News Archive

7/12/2023

 
Prize Opens For AI Energy, Environment, And Infrastructure Innovations

Entries now open for the Manchester Prize, with a focus on AI innovations across energy, the environment and infrastructure.   Entries open for landmark £1 million Manchester Prize, for pioneering AI innovations tackling some of society's biggest challenges.  

7/12/2023

Tackling violence against women and girls

A national strategy to prevent and address all forms of violence against women and girls has been renewed to build on recent progress.   Equally Safe, a joint strategy with COSLA, was first published in 2014, and is backed by the Delivering Equally Safe Fund that is providing £19m per year to support 121 projects from 112 organisations.  

6/12/2023

Supporting Further And Higher Education And Skills In Scotland

Arrangements to deliver funding support for learners beyond school is to be simplified as part of ongoing reforms to the education and skills sector.   Announcing the commitment in an update to Parliament, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education Graeme Dey also set out the intention to streamline funding for colleges, universities and apprenticeships.  

6/12/2023

Plans Progressed To Create A Smokefree Generation

Public consultation on historic proposals draws to a close, with roughly 25,000 responses from teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and public.   UK in lead to be first country in the world to create a smokefree generation by phasing out the sale of tobacco.  

5/12/2023 : Local Authority

Highland Community, Sports, And Leisure Facility Strategy

A strategy which proposes a two-stage approach towards the development of vibrant community hubs in partnership with High Life Highland and sportscotland was agreed at the Council's Education Committee.   The report set out the principles for investment over the long-term and the next steps to develop individual plans for each of the Council's 29 associated school group (ASG) areas.  

5/12/2023 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority - Draft Business Plan 2024 To 2027 For Consultation

The NDA Draft Business Plan sets out key activities and expected progress for all 17 of the NDA's nuclear sites over the next 3 years.  We want to hear from anyone who has a comment on any aspect of this document.  

5/12/2023 : Local Authority

 
Council Seeks Tenants Views On Rent For 2024/25

The Highland Council are inviting all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the year ahead.  We encourage everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say, the results of this will have a direct impact on the services we are able to deliver next year and in the future.  

5/12/2023

 
Today Is The Final Christmas Mailing Date For Some International Destinations - Including Christmas Island!

Today is the last date for Christmas parcel collections to ensure they arrive on time to Christmas Island (Kiritimati) and other destinations in the Pacific, says ParcelHero.  But when is the final date to send to the USA, Australia, India and European destinations? ParcelHero has all the major couriers' recommendations.  

5/12/2023 : Local Authority

 
£1m Of Funding To Empower Highland Communities From UK Government

The Highland Council is inviting applications from groups and organisations to the ‘Communities and Place' strand of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).   £1 million of funding is available for capital and revenue projects, that will empower communities to build on their own strengths, support local needs, and deliver on the fund's main objective of ‘building pride in place and increasing life chances'.  

5/12/2023

Scotrail Reminds Customers To Check Their Journey Ahead Of December Timetable Change

ScotRail is reminding customers to check their journey before its new timetable starts.   The train operator's timetable will change on Sunday, 10 December, and customers are being asked to take a moment to check their journey for any changes.  

5/12/2023

 
Moneyfacts Year In Review 2023 - Savings

It has been a fruitful year for savers.  The average easy access rate surpassed 3% and fixed rates across bonds and ISAs soared.  

5/12/2023

UK Government Publishes £2 Billion Vision For Engineering Biology To Revolutionise Medicine, Food And Environmental Protection

Science Minister announces national vision for engineering biology, setting out government's £2 billion plan to seize the potential of engineering biology.   Landmark National Vision for Engineering Biology sets out government's £2 billion plan to harness the power of biology to deliver new medical therapies, crop varieties, eco-friendly fuels and chemicals, cementing the UK as a science and technology superpower.  

5/12/2023

Home Secretary Unveils Plan To Cut Net Migration But Low Paid Care Workers Still Allowed

The UK Government will introduce a plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in net migration and curb abuse of the immigration system.   The Home Secretary has announced a plan to slash migration levels and curb abuse of the immigration system, delivering the biggest ever reduction in net migration.  

5/12/2023

New Legislation Set To Ban Live Animal Exports

Export of livestock for slaughter and fattening will be banned under new legislation.   New legislation will put an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain.  

5/12/2023 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Working Hard To Source New Avenues Of Funding To Help Families Experiencing Fuel Poverty

Highland Council continues to explore external funding opportunities to help families in the region who experience disproportionately higher levels of fuel poverty than the rest of Scotland.   External funding is targeted at households classed as fuel and extreme fuel poor and is available Highland-wide.  

5/12/2023

Programme For International Student Assessment (pisa) 2022: Highlights From Scotland's Results

Scotland's Chief Statistician today published Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022: Highlights from Scotland’s Results.  PISA is an assessment of 15 year-olds around the world in maths, reading and science.  

5/12/2023

 
Biden And The Tale Of The $16 Mcdonald's Meal - A Washington Post Podcast

An irregular $16 McDonald's order, a viral TikTok and a growing conundrum for President Biden's economic platform.   The internet has been awash with social media rants lately about the high cost of fast-food.  

5/12/2023

Programme For International Student Assessment (PISA 2022) Scotland and England

The reports by PISA assessments on school pupils are out today and the internet is awash with stories.   The report is carried out across many countries annually.  

5/12/2023

Scottish Prison Population Statistics 2022-23

The Scottish prison population continued to be impacted by justice system responses to Covid-related public health measures in 2022-23, according to statistics published by the Chief Statistician today.   The statistics show that the average daily prison population remained stable at a reduced level for a third consecutive year in 2022-23, decreasing by just 1% from 7,506 in 2021-22 to 7,426.  

4/12/2023 : Local Authority

Has Interest In Community Councils Collapsed - Timetable For Community Council Elections Confirmed

The Highland Council has announced the timetable to make a final attempt to reform the 30 Community Council elections that failed to form in September 2023.   Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.