The Government is encouraging households across Britain to prepare for emergencies by keeping at least three days' supplies of essential food, drinking water and other necessities at home. It is sensible advice, but it raises some interesting questions about how well prepared households already are.
Some of you may have noticed we have tackled the debt topic more than once recently. For a period where the cost of living is rising faster than for the past few years debt can easily build up and the time to tackle or think about it is NOW.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences to the American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford.
Thousands of jobs will be supported as two major offshore wind projects mark progress towards delivering clean homegrown energy for millions of homes, ahead of the Prime Minister’s travel to the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Türkiye. Prime Minister welcomes green light for two major new UK offshore wind projects ahead of attendance at COP31.
Alex Clegg and Nye Cominetti highlight five key points to look out for in Alan Milburn’s Review into Young People and Work next week. After months of speculation, Alan Milburn’s Review into Young People and Work looks set to be published next week.
Special schools, pressure on individual school budgets, delayed savings and growing costs of additional support raise questions about how sustainable Highland Council's education finances really are. At first glance, Highland Council's latest Education and Learning budget monitoring report might not appear particularly alarming.
The UK will be more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic following a new £90 million investment in new drones, sensors and AI systems for the Royal Navy. First phase of the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Bastion programme will deliver new drones, sensors and AI systems to protect undersea cables and energy networks.
After more than 15 years of delays, uncertainty and political controversy, a major offshore oil development in the Falkland Islands is moving towards the construction and drilling stage. The Sea Lion oilfield, located in the North Falkland Basin, could see development drilling begin in early 2027, with first oil targeted for the first quarter of 2028.
Highland Council is facing continuing financial pressures, with difficult decisions about services, staffing, facilities and future investment. Yet one organisation delivering a substantial range of council services appears to have found a way of expanding its reach while reducing its reliance on council funding.
Dame Antonia Romeo, the UK's Cabinet Secretary, has delivered a speech setting out plans to fundamentally change the way government operates. Her message is that traditional government structures, departmental boundaries and bureaucratic procedures are no longer suitable for the challenges facing the country.
The announcement that the Lidl supermarket in Giffnock, Glasgow, has been put up for sale for offers over £6.82 million raises an interesting question about who actually owns Britain's supermarkets. The property is being marketed by commercial property agents Knight Frank.
Britain's transition towards electric cars is gathering momentum, but it is also exposing some uncomfortable questions about the future of the motor industry. The country's dependence on overseas manufacturers and whether the infrastructure needed to support millions of electric vehicles is being developed quickly enough.
Perhaps one of the most interesting examples is easyJet, the airline founded in Britain in 1995 which grew from a small low-cost operator into one of Europe's best-known airlines. In August 2026, American investment group Apollo Global Management agreed a recommended £5.7 billion cash acquisition of easyJet.
Scotland is recording its highest breastfeeding rates since records began, providing encouraging news for the health of a new generation of babies. New figures from Public Health Scotland, published on 10 November 2026, show that seven in ten babies are now breastfed for at least some time after birth.
A change to credit scoring could help millions of British renters build a better financial record. But there are questions about fairness, privacy and what happens when someone falls behind with their rent.
The Scottish Government has once again confirmed its commitment to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness by the end of 2035. Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn has been speaking about the programme and the importance of improving safety on one of Scotland's most important and frequently criticised trunk roads.
Following an increase in detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild and captive birds, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland has declared Scotland-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and other captive birds. From 12 noon on Tuesday 10 November, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Scotland to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from avian flu.
New legislation gives independent trade unions the right to request access to workplaces from 30 October 2026, even where employers do not recognise them. Businesses employing 21 or more workers will need to understand the new rules.
For many people trying to buy their first home, saving a substantial deposit has become one of the biggest obstacles to getting onto the property ladder. House prices have risen considerably faster than many wages, rents consume a large proportion of household income, and putting aside enough money for a deposit can take years.
Oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels since August, despite fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure and continuing instability across the Middle East. Brent crude briefly dropped below $90 a barrel on Tuesday, November 10, leaving many observers wondering why the market appears so relaxed when the security of one of the world's most important oil-producing regions remains under threat.
Scotland’s first local drug-checking service in Glasgow has opened its doors. It will allow people and aged 18 or over who are dependent on illegal drugs to submit drugs samples for checking and receive tailored harm-reduction advice based on the results, such as information on the substance, its strength, or contaminants.
The Scottish Government will provide £2 million to help countries that have done the least to cause the climate crisis but are being hit hardest by its effects. The funding will support countries in the Global South to lead their own response to loss and damage: the harm caused by climate change that people cannot prevent or prepare for.
The future of one of Caithness's most significant renewable energy developments has come under fresh scrutiny after Swedish energy company Hexicon AB revealed that it could face liquidation because of serious financial difficulties. The development is particularly relevant to Caithness because Hexicon holds a 10% interest in the Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm, planned approximately 7.5 kilometres off the coast of Dounreay.
The Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal has delivered public and private investment across the Highlands totalling £412.98 million, according to its 2025/26 Annual Report, supporting major investments in housing, tourism, innovation, and infrastructure. Highlights from the 2025/26 Annual Report include the start of the Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement project, the completion of 234 affordable homes across Highland communities, and the opening of The Inverness Castle Experience, which has welcomed more than 107,000 paying visitors since opening.
The honest answer is that we cannot assume British supermarkets are any safer than their French counterparts. The French incidents should be a warning to the entire retail industry, not simply a problem for French supermarket operators.
Co-Chairs Frances Gunn and Ian Ross are delighted to announce the new members of the Neighbourhood Board for the Pride in Place Programme. The Neighbourhood Board brings together an exceptional range of skills, experience and local knowledge from across Sutherland.
There is an old saying that a problem ignored does not go away. Unfortunately, when that problem is debt, it tends to grow teeth, acquire a credit card and start charging interest.
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.
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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