Finance and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes has welcomed a new UK Bill which will strengthen powers to counter illicit financial activity from Russia. The Scottish Government supports the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill being brought in by the UK Government, and has lodged a Legislative Consent Memorandum which is expected to be considered by the Scottish Parliament this coming week.
The eligibility criteria for the Taxi and Private Hire Driver and Operator Support Fund 2022 was updated on Thursday 3 March 2022. What does this involve? The Taxi and Private Hire Driver and Operator Support Fund 2022 will provide a one-off payment to eligible drivers and operators who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in December 2021 and January 2022.
Summary The daily positivity estimate from the Covid-19 Infection Survey for Scotland has been increasing in recent weeks, and may be linked to the increasing prevalence of Omicron BA.2. By comparison, the weekly case rate (including reinfections) in Scotland has continued to decrease slightly in the most recent week but remains high compared to previous phases of the pandemic.
Economic strategy prioritises collaboration to ensure skills for the future. A new partnership approach will be embedded across the education and skills system to ensure employers and government are working together to deliver training opportunities for the new green jobs of the future.
Ventilators, bandages and syringe pumps are being sent to Ukraine as part of the second shipment of medical supplies and equipment donated by NHS Scotland. More than 130,000 items urgently requested by the Ukrainian Government will be flown from Stansted Airport to Poland on Sunday for onward transport to Ukraine.
The convenience store/newsagents chain McColl's is reported to be on the brink of collapse. It's the largest Post Office provider in the UK, and host to hundreds of Amazon lockers and CollectPlus collection points.
The surging cost of metals such as aluminium and copper amid the Ukraine conflict means UK shoppers are likely to face higher prices, the head of the London Metal Exchange has said. Matthew Chamberlain told the BBC's Today programme that prices for canned goods and copper wiring may rise.
The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and its effect on neighbouring countries has inspired people to collect donations. But these well-meaning efforts can cause headaches for those helping locally.
Everyone wants to do their bit to support those who have been forced to flee their homes because of the invasion. Here is how you can help.
9,551 new cases* of COVID-19 reported. 24 new reported deaths* of people who have tested positive.
GMB Scotland will launch a consultative ballot of its entire local government membership next week, asking if workers are prepared to take industrial action against an "insulting" pay offer tabled by the council employers' organisation COSLA. The union's local government reps today (Friday 4 March) rejected out of hand a 2 per cent across the board increase for 2022/23, warning it could turn the growing cost-of-living crisis into a catastrophe for the lowest paid workers in Scottish councils.
The war in Ukraine is "a catastrophe" for the world which will cut global economic growth, the president of the World Bank has told the BBC. "The war in Ukraine comes at a bad time for the world because inflation was already rising," said David Malpass.
After a period where we have seen the number of COVID cases in NHS Highland declining or plateauing, we are now seeing a rise in numbers. Thanks in large part to the vaccination programme, a smaller percentage of people are becoming seriously ill with COVID.
A' taiceadh choimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig. Buidheann-gnìomha ùr gus meòrachadh chothroman eaconamach Supporting Gaelic communities New working group to consider economic opportunities.
The future does not look bright for energy bills, with fuel poverty set to affect over 6 million UK households in 2022. And industry consensus appears to be that prices currently squeezing homes and businesses will not come down any time soon.
Footfall fell in Scotland's retail outlets by 17.5% in February compared to the same month in 2020, which is 1.3% worse than the month before. Scotland saw the steepest decline of all four nations in the United Kingdom.
The 25th anniversary of World Book Day is today Thursday (March 3) will be celebrated across High Life Highland libraries with a huge range of activities. Alongside World Book Day-themed Bookbug sessions, there will be book tokens that can be swapped for special books, competitions, fancy dress, book sales and displays.
Revised arrangements will reward dentists for seeing more NHS patients. Revised payment arrangements for NHS dentists will be linked more closely to the number of patients they see under changes being introduced in April.
The Highland Council has agreed £10m additional investment in 2022-23 as part of a collaborative budget and an ambitious Health and Prosperity Strategy for the Highlands, aiming to secure medium term financial sustainability for the Council. The agreed collaborative budget encompasses investment plans totalling £10m.
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