Failure to support the nation's pubs return from lockdown risks imperilling the government's levelling up agenda for economic and social renewal, the think-tank Localis has warned today. In a report issued today entitled ‘The Power of Pubs - protecting social infrastructure and laying the groundwork for levelling up' Localis argued it was vital that the lockdown roadmap is not allowed to slip back further for pubs, and that the commitment to end all trading restrictions by 21 June must be delivered to return all pubs to viable trading.
The organisers of the annual Inverness Highland Games confirmed today that they have decided to cancel the event in 2021. The Inverness Highland Games committee said that the ongoing uncertainty around what COVID restrictions might be in place by the date of the event left them with no choice but to cancel this year.
The Highland Council Trading Standards team have been alerted to a smishing scam that is currently targeting Highland residents. The scam involves a text message claiming to be from Royal Mail advising the recipient that they are holding a piece of mail due to unpaid postage.
At a critical time for the Highland economy views are being sought on a range of options for how the Council can assist the local economy to respond, recover, progress and transition. The immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the potential major changes resulting from Brexit, and the need to respond to the Climate and Ecological Emergency are at the forefront of the review of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan which offers a chance to set out a collective medium to long term vision for the area's economy.
On Saturday 6 March visiting and admissions to Raigmore Hospital Ward 2c was suspended due to a Covid outbreak. Ward 2C at Raigmore Hospital is closed to new admissions and visiting following the detection of a very small number of cases of Covid-19.
The Scottish fishing industry has received a major boost as new immigration rules make it easier to recruit skilled deckhands from abroad. The Home Office has accepted the Migration Advisory Committee recommendation that deckhands on large fishing vessels, with three or more years of experience using their skills, should be included in the list of occupations eligible for Skilled Worker visas.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has welcomed the expansion of funding for B&B and guest house owners and self-catering businesses but believes the Scottish Government should "hang its head in shame" over its handling of the process. It follows the government's announcement that the support net has been widened, however Mrs Grant understands that there is only a seven day window to apply for this fund.
On Monday 8th March 2021 Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England talks about the post-Covid future as the economy recovers from the pandemic. He examines the nature of the shock to the economy and looks at how it may change the way people work and shop.
Access to scheme allows women in crofting and agriculture to develop their skills. Women living or working in Scottish agriculture will benefit from £115,000 of extra funding for a wide range of practical training courses including tractor and trailer driving.
A solar energy manufacturer in Forres, Moray is to continue its expansion in a move that will increase turnover, create jobs and take the next steps towards employee ownership. AES Solar has secured up to £50,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Responding to the Finance Secretary's comments to the Finance and Constitution Committee meeting this morning (Monday 8 March) on social care pay, Rhea Wolfson of the GMB Scotland Women’s Campaign Unit said: "On International Women’s Day Kate Forbes has cut a budget deal with the Greens that sells short tens of thousands of women across the social care sector - and what’s worse is the Finance Secretary used our NHS nurses as a reason for not delivering a £15 an hour minimum. “The fight for a £15 social care minimum hasn’t been “plucked out of a hat".
Agreement has been reached with the Scottish Green Party to ensure passage of the Scottish Government's budget through parliament. Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has struck a deal which guarantees the Budget Bill can clear its final stages.
Tenants and private sector landlords facing financial difficulties caused by the pandemic have more time to access support after two loan schemes were extended. The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme, both of which offer interest-free loans, will continue to receive applications beyond the original deadline of 31 March 2021.
501 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 11,529 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 5.0% of these were positive.
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates will increase on 1 April. In addition to the new rates, the age from which workers become eligible for the National Living Wage will be lowered.
390 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 14,057 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 3.2% of these were positive.
Wider roll-out of 4G and 5G technology. A "game-changing" initiative which will pave the way for greater 4G and 5G mobile connectivity across Scotland has been unveiled.
A further document release of key legal advice received about the judicial review brought by Alex Salmond against the Scottish Government has been published today. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that the public can have confidence that the information further disproves allegations made against the Scottish Government's handling of the judicial review.
555 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 22,992 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results - 3.0% of these were positive.
The injection gives people longer lasting protection. Scotland's vaccination programme has delivered second doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to more than half of care home residents.
