HMRC is reminding married couples and those in civil partnerships to sign up for Marriage Allowance this Valentine's Day and share their personal tax allowances. Married couples and people in civil partnerships could receive extra cash this Valentine's Day as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) encourages those eligible to sign up for Marriage Allowance to reduce their tax bill.
The first stage of an ambitious review of how fish farms are regulated is complete and the Scottish Government has accepted all its recommendations in principle. The independent review is part of a programme to make the Scottish aquaculture regulatory system one of the most effective and transparent in the world and benefit rural communities.
From the Office for National Statistics published on 11 February 2022. UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by 1.0% in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2021, following a downwardly revised 1.0% increase in Quarter 3 (July to Sept).
Change to help improve the planning application process and the service received by applicants has been announced by Planning Minister Tom Arthur. Following a consultation in 2019 that sought views on reviewing the planning performance and fee regime, planning fees will rise from 1 April 2022.
Three Caithness projects are set to benefit in the latest round of Place-Based Investment Programme (PBIP) funding for 2021/22. The Scottish Government's Place-Based Investment Funding (PBIF) gave Highland Council £1,963,000 of ring-fenced money for 2021/22 and area distribution of the grant was agreed by Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee in September last year.
Members of the Caithness Committee have on Wednesday 9 February agreed a list of prioritised structural overlay/inlay works and surface dressing schemes that will be funded out of the Capital Budget allocation for 2022/23. The actual 2022/23 capital roads budget allocation for Caithness is still to be finalised but based on the previous financial year and analysis of road condition survey results it is expected to be similar to the 2021/22 budget which was £1,202,581.
The Highland Council is to invest £1.074m into carrying out improvements to its housing stock in Caithness over the next 12 months. At today's meeting of the Caithness Committee (Wednesday 9 February) Councillors agreed a one-year Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme that will see £940,000 spent on mainstream projects to improve Caithness council homes over 2022/23.
Covid requirements to remain subject to three-weekly review. Regulations have been laid in Parliament today to extend the expiry date for statutory coronavirus (Covid-19) requirements, and enforcement powers for local authorities.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (February, 9th) sold 831 store cattle, 99 adult head of breeding cattle and 129 OTM cattle. Bullocks (528) averaged 242.9p and sold to 300.0p per kg for a 270kg Limousin cross from Shewglie, Glenurquhart and £1,340 gross for a 640kg Simmental from 17 Englishtonmuir, Bunchrew.
High school pupils and staff will not be required to wear face coverings in classrooms from 28 February, after the schools mid-term break. Teachers and pupils who wish to continue to wear a face covering in the classroom should be fully supported in doing so.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has supported a motion tabled in the Scottish Parliament which calls on the Scottish Government to reverse its reported decision to increase water bills by 4.2%. The motion, submitted by Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, asks for the decision to be reversed and, instead, asks that the Scottish Government freezes water prices at the 2021 level in order to help people in the grip of the cost of living crisis.
7,275 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 24 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.
A consultation has revealed strong support for proposals to establish a National Care Service accountable to Scottish ministers. More than three-quarters (77%) of people who responded to the official consultation thought the main benefit of the proposed change would be more consistent outcomes for people accessing care and support across Scotland.
The 2022-2023 Scottish Budget Bill has been backed by MSPs. During the Stage 3 debate in the Scottish Parliament, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced a further £290 million in financial support to help address the rising cost of living.
Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill. Protection for Health Boards from a potential liability of hundreds of millions of pounds will remain in place, after legislation was unanimously passed in the Scottish Parliament today.
It was announced last week by Chancellor Rishi Sunak that financial support will be made available to help people cope with the increase in energy costs. Energy costs will increase further following the announcement by the energy regulator OFGEM that the energy price cap will rise in April 2022 to £1,971.
Additional £44 million allocated through the Dormant Assets Scheme, taking the total to almost £850 million over the past decade. Funding will help tackle youth unemployment, support communities in deprived areas and give people in need access to finance New Government Bill could unlock further £880 million for good causes Communities and good causes across England have been allocated an additional £44 million through the Dormant Assets Scheme.
From Tuesday 8 February, those who are capable of work will be expected to search more widely for suitable available jobs from the fourth week of their Universal Credit claim, rather than up to three months as was previously the case. The changes in the regulations aim to support people into work faster as we recover from the pandemic.
Amazon Prime membership fee could soon rise to over £90, despite record UK sales of £23.6bn, says ParcelHero. Amazon's UK revenue jumped over 20% last year.
Legislation ensures compliance with UK treaties with some EU countries. New legislation has been published to ensure all nationals of Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain can stand as candidates in Scottish local government elections.
