If you are a Caithness business re-opening this week or incomng weeks get in touch. Let us know the date and what arrangements you are making.
HIE organises training and courses for businesses. This online webinar may be of interest.
Retrofitting buildings is one of a number of key actions the Scottish Government should undertake to ensure Scotland's post-COVID-19 sets a path to net zero, according to a group of civic and business leaders. The Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG) said existing Scottish Government home insulation schemes like Warmer Homes Scotland can be doubled so that 30,000 homes a year are made warmer and healthier and lifted out of fuel poverty.
A wide-ranging coalition of sixty-four Scottish economists, charities, think tanks, and businesses have sent an open letter to the First Minister to voice concern over the proposed nature of the economic recovery plans of the Scottish Government. The group calls for a radically fairer Scotland focusing on closing the employment gap for women and disabled people, plus fairer wages and lower carbon.
Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now sign up to a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining out. The Eat Out to Help Out registration page went live this morning on GOV.UK, allowing businesses to join the scheme announced last week by Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Homebuyers will be able to take advantage of reduced rates of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) from this week, after finance secretary Kate Forbes responded to calls for a quick implementation of the change. The threshold at which LBTT begins to be paid will rise from £145,000 to £250,000 on July 15 and remain in place until March 31 next year.
The deadline for submission of applications for round three of the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) has been extended from 10 July 2020 to 5.00pm on Wednesday 14 October 2020. The final date that Expressions of Interest (EOI) can be submitted will be Friday 18 September 2020 and all projects must have submitted an EOI and received approval for this before submitting a full Stage 2 application on the 14 October 2020.
High Life Highland has written to members advising how the charity plans to "bounceback" from the global pandemic in line with the latest developments within Scottish Government Route Map to recovery. Steve Walsh, High Life Highland's Chief Executive, said, "We care passionately about what we deliver to enhance the health and wellbeing our communities and are really looking forward to welcoming our many customers back to our facilities and services over the forthcoming weeks and months and I am delighted that our bounceback campaign is already taking shape across all of our services.
People in hospital who do not have coronavirus (COVID-19) will be able to have a designated visitor from tomorrow, Monday 13 July. Until now, hospital visits during the pandemic have only been permitted in limited essential circumstances.
Every week on our INSIDE BRIEFING podcast, IfG Director Bronwen Maddox welcomes experts, analysts and special guests for a free-ranging conversation on what makes government work - and how to fix it when it doesn't. Rishi Sunak has set out the ‘second phase' of the government's economic response to coronavirus.
More than half of adults (52%) who have left their home have worn a face covering to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) - an increase from last week (43%). Nearly half (48%) of working adults travelled to work, a similar proportion to last week (49%).
The Early Stage Growth Challenge Fund, announced today (10 July) by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop, will open to applications on Monday 20 July. It is part of the £230m economic stimulus package launched by the Scottish Government in June.
Scotland is facing a ‘personal debt time bomb' as the country deals with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has warned. The latest wave of Scotpulse polling for the charity reveals that 27 per cent of people in Scotland are concerned about making debt repayments during coronavirus.
From The institute for Government web site by Georgina Wright. Many businesses are worried they will not be ready for a new trading relationship with the EU on 1 January 2021.
Hairdressers and barbers are preparing to re-open on 15 July under the Scottish Government's route map out of lockdown. To ensure salons can safely re-open new guidance has been published for the sector.
Tax changes will be introduced next week. Homebuyers will be able to take advantage of reduced rates of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) from next week.
Coastal communities across Scotland will receive £9.7 million of revenue generated by the Scottish Crown Estate's marine assets, providing vital support for responding to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). The funding, which comes from the second year of devolved management of Crown Estate assets is up by more than £2m on last year and is more than double the funding available under the old Coastal Communities Fund.
New EU students to start paying for Scottish places from 2021/22 EU students will have to pay tuition fees from 2021/22, Richard Lochhead has today confirmed. Making the announcement to the Scottish Parliament, the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science said that the decision was a direct result of Scotland being forced out the EU.
£38 million for high growth companies. A comprehensive package of support for innovative early stage businesses whose routes to investment and growth have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) has been announced by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
Zero Waste Scotland has appointed a dedicated regional engagement manager to work in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Helen Lavery will support small and medium sized enterprises, micro businesses, social enterprises and other public sector bodies to adopt principles where products are reused, repaired, remanufactured or recycled.