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Yesterday :: Business
Boost for British consumers and Developing Countries

Boost for British consumers and Developing Countries as UK launches new trade measures. New measures will make it easier for developing countries to trade, supporting jobs and economic growth in the UK overseas.

Yesterday :: Business
UK-France Leaders Declaration

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the French Republic met 10 July 2025 in Downing Street for the 37th UK-France Summit. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the French Republic met today in Downing Street for the 37th UK-France Summit.

Yesterday :: Business
Plastic pollution treaty: business roundtable statement

A statement of ambition on upcoming plastic pollution treaty negotiations signed by leading businesses and financial institutions. On 24 June 2025 Defra held a roundtable ahead of the second part of the fifth session of negotiations to agree a global plastics treaty (INC-5.2).

Yesterday :: Business
English Landmark Devolution Bill brings new dawn of regional power

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill delivers on manifesto commitment to de-centralise power and ignite regional growth with powers for mayors. Ambition for all regions to take the reins in driving growth receives its biggest boost as the landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is introduced to Parliament [Thursday 10th July].

Yesterday :: Business
 
GDP monthly estimate UK - May 2025 - Falling Slightly Compared To April

Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have fallen by 0.1% in May 2025, following an unrevised fall of 0.3% in April 2025 and growth of 0.4% in March 2025 (revised up from 0.2% in our previous publication). Real GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.5% in the three months to May 2025, compared with the three months to February 2025, largely driven by growth in the services sector in this period.

Yesterday :: Business
Statement of the Coalition of the Willing meeting by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine

Yesterday 10 July 2025 the leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia. The leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia.

Yesterday :: Business
Northwood Declaration UK-France joint nuclear statement

Statement by the United Kingdom and the French Republic on Nuclear Policy and Cooperation - July 2025. The President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom reaffirm their longstanding and resolute commitment to nuclear cooperation.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Is the UK state pension safe, or will it vanish?

Will you still get a UK state pension when you retire? With means testing, cuts and even abolition on the table, many are worried — and rightly so. In this video, I break down the risks, what recent surveys show, and how it could damage the whole economy if the pension system collapses..

Yesterday :: Business
Construction output in Great Britain May 2025

Monthly construction output is estimated to have fallen by 0.6% in May 2025; this follows three consecutive periods of growth, including an increase of 0.8% in April 2025. The decrease in monthly output in May 2025 came solely from a decrease in repair and maintenance (2.1% fall), as new work increased by 0.6%.

Yesterday :: Business
UK and France agree major deal to crack down on illegal Channel crossings

The Prime Minister and French President Macron agree to return illegal migrants to France. The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to take forward a groundbreaking partnership to address illegal Channel crossings and dismantle the people smuggling networks.

Yesterday :: Business
 
UK trade May 2025

The value of goods imports increased by £0.6 billion (1.2%) in May 2025, with a rise in imports from both EU and non-EU countries. The value of goods exports increased by £0.6 billion (2.2%) in May 2025, with an increase in exports to both EU and non-EU countries.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Retail sales Great Britain May 2025

Retail sales volumes (quantity bought) are estimated to have fallen by 2.7% in May 2025, following a rise of 1.3% in April 2025 (revised up from a rise of 1.2% in our last bulletin). Food store sales volumes fell back in May.

Yesterday :: Business
 
£100 million cash boost to help thousands into work across the country

Thousands of disabled people and people with complex health conditions to receive help finding secure, well-paid jobs. Latest cash boost will be delivered to four areas in England as part of the Connect to Work programme Comes as part of £3.8 billion employment support package over this parliament for sick or disabled people, unlocking work and boosting living standards through the Plan for Change.

Yesterday :: Business
Economic activity and social change in the UK real-time indicators 10 July 2025

Overall retail footfall increased by 1% in the week to 6 July 2025 compared with the previous week and increased by 4% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024; high street footfall saw the biggest increase when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 at 5%, while retail park and shopping centre footfall increased by 3% and 2% respectively (MRI OnLocation). Total Revolut debit card expenditure increased by 2% in the week to 6 July 2025 compared with the previous week and increased by 14% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (Revolut).

Yesterday :: Business
Index of Production UK May 2025

Monthly production output was estimated to have decreased 0.9% in May 2025; this follows falls in April 2025 (down 0.6%) and March 2025 (down 0.2%). The fall in monthly output in May 2025 resulted from decreases in "manufacturing" (down 1.0%) and "mining and quarrying" (down 3.2%); these were partially offset by an increase in "water supply and sewerage" (up 0.8%) and "electricity and gas" (up 0.3%).

10/7/2025 :: Business
Government action to speed up compensation for LGBT veterans

LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment due to their sexuality while serving between 1967 and 2000 will receive financial support faster following improvements to the Government's financial recognition scheme. Increase in dedicated staff will accelerate applications and process payments faster.

10/7/2025 :: Business
DfT issues warning about scam text messages asking people to pay fines

People receiving text messages claiming to be from DfT should not click on any links or share financial details. The Department for Transport is aware of text messages claiming to be from the department asking people to pay fines for outstanding traffic tickets.

10/7/2025 :: Community
 
Two Whale And Dolphin Watching Events

See poster for details..

10/7/2025 :: Business
Millions of households to be given income boost as Bill progresses through Parliament

Nearly 4 million households will see an annual income boost estimated to be worth £725 cash as a Bill to overhaul the welfare system completes the next stage of its passage through Parliament. Bill to introduce biggest permanent boost to out-of-work support since 1980 progresses through Parliament.

10/7/2025 :: Sutherland
Changes To Services At Dornoch Service Point

Users and customers of Dornoch Service Point are being advised by The Highland Council that the way in which services are being delivered at the Service Point is changing. From Monday 4 August, customers will be able to: access pay, report and request services through a dedicated direct phone line in the library to a service specialist team.

10/7/2025 :: Business
Work begins at state-of-the-art weather centre headquarters

Construction has begun on a new cutting-edge facility for meteorological research and forecasting, marked by a breaking ground ceremony. The event took place (July 9 2025) at the site of the new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus, led by Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

10/7/2025 :: Business
Package Holiday Costs Have Risen in 2025 But Post Office Report Has Great Advice

New analysis of over 8,000 European package holidays shows prices for summer 2025 bookings are on average 4.2% higher than a year ago, with some destinations seeing rises up to 11.5%. Eurostat data also indicates the cost of a typical European package break climbed 6.6% between July 2023 and July 2024.

10/7/2025 :: Business
Is the UK stock market in trouble and needing reform or abolition

The UK stock market isn't on the brink of abolition — but it's definitely under pressure and in need of reform. The London Stock Exchange is still one of the largest and most liquid markets globally.

10/7/2025 :: Business
New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship

A new ‘Entente Industrielle' will support thousands of UK jobs across projects including air-to air missiles. Britain and France are to order more highly lethal Storm Shadow cruise missiles, while stepping up work on its replacement as part of a new refreshed agreement signed today (Thursday 10 July 2025).

10/7/2025 :: Business
Is Scotland Being Sidelined by the Abandonment of Zonal Pricing?

Regions with abundant renewables, like Scotland, would have received some of the lowest electricity prices in Europe under zonal pricing. Independent analyses estimate savings of at least £3.7 billion per year and total bill reductions of £55 billion by 2050 for consumers nationwide, with Scotland among the biggest winners.

10/7/2025 :: Business
New data points to growing social and economic impact of charity sector amidst challenging financial environment

New insights from sector data suggest that charities have been able to direct additional resources to delivering their aims, amidst a tightening financial squeeze. The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has analysed data drawn from annual returns for the financial year ending 2023 - the most comprehensive dataset available to the charity sector.

10/7/2025 :: Business
Government sets out reforms to create a fair, secure, affordable and efficient electricity system

Government confirms reforms to the national pricing electricity market that will create a fairer, cheaper, more secure, and more efficient energy system. Government puts fairness and affordability at the centre of electricity market reform to deliver system that puts working people first.

4/7/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Tue, 15 Jul 7:30pm - Wick Players Open Night

Why not join us for our final club night of the year before we get started for this year’s pantomime. We are delighted to be welcoming former members, Glen Harper to our Clubrooms to hear about his successful path in the theatre world.

2/7/2025 :: Arts
 
Lochaber To Come Alive For Royal National Mòd As 2025 Fringe Programme Launched

Lochaber will come alive with the sights and sounds of Gaelic song, cèilidh music, bagpipes and processions as the Royal National Mòd rolls into the Highlands from 10 - 18 October 2025. Attendees of the world's largest celebration of Gaelic language and culture are in for a bustling nine days, as events showcasing everything from music, poetry and dances, to exhibitions, book launches, and the region's best food and drink, are unveiled.

26/6/2025 :: Sutherland
Councillors Endorse Partnership Commitment For New North Coast Care Facility

Highland Councillors have restated their commitment to a partnership between the Council, NHS Highland and WildLand to see a new North Coast Care Facility developed in Tongue in Sutherland at today's meeting of The Highland Council. The development which compliments WildLand’s creation of new housing in the area is underpinned by the Council’s partnership with NHS Highland, who have developed a full business case for a future health and care facility in Tongue.