A multi-million pound fund has been set up to help the energy sector recover from the dual economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the oil and gas price crash. The £62 million Energy Transition Fund will support businesses in the oil, gas and energy sectors over the next five years as they grow and diversify and will help attract private sector investment in the region.
Minister tells UK Government that urgent support needed within days. The double threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the potential loss of access to EU funding programmes could result in long-term damage to Scottish university research, unless the UK Government provides immediate financial support, according to Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has written to the UK Government calling for urgent action to support housing tenants affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mr Stewart identifies five key areas in which the benefits system and support for people who rent their home should be urgently strengthened.
Backing for world's largest performing arts festival. The Scottish Government has agreed a funding package for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the charity that underpins the world-famous Fringe Festival.
The bridge, which links the Campus with the Inverness Retail and Business Park, opened today (12 June) for all walkers, cyclists, scooters and wheelchair users. It crosses the main Inverness-Perth railway line and enables access to and from the east of the city.
Statistics released by HMRC show that the Highland has the highest number of workers on furlough per head of population across Scotland. 32,000 people, 27% of the working population are currently furloughed in the Highlands.
The Highland Council can confirm that from Monday 15th June 2020 the re-opening of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) will move to the next stage. This follows the successful re-opening of the majority of sites across the region less than 2 weeks ago and will see the range of materials that householders are permitted to take to the sites expanded to include electrical appliances and cardboard as well as bagged household waste and garden waste.
Children and protected adults will be better protected under new legislation. The Disclosure (Scotland) Bill, which has passed its final stage in the Scottish Parliament, will transform how criminal record disclosures operate and improve the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
Innovation is fundamental to business growth and diversification. It is also absolutely essential in Scotland's economic recovery as we emerge from the impacts of COVID-19.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, highlighted the role that the use of negative ion ionisers could have in the continued fight against COVID-19 during First Minister's Questions in Holyrood today (10 June 2020). Mr Stewart said "The First Minister will be well aware that to conquer COVID-19 requires scientific collaboration, initiative and innovation.
The first set of data from week one of the coronavirus (COVID-19) Test and Protect system has been published. The data, which will be published weekly, shows: the number of positive index cases from 28 May to 7 June the number of index cases where contact tracing has been completed the number of contact traces Since Test and Protect was launched, 681 cases have tested positive with 741 contacts traced.
Seasoned campaigner and veteran politician, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart, is to retire at the next Scottish Parliament election at the age of 65. Mr Stewart is one of a small band of Scottish politicians who have served as a councillor, an MP and an MSP.
Schools and local authorities receive funding boost. Pupils living in Scotland's most deprived communities will benefit from targeted funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund to help close the poverty-related attainment gap.
Further measures have been announced by Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing to support Scotland's vital tourism industry. A new Scottish Recovery Tourism Taskforce will assist with the ongoing reset of the sector - and a provisional date of 15 July has been set for when tourism businesses may be able to resume operations, dependent on public health advice and progression to Phase 3 of the Scottish Government lockdown route-map.
Small businesses which share properties but do not pay business rates are now eligible to apply for grants to help with the impact of COVID-19. The extension to the Small Business Grant Fund will apply to firms occupying shared office spaces, business incubators or shared industrial units and who lease the space from a registered, rate-paying landlord.
A new collection of digital maps is to display the funding being given to support communities across Scotland affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). The online dashboard enables users to view financial support by local authority across four main funds.
Highland pupils have been jumping out of bed in great numbers to join ‘Wake Up Shake Up' sessions online since mid-May, as part of the High Life Highland to support communities during the Covid-19 crisis. The movement and dance sessions are available to primary school age pupils with a Highland Google account, and are led by Amy Gallagher of High Life Highland.
Carers Week launched with additional support. £300,000 from the £350 million communities funding to support people and communities affected by COVID-19, is being given to support young carers across Scotland.
An expert advisory board is to be established to drive progress towards a fairer, more equal Scotland in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The group will listen to and learn from people with lived experience of poverty and inequality and membership will draw on expertise from equality and disabled people's organisations, housing and homelessness bodies, town centre and regeneration groups, and anti-poverty campaigners.
Outdoor exercise can be taken from later this month. People who are shielding are being advised that though they should continue to do so until at least the end of July, they can if they choose, go outdoors to exercise from 18 June while maintaining strict physical distancing.
