Latest News

Today

Further investment to tackle child poverty - Home Start Caithness is one of the groups

A total of 10 charities will receive a share of a £20 million fund in 2026-27 to deliver wide ranging support to improve wellbeing, boost incomes, and help parents towards employment as part of the Scottish Government’s drive to eradicate child poverty.   The charities involved estimate that up to 35,000 families could benefit from the Scottish Government’s package of whole family support, spanning almost all of Scotland.  

Today : Advisory / Counseling Services

Islands are at the heart of a £100bn pipeline of investment opportunities

Chair of HIE, Angus Campbell, explores how our islands are at the heart of a £100bn pipeline of investment opportunities, helping to drive economic growth, clean energy and community prosperity across the Highlands and Islands.   The Highlands and Islands has long been recognised for outstanding natural assets, entrepreneurial spirit and resilient communities.  

Today

Millions to receive essential benefit payments early

Millions of people will receive essential financial support before the August bank holiday weekend, as the Government has confirmed that benefit payments will be brought forward to Friday 28 August.   Pension and benefit payments to be brought forward to Friday 28th August to account for bank holiday.  

Today

 
150 rural 4G masts now live so holidaymakers can switch off without being cut off

More than 150 rural 4G mast upgrades are now live, boosting mobile coverage across remote UK areas and helping walkers, visitors and communities stay connected.   More than 150 government-funded 4G mast upgrades are now live across the UK through the Shared Rural Network, bringing 4G coverage from EE, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone and ThreeUK to some of Britain’s hardest-to-reach rural areas.  

Today

Britain's Energy Handicap: How Can We Compete With America When Our Electricity Costs Twice as Much?

Britain's Energy Handicap: How Can We Compete With America When Our Electricity Costs Twice as Much? Britain likes to describe itself as an energy superpower.   We have North Sea oil and gas, some of the world's best offshore wind resources, substantial nuclear expertise, hydroelectricity, tidal potential and an electricity grid increasingly supplied by renewable generation.  

Today

Notice of Election published for Highland Council Ward 3 By-election

A vacancy has arisen for the election of a Councillor to represent Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness following the resignation of Willie Mackay.   Ward 3 is a 4-member ward.  

Today

Millions of Trees for British Electricity: Is Drax Really the Green Solution?

Britain is spending billions supporting a power station that burns enormous quantities of wood to produce electricity.  Now Drax wants to add carbon capture to the process, potentially turning one of Britain's most controversial power stations into a giant carbon-removal project.  

Yesterday : Other Public Services

Scotland Has the Sites, Skills and Dounreay — So Why Is It Saying No to Britain's Nuclear Future?

There is something increasingly strange about Scotland's position in Britain's emerging nuclear revival.   Scotland has nuclear sites.  

Yesterday

33 Tonnes of Illegal Frozen Food Seized: What Was It — and Could It Have Reached Your Local Shop?

FSA National Food Crime Unit operation leads to one arrest and the seizure of suspected illegal food products across England, Wales and Scotland.   The headline sounds alarming: more than 33 tonnes of suspected illegal frozen food has been seized in a major National Food Crime Unit investigation.  

Yesterday

Supporting people to buy their first home

A scheme to help people on low incomes and in priority groups buy their first affordable home has opened for applications.   The Open Market Shared Equity Scheme (OMSE) is available for first-time buyers and priority access groups who can’t afford the full price of a home.  

Yesterday

Scotland's £500 Million First-Time Buyer Fund: Help for Homeowners — or Help for House Prices?

The Scottish Government has a simple and attractive message for first-time buyers: we will help you buy your first home.   The newly launched First Homes Fund can provide up to £10,000 towards the purchase of a property worth up to £300,000.  

Yesterday

Seeing through the fog of war

Thermal cameras detect heat rather than light, making them invaluable in difficult battlefield conditions, like smoke and dust.  They can spot targets at long distances and operate when traditional cameras fail.  

Yesterday

 
The one question journalists never ask politicians, and should - Richard Murphy

I think that journalists are all asking politicians the wrong question.  They should be asking every politician: “What are your priors?” Instead, they ask “How are you going to pay for it?” That's the wrong question because a person’s priors are the assumptions they bring to every debate before they even look at the evidence.  

13/8/2026

Above-inflation 3.5% and 3.75% increases for doctors and dentists

Senior medics and dentists will receive an above-inflation pay uplift at the end of September, after the Scottish Government agreed to implement recommendations from an independent pay review board.   Consultants, GPs, Specialty, Specialist and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors and dentists will receive a 3.5% increase for 2026-27.  

13/8/2026

Government revenues in Scotland reach record high

Income tax take rises by £1.5 billion.   Revenues in Scotland have increased by £6.3 billion to a record £98.3 billion, according to the Government Expenditure and Revenues Scotland statistics 2025-26.  

13/8/2026

13 asylum hotels exited and returned to local communities

More asylum hotels have been handed back to local communities, ready to reopen their doors to tourists, visitors and businesses.   Thirteen more hotels have closed their doors to asylum seekers and been handed back to communities across England, marking another milestone in the government’s drive to end their use for good.  

13/8/2026

 
The Garden Could Be Worth More Than We Think: Why Highlands Households Should Start Growing Food Again

For generations, having a garden was not simply about having somewhere to sit in the sunshine.   For many Scottish families, the garden was part of the household food supply.  

13/8/2026

UK and Australia boost radar technology and industry cooperation as Defence Minister visits Indo-Pacific partners

The UK and Australia are boosting cooperation on radar technology, as Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP kicks off a visit to Indo-Pacific partners this week.   New signing will see UK and Australian firms work together on cutting-edge radar systems, boosting growth across both countries’ defence industries.  

13/8/2026

Vaccination in Scotland: The Quiet Success Story – and the Warning Signs We Shouldn't Ignore

There is a generation in Scotland for whom measles, mumps, whooping cough and chickenpox were simply part of childhood.   Some children were seriously ill.  

13/8/2026

The Bank of England's Crystal Ball: How Scenario Analysis Affects Your Money and Britain's Businesses

When the Bank of England makes an important decision about interest rates or financial stability, it is not simply looking at what is happening today.   It is also asking a much more difficult question: What happens if things go wrong?.