When it comes to electricity and gas, consumers in many countries choose between a wide range of tariffs. In the UK there are hundreds of options from scores of suppliers, varying up to 30% in price.
This report from the Fraser of Allender Institute was published on 17th July 2020. This update provides a snapshot of new data on the Scottish economy and households.
The Highland Council today announced the completion of the purchase of the South Tower of Inverness Castle, following the move of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to the new Inverness Justice Centre in the city earlier this spring. With the entire Castle now in the ownership of The Highland Council, the project to transform the building to become a visitor attraction is ready to progress to the next stage.
We're writing to remind you about key dates for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and actions you might need to take. Key dates Submit your CJRS claim for periods ending on or before 30 June 2020 by 31 July 2020.
Following the Council's announcement that contract work valued at over £60 million for new housing development projects across the Highlands has resumed, the Chair of the Housing and Property Committee has confirmed that capital investment works for the Council's current housing stock will be re-starting shortly. Contractors have supplied The Highland Council with detailed work plans for safe working, encompassing social distancing and following all guidance relating to Covid-19.
The Highland Council can now confirm that the Bulky Uplift Service is being re-instated from today, Monday 20 July 2020. The service was suspended on the 23rd March due to the COVID-19 National Emergency and the need to prioritise staff to provide essential waste and recycling collections.
Extracts from the Report from the Office for National Statistics published today 16 July 2020. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic took hold, the labour market weakened markedly, but that rate of decline slowed into June, though this is before recent job losses were reported.
The first meeting of Highland Council's new Tourism Committee was held virtually today (16 July 2020). Cllr Maxine Smith was appointed as Chair and Cllr Gordon Adam as Vice Chair.
New figures show the extent of UK Government coronavirus support for Scottish jobs and self-employed people. Figures show, until the end of June, nearly 900,000 jobs across Scotland have been supported by the UK Government's unprecedented package of coronavirus support.
Results from the British Chambers of Commerce's Quarterly Recruitment Outlook, in partnership with Totaljobs, reveal the impact Coronavirus has had on the jobs market, with the two organisations calling for further action from government to protect businesses and jobs. 29% of businesses expect to decrease the size of their workforce in the next three months 28% decreased size of workforce in Q2 but 66% kept their workforce constant, reinforcing the success of the Job Retention Scheme The two organisations call for a cut in employer National Insurance Contributions to protect businesses and jobs.
Police Scotland and Highland Council Environment Health Officers were out-and-about in Inverness today visiting businesses and raising public confidence demonstrating that the city centre is doing all it can to ensure public safety as lockdown restrictions are eased. On 15 July, and on the 22nd July - Police and Environmental Health are conducting checks and issuing advice and assistance to business and the public in the city centre.
Measures will protect the UK's economy by preventing new burdens on business and provide certainty to support coronavirus recovery. New plans ensure trade between each part of the UK will prosper Holyrood, Cardiff and Stormont will receive new powers in at least 70 policy areas including parts of employment law, land use and air quality, among many others.
Members of The Highland Council's Recovery Board have welcomed proposals that will enable them to scrutinise progress being made on the Council's Recovery Action Plan from the coronavirus pandemic at any time they choose in ‘real-time'. Chair of the Recovery Board, Depute Leader Alasdair Christie said: "I am delighted that Members will soon be able to look into the Recovery Action Plan in real time through the Council’s performance management system to see what the progress is on the plan.
Tyres aged 10 years and older will be banned. tyres aged 10 years and older to be banned to help improve road safety clearly visible date of manufacture mandatory on each tyre, ensuring older tyres are easy to spot latest action follows years of work by the government and determined efforts of campaigners Tyres aged 10 years and older will be banned from lorries, buses and coaches on roads in England, Scotland and Wales in a boost to road safety, Roads Minister Baroness Vere announced on 15 July 2020.
Government to relax planning legislation to make it easier to construct large batteries to store renewable energy from solar and wind farms across the UK. Government changes planning rules to maximise UK's renewable energy storage and create hundreds of new green jobs.
The Highland Council is advising drivers in Sutherland that two temporary road closures will be in place from the start of August to enable SSE and Network Rail to carry out works. Part of the U2437 Trentham Street in Helmsdale will be temporarily closed to all traffic from 8am on Monday 3 August until 10pm on Friday 4 September for SSE to carry out works.
The Highland Council is warning the public to be on their guard for the latest COVID-19 scam which is circulating around the country. Information on this scam was received by Highland Council Trading Standards, through a national intelligence network.
High Life Highland has written to members advising how the charity plans to "bounceback" from the global pandemic in line with the latest developments within Scottish Government Route Map to recovery. Steve Walsh, High Life Highland's Chief Executive, said, "We care passionately about what we deliver to enhance the health and wellbeing our communities and are really looking forward to welcoming our many customers back to our facilities and services over the forthcoming weeks and months and I am delighted that our bounceback campaign is already taking shape across all of our services.
Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now sign up to a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining out. The Eat Out to Help Out registration page went live this morning on GOV.UK, allowing businesses to join the scheme announced last week by Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
HIE organises training and courses for businesses. This online webinar may be of interest.
