Small, medium and large companies from across the UK are today celebrating winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise - the UK’s highest accolade for business success. The success of 152 businesses has been recognised this year: 116 exporting companies have won ‘Awards for International Trade’; 27 for ‘Innovation’, and nine for ‘Sustainable Development’ benefitting the environment, society and the economy.
A new interactive map interactive map displaying employment figures within the energy sector in the Highlands and Islands has been launched today (Monday 22 April 2013). The launch coincides with today’s meeting of the National Renewables Advisory Group in Inverness, chaired by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.
Are you looking to modernise and make life easier and at the same time get more information about you and your business passed in seconds. Not like the name and address business card but much much more.
In a recent Parliamentary Question lodged with the Scottish Parliament, Highlands & Islands MSP David Stewart asked whether the Government is setting aside finance to allow local authorities and roads authorities to repair potholes in the country's roads. Transport Minister Keith Brown in his reply said “As part of the 2013-14 Local Government finance settlement, Scottish Government is providing local government in Scotland with over £10.3 billion.
- Thousands of disabled people will be hit simultaneously by up to six different welfare cuts - Disabled people will lose £28.3bn of support by 2018 - Up to 3.7 million disabled people affected in total - Demos calls on the Government to publish the cumulative impact of multiple cuts to benefits - Scope asks where disabled people fit in to Chancellor’s ‘aspiration nation’? Hundreds of thousands of disabled people will be hit simultaneously by up to six different welfare cuts, according to new research published today by Demos. The shock figures, the result of analysis commissioned by disability charity Scope, reveal for the first time the cumulative impact of the Government’s welfare reform plans with an astonishing £28.3bn being taken out of disabled people’s pockets by 2018.
Windows always need washed and Caithness Window Cleaning Service has been growing to meet the demand for their services. Owner Aaron Wilson has not been slow to grow his business and cleans windows all over Caithness and beyond.
On 20 March 2013 Her Majesty the Queen appointed Mr Andrew Miller, Solicitor Advocate as a floating sheriff for Grampian, Highland and Islands based at Dingwall. First Minister Alex Salmond nominated Mr Andrew Miller for appointment on the basis of a report by the independent Judicial Appointments Board.
Week commencing 15th April 2013 Energy/ Business Services: Developing the skills of our current and future workforce has been the subject of a series of discussions with partners this week. The Partnership’s Executive and Advisory Boards have identified this as a priority issue, and from recent discussions with potential investors, particularly in the energy sector, better intelligence on industry requirements is emerging to help us.
Retailers have been challenged to make a permanent commitment to Scottish food producers. Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead called today for retailers to make a commitment to increase Scottish sourcing – backed up with long-term contracts - as well as offering producers a fair price to ensure everyone in the food chain reaps the rewards.
Proposals from the Scottish Court Service to change the future structure of Scotland’s courts have been accepted by the Scottish Government. Following careful consideration of the proposed changes set out by the Scottish Court Service on April 9, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has today written to SCS Chief Executive, Eric McQueen, The Lord President, Lord Gill, and the chair of the Justice Committee to confirm that the Scottish Government has accepted the recommendations.
Provisional statistics published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that the overall quayside value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2012 decreased by seven per cent, compared with the record level in 2011. However, the value of fish landed remains higher than in the decade preceding 2011.
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 19th) sold 103 store cattle, 2 breeding cattle, 17 OTM cattle. Bullocks (57) averaged 222.6p and sold to 264.7p per kg for a 510kg Limousin cross from 3 Hosta, Tigharry, and £1610 gross for a 850kg Limousin cross from 50 Balgarva, Eochar.
The findings of the Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education have been broadly welcomed by the Scottish Government and COSLA . The Commission, chaired by Sheriff David Sutherland, has presented its report in Inverness this morning and made a number of recommendations around the issues faced in delivering education in rural areas.
On 14th May 2013, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International will be hosting a free event on Doing Business in the USA and Canada at Cowan House in Inverness. The main event will run from 8.30am - 1pm and will be followed by a networking lunch and one-to-one sessions.
The civil engineering industry is to receive a boost through the opportunity to bid for three of the biggest Scottish Government funded design contracts ever offered. Transport Scotland has today published the Prior Information Notice for the design work on the A9 dualling project, signalling the start of procurement.
A one-stop-shop to help businesses and the public sector use energy, water and raw materials more efficiently could save billions and protect our environment. The Scottish Government’s Resource Efficient Scotland programme brings together expertise on managing energy, water and materials costs into a single service for the first time.
Gordon & MacPhail, the malt whisky specialist and specialist drinks wholesaler, has been named the official title sponsor of the 2013 Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards. The family-owned and managed business, established in Elgin in 1895, is one of the UK’s leading independent specialist wholesalers stocking over 4,500 product lines, including an extensive wine list, an impressive portfolio of spirits and a wide range of craft beers and ciders.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April 17th) sold 953 store cattle Bullocks (423) averaged 231.3p and sold to 283.1p per kg for 242kg Limousin crosses from Auchmore, Muir of Ord, and £1,310 gross for a 610kg Limousin crosses from 2 Lochend, Barrock. Heifers (526) averaged 219.5p and sold to 324.7p per kg for a 462kg Simmental cross from Druid Temple Farm, Inverness and £1,580 gross for a 595kg Simmental cross from Redhill, Mosstowie.
Passenger numbers at Scotland’s regional airports grew last month, heralding a positive end to the winter season. Latest figures from airport operator HIAL show that its 11 airports handled 103,616 passengers in March, an increase of 5,507 (+5.6%) on last March.
New programme launched to help food and drink businesses. The 2014 Food & Drink team has today announced a new package of innovation support, designed to help all Scottish food and drink companies to capitalise on the business opportunities presented by events taking place in Scotland during 2014.