Praise for business support programme

“It is crucial that support is readily available for businesses in West Lothian who have only just started getting back on their feet after the first lockdown.“Local businesses must be given plenty of notice if level-four restrictions are going to be kept in place past December 11.“It is important that the UK Government and the Scottish Government continue to work together to protect local jobs.”Labour Lothian MSP Neil Findlay said: “A few weeks ago, the First Minister said the science only take

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.THE Scottish Government’s decision to plug the shortfall in school milk funding left by Brexit has been praised by Airdrie MP Neil Gray.Children and young people in Monklands will now be able to continue to access subsidised milk in schools, despite the EU ceasing to provide local authorities with provision subsidy.Ministers had pressed the UK Government to make up the shortfall, but to date no such

Scottish Government has published a list of essential businesses that will be allowed to remain open under level four restrictions. Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that 11 local authority areas in central and western parts of Scotland will move into the highest tier later this week.

East Kilbride say they fear for their future with Lanarkshire plunged into lockdown this week.

Social Security Scotland has outlined how they will deliver a range of new disability benefits through a series of policy position papers and explained how putting the needs and experiences of Scots claimants at the heart of it is a priority.“We regard social security as a human right and we are committed to ensuring that those who are entitled to Disability Assistance are able to access it whilst being treated with dignity, fairness and respect,” states the Gov.Scot website.Social Security

Perth and Kinross while it has risen by four per cent nationally.This is just one of the achievements outlined in Perth and Kinross Council’s Annual Assurance Statement, which was presented to councillors last week.Head of housing Clare Mailer was seeking approval of PKC’s 2019/20 statement in order to comply with the Scottish Housing Regulator’s regulatory framework.Latest COVID infection rate revealed as region adjusts to new restrictionsThe report was put before councillors at Wednesday’s

An inspection carried out by Education Scotland earlier this year found the school to be  very good. West Lothian Council’s Education Quality Assurance Committee heard the school had won top marks for the way it has developed its curriculum by working with partners.At the time of the inspection, there were 20 primary aged children on the school roll.

Clackmannanshire has been officially named by Police Scotland. Margaret Johnstone tragically lost her life after being struck by the refuse vehicle on Alloa High Street at around 3pm on Friday.

Police are appealing for information after a pensioner died when he crashed his luxury car on Scotland's busiest motorway. The 71-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday afternoon, after his black Jaguar XF collided with a number of cars on the M8.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A popular Stirling nightclub has been given a financial lifeline as part of efforts to support culture venues during the coronavirus pandemic.City centre venue Fubar was one of 203 venues who received the boost from the Scottish Government’s Culture Organisations and Venue Recovery Fund, with the club securing a £145,000 grant.The fund has the aim of protecting jobs and firms which may be put at risk due to

The Sun: 'Remembrance Day is always special to me because my grandfather was in the Scots Guards and it was always a big deal in our household,' 'When the poppies came out my granddad was the first to get us all one.'He would say, "There’s your poppy.

independence MSPs win a majority at Holyrood by a margin of almost two to one, a new poll has suggests. Pollsters asked if more than half the MSPs came from independence-supporting parties – such as the SNP and the Scottish Greens – if this would constitute a mandate for another referendum to be held.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.The owner of one of the biggest Chinese restaurants in Renfrewshire has admitted he’s endured “sleepless nights” after vicious online attacks were made on his business.The Beijing Banquet in Renfrew has come under fire from former staff who have made a series of allegations about the giant buffet.In one attack, disgruntled ex-staffer Declan Bryson,19, made claims on the restaurant’s Facebook site.The

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.The owner of a soft play centre says a government grant boost will allow her to “tread water” but warned more support is needed to keep the industry afloat.Julie Thomas was forced to close The Wee Play Place in Alexandria when the lockdown hit in March and has no idea when she’ll be able to reopen.She has joined an alliance of soft play business owners across Scotland lobbying the Scottish Government for

Scottish Government administered child benefit from next week which is intended to help with day-to-day living costs. Nicola Sturgeon said the new payment will help families struggling as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nicola Sturgeon has promised to listen to the lockdown fears of businesses as she prepares to introduce a stricter set of covid restrictions across Scotland.The First Minister unveiled the five-tier plan of measures for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland at the daily Scottish government press conference.Responding to complaints from bars and restaurants that they face ruin in extended lockdown, Sturgeon said she would consult with opposition parties and businesses over the next

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.PEOPLE in Airdrie who are facing redundancy are being offered expert help in a new campaign by the town’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).With a shock poll for Citizens Advice Scotland showing that 39 per cent of Scottish workers are concerned about their job security over the next year, and 84 per cent of people don’t know their redundancy rights, the CAB team is urging people to get informed. The bureau has

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Businesses in Lanarkshire may just have avoided closure as the area was only placed in tier four of the new Covid alert system.The area faced being put on the tightest restrictions and the move could have put local firms under, according to business chiefs.Andy Aird, Scotland national group chair of Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Many small businesses across Lanarkshire were worried that they