Crossroads Caring Scotland is the leading voluntary sector provider of support for carers and their families. Established as a charity in Scotland in 1978, we have 22 managed services helping people live independently at home.
UNISON Scotland and GMB today (Wednesday 19 October 2016) announced they will delay strike action to give talks with ACAS a chance to succeed. The move follows two days of strike action last month that saw chaos across the country's 20 colleges.
Unemployment rates in Scotland fell by nearly one percentage point over the last quarter to 4.6%, the lowest rate of unemployment since 2008 according to the latest ONS statistics published today. The Labour Market Statistics for June to August 2016 show Scotland continues to outperform the UK on female employment, unemployment and inactivity rates.
Creag Riabhach wind farm to generate enough power for 36,000 homes. Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has today given consent for the construction of a 22 turbine wind farm in the Highlands.
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 15th) sold 286 weaned calves and store cattle, 27 OTM cattle and 5 adult head of breeding cattle. Bullocks (179) averaged 241.8p sold to 361.3p per kg for a 155kg Limousin cross from Keil Farm, Ardgour, and £890 gross for a 405kg Aberdeen Angus cross from Glendoe Estates, Fort Augustus.
More than a hundred secondary schools will receive up to £11.5 million for projects to close the attainment gap, Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed today. The funding will enable up to 133 secondary schools with pupils living in areas of deprivation to improve their literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing.
Key land reform body to bring around 20 new jobs to Inverness. The Scottish Land Commission, including five Land Commissioners, the Tenant Farming Commissioner and support staff, will be based in Inverness, Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will announce.
At least 2,000 people who have direct experience of receiving benefits are to help shape Scotland's first ever social security system. People from across the country who currently receive a benefit which will be devolved to Scotland, or who have received it in the last year, will be recruited to help to design and test the new system to ensure it works for them.
Newsroom News Scottish economy grows 0.4% inShare Scottish economy grows 0.4% Downloads 12/10/2016 09:30 Scotland Business and Industry Economy A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. Scottish GDP grew by 0.4% during the second quarter of 2016, according to statistics announced today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 14th) sold 6,831 store sheep. Lambs (5,038) averaged £46.57 and sold to £69.50 for Texel crosses from Croft 8, Inverness.
Week Commencing 10 October 2016 Energy & Business Services: The Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project is one of the largest private sector investments in Scotland, and to illustrate the sheer scale of the work the consortium has produced a short animation, which is available to view at https://vimeo.com/186162042 Also this week, lead partner SSE has broken ground on the site in Moray where the subsea cable from the Beatrice turbines will connect into the National Grid, ready for the date in 2019 when the project will be operational. http://renews.biz/104493/sse-breaks-ground-for-beatrice/ Tourism, Food & Drink: Last weekend's spectacular weather helped another successful "Taste North" celebration of local produce from Caithness and Sutherland.
Recycling Books and DVD's is to be one way local libraries can raise funds for new items. If you would like to help and get a bargain at the same time then head to Thurso library on the day of the sale..
SSE has broken ground on the landfall point of the export cable for its 588MW Beatrice offshore wind farm off the Scottish coast. The move near Portgordon marks the start of enabling works at the project's main construction compound, The cable will run about 20kms underground from the landfall point to a new substation adjacent to an existing one at Blackhillock, south of Keith.
Nearly two-thirds of Scots always splurge when buying teabags while many scrimp on frozen foods and cleaning products. Consumers struggle to leave their favourite branded goods at home with 41 per cent even taking them on holiday From Tetley teabags to Heinz Baked Beans, new research reveals the items consumers in Scotland cannot live without and the things they are willing to compromise on to be able to afford those must-haves.
The Highland Council is asking people in the Highlands - ‘Are you ready for winter?'. The Council is again supporting the Scottish Government's Ready Scotland campaign at www.readyscotland.organd urges people in the Highlands to take some time to get ready for winter and all kinds of severe weather.
Queensferry Crossing centre tower is largest ever structure of its type The Queensferry Crossing's centre tower deck has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest freestanding balanced cantilever in the world. The bridge’s central deck is now complete but still free standing and this 644 metre cantilever itself won’t last long.
Week Commencing 3 October 2016 Energy & Business Services: Further contract awards for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL) project this week, again associated with the construction phase of the project. http://renews.biz/104432/dutch-tool-up-for-beatrice/ and the planning application submitted to Highland Council by BOWL is also available to view on the Council's website at http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=ODFTGQIHJAO00 Good to see that the first foundation for the MeyGen tidal project was successfully installed in the Inner Sound of thePentland Firth overnight on Thursday/ Friday this week.
WINNERS OF HIGHLAND BUSINESS AWARDS 2016 ANNOUNCED. Pultneytown Peoples Project and Mackays Hotel.
Community and independently owned shops selling groceries in remote and rural parts of the Highlands and Islands are being asked to take part in a survey into the role they play in sustaining communities. The survey will help understand the factors affecting rural shops, and the strategies that could be adopted to remain sustainable and adapt to changing market conditions.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is demanding action after official ScotRail statistics show trains at Wick arrive late more often than they arrive on time. The latest ‘Annual On Time Arrival at Destination’ figures show that only 25.7% of trains into the station arrived on time, meaning 74.3% were late.