Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has demanded that regional funding which supports the fragile economy of the Highlands and Islands is maintained by the UK government after Brexit. Speaking at Scottish Labour's Highlands and Islands conference in Inverness on Saturday (20 January) he said that it is vital the support currently received from the European Union is not forgotten during the Brexit negotiations.
IFAD President urges leaders gathering at World Economic Forum (WEF). Rome, 23 January 2018 - As an unprecedented number of government and business leaders gather at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos today to improve international collaboration in a 'fragmented world', the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) issued an urgent call to remember the world's poorest and most marginalized people.
The Highland Council and its Commercial and Procurement Shared Services partners Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils are running a series of events to help businesses supply to the public sector. Some of the events are hosted by other organisations and we will be signposting suppliers to these as well.
Week commencing 15th January 2018 Enabling activities: It is always great to see an innovative Caithness company being recognised - this time Norscot Joinery, whose partnership with Strathclyde University through the Interface programme, is up for Innovation of the Year in the 2018 Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards. http://www.bqlive.co.uk/scotland/2018/01/11/news/scottish-knowledge-exchange-awards-finalists-announced-29865/ Business Gateway (managed in the Highlands by CNSRP partner the Highland Council) will be running two workshops for businesses interested in boosting their digital profile.
This report presents information on: the rationale, costs and benefits of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI); the use and impact of PFI, and ability to make savings from operational contracts; and the introduction of PF2. There are currently over 700 operational PFI and PF2 deals, with a capital value of around £60 billion.
This workshop is designed for people who want to deepen their understanding of how Facebook can be used to engage with their target audience in order to boost conversions. Facebook is an increasingly effective tool for reaching target audiences and engaging with them when they are in a responsive mode.
'Switched on @ Work' is an event to help employees and businesses identify the benefits of switching to ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs). ULEVs range from pure electric, plug-in hybrids and extended range electric vehicles.
Leader of the Highland Council, Margaret Davidson has moved to reassure communities about forthcoming budget decisions. She said: "No decisions will be made until the Council meets on 15 February.
Recent VisitScotland figures have highlighted that 62%* of holidaymakers to Scotland said trying locally sourced food and drink is an important part of their visit. Share In a bid to capitalise on the benefits of a close relationship between food and drink producers and the tourism sector, a range of industry representatives and public agencies are working together to develop a new strategy - the ‘National Framework to Grow Food Tourism'.
Proposed 50p minimum unit price for alcohol would increase prices of around 70% of off-trade alcohol purchases. The Scottish Government plans to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol on 1 May 2018.
Week Commencing 8 January 2018 Energy & business services: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy - the suppliers of the turbines for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm - are advertising several new roles to be based at the operations base in Wick. See http://forum.caithness.org/forumdisplay.php?22-Job-Vacancies.
What does this mean for future trade policy? Globalisation, and the accompanying internalisation of firms' supply chains that has occurred over recent decades, have changed the way we should think about trade flows and in particular the UK's trade with the EU. It is increasingly the case that countries' exports embody imports from abroad, whether in the form of imported raw materials, components or business services.
Wick High School 10th February 2018 10.00am - 2.00pm. See poster for details..
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (January, 10th) sold 2,097 sheep of all classes. Lambs (988) sold to £75 gross for Cheviots from South Balkeith, Tain.
More remote and rural businesses will benefit. At least 28,000 new apprentices will be trained next year, with increased support for rural areas and key sectors.
Scotland is on a complex and fast-paced journey of devolution. This brings new opportunities and risks for public finances and how they're managed in a world of growing demand and challenges for public services.
Agriculture in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland faces an uncertain future after Brexit according to a new study from the Centre on Constitutional Change, The Repatriation of Competences in Agriculture after Brexit [PDF], published today. The research, conducted by the Centre's director, Professor Michael Keating, investigated the challenges presented by UK policymaking being heavily influenced by the needs of agriculture in England, which are quite different from those in the devolved territories.
Proposal to ban the manufacture and sale of plastic cotton buds. Plans to introduce legislation to ban the manufacture and sale of plastic stemmed cotton buds have been announced by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham.
The increasing use of digital services in a connected world brings an increasing threat of cyberattack. The Internet that connects systems doesn't discriminate between the type of traffic it allows on the network, it is our responsibility to manage this when we connect to and use the Internet by recognising and reducing the risk as appropriate.
Luxury resort Auchrannie has completed its transition to become Scotland's latest employee-owned business, with 160 members of staff becoming owners. Share Located in Brodick on the Isle of Arran, Auchrannie is an award-winning resort comprising two 4-star hotels, thirty 5-star self-catering lodges, two leisure clubs, three individually branded restaurants, a children’s Playbarn, an ASPA spa and Arran Adventure outdoor company.