HIGHLANDS and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is investing in Scotland's first women-focused network designed to encourage more female angel investors and entrepreneurs. Investing Women is being launched in the region tomorrow (Thursday June 5).
Week Commencing 2nd June 2014 Tourism, Food & Drink: Further success for the area's food & drink sector is evident in this week's news that JPL Shellfish is to expand its premises at Scrabster to meet increasing international demand for its products. As previously highlighted, the company has been winning business in European export markets, but more recently has seen significant interest from markets in Southeast Asia.
New calculations - based on forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) - suggest that an independent Scotland would face a budget deficit of 5.5% of GDP (£8.6 billion in today's terms) in its first year of independence were it to inherit a population share of the UK's national debt. This would not be sustainable for any prolonged period.
Eleven trainee welders from North Highland College UHI and Inverness College UHI went head to head in a college weld challenge last week, with the first heat based at Inverness Longman campus, and the second at North Highland's state-of-the-art engineering, technology and energy centre. The students were selected from the 72 full time and apprentice welders currently training at the two colleges.
Caithness Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it is now accepting entries for the George Bruce Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014. Now in its fifth year, the award aims to highlight a young, local business person who has displayed the necessary drive and determination to make their business a success.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is investing in Scotland's first women-focused network designed to encourage more female angel investors and entrepreneurs. Investing Women is being launched in the region tomorrow (Thursday June 5).
On Friday (6 June 2014) The Highland Council will welcome the Political Bureau of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime regions (CPMR) to Inverness. This is the first time that the Political Bureau has met in the Highlands and the Council is keen to use the visit to highlight the realities of living and working at the periphery of the European Union.
Summary The Queen has delivered her speech to the House of Lords setting out the Coalition Government's programme for the next Parliamentary year. This will be the last parliamentary session before the 2015 General Election.
Mobile data bills could hit £465 per day in Brazil if footie fans opt out of automatic data limits imposed by networks, instead of using free local Wi-Fi[3]. Fans jetting off for the 10-day group stage could be hit with a staggering roaming bill of almost £5,000[4], more than eight times the cost of the best tickets to the final[5] Brits visiting Brazil can expect to spend an average £5 on every 1MB of mobile internet data - enough to view just 10 web pages, or stream a one minute video.
- 15% of UK adults have so far used a specially enabled credit or debit card to make a contactless payment; - Online and smartphone banking is booming with over 80% of adults regularly managing their money online - 28% of Brits have made payments using a smartphone banking app. New research suggests that shoppers are warming to contactless payments with 15% of Brits having already made a contactless payment using a credit or debit card and more than a fifth saying they expect to use contactless payments this year.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 3rd) sold 60 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (37) averaged 197.5p (-4.1p) and sold to 220p per kg and £1,475.80 gross.
All businesses must now display the new version of the Health and Safety Law Poster, or issue copies of the new leaflets. The new poster was issued in 2009 and was set out in simple terms, using numbered lists of basic points, what employers and workers must do, as well as showing what to do if there is a problem.
'Carrington Dean Teen Money Survey' highlights need for education on value of independent advice. Key findings from 'Carrington Dean Teen Money Survey' 48% of teens trust banks more than their parents for financial advice One-third of 16 and 17 year olds name banks as 'most trusted' source of financial advice 64% of teens trust banks more than independent financial advisers.
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrea Leadsom, has today launched an independent review of the Money Advice Service (MAS) and announced that Christine Farnish will lead the review. The Money Advice Service (MAS) is a body set up by government to provide consumers with financial education and advice.
Culture and External Affairs Secretary to host question session in the city. Those who live, work and study in Inverness will have a chance to quiz Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop about the government's plans for independence when she visits the city next week.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Scottish Government are pleased to announce that they have jointly awarded just under £3 million to the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, for a new What Works Scotland (WWS) initiative. The Centre is intended to help policy makers and practitioners in the public services in Scotland transform the way they work.
With significant changes to the pensions market announced in the budget, Partnership undertook research to ascertain what consumers considered to be the most important features for a retirement product. Guaranteed income for life (64%), getting as much income as possible (31%) and income which keeps track with inflation (24%) were the top attributes of the 'perfect retirement product'.
Report on Scotland's young workforce due to be published. Small businesses should receive greater support to encourage them to invest in the future of Scotland’s young people, a report to be published next week will recommend.
The Government is extending the right to request flexible working to all employees, removing the current statutory procedure for considering requests. Employers will then have a duty to consider all requests in a reasonable manner but will have the flexibility to refuse requests on business grounds.
- The average age of a UK first time buyer is 36 years old according to MoneySuperMarket *- South West first time buyers are aged 41 - Two-fifths of recent buyers say they had to compromise on renovations or repairs to be able to afford their first home The average age UK house hunters estimate they will be able to take their first step onto the property ladder is 36 years old, according to research* by MoneySuperMarket. *The UK's number one comparison site found that while the average age of a first time buyer is now 36, there is a variation between the regions.
