Latest News

Radioactivity Found In A Drainage System Near Dounreay

The Environmental Closure & Demolition department at Dounreay have found elevated levels of radioactivity in a manhole in a redundant offsite drainage system.   Samples of sludge were taken from the manhole which indicated elevated levels of alpha activity.  

Police appeal for information following thefts from Wick Harbour

Between Friday 25 July 2014 and Sunday 27 July 2014 a number of local Wick fishing boats have had their Lobster Keepers, which were stored within Wick Harbour tampered with and the contents stolen.   It is suspected that a vehicle may have been involved and Police would be interested in hearing from anyone with any information or knowledge of the incident or of any vehicles seen acting suspiciously around Wick harbour between the specified dates.  

"Undecided moving towards ‘Yes', but not enough to win referendum vote"

New data released by the British Election Study (BES) shows that previously undecided voters are more likely to say Yes on September 18, but are not enough in numbers to catch up with No voters.   The findings come from waves of data collected in March and June by BES and analysed by Professor Ed Fieldhouse from The University of Manchester, who Co-directs the study.  

NDA decommissioning supply chain event returns

The NDA estate's showcase event for suppliers is returning for a fourth year and is looking forward to welcoming even more visitors and exhibitors.   More than 1,000 delegates from across the country attended the 2013 event, including existing supply chain members and decommissioning newcomers.  

In Perpetuity Problem With Time Shares Follow You After Death

Most debts die with you.  But not Timeshare.  

The 'Gadget Generation': British Parents Spending Over £2 Billion a Year on Gadgets for Their Kids

UK parents are spending a combined £2.25 billion a year(1) on technology for their children, according to new research released today by E.ON(2).   The research, which has been conducted to explore gadget use in the home, also found: Gadget generation: Parents estimate they typically spend just under £300 a year (£292.20) per household, with children now owning an average of four gadgets each; Techie tots: Remarkably, parents with children aged under-five are spending even more, splashing out almost £400 a year (£394.90) on gadgets for their techie tots; Teenage trends: 15-17 year olds are the most 'plugged-in', typically owning seven devices each; Older offspring: Perhaps surprisingly, parents buy gadgets for their older offspring too.  

Lifting the Lid on Sneaky Fees and Charges

Which? launches a campaign to Stop Sneaky Fees and Charges on financial products, as our new research reveals that two thirds of consumers who have paid a fee agree companies use the charges to trick people.   Almost half the population have paid a fee or charge on a financial product or service in the last year, and two thirds (68%) of them agree that companies use separate fees or charges to trick people into thinking that the cost of their product or service is lower than it is.  

Children Feeling Short Changed as Pocket Money Falls

* 8-15 year olds now receiving less pocket money than last year.   Despite increasing news coverage of the recovering economy, it appears children are not experiencing any green shoots, as the amount of pocket money parents are giving their children has dropped in the past year.  

The Currency Conundrum: How to Make the Most of the Strengthening Pound

As the pound continues to strengthen against the Euro and the US Dollar, British holidaymakers heading abroad are struggling to know when's the best time to buy their currency.   Leading travel money card provider, Ukash, is offering some tips to help travellers deal with the currency conundrum to get the best value for their pound.  

Gross Domestic Product Preliminary Estimate, Q2 2014

Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth.  GDP increased by 0.8% in Q2 2014, the second consecutive quarter on quarter increase of 0.8%.  

UK Economy Passes Pre-Crisis Peak

European Economist, Azad Zangana, comments on today's preliminary estimate for second quarter UK GDP figures: "The release of the preliminary estimate for second quarter UK GDP shows that the economy has surpassed its previous peak, set in 2008.   "GDP increased by 0.8% compared to the first quarter - in line with consensus estimates – and by 3.1% on a year-on-year basis.  

Atlantis Resources Closing In On Turbine Deal For Pentland Firth

Atlantis Resources has signed a turbine supply contract with Andritz Hydro Hammerfest for its Scottish tidal current energy project, MeyGen.   Andritz will supply three 1.5Mw tidal power turbines for Phase 1A of the project in the Pentland Firth while Atlantis will also use one of its own 1.5MW turbines.  

Subsea cabling work started to create Scottish islands fibre broadband network

The biggest fibre cable laying project undertaken in the UK in recent years has begun on the West Coast of Scotland to deliver superfast broadband to some of the country's most remote island communities.   Thousands of homes and businesses are set to benefit from the publicly funded digital network being built to bring world class connectivity to Scotland.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Energy & Business services: Pelamis Wave Power has issued a project update on its Farr Point project off the coast of north Sutherland.  The company reports on the results consultation work and survey work in support of its likely application later this year to Marine Scotland for a 10MW array of Pelamis wave devices.  

Major Children's Food Festival Announced for June 2015

A brand new children's food festival will take place in the North Highlands in the summer of 2015 it has been announced.   Created and organised by the North Highland Initiative (NHI) in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, the festival will take place from 5 and 6 June 2015 and aims to highlight the importance of local food production, how to make great cuisine and good food choices and the variety of career opportunities in food production and service.  

Good progress with new school provision in Wick

The main construction contract for the new £15.4M Noss Primary School in Wick has been signed.  The site, on the existing North Primary School campus, is already cleared and ready for the foundation work to begin.  

Council encourages retailers to get ready for Carrier Bag Charges

The Highland Council are encouraging retailers throughout the Highlands to get ready for the 20th October when retailers will be required to make a minimum 5p charge for all single use bags.   Scotland currently uses 750 million bags each year and the legislation aims to encourage shoppers to think about reusing bags in order to prevent litter and combat our throwaway culture.  

Trading Standards launch doorstep and distance selling business advice survey

New rules that apply to business activities in an off-premises contract, such online sales, mail order, telephone sales and agreements made in a consumer's home came into force on 13th June 2014.   These new Regulations cover sales of goods and digital content and the supply of services and may affect a large proportion of Highland businesses involved home improvements, gardening and trades like plumbing, electrical, joinery, and painting as well as those Highland based businesses who regularly sell goods and services online by telephone or by mail order.  

Scottish Government Announces £2.2 Million to Cut Costs for Offshore Wind

A project to cut the cost of offshore wind by at least 10% is being awarded £2.2 million by the Scottish Government, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.   The Carbon Trust's Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme, a joint industry and government scheme, brings together nine offshore wind developers with over 72% (31GW) of the UK's licensed capacity.  

Carbon Trust Comment on UK Government Launch of £20 Million Electricity Demand Reduction Pilot

Paul McKinney, EDR Project Director at the Carbon Trust, said:"Reducing peak time electricity demand is an absolutely critical part of delivering a secure, low carbon energy system at the lowest cost, helping to keep the lights on in the UK.  And improving energy efficiency frequently comes with a rock-solid business case, so the decision to invest in it seems like it should be a no-brainer.