News Archive

8/4/2015

 
Are You Ready for ESOS?

Nearly three quarters of businesses (73%) have not started their mandatory energy audits to comply with the new ESOS legislation by the deadline of 5 December 2015.   According to a new poll, conducted by Energy Live News, 61% of businesses surveyed have not yet appointed a lead assessor, with a minority of only 27% of businesses already ESOS compliant.  

7/4/2015 : Auctioneers

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 7 April 2015

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 7th) sold 45 prime cattle.   Prime bullocks (25) averaged 205.7p (+5.5p) and sold to 218p per kg and £1,412.40 gross.  

6/4/2015

 
Lybster's Oil Boom Ends With Low Oil Prices

Global oilfield service company Forum Energy Technologies said it has made 12 employees redundant following the closure of its workshop in Lybster, Caithness.   The Houston-based firm said it that have been forced to lay off staff due to low crude prices and rising costs.  

6/4/2015

 
SNP Candidate Paul Monaghan To Speak In Thurso

PUBLIC MEETING At the Weigh Inn Thurso On Friday the 10th of April 7.00pm for 7.30pm Come and hear the SNP candidate Dr Paul Monaghan speak and take questions.   All welcome whatever your voting intentions..  

6/4/2015

Small Shops Need To Cover Tobacco Products From Today

The display of such goods has been illegal in large stores and supermarkets since 2012 in England and Wales and 29th April 2013 in Scotland.   Now small stores, and other outlets such as pubs and clubs, will also have to keep cigarettes out of sight.  

4/4/2015

Landmark voting age bill to engage young people

Work starts on green light for 16 & 17 year olds to vote in May 2016 Scottish elections.   The Scottish Government's Bill to lower the voting age to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in Scottish Parliament and local elections was published this week.  

4/4/2015

WAVE ENERGY SCOTLAND - Advisory Group - Call for Expressions of Interest

Introduction Wave Energy Scotland is seeking expressions of interest from appropriately qualified and experienced industry representatives to join its independent Advisory Group.  The Advisory Group will play a critical role in supporting Wave Energy Scotland meet its objectives, and to support wider Scottish efforts to develop the wave energy sector into one which plays an important role in our future energy mix, and contributor to the Scottish economy.  

4/4/2015

Over £100 million to fight fuel poverty

New loan scheme combines vouchers and grants to improve energy efficiency.   Scotland's most vulnerable households will receive help to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat thanks to a £103 million investment to tackle fuel poverty.  

4/4/2015

Ministers approval concurs with previous Highland Council decision on Corriegarth Wind Farm

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has granted consent to Corriegarth Wind Farm near Loch Ness, in Highland Council Area.   The development, applied for by NBW Wind Energy Ltd, will have 23 turbines and have a generating capacity of up to 70MW, and effectively replaces the existing planning permission granted by Highland Council for a 50MW, 20 turbine Wind Farm on the same site.  

3/4/2015

 
Drilling Has Started At The Meygen Site In Caithness

Work has commence on what may become one of the worlds biggest tidal energy production sites in the Pentland Firth in Caithness.   Atlantis Resources Ltd has commenced horizontal directional drilling operations at the MeyGen tidal site in Caithness.  

3/4/2015

Taking a Bath, Posting a Letter, Visiting the Dentist or Taxing Your Car? It Will Now Cost You More

Zero inflation doesn't mean the cost of everyday bills are not going up.  In fact, this week alone we are going to see a raft of hikes from water providers, council tax, car tax right down to the price of postage.  

3/4/2015

 
Hundreds of £10 Origami 'Dogs' Let Loose for People to Find - Watch Out For £10 Dogs

- Brits overspending on life insurance by £109 a year.  - - £10 origami 'dogs' released to put money back in people's pockets.  

3/4/2015

Current Account Switch Service Enhancements Come Into Effect for Consumers and Businesses

Switch guarantee extended to businesses, charities and trusts with a turnover of up to £6.5 million.   Redirection service for customers' payments extended to 36 months.  

3/4/2015

Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket With Holiday Money This Easter

With the Pound against the Euro hovering at around 1.35[1], ICE - International Currency Exchange, the leading travel money provider, is suggesting travellers to the Eurozone this Easter or later this summer, may want to consider buying their Euros now.   They could also consider locking in the rate using a prepaid card in Euros.  

3/4/2015

Complaints on Banking and Credit Cards Up as Total Complaints Fall by 7%

The latest complaints data published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows financial services firms received 2,183,540 new complaints (including those related to PPI) between July and December 2014.   Overall complaints decreased by 7% compared to the previous six months and by 12% from the same period last year.  

3/4/2015

 
£10 Origami Dogs Released By Beagle Street Insurance In Advertising Stunt Spreading Across Cities

Hundreds of origami dogs made with £10 notes were let loose on the streets of London this week - only to be rescued by lucky passers-by pocketing the free money.   Now the stunt is spreading to other cities.  

3/4/2015

Are Low Interest Rates a Sign of Secular Stagnation?

Despite six years of "zero rates", global growth remains tepid.  At the latest count, 21 central banks have cut policy interest rates in 2015 and long-dated yields have fallen to unprecedented levels in the eurozone.  

3/4/2015

Over Half (56%) of Employers Are Unaware of Pension Wise or the April Reforms

With less than a week to go before reforms are introduced allowing savers greater flexibility in how they access their pension fund at retirement, over half (56%) of small and medium sized employers admit they have never heard of them or the government's new Pension Wise guidance service, according to new research* from workplace pensions provider NOW: Pensions.   Of the 400 SMEs surveyed, only a quarter (27%) say they are aware of Pension Wise with a slightly higher percentage (39%) claiming they are aware of the April reforms.  

3/4/2015

Worth Shopping Around For Home Insurance As Premiums Fall

MoneySuperMarket Reveals Regional Winners and Losers as Home Insurance Premiums Tumble.   Average home insurance premiums at four-year low.  

2/4/2015 : Food & Drink Products

 
Old Pulteney Launches new Mission for Charity

'Angel's Share' of Maritime Malt will help Seafarers in Need.   Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced a new partnership to raise vital funds for the global maritime charity The Mission to Seafarers, the organisation that cares for the world's 1.5 million men and women who face danger each day while working at sea.