Philip Hammond has today (1 October 2016) unveiled a package of support which includes £220 million for the life science and university sectors to help technology breakthroughs translate into commercial success, as well as action to ensure disruptive businesses thrive in the UK. The package includes: * £100 million of funding to extend and enhance the Biomedical Catalyst, supporting innovative UK life science companies to translate cutting-edge medical technologies into commercial success.
Young workers earning the National Minimum Wage are set to receive a pay rise of up to £450 a year from today (1 October 2016). * almost 270,000 of the UK's lowest paid workers to benefit from £450 annual pay rise.
NorthLink Ferries is set to open bookings for travel to and from the Northern Isles for next year from Saturday (1 October). Peter Hutchinson, customer service director at NorthLink Ferries, said: "NorthLink Ferries is happy to announce that bookings for 2017 are to be accepted from Saturday.
For publication on Friday 30 September when consultation portal becomes "live" The Highland Council has today (30 September) launched a modified version of the Proposed Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan), which sets out the vision and strategy for the area over the next 20 years. Following a report presented to the Sutherland County Committee and Caithness Committee on 30 and 31 August 2016, the Caithness Committee decided to propose the removal of two site allocations in Thurso - Site TS12 East of Burnside for Community/public park use and Site TS14 Land West of Caravan Park for Business, Tourism and Leisure which was intended to provide opportunity for hotel development.
Public opinion is being sought by The Highland Council on BT's proposal to remove 178 public payphones from across the Highland region. The Council has today (30 September) launched an online consultation.
Speaking after the first meeting of the Islands Strategic Group co- chaired by Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands and Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing, the Highland Council Leader, Margaret Davidson (Independent) said: "I was delighted to take part in this first meeting of the Islands Strategic Group as it meets to consider the strategic issues affecting all the inhabited island communities of Scotland. I am keen that we help identify and design solutions to the unique needs and challenges these communities face.
Heathrow unveils proposals to grow domestic route network from 2021 if selected for expansion - four years before a new runway would open. New capacity could create up to 21 daily domestic services - allowing a possible connection to Dundee and boosting existing Scottish routes.
The contest to find the best tourism operators in the Highlands and Islands is hotting up with just a quarter of the original record-breaking entries now selected to challenge for the coveted trophies. In all, 203 businesses or individuals entered or were nominated in 15 categories this year in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, the biggest ever response in the event's 12-year history.
MSP John Finnie Asked The First Minister a question about the future of HIE and received an instant assurance. John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): The First Minister will be aware that Highlands and Islands Enterprise, like the Highlands and Islands Development Board before it, plays a valuable role in the Highlands because of its dual remit of promoting both economic and community benefit.
Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract to design and build a new effluent treatment plant at Dounreay. The agreement signals a landmark move for the Caithness site as the first to incorporate socio-economic commitments following the introduction of a new procurement policy earlier this year.
Scotland's Digital Xtra Fund is making an additional £150,000 available to support extra-curricular activities for under 16s, focused on computing science and digital skills. The Digital Xtra Fund launched in May.
The Highland Council will be taking over responsibility for enforcing parking restrictions across the whole of the Highlands from Monday 3 October 2016. Money raised through Penalty Charge Notices will be spent on maintaining this new service.
Highlands & Islands MSP, Rhoda Grant, asked Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs at Portfolio Questions; what plans the Government had to develop tourism facilities on the North Coast 500 tourist route. Having confirmed that there was a multi agency group looking at this issue, Rhoda Grant went onto ask the Cabinet Secretary if the Government would help Highland Council fund essential maintenance and upgrades along this route to ensure it is a safe as possible and given much of it is single track road.
GOOD FOR BUSINESS An independent study examining the business benefits of implementing a Living Wage policy in London found that more than 80% of employers believe that the Living Wage had enhanced the quality of the work of their staff, while absenteeism had fallen by approximately 25%. Two thirds of employers reported a significant impact on recruitment and retention within their organisation.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (September, 24th) sold 405 rams and females at its annual show and sale sponsored by Norvite. The judges, Mr Graham & Mr Lewis Smith, Towiemore, Drummuir, awarded the overall show champion and winner of the Mountrich trophy to a Texel shearling from Mr D.
In a report by Scottish Government published earlier in 2016 entitled "Scotland's Credit Unions - Investing in Our Future" The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote a letter to employers as follows - Dear As First Minister of Scotland I am delighted to be able to offer this letter in support of the work of credit unions and at the same time encourage the uptake of payroll deduction schemes for employees with credit union accounts. Credit unions make an invaluable contribution to providing financial services and products to a wide range of customers.
Road Haulage Week is just past and seems to be growing every year with more events and information coming out. Programmes on TV such as for Eddie Stobbart Trucks seemly have no end.
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 23rd) sold 4,024 store sheep of all classes. Lambs (3,377) averaged £36.78 per head and sold to £65.50 gross for a pen of Texel cross lambs from Glendoe Estates, Fort Augustus.
Week Commencing 19th September 2016 Energy & Business Services: * Representatives from the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm consortium were in Wick last week to formally unveil plans to transform two historic buildings at Wick harbour into the Operations & Maintenance base for the project. A planning application for the plans was submitted to CNSRP partner Highland Council this week.
