Britain has a banking system dominated by large commercial banks, building societies and increasingly expensive forms of consumer credit. But there is another financial model which has become a major part of everyday life in countries such as Ireland and the United States.
There is a message that households across Britain need to hear, and it is one that some people may find uncomfortable. If you are borrowing to maintain your standard of living, paying only the minimum on your credit cards, or regularly using an overdraft to get through the month, you need to take a hard look at your finances now.
Political changes in Israel and Washington could shape the next phase of the Iran conflict. With Stephen Miller taking charge at the White House and Benjamin Netanyahu facing the prospect of losing power, the coming weeks could prove critical for the Middle East and the world economy.
As world leaders gather in Turkey, the challenge is no longer simply agreeing that climate change must be tackled. It is turning promises into action, finding the money to pay for the transition and deciding how quickly the world can move away from fossil fuels.
Britain's financial position will remain under scrutiny in the months ahead, even though the Chancellor has already delivered the October 2026 Budget. The important question now is whether the economic assumptions behind that Budget will prove realistic.
The American midterm elections of 3 November 2026 may be remembered as a major political setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress and made significant gains in state elections.
Caithness has become an important centre for renewable electricity generation. Wind farms across the area produce electricity that contributes to Britain's energy supply, but there is an interesting question that deserves more attention locally.
Rising energy bills are only part of the problem. As households divert more of their income towards heating, electricity and transport, the consequences could spread through Britain's shops, businesses, employment and local economies.
Developments over the past week raise some important questions about its economic future, public services and the prospects for its communities. From the future of the Sutherland Spaceport to Highland Council's financial difficulties, there are several issues worth watching.
More than £500 million is being handed out in tax-free prizes this month, but are Premium Bonds still a good place to keep your savings? There are few things quite like Premium Bonds in British personal finance. They are part savings account, part lottery and part national institution.
The conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has the potential to become much more than a regional military confrontation. If the fighting spreads to involve Saudi Arabia and the Houthi forces in Yemen, two of the world's most important shipping corridors could be threatened simultaneously.
A busy week for Caithness has highlighted both the opportunities facing the area and the continuing challenges of maintaining towns, services and communities in the far north. The past week has produced a varied collection of news stories across Caithness.
When oil prices rise, motorists and households across Britain face higher costs for petrol, diesel, heating oil and energy. Oil-producing countries and regions, however, can benefit from increased revenues generated by their natural resources.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the way European countries think about defence. For decades, many NATO members reduced their military spending, believing that a major conventional war in Europe was increasingly unlikely.
The prospect of an independent Scotland rejoining the European Union is frequently presented as one of the major advantages of independence. Scotland would regain access to the European single market, restore freedom of movement with EU countries and recover a relationship with Europe that ended when the UK left the EU in January 2020.
There is a fundamental question at the heart of democracy which is not always comfortable to discuss. Should the public decide every major national question, even when the consequences are complicated, uncertain and potentially irreversible?.
Politicians at Westminster, Holyrood and local government regularly talk about economic growth. It has become one of the central promises of almost every administration, regardless of political party.
The Bank of England's decision to increase interest rates in November has important implications for households, businesses, government finances and local authorities. It may also signal the beginning of another period in which the cost of borrowing remains higher than many people had expected.
Scotland has spent years recognising the importance of its peatlands as natural carbon stores. Millions of pounds are being invested in restoring damaged bogs, blocking drainage channels and encouraging the return of vegetation that helps keep carbon locked safely underground.
There is an interesting contradiction developing in Britain's economic outlook. On one hand, the Government wants people to become better prepared for emergencies, build financial resilience and ensure they have enough savings to cope with unexpected events.
People earning a little extra money outside their main employment are set to receive a tax break under changes announced in the 2026 Budget. From 6 April 2027, the annual tax-free trading allowance will rise from £1,000 to £3,000, potentially making life simpler for millions of people involved in small-scale trading or occasional paid work.
£13.2m is being distributed across the UK - including more than £859,000 for the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) charity in Dumfries and Galloway. The funding comes as UK Government Scotland Office Minister Melanie Ward hosted a Remembrance Reception in Edinburgh on Thursday evening to celebrate Scotland’s Armed Forces community, including veterans.
Jobseekers will no longer have to apply for jobs without knowing what they pay, under new plans announced by the Prime Minister to legally require employers to publish salaries in job adverts. Jobseekers will see salaries before applying under new laws requiring job adverts to “say what you pay”.
UK launches Titania into orbit, giving the Armed Forces improved observation from space, along with new trial network of ground sensors to monitor threats to UK satellites. British-built satellite Titania has successfully launched and is in orbit, giving the Armed Forces a new pair of eyes in space.
The creation of the Class Unit marks a renewed drive to stamp out the inequalities and barriers that exist for working-class communities. Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, hosted cross-sector voices on fixing class inequality.
HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate increase to 4.00%. The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 5 November 2026 to increase the Bank of England base rate to 4.00% from 3.75%.
A US space company is exploring the potential to establish regular launch operations from Sutherland Spaceport in the north Highlands. Colorado-based LEAP has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to explore opportunities at the site.
Imenco Future Technologies is an innovation led company specialising in high-quality vision systems, subsea sensors and acoustic solutions. Working in partnership with customers across the offshore energy, defence and maritime industries, we deliver innovative, engineered solutions designed to enhance safety, protect asset integrity and maximise operational efficiency.
Scotland could be heading for the biggest reorganisation of its public services in more than two decades. The Scottish Government is looking at reducing the number of NHS health boards from 14 to just two, while also proposing a major restructuring of local government.
Sutherland faces some difficult questions about its future. The latest developments include a substantial financial challenge for Highland Council, proposals for a new Highland Growth Deal and the continuing debate over how to attract investment and employment to rural communities.
This beautiful five-bedroom, stone-built, large family home is C-Listed and situated in the sought-after Sinclair Terrace. The accommodation comprises a hallway, kitchen/diner, lounge, dining room, utility room and shower room on the ground floor.
This beautiful four-bedroom, mid-terraced home sits in walk-in condition having been finished to a high standard. There is Upvc double glazing throughout and the heating system is oil-fired.
Set in the countryside and facing directly onto the open sea, a lovely detached two-bedroom bungalow with two garages and a stone-built store, sitting on a large plot of garden grounds and surrounded by 3.5 acres of croft land which is available separately. A driveway leads up to the home which consists of vestibule, conservatory, hallway, kitchen/diner, utility room, lounge, two double bedrooms and a family bathroom.
Artificial intelligence may transform customer service, reducing the need for large teams of telephone operators. For communities that once attracted call centres to replace lost industries, the consequences could be particularly significant.
A college + university like no other With 19 campuses and centres across the North and West Highlands, Skye, and Outer Hebrides, we cover a geographic area larger than Wales, comprising 40% of Scotland’s coastline. Our campuses and centres are located within historic towns and villages, set amongst the shorelines, mountains, and moors, with local staff working across our region to support our students and communities.
Private Client Paralegal – BBM Solicitors, Wick BBM Solicitors is recruiting a Private Client Paralegal for our Wick office. The role involves supporting our solicitors with executry administration, wills, powers of attorney, guardianship and trust matters.
We have a rare opportunity become available of a confectioner within the heart of our bustling bakehouse. This role entails all of the daily finishing details of our freshly baked pastries, doughnuts, scones etc.
With Christmas approaching, households across Britain face an important question: should they be more cautious about borrowing, credit card spending and taking on new financial commitments? There are good reasons to think carefully before spending money that has not yet been earned. Inflation has risen again, energy prices are volatile and the Bank of England has warned that interest rates may need to rise if inflationary pressures persist.
UK retail sales fall 0.4% as cautious consumers rein in spending ahead of the crucial Christmas shopping period. Brent crude surges to $114 a barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions and mounting fears over energy supplies.
Scottish Government puts environmental protection ahead of promised jobs and tourism investment near Dornoch. The Scottish Government has rejected plans for a new championship golf course at Coul Links, near Embo and Dornoch, bringing another chapter to a long-running dispute over the future of one of Sutherland's most environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
International tensions are rising, oil prices are volatile and governments are increasingly concerned about security. Against this background, should British holidaymakers be thinking more carefully before booking a trip abroad? The answer is yes, but that does not mean cancelling every holiday or treating the world as too dangerous to visit.
Position: We are seeking a Laboratory Technician, to be based at our Thurso campus. Responsibilities: The post holder will be responsible for providing high-quality laboratory technical support for Research and Knowledge Exchange and its commercial, research and teaching activities.
Port Strategy Manager Wick Harbour Authority · Wick, Caithness Salary £60,000–£65,000 Applications and enquiries recruitment@wickharbour.co.uk Benefits 6% employer pension contribution, 34 days' annual leave including public holidays, and company sick pay. What the job involves The successful candidate will work with the harbour's board and team to: - Lead the harbour's masterplan and long-term development strategy.
There are some plants that stop you in your tracks because they’re beautiful. Others because they’re unusual, and then there’s giant hogweed.
This beautiful, detached, stone-built, three-bedroom, two reception room, family home is situated somewhat hidden away on Louisburgh Street, in Wick and is situated not far up from the High Street. With large rooms throughout, the home retains some of the original features.
RDI Renewables is a local renewables installer at Ormlie Industrial Estate in Thurso. We fit heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage in homes, businesses and community buildings across Caithness and Sutherland, and we look after those systems for years afterwards.
The Highland Council has today 15 October 2026 launched a statutory Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 consultation. Dornoch residents have until 10 December 2026 to respond to a proposal affecting Common Good land.
A college + university like no other With 19 campuses and centres across the North and West Highlands, Skye, and Outer Hebrides, we cover a geographic area larger than Wales, comprising 40% of Scotland’s coastline. Our campuses and centres are located within historic towns and villages, set amongst the shorelines, mountains, and moors, with local staff working across our region to support our students and communities. Position: We are seeking a Work Based Assessor in Aquaculture, to be based at any of our NWH campuses.
Scapa Flow Museum has announced the official launch of ‘Voices from Scapa Flow’, an ambitious new audio project revealing what life was really like for the residents, service personnel and workers stationed at one of the world’s greatest natural harbours during the First and Second World Wars. The project is a Highlands and Islands Digital Heritage Network initiative, delivered in partnership with The Space, a not-for-profit digital agency for the arts, heritage and culture sector, and Museums and Heritage Highland.
The Highland Council’s Environmental Health team is advising members of the public to exercise caution following the identification of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Loch Migdale, Sutherland. The situation is being investigated by Highland Council’s Environmental Health team in partnership with NHS Highland Public Health Department and wider colleagues.
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