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Yesterday :: Business
 
Whats More Scary And Spooky Than Halloween This Year - The Budget

There has been huge amounts of speculation about the coming UK budget and what is going to be in it. The government came to power promising no changes to Income Tax, VAT and Corporation Tax but there a wide range of potential horrors that could still be coming depending on your personal circumstances.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Russian Payment Collapse - Joe Blogs

In this video I discuss the recent announcement that Russia has struck a trade deal with Pakistan under which it will be paid in POTATOES, ORANGES & RICE. This deal has been agreed due to the ongoing payment problems that Russia is experiencing as a result of the Financial Sanctions.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Bottled Up In The Black Sea: Russia Is Having A Dreadful Naval War, Hindering Its Great Power Ambitions

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has played out largely on land and in the air. It is a bitterly contested, grueling ground war, accompanied by brutal Russian aerial attacks on civilian infrastructure and a slow but increasing Ukrainian response.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Capital Gains Tax Reform

Should the government raise capital gains tax in the Budget?. What is the case for reforming capital gains tax? What are the options for reform?.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Torsten Bell Is Labour's Rising Star - He Could Now Be On A Collision Course Over Its Economic Policy

The Labour MP Torsten Bell is widely considered to be a rising star of the party. His recent book, Great Britain? How We Get Our Future Back, provides a detailed description of what he sees as the key economic challenges facing the UK today and proposes a series of policy ideas to return the country to economic and social prosperity.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Child Poverty - Trends And Policy Options

Relative child poverty has increased. Which children are most likely to be affected? What policies would most effectively reduce child poverty?.

Yesterday :: Business
 
The Cost Of Building A House

A new report by The Housing Forum answers the all-important question: How much does it cost to build a house? The Housing Forum, is a cross-sector body for the construction and housing sector and became aware of concern across the sector about the rising costs of building new homes. The high inflation seen over the last few years has had a particularly severe effect on construction and is having a long-term impact on costs, with delays and uncertainty in the planning system exacerbating the issue.

Yesterday :: Business
 
What's The Real Reason Why We Tax - Richard Murphy

Most people assume that we tax to fund government spending, but we don't in economies like that we have in the UK. Instead, we have an economy where the government spends by creating new money and tax then takes it out of circulation, and that creates a need for very different economic management from that we're being offered.

Yesterday :: Business
 
The Effect Of Center-based Early Education On Disadvantaged Children's Developmental Trajectories - Experimental Evidence From Colombia

Early childhood development is a global priority, yet questions remain about how best to support disadvantaged children in low- and middle- income countries. We study the impacts of high-quality, center-based early childhood education on low income children in Colombia through a randomized controlled trial, tracking participants longitudinally over five years.

5/10/2024 :: Business
Banks New Fraud Protection Rules From 7 October 2024 - Some Payments Mat Be Delayed To Check Payments Are Genuine

New rules for reimbursing victims of authorized push payment (APP) fraud will come into effect in the UK on October 7, 2024. These rules will apply to all UK banks and are intended to improve consumer protection and reduce the financial losses caused by APP fraud.

4/10/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Fri, 18 Oct 8:00pm - Quiz Night

Teams of 2, 3 or 4. See poster..

4/10/2024 :: Arts
Stability For The Culture Sector In Scotland - Further detail to be confirmed in budget

The culture sector needs to have stable and supportive financial arrangements in place in order to fulfil its potential, the Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has said. In a letter to the Chair of Creative Scotland, Mr Robertson reiterated the Scottish Government's support for the arts and culture sector.

30/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Wed, 16 Oct 10:00am - 150 Years Of The Far North Line Exhibition

We're delighted to announce that FoFNL is marking this year's sesquicentenary of the completion of the Far North Line to Thurso and Wick with a photographic exhibition about the line 16 to 19th October. 150th Anniversary.

30/9/2024 :: Community
Pension Credit Awareness Advice

A message for everyone who may be entitled to Pension Credit!. On Wednesday 2 October 2024, Caithness CAB is running a Pension Credit Walk-in Clinic between 11 am and 3 pm at our Thurso office.

27/9/2024 :: Community
 
First Date Fashion - New TK Maxx Survey Highlights Brits' Style Priorities

Brits spend an average of £69.11 when buying a new outfit for a first date, with this being the highest in Liverpool (£78.88). Over half (52%) of people said they typically purchase a new outfit for a first date, Londoners (61%) were the most likely to do this.

26/9/2024 :: Sutherland
Improving The Lives Of Scotland's Gypsy Travellers

Voices of communities at the heart of plan to tackle discrimination and social exclusion. Improved access to housing, education and health services and tackling discrimination are at the heart of a new Gypsy/Traveller Action Plan agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA.

25/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Tue, 8 Oct 7:00pm - Around Caithness

Caithness Family History Society Annual General meeting followed by a presentation by Doreen Leith of Wick Voices. Will include audio recordings from the Wick Society’s oral history section, Wick Voices.

24/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Fri, 6 Dec 1:30pm - Family Christmas Show Too Many Penquins

Join us 6th or 7th December for Too Many Penguins. A family friendly Christmas show created especially for 1 to 6 year olds and their families.

24/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Thu, 24 Oct 10:00am - Halloween Spa And Dance Party - Two Age Groups

Two Age Groups. See poster for times and details.

24/9/2024 :: Coming Events
Tue, 22 Oct 10:00am - Halloween Arts And Crafts - Two Age Groups

Lots of fun for Halloween. Check poster for times for each age group..

24/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Thu, 17 Oct 10:00am - Halloween Baking - Two Age Groups

Check poster for each age group times. Ages 2 - 6 and 6 plus..

24/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Tue, 15 Oct 2:00pm - Spooky Messy Play Over 6 Years Old

Over 6 Years Old See poster..

24/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Tue, 15 Oct 10:00am - Spooky Messy Play - 2 To 6 Year Olds

2 to 6 Year Olds. See poster..

24/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Fri, 1 Nov 6:00pm - Halloween Parties For Kids

Two parties for two age groups. See poster for details.

20/9/2024 :: Community
New measures set out to combat violence against women and girls

Violence Against Women and Girls in Scotland 14,602 sexual crimes were recorded by Police Scotland in 2022-23.i The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2019-2020 showed that only 22% of victims/survivors of rape reported it to the police.ii At least 37% of the 14,602 sexual crimes recorded in 2022-23 by the police related to a victim under the age of 18.iii There has been a notable decrease in the extent to which people agree with rape myths since 2014. In 2019, 8% of people in Scotland thought that ‘women often lie about being raped' (down from 23% in 2014).

19/9/2024 :: Community
 
OPSS issues Safety Alert to warn of the risks of water beads

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a Safety Alert to warn of the risks that water beads can pose to children and vulnerable adults. This follows action taken by OPSS to remove unsafe products from the market.

17/9/2024 :: Coming Events
 
Sat, 16 Nov 8:00pm - Wick Gala's Mama Mia - Abba Tribute Night

Licensed Bar - Over 18s only. Doors Open 7.30pm..

14/9/2024 :: Sutherland
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.

14/9/2024 :: Sutherland
Flow Country Importance - Overhead Line (ohl) Between Spittal And Beauly, Connecting Via Loch Buidhe

Specialist teams at SSEN Transmission have been working with communities and public bodies to minimise the impact of infrastructure works on the Flow Country - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this blog, Senior Consents and Environment Manager Tara Cowley explains that environmental protection is at the heart of our project development process.

14/9/2024 :: Community
 
New Highland Youth Convener Takes Up The Reins For 2024/25

Lauren McKittrick from Inverness has taken up the role of Highland Youth Convener, becoming the 16th young person to take on the job since 2007. 22-year-old Lauren has been involved in outdoor education and has experience as a volunteer youth worker with the Army welfare service as well as undertaking community engagement projects with the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.

14/9/2024 :: Community
 
Back To Basics And Saving Money On Your Laundry

With the cost of living increasingly hitting the household budget it may be time to see how many people can save money on their laundry and still get the same results. As often is the case Granny new best how to save money without ever thinking about it as so many modern products did not exist.

13/9/2024 :: Arts
 
Caithness Comics Club With Aimee Lockwood

CYC Comics Club is an opportunity to be creative and learn new ways of storytelling through Comics. Come along to Wick or Thurso Library for our monthly Comics Club sessions with illustrator and comics maker Aimee Lockwood.

13/9/2024 :: Sutherland
Drivers and Others Beware - Parking Penalty Charge Notice Scam Warning

The Highland Council Trading Standards service is urging motorists to be aware of a recent trend in scam texts aimed at tricking people into thinking they have to act quickly to pay a parking penalty charge notice (PCN). The text asks you to pay the PCN which has been issued by "a local Council".

12/9/2024 :: Community
 
New Uniform Guidance Published - Reducing the cost of the school day

New national guidance which aims to reduce the cost of school uniforms for families has been published. Following consultation with schools, families, uniform suppliers, pupils and councils, the new guidance also sets out key considerations to ensure pupil comfort, freedom and happiness.

12/9/2024 :: Sutherland
 
Bank Of Scotland Golspie Closing 4 February 2025

A MAJOR high street banking giant will close 55 more branches for good. Lloyds Banking Group will shut down a number of branches across its Halifax, Bank of Scotland (BoS) and Lloyds brands.

12/9/2024 :: Community
 
Social Media Safety For Young People - Campaign To Stop The Sharing Of Violent Incidents

A national campaign to support young people to safely navigate social media and prevent violence has been launched. ‘Quit Fighting For Likes' aims to get young people to think about and discuss attitudes and behaviours around the filming and sharing of violent incidents.

12/9/2024 :: Sutherland
 
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.

12/9/2024 :: Community
 
Third Force News Magazine's September Edition Is Out Now

Third Force News magazine September edition is a packed mag looking at austerity, funding and much, much more. In a packed magazine, we take a look at a range of issues which really get to the heart of what the voluntary sector is, and what we do.

12/9/2024 :: Community
 
Community Learning And Development Plan 2024-2027

The Education Committee met today (Thursday 12 September 2024) and agreed the Community Learning and Development Plan 2024-2027. Community Learning and Development (CLD) plays an important role in ensuring individuals, families and communities reach their potential, through lifelong learning, mutual self-help and community organisation, ensuring support and opportunities are community-led and built around people's individual and collective aspirations.

11/9/2024 :: Sutherland
Four Chief Officers Appointed To Corporate Service

Highland Council has appointed four chief officers in the latest phase of its new senior management restructuring. As previously intimated in Highland Council's budget plan, a new senior management structure is being implemented following approval by the Council on 14 March 2024.

11/9/2024 :: Sutherland
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.

10/9/2024 :: Sutherland
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.

9/9/2024 :: Sutherland
 
Tackling Population Challenges In The Highlands

The Highland Council has received a boost to its work in addressing the challenges of depopulation in the Highlands. The Scottish Government has awarded the council £60,000 for 2024/25 from the Addressing Depopulation Fund, as part of a wide-ranging plan to strengthen communities facing population decline, including funding for local-led research, initiatives, and community support.