Housing and Property Committee met today (Thursday 9 November 2023) and discussed the impact that the ‘cost of living' crisis and other global factors has had on tenants experiencing rent arrears. Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: "The Highland Council Housing Service works closely with our Welfare Support Team to ensure early intervention and inform tenants of rent arrears as soon as they arise.
Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in September 2023, following growth of 0.1% in August 2023, revised down from growth of 0.2% in our previous publication. Looking at the broader picture, GDP showed no growth in the three months to September 2023.
The cost of youth unemployment to the UK economy over the next decade has been estimated at £28 billion. The costs to young people themselves are just as dire - exposure to youth unemployment can have a life-long impact on an individual's earnings and mental health.
The Scottish Government has agreed in principle to fund the further development of the business case to investigate replacing the internal ferry fleet in Orkney. The agreement was reached during today's meeting of the Orkney Internal Ferry Replacement Task Force, which took place in Edinburgh and was chaired by the Deputy First Minister.
In partnership with the University of London, Demos have launched a paper on how universities can prepare students for their future careers. The AI Generation In this paper, we track the development of the ‘knowledge economy', the growth of higher education and how AI could lead to graduate careers being disrupted by technology that removes the need for ‘entry-level' tasks that are the traditional way that graduates pick up the skills, experience and contacts they need for later in their careers.
Around 840,000 families, who receive tax credits and no other qualifying benefits, will receive their £300 autumn Cost of Living Payment from today, to help with everyday costs. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is making the payments to eligible tax credits customers across the UK between 10 and 19 November 2023.
The value of goods imports decreased by £2.9 billion (6.2%) in September 2023, with falls in imports from both EU and non-EU countries. The fall in imports was mainly the result of lower imports of machinery and transport equipment from the EU and reduced fuel imports from non-EU countries.
Thàinig luchd-labhairt òg na Gàidhlig bho àrd-sgoiltean air feadh sgìre Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd còmhla ri Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba (SDS) agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air Diardaoin 9 Samhain san Eden Court ann an Inbhir Nis, airson a' chiad Siuthad! aghaidh ri aghaidh bho 2019. Tha an tachartas eagraichte le Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus SDS le maoineachadh a' tighinn bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean (HIE) agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Professor Chris Whitty's annual report says we can improve older citizens' quality of life, and this should be a major aim of policy and medical practice. Successive governments and professional bodies have not recognised the degree to which the population living in older age is concentrating geographically.
The Finance and Public Administration Committee's Pre-Budget 2024-25 scrutiny takes place at a time of significant financial strain. Indeed, the Scottish Government has itself projected a potential £1 billion resource spending gap in 2024-25, rising to £1.9 billion by 2027-28.
A report published by Fraser of Allender today shows that employees in the hospitality industry are likely to be amongst the poorer workers in Scotland. The Scottish hospitality sector is an important part of the Scottish economy, supporting £1.6 billion of economic activity and 228,000 workforce jobs in Q2 of 2023.
Following a request from the Ward Councillors, The Highland Council is running a consultation on how residents and visitors to Thurso feel about the current traffic management arrangements in the town, particularly parking and waiting restrictions. Ward Councillor and Chair of the Caithness Committee, Cllr Ron Gunn said: "As part of this review of the current parking and waiting restrictions it is important that people living in, working in and visiting Thurso have this opportunity to provide their feedback.
A £280,000 project is under way on the west coast island of Islay to upgrade the island's only brewery. Islay Ales Co Ltd has secured up to £54,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the project, which will create the equivalent of 2.5 full time jobs and help retain an existing post.
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that the first of the 2023/24 timber transport projects has been completed. The southern approach to the B9090 Howford Bridge has been widened with associated embankment, retaining wall and ancillary works.
Draft regulations allowing local authorities to charge up to double the full rate of Council Tax on second homes have been laid before the Scottish Parliament. If approved, local authorities would be able to apply the Council Tax premium on homes that are not used as a main residence.
Over 12,000 responses so far submitted on government proposals to create first ‘smokefree generation', less than halfway through consultation period. Final allocations announced from £70 million a year for local authorities in England to support stop smoking services, helping nearly 360,000 people quit.
Huw Merriman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport addressed the UK Parliament. I am pleased to inform the House of the laying of The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Passenger Railway Services) Regulations 2023 before Parliament, following publication of the response of the Department for Transport (DfT) to its consultation on implementing minimum service levels (MSLs) for passenger rail.
Self-driving vehicles will help make travel more convenient and accessible, improving the lives of millions of people who can not drive. new Automated Vehicles Bill puts UK at the forefront of regulation of self-driving technology, in boost to safety, investment and jobs an estimated 38,000 new jobs to be created in the UK from £42 billion industry.
Possession of ‘laughing gas' is now illegal with repeat serious users facing up to 2 years in prison and dealers up to 14 years. The ban, promised as part of the government's Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, makes nitrous oxide a Class C drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Criminals' ill-gotten gains re-directed to support young people to make positive choices. A unique programme funded from seized criminal assets has helped to provide new opportunities for more than 28,000 young people in the past year.
