Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant expressed her fury at the new minister for Transport Kevin Stewart following an intense round of questioning in Holyrood today (30 March 2023). MSPs from across the chamber clamoured to secure answers to the ongoing ferry debacle, which this week has resulted in a domino effect that leaves Lochboisdale with no mainland connection for six weeks, the Small Isles with a single weekly connection and a mitigation policy which places a cancellation hierarchy on those requiring transport.
The number of working-age people newly awarded disability benefits doubled between July 2021 and July 2022. This report from the Fraser of Allender investigates that increase.
Data on the difference in employees' average earnings from April 2021 to March 2022 for the NDA group. Gender Pay Gap legislation introduced in April 2017 requires all employers of 250 or more employees to publish their gender pay gap data annually.
Highland Council's Trading Standards and the Climate Change & Energy Team are joining forces to warn unsuspecting householders to be on their guard if they are approached by traders offering funding for the installation of home energy products. This follows recent reports that there may be traders operating in the area, offering free insulation, and heating and funding for solar panels or air source heat pumps, under Government funded schemes, saying they are working on behalf of Highland Council when this is not the case.
The Highland Council will hold a drop-in session at the end of the month to share the design for the pedestrian zone in the High Street and the Bridge Street/High Street junction, part of the wider regeneration of Wick town centre. The purpose of the session is to share more detail so the Council can finalise the design, secure a funding stream and move on to preparing tender documents and the construction phase.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March 28th) sold 18 Prime Cattle. Prime Bullocks (4) averaged 287.4p per kg (-11.1p) and sold to 301.0p per kg and £1,883.25 gross.
Adventure of a lifetime awaits, for young adults in the North Highlands. Local organisations sponsor sail training placements as part of Tall Ships Races 2023.
Before a crucial week of interest rate decisions for central banks, and on the eve of the emergency takeover of banking giant Credit Suisse, the Bank of England and five other major central banks announced a coordinated effort to boost the flow of US dollars through the global financial system. Their aim was to keep credit flowing to businesses and households during recent banking sector turmoil.
Mr Yousaf was backed by all 64 SNP MSPs and the seven Greens, with the two parties having a power-sharing agreement in the 129-seat parliament. All 31 Conservative MSPs voted for Douglas Ross.
UK economic forecasts have improved markedly since the September 2022 mini-budget. The economic recession may now be more shallow and public borrowing lower than previously expected.
First Minister Humza Yousaf has unveiled his Cabinet team with five members aged under 40 and, for the first time ever, a majority of women. In a Cabinet of ten that sees the Economy established as a portfolio in its own right: Shona Robison, the new Deputy First Minister, will take on the Finance portfolio, including responsibility for the Scottish Budget.
Scotland's onshore GDP increased by 0.9% in January, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. This follows a 0.8% contraction in December 2022 - revised down from a 0.6% contraction.
The Highland Council has awarded a significant contract to Norbloc construction Ltd, Halkirk to carry out a full refurbishment of the public convenience at Whitechapel Road, Wick. The £395K works involve bringing the former public convenience back into use by undertaking ground stabilisation works.
See poster for details..
Humza Yousaf is to be the first minister of Scotland after narrowly winning the election for leader of the Scottish National Party. In his victory speech, he said he was "determined to deliver" independence for Scotland.
The Highland Council's works to modify the temporary bridge are now complete and following discussions with CalMac, ferry services will resume on Tuesday 28 March 2023. Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Remedial works were undertaken over the weekend to resolve the issue of vehicles over 10m being able to travel out via Uig Port.
Environment Agency issues three new environmental permits to NNB Generation Company (Sizewell C) Limited for a new nuclear power station at Sizewell in Suffolk. The Environment Agency has issued three new environmental permits today to NNB Generation Company (Sizewell C) Limited for a new nuclear power station at Sizewell in Suffolk.
The amount the UK space sector brings to the economy has grown by £1 billion, helping launch new business and create jobs across the country, according to new figures. New figures show UK space sector income grew by almost £1 billion into 2021.
With four banks down in the US and Europe and at least several more wobbling, we're currently in the throes of the worst banking strife since 2007-08. Aggressive interest rate hikes have meant that banks are sitting on hefty losses on their portfolios of government bonds - some US$2 trillion (£1.6 trillion) or 15% losses on US banks alone.
New Housebuilding There were 22,905 all-sector new build homes completed in Scotland in the year to end September 2022, according to quarterly statistics on housebuilding and affordable housing supply published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. This is an increase of 10% (2,023 homes) on the 20,882 completions in the previous year, and the highest annual figure to end September since 2008.
