Responding to the announcement by Royal Mail on Friday 20th June 2014 that they have called on Ofcom to bring forward a review of the direct delivery market, Dave Ward, the deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), said: "Ofcom's primary duty is to protect the universal service which allows us to send a letter to Belfast, Bristol or Brighton all for the same price. If Ofcom does not carry out an immediate review of the impact of direct delivery on universal service, it will have failed in its duty.
The University of the Highlands and Islands Management School will be broadcasting a free seminar from the island of Unst in Shetland on Tuesday 1 July. Key account director, Gary I Campbell, will interview Sonny Priest, the founder of Valhalla Brewery, Scotland's most northerly brewery.
Week Commencing 16th June 2014 Tourism, Food & Drink: This week has been the annual Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, and north companies such as Mey Selections and Berry Good have been exhibiting. Indeed Berry Good has won the Supplier of the Year award in Scottish Farmer's awards announced at the event yesterday (Thursday), so congratulations to Jill Brown for yet more recognition for her fruit-infused spirits.
Transport Scotland is to re-open the toilet block at North Kessock on the southbound A9 for the summer period. Alastair Somerville, Area Manager, Transport Scotland said: "We are committed to this facility in the long-term and in the short-term and have asked our contractors BEAR Scotland NW to undertake a review of the facility with an aim of having the toilet block re-opened for the summer period.
Legislation will help local authorities recover costs. A new law that will allow local councils to recover debts they have incurred when taking on enforcement work on dangerous or defective buildings, has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Over £11m public funding matched by industry. A new innovation centre for aquaculture will help create jobs and support the growth, sustainability and profitability of the industry in Scotland.
Interim report identifies challenges to overcome. The main barriers to a vibrant and thriving tenant farming sector in Scotland have been identified in the interim report of the Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group.
The fourth topic on the Council's Budget Blog goes live on Thursday 19 June - how can we organise our customer service provision (Service Points) in the future? The Council engages with customers in a variety of ways and is looking to improve the way customers can access Council services. The blog looks for suggestions on how the Council could reduce costs by delivering more services by telephone and on-line while ensuring that vulnerable groups can still access services.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 18th) sold 100 store cattle, 8 breeding cattle and 39 OTM cattle. Bullocks (44) averaged 208.3p and sold to 249.2p per kg for 305kg Saler crosses from Coilach, Muir of Ord, and £1,110 gross for a 620kg Hereford cross from Glenurquhart, Cromarty.
Barclaycard has launched a market leading 33 month 0% interest balance transfer card in response to Halifax's 32 month offer Halifax struck first with its longest ever 0% interest balance transfer card, which will allow customers to transfer existing credit card debt to this card and pay no interest for 32 months. There is a 3% fee on balances transferred within the first 90 days, so if you transferred £2,000 to this card you would pay a fee of £60.
Inflation figures released today show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell from 1.8% to 1.5% during May. To beat inflation, a basic rate taxpayer at 20% needs to find a savings account paying 1.88% per annum, while a higher rate taxpayer at 40% needs to find an account paying at least 2.50%.
UK house prices increased by 9.9% in the year to April 2014, up from 8.0% in the year to March 2014. House price annual inflation was 10.4% in England, 3.3% in Wales, 4.8% in Scotland and 2.6% in Northern Ireland.
Mark Bodega, director at foreign currency specialists, HiFX, outlines what sterling's strength means for holiday makers: "Sterling hit a five year high against the dollar yesterday and remains relatively strong against all of the world's major currencies. This means most holiday makers will find trips abroad feel a little cheaper than they did last year.
Now at Record Levels. Motor injury fraud puts the public at risk of physical harm; Aviva calls for stronger sentences to deter fraudsters 87% of public believe custodial sentences send the strongest message Fraudulent 'slam-ons' - road traffic accidents deliberately caused in order to claim for whiplash compensation – increased by 51% in 2013, according to claims fraud data from Aviva.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) grew by 1.5% in the year to May 2014, down from 1.8% in April. Falls in transport services costs, notably air fares, provided the largest contribution to the decrease in the rate.
University of the Highlands and Islands principal and vice-chancellor meets staff and students at North Highland College UHI. Professor Clive Mulholland met with staff and students last week at North Highland College UHI just 12 days after taking up his post as the second principal and vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP Rhoda Grant is seeking views from Orkney constituents on their current Royal Mail postal service and postcode. The North MSP launched a campaign at the beginning of this year which seeks to introduce a new postcode for Caithness and Sutherland, separating the North Highland mainland area from the shared KW, Orkney postcode.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 17th) sold 53 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (36) averaged 198.7p (+1.5p) and sold to 221p per kg and £1,486.80 gross.
Many Scots want more devolution, but think those additional powers will be achieved without independence, according to new data released by the British Election Study (BES). The findings by Professor Ed Fieldhouse from The University of Manchester, who Co-directs the BES, reveal that half of voters think more powers will be achieved, even if Scotland votes ‘No'.
Around 175 young people from 14 Highland schools recently spent a team-building day (on 11 June) at the Black Isle Show ground taking part in exercises provided by local companies. The event for fourth year Highland secondary pupils aimed to promote skills for working with others as part of an induction to the new Bridge to Employment programme.
