Community groups in the Highlands had the opportunity to share their views on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, during a visit to Aviemore on Tuesday by the Scottish Parliament's Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. Committee Convener, Ariane Burgess MSP was joined by Ivan McKee MSP as they met with local stakeholders to discuss the Bill, which is currently being considered by the Committee.
A article at Offshorewind.biz by Adnan Durokovic shows how the race to use offshore wind is advancing. Belgian transmission system operator (TSO) Elia has presented draft plans for what the company says "will be the world's first artificial energy island." The energy island will also be the first building block of a European offshore electricity grid that will serve as a central hub for new interconnectors with the UK and Denmark, Elia said.
As a result of the decision to scrap the extension of HS2, every region will now receive investment in the modes of transport that matter to you most. Today we have announced the launch of Network North, a new approach to transport in this country.
A revolution in the country's transport infrastructure will see billions of pounds redirected from spiralling HS2 costs to build the daily connections that people depend on - unlocking potential, driving growth and transforming communities. Spiralling HS2 costs redirected to build Network North and fund raft of transport projects across the country, delivering the strong, reliable connections people depend on every day .
For most of us the bond market is something we hardly ever think about but it is an important way the government finance many aspects of our lives. Although the bond market may seem remote from our lives an article yesterday at the web sit politico.eu highlights what is happening and how it affects the cost of borrowing for governments.
The UK House Price CRASH is ACCELERATING and sellers are starting to PANIC with substantial HOUSE PRICE REDUCTIONS becoming more and more widespread on Rightmove. As the UK's largest property website, Rightmove is a leading indicator of the health of the housing market and this influx of house price reductions is a strong indication that a UK housing market crash has started.
The Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has announced new measures that will allow the government to rent prison cells overseas to ensure dangerous offenders can be locked up for longer. The average prison sentence has increased by 57% since 2010 and other sentencing changes have been made to ensure the most serious offenders spend longer behind bars.
Government to introduce historic new law to protect future generations of young people from the harms of smoking. Government to introduce historic new law to protect future generations of young people from the harms of smoking.
The multibillion-dollar collapse of FTX - the high-profile cryptocurrency exchange whose founder now awaits trial on fraud charges - serves as a stark reminder of the perils of deception in the financial world. The lies from FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried date back to the company's very beginning, prosecutors say.
A wake up call to move money from low or zero rate interest accounts..
In the UK, but-to-let investing is seen as the main route to financial independence. But over the last 15 years, the government has introduced a series of policies that have made it clear they do not want rental investors to do it.
A meeting (3 October 2023) of Highland council today approved the latest recommendations towards progressing the Freeport project. Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport is a partnership of public and private sector organisations - including The Highland Council - which aims to ensure the Cromarty Firth and wider region becomes a major global hub for green energy and deliver transformational benefits to Highland communities and the decarbonisation agenda.
The National Living Wage will rise to two-thirds of average earnings, the Chancellor announced (Monday 2 October). National Living Wage will rise to two-thirds of average earnings.
The West of Orkney Windfarm has reached a major milestone by submitting comprehensive offshore consent applications to Scottish Ministers for a proposed offshore windfarm that promises to reshape and reinvigorate Scotland's supply chain. Last year, the West of Orkney Windfarm secured the development rights to an area of seabed from Crown Estate Scotland in the highly competitive ScotWind leasing process to bring forward an offshore windfarm 30km west of the Orkney Mainland and 25km north of the Sutherland coast.
The Chancellor has today, 2 October 2023, announced an immediate cap on civil servant headcount across Whitehall to stop any further expansion, increase efficiencies and boost productivity. Capping headcount at current level, which could save up to £1 billion, with focus on a leaner and more effective workforce.
Parents who refuse to pay child maintenance will face accelerated sanctions as Ministers announce the introduction of new powers to speed up strong enforcement action and other reforms to make the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) fairer. Government introducing long-term changes to make the system fairer for children and parents.
XSITE BRAEHEAD ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF THE FORMER SNOW FACTOR INDOOR SKI SLOPE' Braehead Leisure Partnership, the owner of XSite, announces the permanent closure of the ski slope at Braehead on financial viability, safety, and environmental grounds, while it finalises plans for a new destination and use at the site. Background Since the closure of Snow Factor, Braehead Leisure Partnership and its advisors have been working with a team of experts to tackle a series of complex challenges and situations, which were discovered after the former operator entered liquidation and when the slope was returned to the owner.
A new Constitution Unit report examines the key role played by MPs' staff in our political system, shedding new light on who they are, and what they do. A good deal is known about the 650 MPs who sit in the House of Commons, and they are frequently the focus of research.
DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd (September 28th) sold 4,699 N.C cheviot ewes and gimmers and all classes of store sheep. Cheviot correct ewes (2,374) sold to £122 gross for a pen of Cheviot Ewes from Rhinamain, Bonar Bridge.
The Scottish Government-funded project, encouraging people to travel by rail instead of car, will allow customers to travel all day on off-peak fares until the end of March 2024. There are some routes where no off-peak fare exists because the same price is available at any time of the day, and as such, customers will not see any change in those areas.
