Inflation figures released today show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell from 0.5% to 0.3% during January. To beat inflation, a basic rate taxpayer at 20% needs to find a savings account paying 0.38% per annum, while a higher rate taxpayer at 40% needs to find an account paying at least 0.50%.
Suppliers with white labels will have to inform customers of their cheapest tariff, whatever brand it is sold under New rules provide greater flexibility for white labels brands to operate in the retail energy market Ofgem has today set out final proposals for regulating suppliers who sell energy using white labels in the domestic energy market. From July, suppliers will have to be more transparent and tell customers what their cheapest tariff is regardless of the brand they use.
Following a successful meeting with the Lord Lyon and The Flag Institute with local community and Highland Council representatives, a competition for the design of a new flag for Caithness is launched today. Caithness Civic Leader, Councillor Gail Ross said: "This is a great chance for people to get creative and design an eye catching flag that will become the public symbol for Caithness.
A six month review of the Highland Council website, which was launched in 2014, reveals high satisfaction levels amongst Highland residents. The majority of people visit the website to access services or to find information on Council meetings.
As peak insurance renewal season approaches - research reveals that 19% of drivers allow their car insurance to auto-renew without checking other quotes. A quarter of drivers have been with the same insurer for three years or more.
Week Commencing 16 February 2015 Enabling activities: This week around 70 businesses and organisations took part in an event led by Caithness Chamber of Commerce. Entitled "Investing in Our Young People" the event focused on the recommendations coming out of the "Commission for Developing Young People" led by Sir Ian Wood and published last summer.
The Highland Council has launched a new interactive map on its website showing the location of windfarms and wind turbines in the Highlands. The user friendly Windfarm Activity Map covers all scales of wind energy development and provides detailed information such as turbine sizes and planning reference numbers to make it easy for people to get further information.
North MSP determined to do something to address the issue with Scotland's only driving assessment centre. He is asking for a centre to be opened in Inverness with a relocation of jobs.
The importance of supporting environmentally, economically and socially sustainable aquaculture development in the Highlands was under the spotlight at yesterday's Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. Members agreed a pre-consultation draft supplementary guidance on Aquaculture which, will eventually be used to determine future planning applications.
Councils using toolkit and investing in LED lighting will pay less for electricity in 25 years time than they do now. As the cost of electricity is set to double over the next ten years, an easy-to-use toolkit has been launched to give Scotland's local authorities real-time information on how many millions they would save by phasing in energy efficient LED street lights.
An independent report commissioned by the Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and other partners has highlighted that 60% of businesses surveyed felt that their use of Gaelic enhanced the value of the language within the community and Gaelic is an asset in particular when used to promote the creative industries, tourism, food and drink. At Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee (Wednesday 18 February 2015) , Councillors had a chance to discuss the report and the Council's strategic approach to supporting the Gaelic language and culture to bring both economic and social benefits to the Highlands.
Pentland Ferries is all set to buy the former Caledonian MacBrayne ferry Saturn. The move has been confirmed by the owners of the ship, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL)..
TSB has improved mobile access for customers this week, by launching a new and improved mobile banking app for Android and Apple smartphones and tablets. The new app will make it quicker and easier for customers of TSB to carry out their day-to-day banking activity wherever and whenever is most convenient for them.
Whether you are looking for a new corporate identity, a professional annual report, stand out exhibitions, contemporary web design, noticeable newspaper ads, eye-catching posters or quality packaging, North Design is the right choice for all your creative needs. Browse through our website and you will find samples of recent work done for a number of clients, some who have come to us recently and others who have been with us for decades.
Highlands & Islands MSP (including Moray),Shadow Minister for Transport and Islands and also road safety campaigner, David Stewart, earlier this month raised the issue of the location of the only Scottish Driving Assessment Centre in Scotland now being based in Edinburgh. He wrote to DVLA and the Secretary of State for Transport, the RT Hon Patrick McLoughlin.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 18th) sold 501 store cattle, 16 adult head of breeding cattle and 48 OTM cattle. Bullocks (257) averaged 247.9p and sold to 302.9p per kg for a 340kg Charolais cross from Pitmain Farm, Kingussie, and £1,430 gross for a 695kg Simmental cross from Inshes Farm, Inshes.
The airfield at Wick John O'Groats Airport is set for a major upgrade this year, boosting safety and enabling the airport to handle future growth. Almost £600,000 is to be spent this year refurbishing the airport apron where aircraft are parked, loaded and unloaded.
A tale of two workforces is emerging in the UK, according to the latest Labour Market Outlook from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development. The report highlights an increasing pay divide between companies that can now afford to increase wages by 2% or more and those that are stuck in a pay freeze.
Employment Growth Drives Employment Rate to Record High While Pay Growth Remains Relatively Sluggish for the Majority of Workers. Gerwyn Davies, Labour Market Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development, comments on the official labour market statistics published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS): "Employers' appetite for taking on workers shows no sign of abating.
The consultation on the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan Main Issues Report (CaSPlan MIR) drew to a close on Friday 6 February 2015 after 14 weeks which saw members of the public take part in a series of drop in sessions and evening workshops held around the plan area. The consultation sought people's views on the main issues affecting people and places and potential development sites across the plan area.
