Shortage of contractor housing ‘pretty scary’
Concerns were raised at Wednesday’s Housing Committee Providing an update on the state of government housing Senior Housing Officer Kirsty Williams confirmed there are currently 193 properties in the contract pool, which includes 24 private rentals. Of these properties, 31 are vacant with 30 allocated to incoming contractors. This leaves one property which is currently […]
Access to education in the UK still an issue
The Foreign Affairs Committee’s Sub-Committee on the Overseas Territories discussed some barriers to Falklands students accessing UK education earlier this year. The UK General Election was called two days after this meeting, which stopped further action. The Director of Education Sarah Stannard told the education committee on Thursday she is in contact with the administrator […]
Iceberg spotted in Falklands waters
The iceberg is estimated to be as tall as 60 feet. Chris and Lyndsey May, of Speedwell Island, spotted what they thought was a white ship surrounded by life rafts in Eagle Passage on Monday night. No ships were showing on AIS so the sighting was reported to the Harbour Master, who was unable to […]
Internet limitations blamed for hospital’s outdated software
The current software used to store and access medical records in the Falklands is so outdated it needs Windows 7 to run. Despite going out to tender for a third time, the Health and Medical Services Committee, sitting on Wednesday, was told no suitable bids for a replacement system were received. Director of Health and […]
Falklands albatross adoptions boosted by Taylor Swift
A track on the singer’s latest album is thought to be behind the rise. Glenn Welch of Falklands Conservation said there has been a recent flurry in albatross adoptions with the charity selling about three months worth of adoption packs in three days. A track called The Albatross on Swift’s new album is thought to […]
UK student visas impacting Falklands students
It can take up to a year to acquire the relevant visa for some students wishing to study in the UK. The director of education Sarah Stannard said the UK Government requires student visas for those who hold British Overseas Territory Citizenship passports or a passport from another country other than the UK. During Wednesday’s […]
Falklands Government £20m better off than budgeted
At the end of February the surplus at the end of the Financial Year was forecast to be just over forty million pounds, almost double what had been budgeted. Standing Finance Committee (SFC) was told yesterday higher than budgeted revenues from corporation tax and personal income tax account for about two thirds of the difference. […]
Search and rescue capabilities in the Falklands enhanced by visiting team from Scotland
The Falkland Islands Defence Force is being trained by members of Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue. Major Dan Biggs, Officer Commanding of the FIDF, said: “There has been a search and rescue role in the Force for a long time and we have a very basic function. But this is bringing far, far more knowledge and […]
MLA salaries and expenses published for 2023
The total paid in salaries to MLAs and fees to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker came to £352,734.39. MLAs are entitled to a taxable annual salary of £45,000 (not increased since 2017 and frozen until 2025). The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are entitled to fees of £174 per day for time spent on Assembly business. […]
Internet improvements coming to the Falkland Islands
New internet packages, improvements to existing packages and mobile data allowances were announced by Sure on Wednesday. Sure Group Chief Executive, Alastair Beak, informed the public of the upcoming changes during a presentation at the Chamber of Commerce. He also announced Roma Stewart, currently Head of Finance and Customer Operations, will be stepping up to […]
