Members of today's Corporate Resources Committee (Thursday, 20 March) were presented with and approved the organisation’s Talent Strategy and Talent Action Plan These have been designed to support initiatives to grow and retain talent within the Council, ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future. The Talent Action Plan includes initiatives such as developing apprenticeship programmes, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and promoting flexible work models.
The Inverness Castle Experience is delighted to announce the appointment of three senior roles, adding to its leadership team ahead of its highly anticipated opening later this summer. The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
Gary Stevenson was highly successful trader and more recently makes videos about economics and is widely acknowledge to be on of the most successful at explaining the topic. Gary Stevenson (born 1986) is a British economist, former financial trader, and YouTuber known for his economic analysis and activism against economic inequality.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. The MPC adopts a medium-term and forward-looking approach to determine the monetary stance required to achieve the inflation target sustainably.
Consumers appeared to be signed up for monthly payments without their consent. Concerns were raised that tech companies Affinity Technology Solutions Limited and RCSR Tech Limited were operating a direct debit scam.
Anger has a bad name. Too often, we're now told being angry is unacceptable.
New Keep Britain Working Review report reveals an increase of 1.2 million young people with work limiting health conditions Nearly 1 in 4 people out of work due to ill health are under 35 - underlining the need for government's employment and welfare reforms. Government to consider independent recommendations on partnering with employers to keep young people in work Follows sweeping package of welfare to reforms to unlock work and boost living standards as part of the government's Plan for Change.
The latest Scottish Government Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics are based on data available as at 31 December 2024 and cover the diversity of Scottish Government permanent staff in core directorates, some agencies and some non-ministerial departments and the experiences of different demographic groups.
Fishers with commercial licences who want to apply for an authorisation to fish commercially for bluefin tuna in English waters in 2025 can start the process from 20 March 2025. Marine Management Organisation (MMO), in support of Defra, has published guidance to support fishers through the application process and explain how the fishery will operate this year.
The Health and Disability Green Paper will boost Universal Credit (UC) support for up to four million families without any health conditions or disability by around £3 a week. But these tiny gains are overshadowed by reforms that risk causing major income losses for those who are too ill to work, or those who no longer qualify for disability benefits, the Resolution Foundation said.
Yesterday's Green Paper marks a serious attempt by the Government to tackle two major concerns: the growing spend on disability benefits, and the large number of people who are not working through ill-health. The proposals to tackle the former go much further than reforms suggested by the previous Government; between 800,000 and 1.2 million people are set to lose entitlement to PIP (worth at least £4,000 a year by 2029-30) - as well as any benefits that they (or others) receive that are linked to PIP eligibility.
The government says it must balance its books and benefits cost too much, so they must be cut. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The number of payrolled jobs has flatlined and average total weekly pay levels have fallen by 1 per cent in real terms since October, adding to a picture of wider economic stagnation ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement and big policy changes coming into effect this April, the Resolution Foundation said today (Thursday 20 March 2025). The latest HMRC payroll data showed that employee jobs have been broadly flat since May - growing by just 3,000 (0.01 per cent).
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending December 2024.
Amazon is one of a number of retailers being shunned by consumers over its association with the Trump administration. Last week, 9% of US Amazon users planned to boycott it.
Barrow is a blueprint for how defence spending can boost communities up and down the country, the Prime Minister will say while on a visit to the town today. Keir Starmer joins Vanguard Class submarine crew returning home from nuclear deterrent patrol to thank them for their silent service Comes as he visits Barrow to lay the keel of the next generation Dreadnought submarine, the next generation of the UK's nuclear deterrent.
A video that outlines: -Context: U.S. imposing EV (electric vehicle) tariffs harming Japan's auto exports.
Around 150 additional community toilet facilities for people with complex disabilities and health conditions will be created across the country thanks to £10 million Scottish Government funding over the next two years. There are currently around 270 of the specially equipped facilities, known as Changing Places Toilets, in Scotland.
A British AI-driven innovation that dramatically speeds up the development of materials used in wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries has won the UK government's £1 million Manchester Prize. Polaron awarded £1 million for revolutionary AI technology transforming materials innovation.
Plans to secure a long-term industrial future for Grangemouth have been stepped up as a feasibility study sets out nine options for its future. The plan - which is backed by £25 million from the Scottish Government and £200 million from the UK Government – will support jobs, unlock investment and drive growth.
Carers in full and part-time education could be entitled to over £4,900 a year in financial support from Social Security Scotland. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 students at college or university in Scotland providing unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour.
The Federal Reserve is maintaining interest rates with no change. Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace.
This change is another step towards creating a genuine living wage that supports millions of families across the country. The National Minimum and National Living wage are going up.
Minister Jones has announced a multimillion-pound investment in Bristol's space sector from leading German space company OHB. New multimillion-pound investment from leading German space company OHB to support Plan for Change by creating specialist jobs in Bristol.
Chancellor sets new strategy for National Wealth Fund to reflect our Plan for Change, unlocking billions of pounds of private investment into the UK. New strategic steer will see National Wealth Fund take on higher risk projects as government goes further and faster to kickstart economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower and boost security.
The government will introduce new fees for passport applications on 10 April 2025. The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.
Entertainment from Junior members. See poster for tickets.
Tickets from the bar from 14 March. Show starts at 7:15pm.
Venue: Mount Pleasant Primary School, Thurso Programme: Bizet - L'Arlessienne Suites 1 & 2, conducted by Susie Dingle Wagner - The Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauseer, conducted by James Doherty.
Venue: East Caithness Church of Scotland, Argyle Square, Wick. Programme: Bizet - L'Arlessienne Suites 1 & 2, conducted by Susie Dingle Wagner - The Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauser, conducted by James Doherty.
More crime victims will get access to a range of information about the perpetrator and have a say on decisions about their prison release under newly unveiled justice reforms. Currently victims can register with the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) if the offender in their case has been sentenced to 18 months or more in prison, or with the Victim Information Scheme if the sentence was less than 18 months.
Today is World Book Day, an important moment to reflect on the power of storytelling to inspire, educate and connect young people across the world. Reading is a fundamental right - one that opens doors, fuels imaginations and shapes futures.
The following article is the result of research in England but Scotland may well be similar with a higher level of social housing. As of 31st March 2022, there were 2.7 million dwellings estimated in Scotland.
People across Scotland encouraged to get potential symptoms checked earlier. The latest phase of the Scottish Government's ‘Be the Early Bird' campaign has a new focus on head and neck cancer symptoms.
The Highland Council is inviting community groups and organisations to submit Expressions of Interest for Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) to finance capital projects that will respond to the needs of their local areas and deliver positive impacts. Community Regeneration Funding is an umbrella term being used to cover multiple community-led external funding programmes being administered by the Highland Council.
People who have purchased Boots Paracetamol 500mg Tablets 16s (Item code 81-99-922, Batch 241005, Expiry date 12/2029) are advised to stop using the product immediately and return it to a Boots store for a full refund, because of a packaging error. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a medicines recall alert due to a packaging error where the foil blister inside the carton incorrectly states ‘Aspirin 300mg Dispersible Tablets' instead of ‘Paracetamol 500mg Tablets'.
Lybster Heritage Trust Annual General Meeting Wednesday 26th March 2025 at 0900 Waterlines, Shore Road, Lybster Harbour All Welcome Cheers Andrew.
When The Highland Council's Harbours Management Board met earlier today, (Friday 28 February 2025) members expressed their delight that two projects are bringing benefits to the council, the fishing industry and their local communities. The Highland Council manages approximately ninety ports, harbours and marine facilities, ten of which provide Marine Gas Oil (MGO) bunkering facilities.
Gaelic language broadcasting is to receive an additional £1.8 million to help build on the success of BBC Alba's crime thriller An t-Eilean. The increase is contained in the Scottish Government's 2025/26 Budget and raises total funding for MG ALBA (the Gaelic Media Service) to £14.8 million in the upcoming financial year.
Demonstrations, talks, stalls and more..
The government is bringing forward strengthened support for millions of households to help pay their energy bills next winter. Nearly 3 million more families would be eligible to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter under new proposals to help people with their energy bills.
See poster..
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye is to be a Gaelic hub in the new Centre for Teaching Excellence, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has announced during a visit to the college. The Cabinet Secretary met with staff at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, during a visit to discuss the aims of the new Centre in providing opportunities for Gaelic teachers across the country.
Growth in jobs, tourism and regional regeneration to be ushered in by funding for major cultural projects across the UK. egional growth and regeneration will get a much-needed boost as 10 major culture projects across the UK will receive more than £67 million, the government confirmed this week.
For many low-budget, independent films, an Oscar nomination is a golden ticket. The publicity can translate into theatrical releases or rereleases, along with more on-demand rentals and sales.
Over £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in major boost for growth. Intervention is next step of Government's Plan for Change to help boost local economies and increase opportunities to gain creative skills.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy yesterday (Thursday 20 February 2025) made an inaugural lecture marking the 60th anniversary of the first ever arts white paper. In 2019, as Britain tore itself apart over Brexit, against a backdrop of growing nationalism, anger and despair I sat down with the film director Danny Boyle to talk about the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Residents across Highland are being asked to be alert to vulnerable adults in their communities who are susceptible to financial harm. Adult Support and Protection Day takes place on Thursday 20 February 2025 and NHS Highland is urging everyone to report any concerns to ensure those in need are able to access support.
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