Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is joining forces with the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project to provide funding support. Spirit of the Highlands and Islands aims to encourage visitors to see all parts of the Highlands and Islands in a sustainable way.
On April 22nd 2021, a custom-fitted articulated lorry was parked outside The Highland Council's Headquarters. The vehicle had been nick-named "Jabbernaut" and staff inside were assisting people in testing themselves for COVID-19.
Scotland's largest public service union today (Friday) called on newly elected council leaders attending their first COSLA, the umbrella-body representing Scottish councils, meeting of the new term, for support in improving the pay offer to local government workers. UNISON members gathered outside the meeting of the COSLA Convention in Edinburgh to call on the newly-elected COSLA officers to ensure that pay is at the top of their agenda.
Annual farm payment dates are to be brought forward to September, in an effort to support Scotland's farmers with cash flow and the cost of living crisis. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has confirmed that, subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament, farmers and crofters will receive their advance payment for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening around a month earlier than originally planned.
The Circular Economy Minister has set out the action that will be taken to deliver on the recommendations of an independent review of the role of incineration. In a Ministerial Statement to parliament, she confirmed that the Scottish Government has accepted all twelve recommendations, including Dr Church's recommendation that no further planning permission for incineration facilities should be granted.
Scotland has become the first of the home nations to pardon former miners convicted of certain offences related to strike action in the 1980s. The historic legislation passed by MSPs ensures a collective and automatic pardon for miners involved in strike action which extends to members of a miner's household and other close family members who may also have been convicted.
Almost nine out of 10 (87%) headteachers in Scotland say improvements have been made in closing the poverty-related attainment gap despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Headteacher Survey, published today, also finds that 94% expect to see improvements over the next few years as a result of Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF) supported approaches.
A Wick based superfood company has just scooped the top prize for its unique snacks. SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co.
The Hydro Ness project team is hugely proud to be announced as a finalist in the Highlands & Islands Renewable Energy Awards 2022. The project is nominated under the category of ‘Best On-Shore Renewable Energy Project Award'.
A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies published today 16 June 2022. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the UK has seen a rise in the rate of economic inactivity among older people.
Early estimates for May 2022 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 3.9% compared with May 2021, a rise of 1,118,000 employees; the number of payrolled employees was up by 2.2% since February 2020, a rise of 627,000. Payrolled employment increased by 90,000 employees (0.3%) in May 2022 when compared with April 2022, though this should be treated as a provisional estimate and is likely to be revised when more data is received next month.
Scottish Parliament passes the bill after Stage 3 debate. The Bill enshrines in law the Scottish Government's commitment to Scotland being a Good Food Nation, where people from every walk of life take pride and pleasure in, and benefit from, the food they produce, buy, cook, serve, and eat each day.
As at 12 June 2022, 14,858 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS). In the week 6 to 12 June, 38 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, an increase of 18 deaths from the previous week.
Over 90% of graduates from Scottish Universities have gone on to find work or further study after finishing their courses, despite the impact of the pandemic. Latest HESA Higher Education Graduate Outcome statistics for 2019-20 show the proportion of graduates in work or further study (90.1%) is up two percentage points on the previous year, although the impact of COVID-19 and cohort changes has impacted on comparisons.
The Scottish Government moved at pace with its partners to respond financially to the pandemic. But public sector leaders need to be clearer about how one-off Covid-19 funding is being spent and what impact it has had.
The Bank of England today raised interest rates by another 0.25% taking them to 1.25%, the fifth meeting in a row where rates have been raised, in a bid to tackle high levels of inflation. Zeeshan Syed, economic expert from the University of Salford Business School, said much more may be needed in future.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has said she is pleased to see some potential movement on the ongoing matter surrounding the delivery of certain goods to Orkney. The MSP was approached by a constituent who advised that Royal Mail refused to deliver what it considers "dangerous" products to Orkney.
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 15 June 2022, the MPC voted by a majority of 6-3 to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 1.25%.
RACe figures show average prices for Unleaded 186.59p and for diesel 192.48p. What makes up the cost of a litre of fuel? The price you pay for petrol and diesel at the pumps is governed by wholesale fuel prices, which in turn, are affected by:.
The Office for National Statistics has released its latest monthly GDP estimate for April, raising concerns of an economic contraction over Q2. UK economic output in April 2022 was down 0.3% month-on-month.
