This year (2019) was the 20th Anniversary of the Scottish Environment Business Awards - the VIBES Awards - and for the first time SNH was a strategic partner. The Awards celebrate the efforts of businesses across Scotland, large and small, that are committed to improving environmental sustainability in their products, services and practices.
The Dounreay stock of civil separated plutonium is now safely stored at Sellafield following completion of a phased transfer programme involving a range of organisations. This means that all significant UK stocks of this material are now held at Sellafield - the centre of excellence for plutonium management.
A paper produced by the Institute for Government sets out the problems and what needs to be done and could be done now the government has a substantial majority. The paper entitled "How To Be A tax-reforming chancellor" was published on 14th December 2019.
See Photo Gallery to take look around Scrabster harbour as 2019 draws to a close..
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 31st) sold 18 prime cattle. Prime heifers (18) averaged 194.6p (-1.4p) and sold to 210.0p per kg and £1,251.05 gross.
Click the Photo Gallery above to see Wick harbour at the end of the year 2019. Check out the new structure for training crews on safety to work on the turbines in the Beatrice Wind Farm in the Moray Firth..
The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has today approved the general principles of a bill which seeks to strengthen the rights of consumers in Scotland through the creation of a new public body. The Consumer Scotland Bill seeks to establish a new statutory body with responsibility for strengthening consumer advocacy and advice.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 24th) sold 17 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (1) averaged 197.0p (N/C) and sold to 197.0p per kg and £1,182.00 gross.
Royal Bank of Scotland prevents over £11.64million of fraud in run up to Christmas (29 Nov to 19 Dec 2019). A record-breaking number of transactions are being processed in the run up to Christmas as shoppers rush to finish last minute shopping.
As 2019 draws to an end, the staff and volunteers at HI-Scot credit union are reflecting on a successful year for the organisation. "We are pleased to report that 2019 was another twelve months of growth for HI-Scot," said Margaret Ann MacLeod, Chair of the Board of Directors, "This is good news not only for the credit union, but for our members and the communities we serve across the Highlands and Islands." At the recent HI-Scot AGM, the members attending approved a 0.5% dividend.
Big-hearted Highland Council staff and members have dug deep into their pockets at an already expensive time of year to help two important charities in the region. Staff at Highland Council headquarters have been fundraising for the Highland Hospice through a charity raffle, coffee morning and staff pantomime.
Whether it's that last-minute gift or Christmas lunch essentials, your local shops are ready and waiting to help take your Christmas-stress away. It’s also your last chance to enjoy the Christmas buzz.
The vast majority of businesses in the Highlands and Islands are responding to the global climate emergency and exploring ways of reducing their impacts on the environment. A thousand businesses took part in the latest survey conducted between 30 September and 30 October.
Scottish firefighters are urged to reject a new pay offer from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), after employers have failed to fully address the concerns raised by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The new proposal comes after the initial pay offer was resoundingly rejected by firefighters in Scotland in July, forcing SFRS back to the table for further negotiations.
Plans to develop a free debt advice system have been published. The plan, which will focus on service users, sets out a number of improvements to how people find and experience debt advice, including: funding helpline services that reflect Scotland's circumstances developing a workforce strategy to support those providing advice driving technological innovation for the delivery of debt advice Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: "Problem debt can increase stress and strain on families and friendships and it often affects those who are already struggling.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons. My Government's priority is to deliver the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union on 31 January.
Licensing option under consideration. A review into grouse moor management has recommended the introduction of a shooting licensing scheme if breeding populations of raptors show no marked improvement.
The Scottish Government has launched two key consultations to inform the pipeline of future offshore wind development in Scotland and improve understanding on its role in meeting ‘net zero' targets. Views are being sought on the draft Offshore Wind Policy Statement in addition to the much anticipated draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy, which outlines how the Scottish Government proposes to maximise the opportunities that offshore wind presents, with due regard for the marine environment, other users of the sea, and planning responsibilities.
New statistics from the Annual Population Survey have been released which show that 336,000 young people aged 16-24 years were in employment in Scotland in October 2018 to September 2019. The employment rate for young people was 59.0 per cent, higher than a year ago (57.9 per cent).
An international collaboration project to develop plastic-free food packaging material from food waste, initially langoustine shells, has been awarded £268,284. The research and development project called the Celtic Crustacean Collaboration is being led by Argyll based firm, CuanTec Limited, working with the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS).
