News Archive

How Will Vaccines Affect The Length Of Lockdown?

England has gone into a tough lockdown to halt spiralling COVID-19 hospitalisations and relieve pressure on its health system.  The prime minister, Boris Johnson, has said the new lockdown will last at least seven weeks, but it's safe to assume that, with many hospitals near capacity, it will stay in place as long as is needed to suppress the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed.  

Covid-19s £669m Impact On Scottish Government Finances

The Scottish Government overspent its 2019/20 budget by nearly £700 million responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.   Net spending for the year across the government's consolidated accounts was £39,385 million - £669 million more than budget.  

UK Government Announces Major Boost To Coronavirus Recovery Through Expansion Of Dormant Assets Scheme

Expansion will help unlock over £800 million for communities across the UK.   Expansion will help unlock over £800 million for communities across the UK.  

Council Gives Reassurance On Actions To Support Communities During Covid Lockdown

At today's (7th January 2021) meeting of The Highland Council the focus was on the Covid pandemic response and the many actions the Council are taking to support communities during the current lockdown.   The Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: "At Council today elected members raised many important issues that we will follow up.  

Eviction Ban Extended - Extension To Protect Tenants In Scotland

A temporary ban on eviction orders will be extended until the end of March 2021.   Regulations will be laid in the Scottish Parliament on 14 January to extend the current ban, which is in place at present until 22 January.  

NHS Test And Trace Told A Record Number Of People To Self-isolate Over Christmas Week

During the week of 24 to 30 December, 684,747 people who had tested positive, and their contacts, were reached and told to self-isolate.   More people than ever before reached and told to isolate over festive period.  

New Businesses Launched By Jobseekers In Scotland

A decade of UK Government support leads to more than 13,000 new businesses launched by jobseekers in Scotland.   New figures published today show between April 2011 and June 2020 more than 13,000 jobseekers in Scotland used support from their local Jobcentre and the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme, to launch their own business.  

Learning under current Covid lockdown

The Highland Council has issued a letter to all parents providing an update regarding the reopening of schools and early learning and childcare settings following the announcement made yesterday by the First Minister that the country is now in a national lockdown.   All Highland schools will remain open but the only pupils who should attend are those identified as vulnerable and the children of Key Workers when no other arrangements can be made.  

Action Required - Submit Your Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme December Claims

From HMRC - 7 January 2021.   Upcoming deadline for Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims, and to answer some questions you might have, too.  

£4.6 Billion In New Lockdown Grants To Support Businesses And Protect Jobs

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor has announced.   Chancellor announces one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring £594 million discretionary fund also made available to support other impacted businesses [b]comes in addition to £1.1 billion further discretionary grant funding for Local Authorities, Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month and extension of furlough scheme[b] This follows the Prime Minister's announcement last night that these business will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the virus, and, together with the wide range of existing support, provides them with certainty through the Spring period.