News Archive

21/3/2020

Covid-19: Support For Businesses

The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.   For many more links to information check https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses This includes a package of measures to support businesses including: a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme deferring VAT and Income Tax payments.  

21/3/2020

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak Provides An Updated Statement On Coronavirus

The Chancellor unveiled today (20 March) a further series of measures to support people, jobs and businesses.   Good afternoon.  

21/3/2020

Pubs, Cafes And More Told To Close Immediately

The Scottish Government is telling businesses including cafes, pubs, and restaurants to close, along with nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres.   The measures follow a meeting of the UK Government's COBR committee, attended by the First Minister, and will be implemented across the UK with immediate effect.  

21/3/2020

Childcare Provision For Key Workers

Criteria provided to local authorities to determine local need.   Guidance on childcare provision for key workers has been published.  

21/3/2020

PM statement on coronavirus: 20 March 2020

Good afternoon and thank you for coming again.   Today I am joined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Jennie Harries deputy chief medical officer.  

21/3/2020

 
Public Sector Finances: February 2020

From the Office for Budget Resposibility.   Government records a small deficit in February, but coronavirus will see borrowing rise dramatically.  

21/3/2020

First Minister address to the nation

"COVID-19 is the biggest challenge of our lifetimes." In recent days, we've been asked to make changes to our lives that would have been unimaginable a few weeks ago.   COVID-19 is the biggest challenge of our lifetimes.  

21/3/2020

Treasury Wage Support Welcome - Rethink Lay Offs

The Scottish Government has welcomed the significant steps by the UK Government to support workers through the economic crisis sparked by coronavirus and has urged further support for self-employed, unemployed and sick.   The Economy Secretary has also called on big businesses who have laid off staff because of the crisis to reconsider their decisions in light of the new wage support package.  

21/3/2020

Government Announces Further Measures On Social Distancing 

Entertainment and hospitality premises to close temporarily and people urged to only travel if absolutely essential.   Measures to close entertainment, hospitality and indoor leisure premises across the country to take place from the end of trading hours today (Friday 20 March) to limit spread of coronavirus .  

21/3/2020

 
Chancellor's huge package of support could cost several billion pounds per month

From the Institute for Fiscal Studies.   A response to the Chancellor's new package of support.  

20/3/2020 : Grocers & General Stores

 
Co-op To Hire 5000 Out Of Work Hospitality Staff

Convenience retailer, the Co-op, has announced plans to create 5,000 store-based roles in a bid to provide temporary employment for hospitality workers who have lost their jobs and to increase support for local communities, amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.   Recruitment procedures have been simplified so that candidates can apply for positions by walking into their nearest Co-op with a view to starting work in a matter of days.  

20/3/2020 : Educational Institutions

 
North Highland College UHI - Corona Virus Update

Updates for students, staff and visitors Update March 17: North Highland College UHI is to suspend the delivery of face to face teaching from close of business today, Tuesday 17 March at 5pm, moving to the delivery of teaching and learning online to help reduce the risk of spread of coronavirus within our communities.  Students local course leaders will be in touch to explain how this will affect students directly and to communicate how they plan to continue teaching and assessment arrangements.  

20/3/2020 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Highlands And Islands Enterprise - Latest Covid19 Guidance

We would like to reassure you that HIE is doing all it can to gather information and work with Scottish Government to ensure that the appropriate support is reaching our communities and local economy.   We hope to soon have more detail about how to access the recently announced Scottish Government grants to help communities affected by Covid19 https://www.gov.scot/news/helping-communities-affected-by-covid-19 You will have seen new headlines emerging daily at a national and UK level with proposed measures to help individuals, businesses and communities.  

20/3/2020

 
Wick High School Ready To Learn Digitally During Corona Virus Emergency

As the ongoing COVID-19 crisis unfolds, we will post information for parents and pupils here.  Please check daily for updates or subscribe to our website's news service by clicking on the ‘Follow Wick High School' option on the right of the school page.  

20/3/2020 : Local Authority

Highland Council Help For Hospitality And Tourism Workers Affected By Covid19 Crisis

The Highland Council is urging those from the hospitality and tourism sector who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis to get in touch for support.   The Highlands has a large seasonal workforce, many living in ties accommodation provided by their employer.  

20/3/2020 : Local Authority

Highland Council Universal Credit Claimants Urged To Act Ahead Of Annual Rent Increase

Highland Council tenants claiming Universal Credit are being urged to look out for messages from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).   The messages, due to start being sent to claimants from the 6th April 2020 will remind people to log on to their online journal and complete a to-do ‘Report any changes to your housing costs' to ensure their entitlement covers their annual rent increase for the year ahead.  

20/3/2020

Changes To Bus Services Across The Highlands

Measures reflect reduced travel and keeping key workers communities connected Temporary reduced service to operate from Monday 23rd March 2020.   Changes follow new government advice on social contact + non-essential travel Stagecoach support for national effort to help tackle challenging situation.  

20/3/2020

 
Reduced Rail Timetable Agreed To Protect Train Services And Staff

government and rail operators across the UK agree reductions in service levels following reduced passenger demand as people change their travel patterns to help tackle spread of COVID-19.   move will keep core services running to ensure those who need to get to work, including emergency services and NHS can continue to do so.  

20/3/2020

Reduced Trains Timetables From Monday 23 March 2020 Due to Corona Virus

With the unprecedented global crisis, staff availability in ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland has been affected, as well as customer demand.  That's why, from Monday, 23 March 2020, we'll be operating a revised timetable.  

20/3/2020

Update On School Closures And Exams

Exams will not go ahead, teaching, learning and support can continue with local flexibility.   Deputy First Minister John Swinney has updated Parliament on the decision to close schools and confirmed that: the exam diet will not go ahead this year.