Jamie Stone Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Armed Forces) 3:23 pm, 5th March 2019 speaking in the Regional Transport Committee in London. Anyone who has recently used trains and buses can only agree with his statements and the letters he read out from the John O'Groat Journal.
Employers have began planning to make Dundee the first "living wage city'' in the UK. The plan involves increasing payment of the voluntary living wage of £9 an hour, which is more than £1 an hour above the statutory adult rate of £7.83.
Prospect air traffic controllers in the Highlands and Islands to strike on 26th April 2019 over pay. Prospect air traffic controllers working for Highlands and Islands Airport Limited will be taking strike action on the 26th of April in relation to their 2018-19 pay offer.
NorthLink Ferries is set to star in a new STV documentary on Friday (08 March 2019), providing viewers across the country with a unique insight into life on board the company's passenger services. Titled All Aboard and broadcast at 8pm, the 30 minute programme follows MV Hrossey as she travels between Aberdeen and Lerwick, offering a behind the scenes chance to see the many roles of crewmembers as well as a glimpse into island life and the stories of those making their way to and from the mainland.
Serco NorthLink Ferries has been commended by the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse, for developing young people from Shetland and Orkney and becoming the first and only ferry operator in Scotland to receive the highest Investors in People accreditation. As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2019, 11 apprentices with NorthLink Ferries met the Minister at NorthLink's Stromness office where they discussed the benefits of modern apprenticeships and the opportunities being presented to them by Serco, the operator of the lifeline ferry service.
Scotland's Chief Statistician today released the latest Council Tax Reduction (CTR) estimates. In December 2018, Scotland's Council Tax Reduction scheme supported 473,410 households and the total weekly income foregone by local authorities was £6.4 million.
In Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2018, the total value of inward mergers and acquisitions (M&A) was £33.3 billion, the highest value since Quarter 4 2016 (£85.2 billion). The total value of inward M&A for the whole of 2018 (Jan to Dec) was £71.1 billion and is broadly explained by one very large successful acquisition.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019: Skills for the Future. From 4-8th March we celebrate the achievements of individual apprentices and all those who contribute to their success.
Young filmmakers with a passion for nature are being sought for our new competition that aims to encourage businesses to see the benefits of the natural world. We have joined forces with the Scottish Forum on Natural Capital (SFNC) to help promote why businesses should care for and invest in nature.
When: Friday 15 March, 1pm - 3 pm Where: Field Centre, RSPB Forsinard Flows Please register attendance by emailing Beki Pope beki.pope@rspb.or.g.uk Please email or call to book. Any personal data you provide when booking will be used only for the purposes of booking this event.
National discussion paper launched in Orkney. Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing has launched a national discussion paper setting out the Scottish Government's vision for the future of fisheries.
Following concerns that several flats within Cruickshank Court, Dingwall, were being occupied as unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO), The Highland Council's Environmental Health team led a joint investigation with Police Scotland in September 2017 into the matter. The investigation identified several unlicensed HMOs and a report was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal's Office at the time.
The latest Peatland ACTION Fund round is now open with £1.5 million available to restore damaged peatlands across Scotland. The funding comes through the Scottish Government's Climate Change Plan commitments, which sets out the long-term ambition to restore 250,000 hectares of peatland by 2030.
Pupils in every high school across Scotland will benefit from a new national network of apprentices, helping to inspire future generations to benefit from apprenticeship opportunities. Scotland's Apprentice Network is open to current and former apprentices who want to encourage young people to follow in their footsteps, with every school in Scotland to be linked with an ambassador from the network.
UNISON, the largest union in local government, welcomed the pay deal for local government workers agreed with COSLA today. UNISON members had voted overwhelmingly to accept the offer in January and have been waiting on the outcome of the other local government trade unions to conclude their member consultations.
More than 1,300 new Graduate Apprenticeship work-based learning opportunities will help boost Scotland's economy and give people a head-start in their careers. Fair Work Secretary Derek Mackay announced that the target for Graduate Apprenticeships in 2019/20 has been increased to 1,300.
Funding to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. Charities working to reduce the cycle of reoffending will share almost £3 million to fund specialist services including employment training, early intervention and support for families of prisoners.
At the meeting of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Teachers' Side on 25 February 2019, it was announced that EIS had balloted its members and, with an 81% turnout, 57% voted to reject the latest pay offer and 43% to accept. AHDS and SSTA had also balloted their memberships, which had both voted to accept the offer.
Week Commencing 25 February 2019 Energy & Business Services: The Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project has passed the 75% mark in its construction phase with the installation this week of the 63rd of 84 turbines The company is also currently advertising for a Wind Turbine Engineer to be based at Wick. http://ssejobs.co.uk/caw/en/job/519979/wind-turbine-engineer Enabling activities: Caithness Chamber of Commerce - in its role as Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) for the North Highlands, Orkney and Shetland - hosted a Brexit Business Breakfast in Thurso today (Friday).
Ministers will be on Orkney to discuss the impact of Brexit on the highlands and islands, at the latest Convention of Highlands and Islands (CoHI). Transport and the marine economy will also be among the main topics of discussion in Kirkwall on Monday, when Scottish Government Ministers meet with council representatives and stakeholders.