The Scottish Government has published the latest version of its annual Government Expenditure and Revenues Scotland (GERS) publication covering 2012–13. The IFS will be publishing a full report on these figures and the last pre-referendum update of our assessment of Scotland’s fiscal position next month.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (March, 12th) sold 2,136 sheep of all classes. Lambs (908) averaged £58.89 and sold to £87 gross for Suffolk crosses from Ashley, North Kessock.
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards team is reminding Highland businesses involved in the provision of credit to consumers that they must register by the end of the month with the new Regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”). Businesses affected include obvious financial sector operators like lenders, credit brokers, debt collection specialists, debt management companies and pawnbrokers.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 11th) sold 62 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (30) averaged 214.4p (-2.0p) and sold to 234p per kg and £1,506.75 gross.
Two Gamekeeping Modern Apprentice’s from the North Highland College UHI have been collecting numerous awards for their commitment to country sports and learning. Duncan Seaton (19) and Greg Sinclair (19) are both studying their SVQ Level 2 in Game and Wildlife Management at the college on a block release basis, spending the rest of their time working on Highland estates.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts (March, 8th) sold 34 cattle, 2 horses, 2 Llamas, 2 goats, 118 sheep, 554 lots of poultry, eggs and poultry equipment at their poultry, rare & traditional breeds of livestock sale. Cattle (34) sold to £720 gross for a Highland bull from Alladale Estates, Ardgay.
Week Commencing 3rd March 2014 Energy & Business Services: It was good to hear this week’s announcement of new ownership and opportunities for AGM Batteries and ABSL Power Systems in Thurso. Under the new structure ABSL Power Systems will become Denchi Power Systems Ltd (named after Denchi House in Thurso, where both businesses are based).
Council of Economic Advisers to study ways of increasing female workforce. The Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers is to follow up its work on the importance of childcare in enabling more women to participate in the labour market with an analysis of further steps Scotland can take to maximise economic opportunities for women.
CROWN ESTATE RUNNING “SCOTLAND’S FORESHORE AND SEABED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UK TREASURY” But devolution to over-centralising Edinburgh not enough. In a report published today, Friday 7 March 2014, Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee says that the Crown Estate Commissioners (CECs) manage most of the foreshore and seabed in Scotland but are running it “for the benefit of the UK Treasury”, not for the benefit of the people of the Highlands and Islands.
Police in Caithness received a report of theft between 1000 and 1400 hours on Wednesday 05 March 2014, from the Scottish and Southern Energy windfarm site at Bettyhill. Six large drums containing electricity cable worth £2800 were reported as being stolen.
Local MP John Thurso has welcomed the launch of a new online survey from Citizens Advice Scotland on unfair delivery charges. The survey is the first of its kind assessing the impact of high delivery charges on businesses in rural parts of Scotland - having previously targeted individual consumers only.
Part-time workers judged to be doing too little to find full-time work face having their benefit for housing costs sanctioned by the government for the first time under universal credit. Under the present system housing benefit is paid direct to landlords and sanctions can only be applied to out-of-work benefits, such as jobseeker’s allowance or employment support allowance.
On Monday 10th March 2014 the Scottish Affairs Committee will meet with UNISON, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, and the Citizens Advice Bureau in Dundee to hear about the true impact of zero hours contracts on workers and their families, and possible alternatives to them. The term “zero-hours contract” refers to an employment contract in which the employee is not guaranteed work, and is paid only for work carried out.
Week of events to highlight opportunities in Scotland’s digital sector. Scotland’s ICT and digital technologies sector will be urged to make young people their business all next week (beginning March 10).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Chief Executive Alex Paterson has been visiting a Thurso factory where two battery manufacturing firms are powering ahead under new ownership. HIE has supported the smooth change-over for new investors at AGM Batteries and ABSL Power Solutions, which were previously owned by US-based multinational Enersys Inc.
Highland employers help 16 to 19 year olds begin employment. HIGHLAND’S employers are among those backing a national work-based qualification to help young people secure employment.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 5th) sold 624 store cattle, 40 adult head of breeding cattle and 58 OTM cattle. Bullocks (360) averaged 242.8p and sold to 315.6p per kg for a 208kg Limousin cross from Lower Gartally, Drumnadrochit, and £1,460 gross for a 615kg Charolais cross from Druid Temple Farm, Inverness.
Following feedback from Highland food and drink producers and providers The Highland Council is to run a workshop on social media networking and launch a Think Local Facebook page to build business contacts and to promote local food and drink. Over the last few months crofters, caterers, hoteliers and shop owners have attended meetings throughout the Highlands as part of the council’s Think Local Highland Food and Drink project aimed at enabling better collaboration in this sector.
The public is being urged to comment on The Highland Council’s first green transport strategy. The deadline for responses is 30 April.
Energy efficiency measures to target fuel poverty. Households living in fuel poverty will benefit from a £60 million fund to make their homes warmer, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to heat, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess announced today.