An article from the Institute for Government - Author - Alex Thomas. Being prime minister involves taking the hardest decisions.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty said:As announced on Monday, the UK has identified a new variant of Covid-19 through Public Health England's genomic surveillance. As a result of the rapid spread of the new variant, preliminary modelling data and rapidly rising incidence rates in the South East, the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) now consider that the new strain can spread more quickly.
Openreach today bucked the prevailing economic trend by creating at least 275 new Scotland-based engineering jobs to be filled during 2021, alongside more roles in its supply chain. The new Openreach roles in locations across the country will enable the company to continue improving service levels across its existing networks, whilst building and connecting customers to its new, ultrafast, ultra-reliable ‘Full Fibre' broadband network at a record pace.
Citizens of the European Union who live in Scotland are being urged to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. In an open letter and video message, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it is vital that every EU citizen who wishes to stay in Scotland completes an application by 30 June, 2021.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman MSP, today announced the appointments of Gerard O'Brien, Graham Bell OBE and Susan Ringwood as Members of Highland NHS Board. MEMBERS Gerard O'Brien is an experienced NHS professional who has worked in NHS Scotland for over twenty years.
Disease confirmed in birds in Scotland. A flock of birds from a farm on the Island of Sanday in Orkney has tested positive for H5N8 Avian Influenza.
NHS Highland is appealing to members of the public to be cautious this Christmas in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. Between 23 and 27 December you can form a Christmas bubble of up to three households (the legal maximum), no more than eight people - this doesn't include children under 12.
Information about a fund for local authorities to provide additional support for businesses where they consider that necessary or justified. £30 million funding has been provided to local authorities to provide additional support for businesses where they consider that necessary or justified.
New strategy to promote sustainability. A new 12-point action plan will support Scotland's ambition to be a world class fishing nation and ensure responsible and sustainable fisheries management.
Travellers arriving in Scotland from Namibia, Uruguay and the US Virgin Islands must quarantine for 10 days at home or another address, from 4 am on Saturday (19 December 2020). A significant increase in cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in those countries, as well as a rise in the numbers of cases testing positive and the associated risk of importation into Scotland has led to the decisions to remove quarantine exemption status.
£800m investment in learning facilities. 25 new schools and campuses are to be constructed or refurbished to provide modern, state of the art learning facilities for approximately 21,000 children and young people across Scotland.
Scotland's first minister has urged people to spend Christmas at home and not to form any unnecessary social bubbles over the holidays. During a press conference on Wednesday, Sturgeon said the flexibility in allowing households to meet that had been agreed across the four UK nations would remain in place as taking it away wouldn't be 'fair' or 'realistic'.
Study examines the pandemic's far-reaching effects. A wide-ranging analysis of the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on Scotland's health, economy and society has been published.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has appointed a dedicated Minister for Drug Policy to lead the Scottish Government's work on tackling and reducing the harm of drug misuse, supporting the rehabilitation and recovery of those living with drug addiction, and reducing the unacceptable number of deaths from drugs. The new Minister will report directly to the First Minister.
Shetland's 10 year-old Thomas Leask and Keiko the cat are set to become internet sensations in a new film highlighting why Lerwick's district heating system means local people can have warmth, fight fuel poverty and save the planet. Thomas tells the story of the community wide partnership, which inspired by Scandinavian district heating, developed a scheme which used unrecyclable waste to provide lower cost, green heating.
Certainty for millions of jobs and businesses as furlough scheme extended until the end of April 2021. businesses struggling will have now until the end of March to access government generous loan schemes Chancellor also confirmed that the Budget will be on the 3 March and set out the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs.
The funding package for 2021 to 2022 will include more than £400m to continue recruitment of 20,000 extra officers. Policing will receive up to £15.8 billion to build back safer and cut crime, the government announced on Thursday 17th December 2020.
A joint statement on staying safe at Christmas from the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government. As we approach the festive period, the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government are seeking to balance pragmatism with the overriding priority of protecting public health.
Councils across England will receive £51.2 billion next year - an increase of £2.2 billion from last year. Local Government Secretary confirms £51.2 billion package of funding for local services Represents £2.2 billion increase in core spending, including access to extra £1 billion for social care Estimated £3 billion additional support for councils to deal with COVID-19 pressures Councils across England will receive £51.2 billion next year - an increase of £2.2 billion from last year, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (17 December 2020).
Application Number: 20/04746/FUL Address: Land 685M South Of Inverness Airport Dalcross. Proposal: Construction of two platform railway station and ancillary infrastructure including: car and cycle parking; bus drop off zone; electric vehicle charging points; waiting shelters; access road improvements; pedestrian and cycle access ramp off C1017; surface water drainage system.
