News Archive

24/5/2018 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Report Highlights Career Opportunities In Aquaculture

A new report has called for more promotion of Scotland's aquaculture sector and supply chain as a rewarding long-term career choice, particularly for young people and for women.   The ‘Skills review for the Aquaculture Sector in Scotland' was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) on behalf of the Aquaculture Industry Leadership Group (AILG), and in collaboration with Skills Development Scotland.  

24/5/2018 : Local Authority

Highland Council Budget Leader warns of even tougher decisions to come

Speaking at Highland Council's Corporate Resources Committee today (24 May 2018), Budget Leader Cllr Alister Mackinnon said that the Council's reported overspend showed the extent to which successive budget reductions and council tax freezes meant the authority had no wriggle room to manage significant pressures in demand-led services like supporting children with additional support needs.  He said:"We have done everything we can to protect front line services and particularly services to children and young people.  

24/5/2018

Scotland's Devolved Employment Services

Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland, 2017/18.   An Experimental Statistics Publication for Scotland.  

24/5/2018

 
Non-British Population Of Scotland Continues To Increase

In 2017, the number of non-British nationals living in Scotland rose by 12% to 378,000, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).   The number of EU nationals increased by 26,000 to 235,000 in this time, with the number of non-EU nationals increasing by 14,000 to 142,000.  

24/5/2018

Sustainable Growth Of Farmed Fish

Far-reaching measures to support sustainable growth across the Scottish fish farming sector have been set out.   The 10 Year Farmed Fish Health Framework has been developed by the aquaculture sector and Scottish Government and its agencies.  

24/5/2018

Brexit Impact On Food And Drink

Roundtable to discuss effect on sector.   Brexit could "significantly impact" the cost and quality of the food and drink consumed in Scotland, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe Michael Russell warned ahead of a meeting with industry representatives.  

24/5/2018

Legislation To Support Workload Planning For Health And Care Services

Scotland's health boards and care providers will be required to have suitable staffing in place to enable all patients to receive safe, high quality care under new legislation published today (24 May 2018).   The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill will place a legal requirement on NHS boards and care services to ensure appropriate numbers of suitably trained staff are in place, irrespective of where care is received.  

24/5/2018

Provisional Sea Fisheries Statistics 2017

Latest figures show that in 2017, Scottish-registered fishing vessels landed 464 thousand tonnes of sea fish and shellfish with a value of £559 million.  This represents an increase of 10,600 tonnes (2%) and £2.6 million (<1%) from 2016.  

24/5/2018

Almost 80% of public sector contract awards go to SMEs

Nearly eight out of ten public sector contracts in Scotland are now awarded to small and medium businesses as a result of Scottish Government legislation.   In 2017/18, of the 22,000 contracts advertised through Public Contracts Scotland, 17,500 were awarded to SMEs, of which 13,500 were Scottish businesses.  

24/5/2018

Commitment To Net-zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions

New legislation set to be ‘toughest in the world'.   Scotland will become one of the first countries to achieve a 100% reduction in carbon emissions, Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has said.  

23/5/2018

Overwhelming Support For Fire Sprinklers In Scottish Social Housing

94 PER CENT BACK FITTING SPRINKLERS IN NEW BUILDS.   Proposals for mandatory fire sprinklers in new-build social housing have been met with overwhelming public support.  

23/5/2018

 
European Market Place - FLEXICIENCY project

The FLEXICIENCY project aims to demonstrate how, inside the European Union, the implementation of novel services dedicated to energy market can be boosted by the introduction of a Market Place that allows the exchange of data, services and tools among the operators.   This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement n° 646482.  

22/5/2018 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Business Gateway workshops in Thurso and Wick

Business Gateway workshops to be held in Thurso and Wick.   The Paths into Public Procurement workshop is new and is being held in the evening for clients' convenience..  

22/5/2018

Employment level and rate (16+) in Scotland increased record levels

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland In work In 2017, 2,618,100 people (aged 16 years and above) were in employment in Scotland, the highest level on record.  The employment rate was also the highest on record at 74.3 per cent, although this is below the UK rate of 74.7 per cent.  

22/5/2018

New Local Access Forum members wanted

The Highland Council is looking for new members to fill its vacancies on the six local outdoor access forums in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness & Nairn, Skye & Lochalsh and Lochaber.  There are currently at least 2 vacancies on each Forum The Forums are set up to advise the Council on matters relating to outdoor public access and are a part of the Council's duty under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.  

22/5/2018

Social Security Payments On Track Despite Delays

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman has written to the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Esther McVey for the third time to complain about her department reneging on agreements.   This latest letter follows notification from the DWP that they would no longer be able to meet formal agreements made on the 9 March to provide important data on carers.  

22/5/2018

 
Household Numbers Continue To Rise

The number of households in Scotland has continued to increase to 2.46 million in 2017, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).   'Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2017' shows over the last ten years the number of households in Scotland has grown by around 145,000 (six per cent).  

21/5/2018 : Local Authority

Public views sought for Taxi fare review in Highland

The public is being asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to review the maximum level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hire cars fitted with taxi meters operating under licence of The Highland Council.   The Council has a statutory duty in terms of Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to review its scales for the fares and other taxi related charges every 18 months.  

17/5/2018 : Local Authority

 
High-fi For Aviemore - Free Wifi To Be Rolled Out Across 14 Highland Towns

AVIEMORE now has access to free WIFI in and around the centre of the town thanks to a project led by the Highland Council and funded by the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.   The free WiFi, called "High-Fi", is aimed at stimulating economic growth and will increase digital inclusion across the Highlands.  

17/5/2018

Royal Bank Of Scotland Wick Branch Closed Today - Mobile Branch Times And Locations

Banking & Financial Services.   The Wick branch of Royal Bank of Scotland closed its doors for the last time on Thursday 17th May 2018.