Latest News

Who Is In Fuel Poverty? The Government Has No Idea As It Moves To Cut Winter Fuel Payments

Energy is an unusual commodity as it imposes running costs and capital expenditure.  The main way to permanently reduce running costs is to spend money on more efficient use of energy: better insulated homes, more modern boilers, new appliances.  

Growing Scotland's Net Zero Economy - Green Industrial Strategy Unveiled

A focused strategy has been launched to place Scotland at the forefront of the net zero economy, with targeted actions to secure growth and investment.   Delivered as part of the Programme for Government, the Green Industrial Strategy sets out five priority areas where efforts and resources will be concentrated.  

Tourist Taxes On Cruise Ships And Motor Homes

The Highland Council in Scotland is starting a consultation process to look into the impact a tourist tax would have on the region.   More than six million people visit the picturesque Highlands every year and under new Vistor Levy legislation passed by SMPs at Holyrood earlier this year, the council has the power to introduce a tourist tax to visitors who stay overnight in the area.  

Community Benefits From Procurement Sought Through New Council Policy

Highland communities will gain from a policy which seeks to secure meaningful environmental, social, and economic benefits through the Council's procurement activities.   The newly agreed Highland Community Benefit Policy will ensure that community benefits are routinely considered during procurement.  

Business Crime Advice - From Police Scotland

Advice for professionals - Organised criminal groups operate in Scotland.  They make money through illegal activity and use innocent people to help them.  

Calculating A Living Pension - The 2024 Update

This report sets out the method through which the Living Pension standard - a voluntary savings target that aims to help workers build up a pension pot that will provide enough income to meet basic everyday needs in retirement.  This is calculated by the Resolution Foundation, and overseen by the Living Wage Commission on behalf of the Living Wage Foundation.  

Arms Company Drops Plan To Test Bombs Dropped By Drones In The Flow Country

A British arms company has abandoned plans to detonate fragmentation bombs in the middle of the Flow Country world heritage site, the Guardian can reveal.   The company, Overwatch, asked the Civil Aviation Authority this month for permission to carry out "live fire testing" of anti-personnel bombs dropped by drones on to land owned by the Liberal Democrat peer John Thurso.  

Uk Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Plan Progress Update

At the meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee of Highland Council on Thursday 22 August 2024, members had the opportunity to consider the progress being made across the range of interventions under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund priorities of Communities and Places, Supporting Local Business and People and Skills.   The Council successfully secured £1,46m for 2022/23 and £2,46m for 2023/24 and £5,53m for 2024/25 which is a mix of revenue and capital funds.  

Early Learning And Childcare North Consultation Survey Launch

The Highland Council's Early Learning & Childcare (North) Consultation is now live, and we want to hear from those living in the Lairg, Dornoch, Golspie, Farr, Scourie, Durness, Kinlochbervie, Tongue, Wick and Thurso area.   The survey is open until Wednesday 31 July 2024.  

Still To Receive Or Return Your Postal Vote In Highland - Now Available in Lairg

This is an UPDATE which now includes details of a location open tomorrow for set periods in Lairg.  Please see text below marked in red If you have still to receive or return your postal vote for the Highland constituencies of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross; or Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire please note the following advice.