News Archive

1/11/2023

Living Wage Week Events - Register To Join The Online Events

During Living Wage Week there are events up and down the country.  Check the list below to see if there's an event near you and if not - think about organising one yourself.  

1/11/2023

 
Nations And AI Experts Convene For Day One Of First Global AI Safety Summit

Leading AI nations, organisations and experts meet at Bletchley Park today to discuss the global future of AI and work towards a shared understanding of risks.   The US, France, Singapore, Italy, Japan and China among nations confirmed to attend Bletchley Park Summit.  

1/11/2023

Creating A Coherent Picture Of Health In The UK

From the National Statistical blog.   How do we create an overall picture of health in the UK, when the data produced by each of the four nations can be different?.  

1/11/2023

 
Destitution: UK - Jonathon Pie In His Usual Form - Short And To The Point

At least the Bankers are out the woods.   Comedy but it hits the points..  

31/10/2023 : Other Public Services

Dounreay LINC category 1 and 2 suppliers

An updated list of suppliers to Dounreay was published on 30 October 2023.   LINC with Dounreay Category 1 suppliers as of 21 March 2023.  

31/10/2023 : Local Authority

Scottish Government Delivers Hammer Blow To School Building Projects In Highland

Schools in The Highland Council's bid to the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Improvement Plan (LEIP) phase 3 have not been selected at this stage.   The bid consisted of three primary schools; Beauly Primary, Dunvegan Primary and Park Primary, a separate bid for St Clement’s School (and a third bid for Tornagrain Primary).  

31/10/2023 : Auctioneers

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 31 October 2023

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October 30th) sold 11 Prime Cattle.   Prime Bullocks (3) averaged 286.4p per kg and sold to 290.0p per kg and £1,914.00 gross for a 660kg Limousin cross from Ashley, North Kessock Prime Heifers (8) averaged 288.3p per kg and sold to 302.0p per kg for a 585kg Charolais cross from Mountrich Farm, Dingwall and £1,805.60 gross for a 610kg Charolais cross also Mountrich, Dingwall.  

31/10/2023

 
Unlocking Innovation in Scotland's Social Care Sector

A report by the Fraser of Allender Institute.   This grant aimed to explore the potential for innovation clusters in Scotland's social care sector and the role of public sector investment in supporting such development.  

31/10/2023

 
How Bach's Toccata And Fugue In D Minor Became Halloween's Theme Song

Imagine a grand house on a hill, after dark on an autumn night.  As the door opens, an organ pierces through the thick silence and echoes through the cavernous halls.  

31/10/2023

Agricultural Census Results Show Mixed Trends Across Land Use, Livestock And The Agricultural Workforce

The latest 2023 figures released by the Scottish Government show mixed findings across Scottish agriculture.   The report, published by Scotland's Chief Statistician, includes estimates from the June Agricultural Census.  

31/10/2023

Amazon Reveals Its Prime Numbers And Finally Launches Its Buy With Prime Shopify App

Amazon is storming into Christmas on the back of its largest-ever October 2-day Prime event.  It's also launching its Buy with Prime Shopify integration in time for peak season, says the home delivery expert ParcelHero.  

31/10/2023

Voters Encouraged To Return Community Council Election Ballots

Postal ballot papers for ten contested Highland community councils have been mailed out today (Tuesday 31 October 2023).  The Highland Council is reminding voters that ballot papers need to be completed and returned by the deadline of 12 noon on Monday 27 November 2023.  

31/10/2023

Delivering A Start-up Nation - Grants Will Foster Entrepreneurship

New funds will help more people from under-represented backgrounds start their own businesses and nurture fledgling companies.   A total of 42 recipients will share £1.6 million through the Ecosystem Fund, while 20 projects will receive £1.3 million through a new Pre-Start Pathways Fund.  

31/10/2023

Homicide in Scotland, 2022-23

Scotland's Chief Statistician today published Homicide in Scotland, 2022-23.  The publication provides information on crimes of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in 2022-23.  

31/10/2023

Addressing Women's Health Inequalities

NHS Scotland launches national Menopause and Menstrual Health Workplace Policy.   Measures to support women experiencing difficult menopause or menstrual health symptoms in the workplace are being introduced by NHS Scotland across their workforce.  

30/10/2023

Scotrail Network Returning To Normal Service Following Heavy Rainfall

ScotRail services between the Central Belt and Aberdeen and Inverness will return to normal from tomorrow (Monday, 30 October) following a weekend of heavy rain.   A Met Office yellow weather warning had been in place across North East Scotland since 12.00 on Thursday but was lifted earlier today.  

30/10/2023

 
New STEM Coordinator To Support Learning In Caithness And Sutherland

Primary teachers across Caithness and Sutherland can look forward to specialist support in teaching the vital STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths - thanks to a new STEM outreach coordinator who has joined the UHI North, West and Hebrides team.   Mara Gibb [pictured] is one of ten new coordinators based at campuses across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership, each recruited to promote STEM careers to primary school children across the north of Scotland.  

30/10/2023

 
UK Government Debt And Deficit - June 2023 - £2,636.9 billion

UK general government gross debt was £2,636.9 billion at the end of Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2023, equivalent to 101.2% of gross domestic product (GDP).   UK general government deficit (or net borrowing) was £63.5 billion in Quarter 2 2023, equivalent to 9.5% of GDP.  

30/10/2023

Dental Charges Increase In Scotland From 1 November 2023

From 1 November 2023, if you pay for your NHS dental treatment you may notice an increase in treatment charges.  These increases are necessary to ensure that we are able to continue to provide NHS dental services and reflect the increase in cost of delivering the care required for patients.  

30/10/2023

Public Awareness, Opinions And Expectations About Artificial Intelligence: July To October 2023

An analysis exploring adults' awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) use and attitudes towards the adoption of AI, including benefits and risks.   Only one in six (17%) adults said they could often or always tell when they are using artificial intelligence (AI), with men (21%), adults aged 16 to 29 years (31%), and adults with a degree or equivalent qualification (22%) among those more likely to report this; awareness decreases with age, with more than half (55%) of adults aged 70 years and over reporting they can hardly ever or never recognise when they are using AI.