Initiatives to tackle the climate emergency, support economic recovery and reduce inequalities will be at the heart of this year's Scottish Budget. The 2022-23 Budget, which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament on 9 December, will set out how the Scottish Government will forge a path that transitions Scotland towards becoming a fairer, more prosperous and greener country.
Leader of The Highland Council, Margaret Davidson has welcomed the announcement today by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon in relation to the much anticipated Nigg Offshore Wind ("NOW") tower rolling factory. The £110m project proposed by Nigg Offshore Wind Asset Company Limited (NOW) - a joint venture by Global Energy Group and leading European tower manufacturer, Haizea Wind Group, Bilbao - was announced today (Friday 3 December).
11 December 2021. See poster for details.
Disease confirmed in poultry in Scotland. A flock of free-range hens from a commercial premises near Gretna, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway, has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1.
Nigeria also added to red list to control omicron spread. People arriving in Scotland from abroad will need to take pre-departure Covid tests to help stem the spread of the omicron variant.
1,257* new cases of COVID-19 reported. 22,975* new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 5.9%* of these were positive.
Projects awarded share of £759,000. Eight projects working with young families to encourage good nutrition are being allocated funding by the Scottish Government as early intervention to reduce childhood obesity.
The redesign of services in Caithness took a step forward at the end of last month when the initial agreement was approved by the NHS Highland Board at its November meeting. Having been ratified by the NHS Highland Board, it will now go to the Scottish Government Capital Investment Group for approval.
The by-election to elect a councillor to represent the Fort William and Ardnamurchan ward on The Highland Council has been won by Sarah Fanet (Scottish National Party) who was one of seven candidates who contested the vacancy. Voters went to the poll yesterday (Thursday 2 December) and the by-election count was held in Lochaber High School earlier this afternoon.
2,432 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 34,445 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 7.6% of these were positive.
Cases no longer linked to single event. Commenting on the increase in Omicron cases to 29, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:"The number of Omicron cases now being reported in Scotland is rising, and cases are no longer all linked to a single event, but to several different sources including a Steps concert at the Hydro on 22 November.
Counter-fraud activity for the Bounce Back Loan scheme was implemented too slowly to be effective and government's activity to limit taxpayers' exposure to fraudulent loans is inadequate, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (the Department) launched the Bounce Back Loans scheme (the scheme) on 4 May 2020, offering Bounce Back Loans of up to £50,000, or a maximum of 25% of annual turnover, to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This report presents the main findings of the first wave of research with bereaved people and those at the end of life as part of the ‘Seldom Heard Voices' research programme. Scottish Government Search site About Topics News Publications Statistics and research Consultations Blogs Home Publications PUBLICATION - RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Social Security Experience Panels - Seldom Heard Programme Of Research: End Of Life Published: 3 Dec 2021 From: Director-General CommunitiesDirectorate: Housing and Social Justice DirectorateISBN: 9781802017175 This report presents the main findings of the first wave of research with bereaved people and those at the end of life as part of the ‘Seldom Heard Voices' research programme.
A new network for farmers and crofters to highlight and share climate change mitigation actions is to be established. The Agriculture, Biodiversity and Climate Change Network (ABCCN) aims to inspire farmers and crofters to take greater action by highlighting their peers' activities in one location online.
Tougher action on the sale and use of fireworks and tackling the misuse of pyrotechnics has been backed in a new consultation. The public consultation, which attracted a total of 1,739 responses, asked for views on the Scottish Government's Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill.
With just two months to go until new fire safety legislation comes into effect, influential trade association SELECT is reminding homeowners to ensure they have compliant heat, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms installed. The campaigning body for the electrical industry in Scotland says it's vital that preparations are made now before new Scottish Government guidance for all Scottish homes comes into effect on February 1 2022.
A new report, "Charges for temporary homeless accommodation in Scotland - law and reality" has been published by the Legal Services Agency which examines the practice of charging for temporary homeless accommodation in Scotland, and whether local authorities are acting lawfully in this area. Background Individuals in Scotland who make a homelessness application to their local authority are supposed to be provided with temporary accommodation.
BBC Alba's European current affairs programme Eòrpa has visited Caithness and Sutherland to find out about the impact fuel poverty has on rural Scotland. Around 42% of households in rural Scotland are living in fuel poverty, which is defined as when a person needs to spend more than 10% of their disposable income on trying to heat their home.
Daryl is one of the first people in the world to be infected with the omicron variant, I am delighted he is currently doing well..
Warmworks Scotland has published a new report which shows that the Scottish Government's national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland, has had positive benefits on the health, wellbeing and day-to-day living of its customers. These new findings sit alongside the previously understood positive impacts of the scheme, which include that it has helped customers to live in warmer and more energy-efficient homes, and to save money on their fuel bills.
