No Snow in Caithness today but read on - - As the Met Office issues a nationwide alert for icy conditions and wintry showers over the next twenty four hours, breakdown cover provider Green Flag predicts 43,000 incidents, including 11,481 battery-related issues on UK roads over Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd January 2019. Forecasters are predicting showers bringing rain, hail sleet or snow showers on Tuesday evening, followed by a widespread frost with icy patches across much of the country that will continue into Wednesday.
The number of people in work in the UK has reached a record level of 32.54 million according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics. Unemployment was flat, with a small increase of 8,000 between September and November for a total of 1.37 million.
Latest outlook from the International Monetary Fund. A Weakening Global Expansion he global expansion has weakened.
A paper for discussion by the council at the Care Learning and Housing committee on 24th January 2019 may be of interest to both landlords and tenants. The first sections of the paper are reproduced here - The Highland Council meeting in October 2017 agreed that the Council should examine the feasibility of applying for a Rent Pressure Zone for Inverness and anyother community in Highland facing similarly expensive rents.
Until 25 January each day there will be live lectures and discussions. Go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-kH-Od73XDAt7qtH9uBYA See more at https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting.
No one yet knows what the full impact of leaving the EU will be but there will be many consequences depending Deal or no Deal and much more. Here are a few points on what happens now.
The Care Learning and Housing committee will consider a 3% rise in council rents at its meeting on Thursday 24th January in Inverness. If approved there it will be passed to local area committees for a final approval.
DIT 'Exporting is GREAT' free webinar: ParcelHero Reveals the Secrets of Getting Your Goods to Overseas Customers SME retailers and manufacturers can find out everything they need to know about shipping products to new markets by joining the Department for International Trade (DIT) #Exporting is GREAT free webinar. It's being staged in partnership with the online parcel broker ParcelHero, experts in international deliveries.
A series of seminars in Inverness from Royal Bank of Scotland. Location Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel Inverness, 20 Ness Bank, Inverness, IV2 4SF.
A new report has been released outlining the extent of concern amongst Scottish businesses over Brexit. EY consulted over 80 businesses and trade associations in Scotland - and every organisation said that Brexit-related uncertainty was a major concern with businesses highlighting risks to competitiveness, profitability and, in some cases, their viability.
Blog on Fraser of Allander Institute - January 18, 2019 David Comerford, Chancellor's Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde Sevi Rodriguez Mora, Professor of Economics, University of Edinburgh; CEPR Research Fellow. Summary Populists in Europe are contesting the perceived benefits of economic integration between countries.
The world economic forum has begun in Davos. Several leaders of large nations will not be present this year.
Rails strike action is affecting many services in Scotland. Check carefully before you travel.
Number of visitors and tourism spend continue to increase. The number of overseas visitors from Europe increased sharply by 22% in the 12 months to the end of September 2018, according to official statistics released today.
Views are being sought on the detail of a new benefit that aims to help young people with the costs associated with the transition into the workplace. The proposed Job Grant consists of a one-off cash payment of £250, or £400 for a young person with children, which will be available to those between 16-24 who were out of paid work for six months prior to finding employment.
The council is taking a new approach in preparing the budget from 2019-22. In recent weeks, the Chief Executive, Donna Manson, Budget Leader Cllr Alister Mackinnon and other senior councillors and officers have been out talking with staff, groups and communities across the Highlands in over 50 engagement sessions.
Week Commencing 14th January 2019 Enabling activities: Last week's meeting of the North Coast 500 Working Group heard about the imminent launch of the Scottish Government's Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund. The £5M Fund is being administered by Scottish Natural Heritage, and is open to organisations in the Highlands and Islands.
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 17th) sold 147 weaned calves and store cattle, 3 adult head of breeding cattle and 25 OTM cattle. Bullocks (73) averaged 214.8p and sold to 260.0p per kg for a pair of 300kg Limousin crosses from 7 Sollas, Lochmaddy, and £955 gross for a pair of 440kg Limousin crosses from Old Inn, Tigharry.
A new multi-million pound fund to promote the outstanding scenery, wildlife and culture of the Highlands and Islands is open for applications now. The £5 million Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund, which is led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), will invest in projects that benefit the Highlands and Islands by improving the experience of visitors who come to discover and explore the region's nature and culture.
Following a Highland Council Trading Standards investigation, Wick Sheriff Court has imposed a court order on a 42 year old local woman who was found to be selling counterfeit goods. The Order places stringent restrictions on her future conduct and any breach of it can lead to a hefty fine or imprisonment.