UK businesses are being advised to ensure they are ready to accommodate the rise of remote working - or risk being left behind. The advice follows the publication of a new essential guide to remote working, produced by utilities and communications specialist Glide, which contains new research, predictions and guidance for businesses.
At its meeting ending on 29 January 2020, the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England voted by a majority of 7-2 to maintain Bank Rate at 0.75%. The Committee voted unanimously to maintain the stock of sterling non-financial investment-grade corporate bond purchases, financed by the issuance of central bank reserves, at £10 billion.
The latest article on building your own house from Thermohaus. See links below for all the earlier articles.
The latest update of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020 has been published by Scotland's Chief Statistician. SIMD is a tool for identifying the places in Scotland where people are experiencing disadvantage across different aspects of their lives.
Leader of The Highland Council will highlight the need for investment in roads at tomorrow's Corporate Resources meeting, Thursday 30 January 2020, in the light of an improving financial outlook. After considerable effort by officials and councillors, a revenue monitoring report is forecasting a net year end underspend of £0.452m based on current trends.
A proposed 3% rent increase for 2020/21 was agreed by Highland Council's new Housing and Property Committee today, 29 January. This would result in an increase in the average weekly council house rent from £75.38 to £77.64 (£2.26 per week).
The Scottish Government's budget will be published on 6 February 2020, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has announced. It comes after the UK Government confirmed their budget would be delayed until 11 March 2020.
Commenting on Lloyds Banking Group announcing plans to shut 15 of its Bank of Scotland branches across Scotland, Brian Sloan, Age Scotland Chief Executive, said: "We're very sad to see Lloyds follow other banks and put profits ahead of its loyal customers, especially those who are older, disabled or don't have internet access. "There's no doubt this will make it harder for tens of thousands of people to access their cash and manage their money on a daily basis.
The Fraser of Allender Institute blog on the Scottish budget. Scottish Budget date set for 6 February 2020.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies wil discuss the budget live on 11 March. Chancellor Sajid Javid is due to deliver his first Budget, the first of this parliament, and the first since Autumn 2018, on Wednesday 11 March.
The latest report form the Office of Budget Responsibility to December 2019. Borrowing has risen so far this year, but at a slower rate than anticipated in our restated March forecast.
Low income families provided with more than £3 million in one quarter to cover emergencies. The amount given in crisis grants to those most in need has increased by more than a third, latest figures show.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 28th) sold 36 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (5) averaged 208.6p (N/C) and sold to 223.0p per kg and £1,308.10 gross.
A £3.3 billion investment programme in Scotland's infrastructure has enabled more public buildings and new roads to be built. But the Scottish Government needs to be clearer about how and when they use privately financed contracts.
From the 3rd February 2020, The Highland Council will be introducing vehicle restrictions at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC). The following vehicles will not be permitted entry to HWRC with any waste: • Trailers with more than one axle or greater than 2.4 metres (8 feet) in length; • Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes or greater; • Tippers and flat-bed trucks of any weight; • Plant vehicles.
The very popular careers event, Caithness Jobs & How To Get Them, returns to Wick High School on Saturday 8th February 2020. The event will showcase a wide range of local employers and training providers to help you find the right path towards your future.
The first meeting of The Highland Council's new Housing and Property Committee will take place on Wednesday 29 January following a decision by members in December to approve the establishment of a new strategic committee structure. The first item on the agenda for members will be to confirm the role and remit of this newly established committee which will be chaired by Lochaber Councillor, Ben Thompson.
All members of the public are invited to attend this Scottish Government event on the draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy and accompanying Sustainability Appraisal. A drop-in information session will be held between 1pm and 5.30pm, with a presentation and Q&A session to follow between 6.30pm and 8pm (with refreshments from 6pm).
Highland Council's Trading Standards team is reporting positive findings from the spray paint test purchase programme it recently carried out in Inverness. A total of 10 premises were test purchased and 9 shops rightly refused to sell spray paints to the underage test purchase volunteer.
