One thing that can be guaranteed about COVID is that evolution will provide us with a more or less constant stream of new coronavirus variants, some of which will be more successful at infecting people. Talk of mutations sounds scary and it can lead to serious problems, but it would be a mistake to think that it's always the case.
Highland Councillors on the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee have welcomed and approved the Health and Social Care Service Plan for 2023/24. The plan's vision is: "for all of Highland's children, young people, families and adults supported by the Council to have the best possible outcomes in life.
Legal & General surveyed over 2,000 individuals with children aged 6-16 years old to find out how modern-day parents across the UK approach teaching their children important financial lessons. 92% of UK parents say the cost-of-living crisis has encouraged them to talk more openly about finances with their children.
Twelve new projects receive £16 million to restore peatlands across England. Thousands of hectares of peatlands - from the Great North Bog to the Norfolk Broads - are set to be restored with twelve new projects awarded funding today (26 August) to help tackle climate change and recover biodiversity.
Hundreds of hospital wards have been forced to close due to Covid outbreaks in the first seven months of this year, according to figures obtained by the Herald. At least 237 wards were closed to new admissions - typically for periods of around seven to 10 days - in a bid to prevent the virus spreading to other patients.
The Ofgem energy price cap will fall to £1,923 from October for a typical household, but over one-in-three households across England - 7.2 million in total - will face higher bills this winter than last, highlighting the urgency of further government support for hard-pressed families, the Resolution Foundation said yesterday (Friday 25 August 2023). The Foundation notes that the upcoming price cap is almost £200 lower for the typical household than last winter's effective cap of £2,100 – driven by the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee and £400 universal energy bill rebate.
A report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Scaling back subsidies would reduce air pollution, generate revenue, and make a major contribution to slowing climate change.
Three businessmen from southeast England each claimed the maximum £50k Bounce Back Loan and one dissolved his company to avoid repayment. Ivan Hristov Fratev, 57 and Bradley Malone, 57, both from London, and Ryan William Moir, 34, from East Sussex, have been banned from running businesses for a total of 26 years, after each separately claimed £50,000 for their companies in breach of the loan scheme's rules.
ritain's energy bill crisis is not over: Ofgem's imminent confirmation of the Q4 2023 price cap is expected to show that annualised typical energy bills will be above £1,900 from October, close to double those before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is only a little below the effective level of £2,100 from last winter that resulted from the combination of the Energy Price Guarantee and universal £400 payments through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
Russia has suspended substantially all material provisions of many of its Double Taxation Agreements by Presidential decree dated 8 August 2023. This action affects 38 countries' Double Taxation Agreements including the 1994 UK-Russia Double Taxation Convention, in respect of which the UK received notification from Russia on 15 August 2023.
It costs more to build new roads, railways and tramlines in Britain than it does almost anywhere else in the world. With major infrastructure projects like HS2 at risk of cancellation due to spiralling costs and frequent delays, it is worth reflecting on the fact that it doesn't seem to be this hard everywhere.
There's been further improvement in the confidence businesses in the Highlands and Islands have in Scotland's economic outlook and on the performance of individual enterprises. However, concerns over finances remain prominent.
Despite the disappointment of losing to Spain in the final, England's women's football team had a very good World Cup, on and off the pitch. Viewing figures were huge, media coverage was unprecedented and excitement about potential future achievements seems high.
COVID boosters will be available to buy from high-street pharmacists and private healthcare providers across the UK in 2024. The news comes just weeks after the UK government announced that free boosters would only be available on the NHS for over-65s this autumn.
If you're due to file accounts with Companies House by the end of September, allow plenty of time before your deadline. All limited companies, whether they trade or not, must deliver annual accounts to us each year.
Energy regulator Ofgem has today (Friday, 25 August, 2023) announced a further reduction in the energy price cap for the last quarter of 2023 (Oct to Dec). The change will bring the average dual-fuel energy bill below £2,000 a year for the first time since April 2022, saving households an average of £151 on the previous quarter.
The public is being asked for views on alkaline hydrolysis (water cremations), burials, funeral director licensing and funeral sector inspections in four separate public consultations. The regulations proposed in the consultations aim to protect the dignity of the deceased and increase confidence in the funeral sector by ensuring minimum standards of good care and services are maintained.
Members of the Caithness Area Committee, who met on Monday, 21 August 2023, considered and agreed funding for an application submitted to the area's Community Regeneration Fund. The Wick Development Trust successfully secured £90,000 towards Phase 2 of their overall development plan, with this phase focusing on the development of a Toilet Block & Facilities building at Wick River Campsite.
The company blamed soaring costs and difficulty finding workers in the area. Six people have lost their jobs after a glass-making business in the Highlands went into liquidation.
Stagecoach employees across the Highlands now have discounted access to all High Life Highland leisure facilities, thanks to the charity's most recent corporate deal with Stagecoach Highlands. Emma Thomson, High Life Highland's highlife Development Officer, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have another high-profile Highland business signed up to our corporate membership deal.
