New retail sales figures from the Office for National Statistics show a climb in the overall value of sales in December 2021 over December 2020, while online sales values tumbled. But the underlying numbers are far less healthy for the High Street, warns ParcelHero December's retail sales figures, released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show a climb of 5.7% YOY in the value of retail sales, while online sales fell back by -8.3% YOY.
ree badges and lanyards will be available to people who wish to show others they would welcome additional space and extra care while out in public. The Distance Aware scheme is a voluntary initiative to help those on the Highest Risk List or anyone who feels worried about mixing with others as we adapt to living with COVID-19.
HMS Montrose seizes over one tonne of illicit drugs in the Gulf of Oman. HMS Montrose, a Royal Navy ship operating as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), has seized over 1 tonne of illicit drugs in the Gulf of Oman worth almost £15 million.
6,329 new cases of COVID-19 reported. Please note that as of 13 January 2022, this figure includes cases identified using either a first LFD (lateral flow device) or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) positive test.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has launched a new scheme with the Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall, to boost UK-Australia industries of the future. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has launched a new scheme with the Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall, to boost UK-Australia industries of the future.
If you need a job in the north especially in Caithness there are lots of opportunities right now. A wide range of jobs and salaries to match.
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK from the UK Health Security Agency. Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 designated as a variant under investigation (VUI).
More than a dozen new AH-64E Apaches - one of the most advanced attack helicopters anywhere in the world – are undergoing test flights with the British Army. Wattisham Flying Station took delivery of 14 of the new aircraft in recent months, with 36 more due to arrive by summer 2024.
Projects delivering strong community climate themes across some of Scotland's islands will receive a share of almost £600,000 to support sustainability and provide more green travel options. The projects are delivered through the Scottish Government’s Island Communities Fund, which provides investment for community-led projects that support employment, community resilience and contribute to Scotland’s just transition to net zero and climate resilient living on islands.
6,768 new cases of COVID-19 reported. Please note that as of 13 January 2022, this figure includes cases identified using either a first LFD (lateral flow device) or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) positive test.
Cabinet Office Minister calls for Government departments to accelerate the return to office based working to boost staff collaboration and help support local businesses. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Steve Barclay, has tasked departments across government with ensuring their offices can return quickly to full occupancy following the lifting of work from home restrictions in England.
Members of the Highland Council's Housing and Property Committee on 20 January 2022 approved a below inflation rise (1%) in council house rents for 2022/23 to help tenants during challenging financial times. Note - inflation rate announced this week by the Office for National Statistics was 5.4% with expectations it will rise to over 6 % in coming months.
Grants of up to £3,150 are available to Leisure businesses who have been affected by measures to control the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. These businesses will have had to introduce further physical distancing and capacity limits following the new rules that came into force the day after Boxing Day.
This week's report highlights that, as at 16 January 2022, there have been 1,097,158 confirmed COVID-19 cases by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) only. 27,944 of these cases were recorded in the most recent week, a decrease of 65.2% from the previous week.
Reports of scam HMRC phone calls have fallen by 97% over the last 12 months, latest HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures show, which display a downward trend in reports overall throughout the past year. Reports of scammers impersonating HMRC in phone calls peaked at 79,477 in March 2021 and fell to just 2,491 in December 2021.
Tom Quinn, Senior Lecturer, Department of Government, University of Essex sets out the route to remove a leader of the Conservative party. The Conservatives adopted their current system for electing and ejecting leaders in 1998.
The team at Caithness Jobs and How To Get Them are gathering information and opinions on how to take a Caithness careers event forward post-pandemic. They are very aware job and career-seekers requirements may have changed in the last 2 years and want to reflect those changes in future events.
Wedding Industry businesses in Scotland will shortly be contacted about top up grants. The Scottish Wedding Industry Fund Top-Up will support businesses whose trade was impacted by the measures to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in December 2021 and January 2022.
What does this involve? VisitScotland will distribute funding worth up to £28.8 million to the tourism and events industry as part of a multimillion-pound Scottish Government support package for businesses impacted by the spread of the Omicron COVID variant. The funding includes up to £19.8 million for events businesses, which will be distributed by VisitScotland and its EventScotland team on behalf of the Scottish Government.
What does this involve? VisitScotland will distribute funding worth up to £28.8 million to the tourism and events industry as part of a multimillion-pound Scottish Government support package for businesses impacted by the spread of the Omicron COVID variant. The funding includes up to £9 million for tourism businesses, which will be distributed by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
