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News Archive


24/7/2020
Retail Sales Claw Back To Normal Levels, But Online Snatches Over 30%
Today's ONS retail statistics for June show retail sales up 1.5% YOY - but ParcelHero warns stores not to celebrate yet: 31.8% of those sales were made online.   The Office of National Statistics (ONS) retail sales figures for June showed sales soared by over 13% compared to May, to reach near-normal levels.  
24/7/2020
More Materials To Be Accepted At Household Waste Recycling Centres
The Highland Council announced on Thursday 23 July 2020 additional materials will start to be accepted at many of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) across the region and some opening times extended as part of the planned phased reopening.   Wood and scrap metal have now been added to the range of items that are accepted at the majority of facilities where the layout and size of the site allows.  
24/7/2020
Tax Credits Deadline: Customers At Risk Of Losing Out
People whose circumstances have changed in the last year or who have received a letter to reconfirm their income details must contact HMRC before 31 July 2020.   Tax credits customers have just one week left to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about changes to their circumstances or income before the deadline on 31 July 2020.  
23/7/2020
Don't get petfished: vets And celebrities lead public warnings Against cruel And Opportunist Lockdown Pet Sellers 
Prospective puppy and kitten owners warned of risks of being ‘Petfished' when buying a pet online following lockdown demand surge.   Vets, charities and animal-loving celebrities have joined forces with a government campaign to warn against unknowingly buying puppies, kittens, cats and dogs from unscrupulous sellers amid a rise in demand for pets since lockdown.  
23/7/2020
£50million Additional Funding For 850 More Teachers In ScotlandThumbnail for article : £50million Additional Funding For 850 More Teachers In Scotland
Funding of £50 million will be ring-fenced for the recruitment of approximately 850 extra teachers and around 200 additional support staff as local authorities plan for the re-opening of schools.   Addressing Parliament, Education Secretary John Swinney also pledged that £20 million will be allocated to help councils with additional costs associated with new health protection measures, school transport, enhanced cleaning and other essential logistical issues.  
23/7/2020
Shielding To Be Paused In Scotland
People who have been advised to shield because of Covid-19, will no longer have to do so from 1 August.   Those affected will receive a letter from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith outlining updated guidance as well as the pause in shielding, which is possible due to the continuing low levels of Covid-19 infection in Scotland.  
22/7/2020
Budget Deficit Reaches £128 Billion In Just Three Months
From the Office For Budget Responsibility.   The budget deficit continues to rise sharply.  
22/7/2020
Why Sending A Small Parcel To The Usa Could Now Cost An Epacket
President Trump picked an international fight over cheap e-commerce imports into the USA last year.  For some companies using the US Postal Service for final delivery, this means the cost has gone up by over 100%.  
21/7/2020
Overdraft Changes 2020: What Fees Are Going Up? It May Be Time To Stop Or Reduce Using An OverdraftThumbnail for article : Overdraft Changes 2020: What Fees Are Going Up? It May Be Time To Stop Or Reduce Using An Overdraft
Last year the FCA announced that overdraft fee regulations would change in April 2020.  Complex overdraft fees and the variance of fee structure amongst banks made it difficult for consumers to calculate the true cost of an overdraft and compare offers.  
21/7/2020
Up To £10 Billion Of The Chancellor's plan For Jobs Will Be Funded By Underspends On Previously Planned Projects
David Phillips writing for the Institute for Fiscal Studies.   The UK Government is spending big on supporting public services and the economy through the COVID-19 recovery and beyond.  
21/7/2020
£17bn Pensions Blunder Illustrates The Cost Of Political Incompetence
Among the tens and hundreds of billions of pounds the government has been spending to support the economy in the midst of the current crisis, you might have missed the odd £17 billion that it is planning to shell out to rectify a major cock-up.  This particular cock-up relates to reforms to the pensions provided to public sector employees.  
21/7/2020
Why Sending A Small Parcel To The Usa Could Now Cost An EpacketThumbnail for article : Why Sending A Small Parcel To The Usa Could Now Cost An Epacket
President Trump picked an international fight over cheap e-commerce imports into the USA last year.  For some companies using the US Postal Service for final delivery, this means the cost has gone up by over 100%.  
20/7/2020
Latest Data On The Scottish Economy
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.  
20/7/2020
Energy Price Comparison Sites Are Bad News For Consumers - Here is How To Fix ThemThumbnail for article : Energy Price Comparison Sites Are Bad News For Consumers - Here is How To Fix Them
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.  
20/7/2020
More Mental Health Support For Health And Social Care Staff
New helpline will provide round the clock service.   All health and social care workers in Scotland will now have access to mental health support 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a new national helpline.  
20/7/2020
Inverness Castle Transformation - Major City Region Deal Investment To Boost Tourism For The HighlandsThumbnail for article : Inverness Castle Transformation - Major City Region Deal Investment To Boost Tourism For The Highlands
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.  
20/7/2020
HMRC Covid Latest Important Information On Claiming For The Coronavirus Job Retention SchemeMRCThumbnail for article : HMRC Covid Latest Important Information On Claiming For The Coronavirus Job Retention SchemeMRC
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.  
20/7/2020
Bulky Items Collection Restarts in HighlandThumbnail for article : Bulky Items Collection Restarts in Highland
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.  
20/7/2020
Capital works in Council homes to restart
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.  
16/7/2020
Labour Market Overview, UK: July 2020
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.