A £25 million fund to improve ventilation in business premises and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission will open for applications next week. Small and medium-sized businesses such as restaurants, bars and gyms will be able to claim back costs of up to £2,500 to undertake work such as the installation of carbon dioxide monitors and remedial improvement work to windows and vents.
A new £13 million green energy investment has been announced by the Scottish National Investment Bank. Marking the Bank's first year of operation, the new finance will accelerate the delivery of the Iona Wind Partnership’s onshore wind project, powering 850,000 homes with clean renewable power.
Innovative projects to reopen some of the libraries that closed during the pandemic, set up wellbeing cafes or provide home library services have received more than £1 million in funding. The Scottish Government's £1.25 million Public Library COVID Relief Fund will support 23 projects around the country to re-connect communities with their libraries.
3,360 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 40,412 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 8.8% of these were positive.
Support available to help people save on heating bills this winter. An additional £18 million will be available this year to help householders install energy efficient measures and reduce their heating bills, bringing the total support available through Home Energy Scotland to £50 million in 2021-2022.
Taking action to reduce waste and its impact. The next steps in creating a circular economy in Scotland have been announced today, as Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater provided an update to parliament.
Workplace expert, Acas, published evidence on the use of fire and rehire practices at work in June. In response, the Government asked Acas to produce guidance to help employers explore all other options first before considering fire and rehire to change employee contracts.
Poultry keepers must take action now to protect their flocks from bird flu this winter. Following a number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds across Great Britain, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the whole of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
Nuclear Transport Solutions' rail division has launched a new locomotive design at this year's Low Carbon Logistics event in Mossend, Scotland. As part of the programme for COP26, Low Carbon Logistics was developed to celebrate innovation in the rail freight sector and showcase its environmental benefits.
The latest National Statistics Report on Labour trends in Scotland. Labour Force Survey estimates are presented for the 3 months to September 2021, compared with the quarter before (April to June 2021) and pre-pandemic (December 2019 to February 2020).
A new anonymous phone service will see trained staff stay on the line while people are using drugs to ensure they remain safe. The "Never Use Alone" phone line will be run by the charity "We Are With You" backed by £100,000 funding from the Scottish Government.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 16th) sold 7 prime cattle. Prime heifers (7) averaged 238.8p (-6.4p) and sold to 251.0p per kg and £1,469.85 gross.
2,771 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 22,733 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 12.8% of these were positive.
OPSS has produced safety guidance on how to buy toys safely this Christmas. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is partnering with Chartered Trading Standards Institute, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Child Accident Prevention Trust and Netmums to raise awareness of how to buy toys safely.
Director fraudulently obtained £150,000 Covid-19 financial assistance is banned along with friend who also took £50,000. Muneef Ihsan, 26 from Rotherham, was director of three companies between 2019 and 2020.
UK Export Finance and GE Energy Financial Services announce agreement reached to finance the largest solar facility in Turkey, the size of 4,600 football pitches. UK Export Finance support will help construct Turkey's largest solar facility that will power 2 million households.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that, in addition to those aged over 50 years and at higher risk from coronavirus (COVID-19), all adults aged 40 to 49 years should be offered an mRNA booster, 6 months after their second dose, irrespective of the vaccines given for the first and second doses. Recent UK and international data have provided early signs of a slight fall in the levels of protection against severe disease from the primary doses, in those who had their initial vaccines a long time ago.
Views are being sought on how to improve the way bail and prison custody operates in Scotland. A consultation has been launched on how custody is used as part of the criminal justice system and how support can be given to better help people move on from their offending behaviour within communities while ensuring public protection and victim safety remain at the centre of the process.
Advance booking facility for booster and flu jabs. An online portal is now available to allow people aged 50 to 59, unpaid carers who are 16 and over, and those aged 16 and over who are household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals to book their Autumn/Winter vaccination appointments.
Funding of £7 million will improve GP surgeries, expanding the level of care to patients across Scotland. Vacant high street units will be taken over by Integration Authorities to expand the primary care estate, with the funding also used to support GP practices, including digitising records to free up more space.
