A consultation has been launched to seek the public's views ahead of the creation of a National Care Service, which will ensure everyone who needs it can expect the same standards of care, wherever they live in Scotland. The National Care Service will deliver person-centred care that supports people in a way that suits their needs, providing real benefits for those who are being cared for and the people who care for them.
Targeted funding to recruit 1,000 new teachers and 500 pupil support assistants in the next academic year has been announced by Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville. The additional £50 million will support COVID-19 education recovery as schools return to full time face-to-face learning.
Projects aiming to help transform towns and neighbourhoods could apply to a new £10 million multi-year fund. The Scotland Loves Local Fund aims to encourage people to think local first, and support businesses and enterprises in their community.
The legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings will be removed on 9 August 2021 when all venues across Scotland are able to re-open. Some protective measures will stay in place such as the use of face coverings indoors and the collection of contact details as part of Test and Protect.
More people than ever in Scotland will be offered the free flu vaccine to help protect as many lives as possible this winter. Those people eligible for the free flu vaccine now include: those aged 50 and over.
Since the start of the pandemic, the number of people waiting for NHS treatment in England has grown by a fifth. 5.3 million people were waiting for treatment in May 2021, up from 4.4 million in February 2020.
Nicola Sinclair on how the pandemic has forced a radical shift in working patterns, as employers across the globe seek new ways to survive. Local government found itself at the coalface of the humanitarian response and had to adapt quickly - a pace that seems alien to most public services.
1,240 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 22,618 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 6.0% of these were positive.
Preparations are well underway for the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness and Ward 13 Inverness West by-elections next Thursday. The candidates for Ward 3 - Wick and East Caithness are: CAMERON, Michael James - Scottish National Party (SNP) CHRISTIAN, Harry - Scottish Libertarian Party FERNIE, Bill - Independent ROSS, Daniel - Scottish Conservative and Unionist TILT, Jill - Scottish Liberal Democrats .
G&A Barnie Group Ltd are looking to hire Electricians Mates/Labourers to join our workforce in a once in a lifetime experience on our Antarctica Project. Applicants should be enthusiastic to embrace the challenge to working as part of a team as well as able to work on their own initiative.
Physical distancing will remain in place at health care settings across Scotland from Monday (August 9) when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted elsewhere in the country. Hospitals, GP surgeries and dentists will be among the locations which will continue to observe the current two metre distancing requirement to help control the spread of the virus.
1,386 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 24,025 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 6.3% of these were positive.
Drop-in clinics will begin to offer Pfizer vaccines to 16 and 17 year olds this week, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has confirmed. Some clinics will begin to offer the vaccine to 16 and 17 year olds from this weekend, and all Pfizer drop-in centres in mainland Scotland will be offering the vaccine to this age group from Tuesday 10 August.
The Environmental Health Team is advising users of private water supplies to take preventative steps to preserve their drinking water. There have been dry ground water and lower river levels reported in some areas of the Highlands, which may have an impact on some surface derived private water supplies.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 6th) sold 10,287 store lambs at an average of £74.47 (up £5.33 on the year). Texel (2,922) averaged £74.36 (last year £69.65) and sold to £114 gross from Wester Craiglands, Fortrose.
The energy price cap will increase from 1 October for the 15 million customers it protects. Those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £139 from £1,138 to £1277.
331 cultural organisations and performing arts venues across Scotland have received a total of £17million in the latest round of emergency Covid-19 funds from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland. Eden Court in Inverness awarded £372,604.
1,250 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 25,056 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 5.5% of these were positive.
A total of £16.5 million has been awarded to the Net Zero Technology Centre to accelerate a range of energy transition projects that will help deliver Scotland's net-zero economy. Seven projects will be developed through the centre's Net Zero Technology Transition Programme (NZTTP) to transform the North Sea energy system, with a focus on emissions reduction.
An independent review of how fish farms are regulated is underway in a move to make Scottish aquaculture legislation one of the most effective and transparent in the world. Professor Russel Griggs OBE has been appointed to lead the first phase of the review.
