News Archive
6/11/2022
The National Security Grounds For Investigating Musk's Twitter Acquisition
A report from the Brookings Institution. The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC.
6/11/2022
Blue Is Beautiful Blue Is Best Unless Its A Blue Tick On Twitter
The news if full of the launch of the Blue Tick for users of Twitter who want to have verification. For older generations might recall The Magic Roundabout's "Dougal and the Blue Cat" story with the famous line that has tended to be with you for the rest of your life.
6/11/2022
Nurses Strike Ballot Looks Like Industrial Action Is Coming
Although the results of the ballot for industrial action have not been announced the media certainly thinks it looks like a YES to taking action. The unions have not said what for the action will take but it will undoubtedly affect patients and waiting lists.6/11/2022
Scotland To Mark The Royal Coronation - Can We Afford Another Holiday?
Monday 8 May 2023 will be a national bank holiday to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations in Scotland to celebrate the Coronation.6/11/2022
National Insurance Levy Has Ended But What Is Next
The National Insurance rates between 6 April and 5 November 2022 include a 1.25% levy to directly support the NHS, bringing the rates to 13.25% and 3.25%. Following the Growth Plan statement at the end of September 2022, from 6 November 2022 the NIC rates drop down again.5/11/2022
What Matters To You? - Highland Council Area Survey
The Highland Council's Administration are keen to hear from residents and communities across Highland as they develop priorities for the new Council Programme. Members of the public are invited to view the draft priorities and respond to a survey at: https://forms.office.com/r/zF0pnxkMWq The survey is open until 11 November.5/11/2022
The Art Of Expectations Management A Bleak Outlook From The Bank Of England As It Scales Back Rate Hike Expectations
The Bank of England has raised rates by 75 basis points today - the eighth successive increase and the largest since 1989 - to 3 per cent, the highest since November 2008. Despite this historic rise, the big news was that the Bank signalled very clearly that market expectations for further rate rises had gone too far, amidst a bleak outlook for the UK economy.
5/11/2022
Rates Go Up To 3% As Expected As The Bank Forecast A 2-year Recession
The Bank of England took the decision, as was widely expected, to raise interest rates by 0.75% to 3%. This represents the biggest rise in rates since Black Wednesday, when the UK Government withdrew Sterling from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.5/11/2022
Emergency Budget Review 2022 - inflation implications laid bare 
There has been lots of crossing out in the Financial Scrutiny Unit's fiscal diary of late, with previously planned UK and Scottish fiscal events being postponed during a period of well-publicised economic instability. In a letter to the Finance and Public Administration Committee of 7 September, the Deputy First Minister (DFM) stated his intention to publish the Emergency Budget Review (EBR) within two weeks of the UK "mini-Budget".
5/11/2022
Bankers Need To Be Personally Liable To Avoid Future Financial Crises — New Research
Most financial crises have plenty in common. They tend to start in the banking sector and involve excessive borrowing, together with an asset bubble, usually related to property.5/11/2022
The Economic Impact Of Covid In The UK Depended On Where You Live
COVID brought rapid and lasting economic change around the world. But in the UK, the level of impact depended on where you lived when the virus arrived.
5/11/2022
The Whole World Is Facing A Debt Crisis - But Richer Countries Can Afford To Stop It
Countries across the world are drifting towards a debt crisis. Economic slowdowns and rising inflation have increased demands on spending, making it almost impossible for many governments to pay back the money they owe.
5/11/2022
Climate Change Committee Approves Energy Use Benchmarking Project To Help Council Move To Net Zero
Members at this week's Climate Change Committee approved a new project which will undertake an energy performance assessment of Highland Council's property portfolio. The project will directly support and inform decisions with regards to achieving net zero, investment in buildings (to improve energy/Net Zero performance) and asset rationalisation options.5/11/2022
Do We Need To Increase Interest Rates To Control Inflation - Other Views Say No
The Bank of England is putting up interest rates to control inflation. Not everyone agrees that this needs to be done.
5/11/2022
Health Inequalities - There Are Marked Differences In Life Expectancy Between The Regions
There are marked differences in life expectancy between the regions of England, between the countries in the UK, and between the UK and other wealthy countries. Within England, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy at birth was more than two years higher in London and the South East than in the North of England.
5/11/2022
ScotRail confirms normal service will resume on Tuesday, 8 November
ScotRail has confirmed that its full timetable will resume on Tuesday, 8 November following confirmation that planned strike action on 7 and 9 November by RMT trade union members of Network Rail has been suspended to allow for further pay negotiations. ScotRail is working with Network Rail to ensure routes are ready for services to operate as soon as possible, however, the train operator has been advised by Network Rail that it will not be possible to operate all routes until Tuesday.5/11/2022
Members Green Light Next Steps Towards Sustainable Highland Wide Ev Infrastructure Network
Members at this week's Climate Change Committee approved the next move towards a partnership-based Highland wide EV (Electric Vehicle) infrastructure network. The network will be achieved through a collaborative membership of local Scottish councils partnering with the private sector.
5/11/2022
Council Leading Way In Scotland Through Its Proactive Use Of Climate Focused Salix Investment Fund
Highland Council is staking its claim as one of the most ambitious and climate conscious councils in Scotland by becoming the nation's leading utiliser of the climate focused Salix Investment Fund. In 2019, based on a business case developed by the Transformation Service, Highland Council, secured a £3.5m interest free loan from Salix, match funded against Council investments in solar and hydro - the largest award made in Scotland and the largest made to a local authority in the UK.
4/11/2022
Staff Nurse Becomes First Fully Trained Nurse Colposcopist In NHS Highland
Deborah Cavell, a staff nurse at the Gynaecology Outpatient department at Raigmore Hospital, is the first fully trained Nurse Colposcopist in NHS Highland. This training allows for an increased capacity for the service, meaning more patients can be seen.
4/11/2022
