technologies such as encapsulation and de-tritiation.
The first cohort of Ukrainian soldiers taking part in a major new UK-led military programme, which will train up to 10,000 Ukrainians over the coming months, have arrived in the UK. The programme is part of the UK's enduring commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unprovoked invasion, which so far amounts to more than £2.3 billion in military aid and includes more than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank weapons and M270 multiple launch rocket systems.
The third round of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Young Business Capital Investment Grant (YBCIG) is now open to companies. The third round of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Young Business Capital Investment Grant (YBCIG) is now open to companies with up to 250 full-time equivalent employees.
A review of competition in the road fuel market has found cause for concern in the growing gap between the price of crude oil when it enters refineries, and the wholesale price when it leaves refineries as petrol or diesel. Increase in ‘refining spread' added 24p a litre to fuel over the last year In-depth CMA market study to start immediately 5p fuel duty cut appears to have been reflected in prices The urgent review, requested by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng last month and sent to the UK government yesterday (7 July), has today been published in full.
1. Introduction This release provides information about the population of companies and corporate bodies in the United Kingdom.
A report by the Scottish Retail Consortium. Covering the five weeks 29 May - 02 July 2022 According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data: Total UK footfall decreased by 10.5% in June (Yo3Y), a 2.0 percentage point improvement from May.
Scotland's colleges responded well to Covid-19, but changes are needed to ensure they are financially sustainable in the long term and more students graduate. Covid-19 funding contributed to a better-than-expected end of year operating position for the sector in 2020-21.
Embedding entrepreneurship in the economy. A key commitment in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation has been achieved with the appointment of Mark Logan as the Chief Entrepreneur.
Finally announced Boris Johnson to resign as PM. Who resigned - Cabinet Chancellor Rishi Sunak Health Secretary Sajid Javid Welsh Secretary Simon Hart Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis Education Secretary Michelle Donelan.
High Life Highland is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chair to the charity's board. Mark Tate, from Kingussie was duly elected to the position by his fellow board members at High Life Highland's recent board meeting, bringing significant experience in training, risk and financial management, leadership, marketing and performance to the role.
