The coronation of King Charles III has upped the UK's public holiday count this year. The special public holiday on the Monday after the May 6 ceremony, combined with the early May bank holiday and the spring bank holiday at the end, has certainly made for a month of celebrations for many workers.
The Federal Reserve bank of USA has raised interest rates again by a further .25 basis points to 5.25%. The question now is will the Bank of England follow given that the Fed is still wanting inflation to come down and using interest rates to try and do that Similarly the Bank of England want to get inflation down aiming for 2 percent.
A new COVID variant XBB.1.16, or "Arcturus", has now been identified in at least 34 countries including the UK. Arcturus is a subvariant of omicron and was first detected in India in January 2023.
Circulating vitamin D level and mortality in prostate cancer patients: a dose-response meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30352424/ Results Higher vitamin D level could reduce the risk of death among prostate cancer patients.
Highland Council today agreed to allocate a further £7.7 million to the roads capital budget taking the total to over £20million. Caithness and Skye in particular have been prioritised in the new funding but extra funding goes to several areas.
See the second roads list. The first list is HERE .
Over the last two days, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has made impassioned pleas against the SNP's roughshod approach to imposing Highly Protected Marine Areas on coastal communities. Even a few SNP members spoke against the government legislation being imposed.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee were today (Thursday 4 May) given an overview of the employability services delivered by the Council and its partners, and approved priorities for the coming year. Members heard that during 2022-23 The Council’s Employability team, together with public, private and third-sector partners delivered a suite of activity across Highland, supporting 680 people of whom 257 gained employment as a result.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is opening an initial review of competition and consumer protection considerations in the development and use of AI foundation models. Foundation models, which include large language models and generative artificial intelligence (AI), that have emerged over the past five years, have the potential to transform much of what people and businesses do.
Scottish Learning Disability Week is Scotland's learning disability awareness raising week, which takes place in May every year and celebrates the rich contribution that people with learning disabilities make to society. Every year has a different theme that is important to the lives of people with a learning disability.
Today (Thursday 4 May 2023), Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed to continue to build on the success of the 2022/23 Community Regeneration Programme for 2023/24. Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful first year the new Highland Community Regeneration Programme model has been well received, bringing a streamlined application, grant award and claim processes to project applicants and grant recipients.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace have today visited the shipyard where the next generation of AUKUS nuclear submarines will be built for the Royal Navy. Australia Prime Minister and UK Defence Secretary visit Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.
During the last year, over 2000 Highland businesses have been supported to start-up and grow by Highland Council. Supported by the Council's business development service, businesses have secured start-up and growth finance, and have accessed advisory support through the Council's Business Gateway service.
Councils can now apply for their share of £4.5 million to support the provision of after school and holiday clubs for Scotland's most disadvantaged communities. The funding will help improve both indoor and outdoor spaces in the school estate, with schools also encouraged to consider wider community needs.
This week, the Shut Out Scammers campaign is focused on maintenance and home improvement scams. In one recent case, cold callers knocked on a man's door and offered to fill the potholes in his driveway with tarmac.
Members at today's (4 May 2023) Economy and Infrastructure Committee reviewed and approved the next steps for the future of Highland Council's three airfields. The report highlights that current resource committed to the operation and maintenance of the airfields at Ashaig in Skye, Dornoch and Plockton is not sufficient to meet all of the maintenance liabilities and legal requirements.
99% of households initially eligible through DWP will have been directly paid £301 by the government by end of today (3 May 2023). The payments are the first of 3 new Cost of Living Payments worth up to £900 in 2023/24 for those eligible - though some people will receive up to £1,350.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts (May, 2nd) sold 107 adult sheep and 1 goat at their rare & traditional breeds sale. Ewe with lamb at foot (26) sold to £220 gross for a Roussin Ewe with 1 Roussin Tup Lamb at foot from Burnbank, Linside.
Withholding tips from staff becomes unlawful as the Tipping Bill achieves Royal Assent, with more than 2 million workers to have their tips protected. Withholding tips from staff becomes unlawful as Tipping Bill achieves Royal Assent.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May 2nd) sold 17 Prime Cattle. Prime Heifers (17) averaged 286.8p per kg (-11.3p) and sold to 295.0p per kg and £2,057.20 gross.
