Dounreay has awarded a major contract as the world's deepest nuclear clean-up job gets underway. Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL), on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, awarded the £7.5 million contract for "advanced transition works" at the 65 metre deep shaft and silo to Nuvia and its partner Graham Construction, through the site's decommissioning framework following a competitive tendering process.
Highlands and Islands MSP, Rhoda Grant, is becoming increasing frustrated at the lack of transparency on the future of Migdale Hospital's Strathy ward in Bonar Bridge. When the Sutherland hospital opened in 2011 it had 22 beds with two units - the Strathy ward, for older people with mental health problems, and another offering a range of in-patient services, such as palliative care, general medicine and rehabilitation services.
A project to create accommodation facilities at Kishorn dry dock in Wester Ross has secured investment of up to £94,675 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Having on-site accommodation will enhance the dock's capacity and help it attract more high-end contracts in offshore renewables and oil and gas decommissioning.
PORTREE, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 16th) sold 1,415 weaned calves and store cattle at their annual district ballot sale. Bullocks (834) averaged 285.5p (+64.6p on the year), and sold to 448.3p per kg for a 145kg Limousin cross from 1 & 2 Conon, Uig, and £1,110 gross for a 615kg Aberdeen Angus cross from 3 Kilmuir, Dunvegan.
On September 15, 2020, the UK High Court largely decided in favour of the position of policyholders in the test case brought forward by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regarding the interpretation of a sample of business interruption (BI) policies used by several insurance companies in the British market. In May, the FCA announced that it would seek legal clarity on the interpretation of a number of BI insurance policies to resolve concerns from small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), whose claims due to BI losses during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic were initially denied or disputed.
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) 12-month inflation rate was 0.5% in August 2020, down from 1.1% in July 2020. The largest contribution to the CPIH 12-month inflation rate in August 2020 came from recreation and culture (0.35 percentage points).
Grocery sales rose by 10.8% during the 12 weeks to 6 September 2020, but growth slowed as some aspects of pre-Covid life resumed, new research finds. The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar show in the most recent four weeks year-on-year sales growth decelerated to 8.0%, the slowest rate since April 2020.
Despite COVID-19 and related travel restrictions mid-August saw another milestone towards the modernisation and renewal of the Orkney Island Council (OIC) tug fleet that provides towage and marine services in Scapa Flow, Orkney. The vessels set off 17 days ago from the shipyard where they were built and today completed a non-stop voyage of 3,500 nautical miles.
Scottish Government funding for youth work is being increased by more than 30% to recognise the vital role the sector will play in making up any ground lost in learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A newly created £3 million Youth Work Education Recovery Fund will be targeted at those communities and young people who need the most support, bringing Government spending in the youth work sector this year to at least £12.5 million.
Fuel-poor households are to benefit from a further £16 million investment to improve energy efficiency in their homes. The money will be used to improve insulation and install energy efficient heating systems, including those using renewable technology, contributing to Scotland's net zero targets and helping to meet a key Programme for Government commitment.
The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the economy contracted by 19.4% during the second quarter of 2020, covering the period April to June. Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth.
Extending the furlough scheme by eight months could save 61,000 jobs in Scotland, according to new research. A Scottish Government report estimates that the direct cost of extending the furlough scheme in Scotland to June is around £850 million - and wider economic benefits, such as increasing GDP, mean that it could pay for itself.
New statistics from the Annual Population Survey show that 299,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years were in employment in Scotland in July 2019 to June 2020. The employment rate for young people was 53.2%, lower than a year ago (59.1%).
High Life Highland is continuing its bounceback campaign with additional swimming provision planned during September and October. Graeme Ross, Principal Facilities Manager said, "In getting our locations reopen, our priority was, and continues to be to make our premises safe and welcoming for customers and staff.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highlands Marts Ltd, (September, 14th) sold 3,907 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual show and sale. Highland Mule gimmers (1,127) averaged £179.24 (+£36.21 on the corresponding sale of last year) and sold to £210 from Mountrich Farm, Dingwall.
During lockdown High Life Highland found the use of technology more important than ever before. It was, and remains, one of the primary forms of communication with its members throughout the fast-changing environment in which everyone has found themselves immersed.
New law comes into effect next March. Legislation to introduce an opt out system of organ and tissue donation for deceased donors will come into effect on 26 March 2021.
The Office for National Statistics has published the latest Employment and Unemployment statistics today. Early indicators for August 2020 suggest that the number of employees in the UK on payrolls was down around 695,000 compared with March 2020.
A consultation will gather final views on proposed new legislation for the regulation of short-term lets. The Scottish Government's proposals include a mandatory licensing scheme to ensure that all short-term lets are safe and to address issues faced by neighbours.
Community feeling remains strong in Scotland with more than three-quarters of adults (78% in 2019) reporting a very or fairly strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. This figure has remained at this level since 2012.
