Inflation is on course to rise above four per cent in the coming months - reducing real average household incomes by £700. And while monetary policy makers at the Bank of England should ‘look through' this temporary inflation spike, fiscal policy makers should act to protect family incomes and strengthen the recovery, according to new Resolution Foundation research published on 20th June.
More than half a million positive COVID-19 samples have been genomically sequenced, cementing the UK's status as a world leader in genomics. Genomic sequencing has made a crucial contribution to the fight against the virus by rapidly identifying variants of concern, understanding transmission and slowing their spread.
An £8 million package to support the wellbeing of health and social care staff across Scotland has been announced. The increased support will help fund a number of immediate recovery actions and lead to the development of a National Wellbeing programme.
Overall furlough rates dropped to their lowest level since the start of the pandemic in late May, but a significant proportion of employees remain out of work even as firms report staff shortages, and the Government prepares to start phasing out the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) in just by the end of June, the Resolution Foundation said in response to the latest ONS data. The Foundation notes that furlough rates have fallen rapidly in recent months - from 20 per cent in late January to just 7 per cent at the end of May.
The impact of defence spending is felt in every region of the country through its support of 260,000 UK jobs and nearly £20-billion investment into UK industries every year. The UK defence sector is a national success story, a world leader in defence capability, supporting our own armed forces and those of our allies and partners by delivering unique export opportunities across the world.
The costs of buying a typical first-time property with a mortgage have risen by two-thirds over the past half-century, with those born in the late 1980s experiencing the highest costs of all, as falling interest payments have failed to offset rapidly rising house prices, according to new Resolution Foundation research published on Saturday 26 June 2021. The report Stakes and ladders - funded by the Nuffield Foundation - examines the total costs of buying one's first home to establish who the overall winners and losers have been from Britain's property market over the past 50 years.
Employees are coming off furlough at a rapid pace but the UK labour market is lukewarm rather than hot, as total hours worked remain well below pre-crisis levels and most vacancies are still relatively easy to fill despite the focus on shortages in some sectors, according to new Resolution Foundation research published today (Monday 28 June 2021). The Foundation's research identifies encouraging signs for the UK labour market.
3,285 new cases of COVID-19 reported*. 27,226 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 12.6% of these were positive.
NHS Highland says there is a rise in Covid cases in Highland. In keeping with other areas of Scotland, there has been a significant increase in cases of COVID-19 across Highland, with 83 cases notified in our area on Tuesday (22nd June).
A financial plan which will invest a further £10M across a range of projects in phase 2 of the investment strategy for Health and Prosperity and £54M of capital investment in schools. The detailed designs and costings for the five schools identified for investment will be brought to Council in September for approval.
2,639 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 31,695 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 8.9% of these were positive.
Second year pupils in Highland with an interest in a career in green energy are being given an amazing opportunity to take part in the 7-Cities Hydrogen Challenge later this summer. The 7-Cities Hydrogen Challenge, funded by Scottish Power, ITM Power and Arcola Energy, is aiming to engage with over 7,000 young people across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highland, Perth and Stirling.
Every adult can sign up for a vaccine. Anyone aged 18 and over who has not received a first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination appointment or has missed their first dose for any reason is being invited to self-register for an appointment.
Landlords reaffirm commitment to avoiding evictions. Housing Secretary Shona Robison has welcomed new joint statements from landlords reaffirming their commitment to supporting tenants facing difficulties during the pandemic.
Invitation to Artists. Spirit:360 is a commissioning programme for emerging and established creative professionals - writers, musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, and others - to create new work inspired by local stories that reflect the theme ‘Spirit of the Highlands'.
SCDI Highlands & Islands Chair's Award for Outstanding Business Achievement was won for 2021 by Dunnet Bay Distillers. Going from strength to strength Dunnet Bay Distillers have grown to add another still, shop and to cater for the growing number of tourists visiting via the North Coast 500 route.
Background This report summarises the current situation on the Covid-19 epidemic in Scotland. It brings together the different sources of evidence and data about the epidemic in Scotland at this point in time, why we are at that place, and what is likely to happen next.
Balancing neighbourhood needs with tourism interests. Consultation on the details of a licensing scheme for short term lets will take place over seven weeks this summer.
2,836 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 33,569 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results 8.9% of these were positive 3 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive.
Project continues after pilot exceeds expectations. A funding programme to promote the sale of local produce in convenience stores across Scotland is underway.
