Commenting on the Chancellor's announcement before Christmas that the Job Retention Scheme and business loans schemes will be extended into April, Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, said:"With public health restrictions continuing well into 2021, the Chancellor is right to extend furloughing and business support into April. The job of policy is to support firms and household incomes until the very positive news on vaccines is translated into a return to normality.
Links between north and south communities on the Isle of Kerrera, near Oban, will be strengthened with the upgrade of a connecting track which will make it easier to travel across the island. Work is expected to begin as soon as possible supported by funding from the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan.
Migrant workers accounted for 60 per cent of net employment growth between 1996 and 2019, but the number of migrant workers is now falling, highlighting the scale of change in store when the UK's post-Brexit immigration regime comes into effect on 1st January, according to new Resolution Foundation research. The report Home and Away - supported by Unbound Philanthropy - examines the role of migrant workers across the UK labour market over recent decades, how that has changed since the EU referendum in 2016 and during the pandemic, and what these trends mean for the UK's new immigration regime and post-Brexit labour market next year.
The Scottish Government has paid £600,000 to eligible young carers in new benefit's first year. Over 2000 young carers received a payment between October 2019 and October 2020.
Support available over the holiday period. Scottish businesses are being urged to ensure they are aware of the latest Brexit advice ahead of the EU transition period ending at 11pm on Thursday 31st December 2020.
Women living in rural communities and women in agriculture will benefit from two new schemes designed to address inequality and provide more opportunities. The Women in Agriculture Practical Training Fund will give women in the agricultural industry the chance to develop their skills and talents with the help of £100,000 worth of training provided by the Scottish Government.
Scottish Secretary says people of Scotland will expect their MPs to do the right thing and vote for the deal. Today [27 December 2020] Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, called on all Scottish MPs to support the UK's historic Free Trade Agreement with the EU when Parliament votes on it this week.
Action to ensure businesses across Scotland impacted by level 4 restrictions get additional and faster access to financial support have been announced by the Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. This is in addition to the £570 million package of support, including the Strategic Framework Business Fund which has been open since November.
The new post office service at 125-127 High Street is scheduled to open on Thursday, 7 January 2021, at 11am. The mobile Post Office at Riverside Car Park will cease on 6th January 202 at 3.00pm..
NHS Highland is aware of an outbreak of COVID-19 linked to the Mallard pub in Dingwall. At present, we are aware of 12 cases that are linked to the premises but we would expect this to increase.
Funding from the Future High Streets Fund to help 72 areas in England to recover from the pandemic and deliver ambitious regeneration plans. The government will invest up to £830 million from the Future High Streets Fund Investment will support areas to recover from the pandemic and help transform underused town centres into vibrant places to live, work and shop Ambitious plans will help protect and create thousands of jobs as part of the levelling up agenda In a major boost for local high streets, up to £830 million from the Future High Streets Fund will be invested in 72 areas across England, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (26 December 2020).
This Agreement with the European Union is designed to honour the instruction of the British people - expressed in the referendum of 2016 and the general election last year - to take back control of our laws, borders, money, trade and fisheries. It changes the basis of our relationship with our European neighbours from EU law to free trade and friendly cooperation.
First of its kind agreement ensures UK law enforcement has the tools it needs to help protect the public. Home Secretary Priti Patel has hailed the UK's new comprehensive security agreement with the EU that will see the UK continuing to be one of the safest countries in the world.
Statement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday 24 December 2020. Published: 24 Dec 2020 Brexit deal: Statement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon "It beggars belief that in the midst of a pandemic and economic recession Scotland has been forced out of the EU Single Market and Customs Union with all the damage to jobs that will bring.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a statement on the outcome of negotiations with the European Union. It is four and a half years since the British people voted to take back control of their money, their borders, their laws, and their waters and to leave the European Union.
More than 600,000 people in the UK have received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as part of the largest vaccination programme in British history. The government has today published figures which show the number of people who have received the vaccine between 8 December and 20 December in the UK is 616,933.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack comments on the UK and EU today reaching a deal on their future relationship. Commenting on today's announcement of the UK and EU today reaching a deal, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:The UK’s deal with the EU is great news for Scotland’s businesses.
Exports to the EU of live animals and products of animal origin such as meat, fish and dairy can continue. Seed Potatoes lose out for now - see bottom of this page The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed today that the UK has been granted ‘national listed status', which ensures exports to the EU of live animals and products of animal origin such as meat, fish and dairy can continue, providing certainty for a market worth more than £5 billion a year.
The Highland Council has notified its service users and customers of its opening hours and service arrangements over the festive period. The Service Centre will close at 4pm on 24 December.
The Leader of The Highland Council is encouraging all businesses to apply for a new support grant. The Council has paid out Business Restriction Grants of over £740,000 to 461 businesses impacted by the current Tier 1 restrictions Businesses required to close due to the Tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day, will be able to apply for further Scottish Government grants early in the New Year.
