A national network of technology hubs is being established to foster the next generation of Scottish start-ups, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has told Parliament. The hubs, known as tech scalers, will deliver world-class training and mentoring for technology entrepreneurs while providing opportunities to network and share ideas.
Plans to establish a vertical launch site for satellites in the north of Scotland have taken another step forward. Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is applying to the Scottish Land Court for consent to build, operate and, ultimately, decommission Space Hub Sutherland on a crofting estate on the A'Mhoine peninsula.
Review of the Scottish tech ecosystem by Mark Logan, commissioned by the Scottish Government, with recommendations on how to develop a world-class tech sector. In May 2020, Cabinet Secretary of Finance Kate Forbes asked Mark Logan, tech entrepreneur and former Skyscanner COO, to conduct a short-life review into how Scotland's tech sector can contribute to Scotland's economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the Institute for Fiscal Studies - Authors Rowena and Crawford and Carl Emmerson. From tomorrow (1st September), the first 18-year-olds will be able to access Child Trust Funds (CTFs) set up over a decade ago by Tony Blair's Labour government.
Article published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on 26 August 2020 - Author David Phillips. Summary Today's Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures show Scotland's implicit budget deficit increasing to 8.6% of GDP in 2019-20, around 6 percentage points higher than the UK as a whole, largely reflecting higher government spending.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will publish a Programme for Government next week focused on dealing with the economic, health, and social crisis caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). Protecting public health will remain the priority, and the Scottish Government will also set out plans to help people, businesses and communities recover from the pandemic by creating new jobs, promoting lifelong health and wellbeing and tackling inequalities.
The Highland confirms that its actions on the provision of Early Learning Childcare (ELC) provision are in line with Scottish Government Guidance and directions issued. With implications of COVID-19 the Scottish Government chose - following a Scottish Parliament decision - to remove the Statutory Duty for provision of 1140 hours from August 2020.
£2.4 million of new funding to help households with money problems. More people will be able to benefit from free debt advice following investment from the Scottish Government.
The aquaculture industry contributes to the long-term viability of many communities, according to a new report. Commissioned by Marine Scotland, the report found the sector provides year-round, well-paid jobs and supports economic growth in rural, coastal and island areas.
The Highland Council is encouraged by the excellent response to the advertising campaign that took place during the first week of the school session for promoted teaching staff. Strategic Chair of the Education and Learning Committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: "I am delighted at the excellent response this campaign has produced, including over 13 applications being received for one Head Teacher post and over 20 for one Depute Head Teacher post.
People arriving in England from these destinations from 4am Saturday 29 August will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Jamaica removed from list of travel corridors for England following data showing a significant increase in confirmed cases.
Emergency funding announced. Culture and heritage sectors are to benefit from a £59 million funding package to protect jobs and help the industry weather the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Three core missions for the new Scottish National Investment Bank have been laid before Parliament for consultation. The core missions focus the Bank's activities on addressing key challenges and creating inclusive, long-term economic growth.
Caithness Chamber of Commerce's new Test and Protect service, #ProtectNorthHighlands, goes live today (26 August) across Caithness and Sutherland. Offering a simple, secure way for businesses to store customer data in line with Scottish Government's requirements for Test and Protect, the service is free to all businesses across the region thanks to the generous support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Services in Moray Council are continuing to deteriorate, in particular within education. There has been a significant decline in services since a previous report by the Accounts Commission in 2015.
People on low incomes who need to self-isolate and are unable to work from home in areas with high incidence of COVID-19 will benefit from a new payment scheme. Government to implement new payment for people on low incomes in areas with high rates of COVID-19, who need to self-isolate and can't work from home.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August 27th) sold 11,442 store lambs at their annual sale. Cheviot wedder lambs (5,764) averaged £54.20 (+£6.34 on the year) and sold to £76.00 gross from Coillore Farm, Struan.
Net Fiscal Balance 2019-20 This is the difference between total revenue and total public sector expenditure including capital investment. The net fiscal balance: Including an illustrative geographic share of North Sea revenue, was a deficit of 8.6% of GDP (£15.1 billion).
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) went through a unique first quarter in the 2020 to 2021 financial year. HMRC has been at the forefront of the government's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the extraordinary challenges being faced by millions of individuals and businesses.
The John o' Groats Brewery has provided signs to mark the start/finish of the John o' Groats Trail just outside the brewery location near the harbour in the village. The John o' Groats Trail is a charitable project to develop a coastal trail in Caithness and Sutherland with additional links in Easter Ross to connect to Inverness, allowing a continuous trail walk to or from as far away as Land's End.