Minister announces 23.9% rise. Registered business start-ups are at a record high in Scotland with a 23.9% increase in 2013, Business Minister Fergus Ewing announced today.
DFM: ‘a strong economy will help tackle the inequality that blights our society'. Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary John Swinney has today welcomed news that 2014 has been another encouraging and buoyant year for Scotland, according to employment statistics covering the period Aug-Oct 2014.
Young Innovators Challenge 2015. £247,500 made available to recognise invention and forward thinking.
Issued by the Institute of Fiscal Studies on 18 December 2014. On November 27th 2014, the Smith Commission published proposals for further devolution of powers to Scotland.
One of the biggest storms to hit Wick Bay for many years was viewed by many of the people in Wick looking from above wick Bay. The clean up around the harbour took some time but gradually everything was back in order.
September 2014 marked 50 years since the award to BP of Licence P.001, the UK North Sea licence that started it all. It is a journey that has seen BP present for each of those 50 years and that continues to this day.
For most people, the festive season is a time to relax and take a well-earned rest from work, but figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 863,000 workers in the UK, 2.9% of the total in employment, worked on Christmas Day 2012, the most recent for which numbers are available. This is slightly down on the 2008 figure of 887,000 people working, or 3.0% of the total.
In the year since Bank of Scotland launched Everyday Offers, Bank of Scotland customers have benefitted by earning up to 15% cash back on their everyday spending at places including Argos, The Body Shop, Morrisons and O2, through the initiative. During the festive sales, it's not too late for savvy shoppers to make the most of their spending by selecting the participating merchants they want to activate for use on their next purchases.
The move by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) should, along with several other measures, help ensure that future management is sustainable. Ron Macdonald, SNH's director of policy and advice, said: "We are asking estates for restraint on large-scale culls of mountain hares which could jeopardise the conservation status of mountain hares.
Highland and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP, Rhoda Grant is backing the roll out of an anti-domestic abuse scheme across Scotland following a trial period that was piloted in Aberdeen and Ayrshire in November this year. The Police Scotland "Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme" which allows for men and woman to request information on whether their partner has a history of domestic violence has already received 15 applications in the trial areas and is being tested in Scotland following the introduction of the scheme in England and Wales following the murder of Clare Wood in Salford in 2009 by her ex-partner who has a previous record of domestic violence and abuse.
Following the recent embankment landslip adjacent to the A9 Trunk Road at Meadowside near Newtonmore, the Council is advising drivers that the B9152 road will remain closed over the festive period to allow BEAR Scotland to remove debris and prepare for embankment repair works. BEAR Scotland are currently on site carrying out tree clearing works.
In Q3 2014, household spending (adjusted for inflation) grew by 0.9% (£2.5 billion). The main contribution to growth can be seen in 'Transport' which has increased by 2.9% compared with Q2 2014.
Following changes to the permitted development rights for agricultural and forestry private ways (tracks and paths etc.) on 15 December 2014, The Highland Council has now published interim guidance on it's website for developers of private ways. The legislative changes require planning authorities to now approve the route, design and means of construction of proposed private ways before they can be constructed and careful consideration must be given to design, method of construction and routing.
- Over £10bn (39%) goes towards younger family members' home buying costs. - Over half of over-55s feel responsible for helping adult children financially.
The price consumers pay for fuel is strongly related to the price of crude oil, although it is less volatile and the effect of changes in crude oil prices are delayed. The most recent data shows the crude oil price falling 25% on the year, so, are we in line for a big drop in fuel prices? Historical data says probably not.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 23rd) sold 56 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (24) averaged 213.7p (+0.7p) and sold to 221p per kg and £1,508.70 gross.
Alstom has taken advantage of its experience with the 1 MW turbine to improve the design of its tidal stream turbine. They are now offering the Oceade™ 18 - 1.4 MW, making the turbine even more efficient, cost-effective and easy to maintain.
The EU awards €750,000 for the development of tidal power components - resulting in unique collaboration between tidal energy developers. Marine energy companies Minesto and Atlantis Resources Ltd ("Atlantis") have been awarded €750,000 from the Eurostars Programme, funded by the European Union.
For the first time ever, fixed rate energy tariffs dominate the top 10 cheapest deals on the market, all offering average bills below £1,000, according to analysis from MoneySuperMarket. Traditionally the cheaper tariffs offered by energy suppliers were reserved for variable rate online only deals but, for the first time ever the best buy table is dominated by fixed rate deals which are all under £1,000.
UK House prices to increase by 3% in 2015. RICS annual housing market forecast.