New subsea partnership at UHI's Fort William campus
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has announced a partnership with an offshore specialist aimed at increasing the number of people working in the subsea industry. Drift Offshore and UHI North, West and Hebrides are to deliver a course on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and subsea equipment at UHI's Fort William campus on Loch Linnhe. The company, which supports offshore industries like renewables, said there was a global shortage of workers in the sector. UHI North, West and Hebrides described the new partnership as a "powerful collaboration".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Ministers stall plans for Loch Lomond Flamingo Land resort
The Scottish government has stalled plans for a controversial holiday park at Loch had previously been set to give permission for the development, overturning the national park authority which said it did not comply with environmental and nature conservation park operator Flamingo Land believed it would be given the go-ahead to build a £40m resort called Lomond Banks, featuring a waterpark, monorail, hotel and Scottish government's Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee, has now said he will recall the plans because "the development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park". This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Scottish Government refuses to rule out changes to pensioners' winter payment
The Scottish Government has not ruled out making changes to its equivalent on the winter fuel payment scheme, amid concerns some pensioners could be left worse off than their counterparts south of the border. A spokesperson for First Minister John Swinney said ministers at Holyrood were 'trying to understand the fiscal implications' of Monday's policy change by the UK Government. After cutting the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has now confirmed some nine million pensioners in England and Wales will receive the benefit this winter. The payment, worth up to £300, will be restored to the vast majority of pensioners who previously received it, with those with an income of under £35,000 a year qualifying for the UK Government's payment. In Scotland, ministers had already announced plans to ensure all pensioner households receive a payment. The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will see all pensioner households get at least £100, with poorer pensioners getting either £200 or £300 depending on their age. Labour, however, challenged SNP ministers to ensure that 'no struggling Scottish pensioners will be left out of pocket under their plans'. Mr Swinney's spokesperson confirmed that, as it stands, the policy in Scotland has not been changed. But adding that ministers are 'trying to understand the fiscal implications' of what has been announced', the spokesperson refused to rule out future changes to the payments. 'We will always seek to support pensioners in Scotland the best we can, we are absolutely committed to that,' the spokesperson said. The change in policy from the UK Government will bring additional money for the Scottish Government – with the spokesperson stressing SNP ministers are 'still trying to understand' how much extra cash could be due. Here, the spokesperson stressed the Scottish Government's budget is 'set largely by Westminster', adding: 'We have to, frankly, read the tea leaves sometimes about what is going to happen to our block grant throughout the year.' The comments from the First Minister's spokesperson came as Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville described the UK Government's handling of of the benefit as 'shambolic'. Ms Somerville welcomed Labour's U-turn on the benefit cut, but said the decision should never have happened in the first place. She told BBC Radio Scotland it was 'very difficult to try and run a devolved social security system when you're actually finding out some of the details on social media before you can actually find out the details from the Government'. The Social Justice Secretary insisted that was 'no way for the Governments to work together,', adding she was 'deeply disappointed in the way that the UK Government have handled this once again with the Scottish Government'. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray stressed the benefit was devolved to Scotland, saying: 'This is a devolved payment. There's lots of social security that is devolved in Scotland. It is up to the Scottish Government to develop that and come up with their own policy.' The Labour MP also told BBC Radio Scotland the Scottish Government's winter fuel payments system meant that 'limited public money' will go towards helping millionaire pensioners with their heating bills. He insisted the initial decision by the UK Government to scrap the universal payments had been the 'right thing to do at the time', but added that changes could be made to this now the economy has been 'stabilised'.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
Revised plans for Innerleithen mountain bike centre revealed
Revised plans for a multi-million pound mountain bike innovation centre in the Borders have been had initially been hoped that Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen could be converted but severe structural issues and rising costs put an end to that plans to demolish the building - which dates back to 1788 - have been agreed and approval will be sought for a new structure to replace of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) said the project could create more than 400 jobs in the region over 10 years. The old mill is one of the oldest industrial buildings in Scotland but ultimately proved too costly to the £19m project will see a new centre built where it once approved it would allow Scottish, UK and international companies to develop mountain biking and cycling products and scheme will be funded by the UK government as port of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. The project will also host academics and research by Edinburgh Napier University across the cycling would include bike engineering workshop space, brand experience units, events space, offices, meeting rooms and teaching Griggs, who chairs SOSE, said: "This is another important step forward for the mountain bike innovation centre project."If planning permission is received, the new facility will allow high-value jobs to come to the south of Scotland, maximising the value of mountain biking to the area by getting more products and services designed and made here."Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill added: "I welcome this major step forward towards the mountain bike innovation centre in Innerleithen opening for business, bringing jobs and investment to the region and attracting riders from across the country and beyond to a world-class facility."
