teachers in Scotland are generally still paid more than teachers in England, although the gap varies depending on experience and location. The UK Government has announced a two-year pay deal for teachers in England: 3.5% from September 2026 3.0% from September 2027 This is a cumulative increase of around 6.6% over two years.
The government is launching a 12-week call for evidence asking the public to help shape the future of National Lottery Good Cause funding. The government is launching a 12-week call for evidence asking the public to help shape the future of National Lottery Good Cause funding Since 1994, players of the National Lottery have generated over £53 billion for good causes across the UK, funding everything from Olympic and Paralympic champions and iconic institutions to local youth clubs and community halls For 12 weeks, anyone can take part in the ‘National Lottery Good Causes: Fund What Matters to You’ call for evidence.
Technical study on suitable areas in Scotland for new nuclear published. Scotland has areas with “high potential” for new nuclear development from a technical perspective, according to a new siting study by the government’s nuclear delivery body.
In 2026, Kevin Warsh steps into the most powerful economic role on earth Federal Reserve Chairman inheriting America's staggering $39 trillion debt. World-renowned economist Steve Keen, who famously predicted the 2008 global financial crisis, delivers a sobering warning: Warsh is "cut from the same cloth" as every Fed chair before him.
A major new report from the international delivery expert Parcelhero finds AI has moved from boardroom experiment to operational backbone across global supply chains – and the transformation is accelerating faster than anyone predicted. A new industry report, Putting the AI into Supply ChAIns, reveals there is a seismic shift under way in UK logistics.
If everything seems to be made in China these days, it’s probably because it is. China manufacturers roughly the same amount of goods as the US, Japan, and Germany combined.
The Scottish Government’s intentions to reform post-school education and skills lack a clear delivery plan. Progress is slow.
The media thinks government debt will cause the next financial crash. I think they’re looking in entirely the wrong place.
Cooperation with China to increase exports already showing results as iconic British brands like Barclays and Formula E expanding in the Chinese market. 200 UK and Chinese businesses to meet and deepen trade ties.
The global economy is shifting. Sanctions, trade wars, geopolitical rivalry, and the rise of regional blocs are slowly pushing the world toward a more fragmented, multipolar financial system.
These projects come from National Grid ESO’s Pathway to 2030, Beyond 2030, and Ofgem approvals. They represent the largest expansion of the UK’s electricity network since the 1960s.
Asylum seekers who can afford to will be required to repay a flat-rate contribution towards the cost of their accommodation and support. Asylum seekers who are able to pay back the cost of support and accommodation will now be required to, under new laws.
New independent appeals body to speed up removals of foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers. A once-in-a-generation overhaul of asylum and immigration appeals will create a single route and end the merry-go-round of repeated appeals.
AI, energy, defence and commodities are colliding to reshape the global economy and the effects are already reaching households and businesses in the Highlands. The world economy is shifting from efficiency to constraint and from cheap abundance to strategic competition For three decades the global economy rested on a simple assumption: that supply would adjust, prices would stabilise, and globalisation would smooth out shocks.
The £100 Million Question: Why Higher Council Tax Doesn't Always Mean Better Local Services Every spring, millions of households receive a council tax bill that is a little higher than the year before. At the same time, they often hear about cuts to local services, delayed road repairs, fewer leisure facilities or postponed building projects.
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a software revolution—it’s becoming one of the largest physical infrastructure build‑outs in modern history. Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Oracle, OpenAI, xAI and others are collectively committing hundreds of billions of dollars per year to AI data‑center expansion.
Reforms to the Motability scheme come into force today (1 July 2026), saving taxpayers £1 billion by 2030 while protecting disabled people's access to cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs. Reforms to the Motability scheme to ensure fairness for taxpayer, whilst still supporting disabled people’s mobility, come into force today.
Every so often, the global economy doesn’t just change direction—it changes character. The post-war era was defined by rebuilding and industrial expansion.
For years, Scotland’s councils have been operating under financial pressure. Budgets have risen, but so too have costs, demand, and statutory obligations.
Britain has spent decades worrying about inflation, interest rates and economic growth. Yet the next great economic challenge may not be financial at all.
There were 17,268 new homes built and 14,955 new builds started across the social and private sector in 2025-26. On the basis of the latest figures, the Scottish Government is behind the pace required to meet its own affordable housing target, although it is still too early to say that the target is impossible to achieve.
The Scottish Government is right to highlight that there has been measurable progress, particularly in reducing the number of people waiting more than a year. However, when you examine the underlying Public Health Scotland statistics, a more nuanced picture emerges.
The latest Scottish Government local government finance figures reveal a story that is both reassuring and worrying. Councils are not collapsing financially, nor are they suddenly awash with cash.
For much of the twentieth century, the world's great economic battles centred on one commodity—oil. Nations went to extraordinary lengths to secure it.
For years, we assumed that most goods would become cheaper, deliveries would arrive on time and borrowing would remain relatively affordable. That world may be changing.
Prof Steve Keen sets out the issues and he has been right very often bin the past..
For generations, most people rarely thought about what happened to the money sitting in their bank account. Savings went into banks, banks made mortgages and business loans, and the economy kept turning.
The by-election to elect a councillor to represent Ward 4 East Sutherland and Edderton on The Highland Council has been won by John Murray, Independent who was one of 5 candidates who contested the vacancy. Voters went to the poll (Thursday 25 June 2026) and the by-election count was held Friday morning in Dornoch Academy.
We are looking for a housekeeper who will look after our accommodation with the same care we give our customers. A team player who will be responsible for cleaning guest rooms, public areas and hotel properties in a timely and thorough manner to ensure guest satisfaction.
Do you love great wine and whisky? Do you enjoy talking to people and sharing your enthusiasm? Bin Ends, Caithness's favourite independent wine and whisky retailer, is looking for a Retail Brand Ambassador to join our friendly team. The Role You'll be the welcoming face of Bin Ends — helping customers find the perfect bottle, keeping the shop looking its best, and making every visit a great experience.
Job Title: Business Admin Modern Apprenticeship Location: Janetstown Term: Permanent Job Overview JGC are offering an exciting opportunity for a Modern Apprentice to join our Administration team. As a Modern Apprentice you will work towards a SCQF Level 5 or SCQF Level 6 depending on experience and qualifications.
We are delighted to bring to the market this beautifully presented three-bedroom semi-detached cottage, finished and fitted to a high standard throughout. This spacious home has been thoughtfully extended, offering generous accommodation that is sure to appeal to a wide range of purchasers.
This impressive ‘B Listed’ detached former Church of Scotland Manse, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, occupies substantial grounds extending to approximately 1.52 acres, enclosed by attractive dry-stone walls, and is complemented by an extensive range of traditional outbuildings. Situated in a delightful setting just a short walk from the village of Canisbay, this attractive property enjoys far-reaching countryside and sea views, with panoramic views across the Pentland Firth towards Orkney.
Thought last years show was amazing.... the wait is over and we are delighted to finally reveal that.....
Beò! 2029, the Inverness-Highland bid for UK City of Culture 2029, has launched an ambassador programme to help champion the bid and build support across the region and beyond. Award-winning folk singer Julie Fowlis and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-MacLeod have become the programme's first ambassadors, lending their support to the only Scottish bid longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029.
A Super a Super El Niño event can significantly raise the risk of commodity price spikes and crop failures, but the impact depends on its strength, location, and how global supply chains respond. Here’s how it works in practice.
For years, ultra‑cheap online marketplaces like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress have reshaped the way people shop in the UK. But now the Government is preparing a major change that could shift the balance back toward the high street: the abolition of the de minimis import threshold.
This year a predicted Super El Niño affect may hit prices in the UK. There is no certainty about how it will play out but better to know what may be affected.
Full time Domestic assistant (30 hours per week) Here at Riverside house care home we are looking for a dedicated and reliable domestic assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will work five shifts per week 8am-2pm ensuring areas throughout the home are maintained to the highest standard of cleanliness, this role is perfect for individuals who take pride in their work and enjoy creating a welcoming environment.
Projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness have had their funding extended until March 2027. A total of £1.05 million will help 52 organisations provide group and community activities, warm spaces, and opportunities for people to come together for a meal or other activities, aimed at older people, carers, disabled people and young parents.
Barnardo's Highland Services is looking for a dedicated and compassionate support worker to join our Springboard Outreach Service, supporting care leavers across the Highland Area. This role is predominately based in Caithness and Sutherland however you may need to travel to Inverness at times.
This large commercial building is situated on Bridge Street and is spread over three floors. The entire building extends to approximately 315 square meters in total.
This spacious three-bedroom first-floor flat occupies a superb coastal position, boasting impressive views across Thurso Beach, Thurso East, the Pentland Firth, Dunnet, Scrabster and Orkney. Formerly two separate one-bedroom flats, the property offers excellent potential for landlords or those exploring the Airbnb market.
Kirsty MacPherson will join from East Renfrewshire Council. Former head teacher previously worked in Dumfries and Galloway and Shetland.
The cost‑of‑living pressures coming toward 2027 — rising rents, mortgage resets, council tax increases, higher import prices, and energy costs that refuse to fall — are structural. You can’t control them, but you can control your exposure to them.
cotland enters the second half of the decade with inflation finally stabilising, but the cost of living remains stubbornly high. Prices are no longer rising at crisis levels, yet they are not falling either — and for many households, especially renters and mortgaged families, the financial pressure is still intense.
Each year, the Scottish Government distributes Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding to Local Action Groups (LAG) to support local priorities. For 2026 to 2027, the LAG are investing in projects that strengthen communities in the Highlands and reduce inequality.
This report is the final output of the Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review. It brings together the evidence collected during the project & provides options & practical recommendations for the roles and delivery of Community Led Local Development, Scottish Rural Network and Scottish Rural Action.
When the BBC announces another round of job cuts, it is easy to think of it as a single event. But the latest announcement is not an isolated decision.
Wick Golf Club are looking for an enthusiastic and hard-working person to join their greenkeeping team for the summer months. You will need to enjoy working outside and preferably have some experience with relevant machinery.
WE ARE HIRING Receptionist/Administrator - Thurso Office (Full-Time) Are you welcoming, highly organised, and confident in a fast-paced environment? This could be your next move. As the face and voice of out Thurso office, you'll be the first point of contact for our clients - creating a professional, friendly, and lasting first impression.
Check out Wick Gala Facebook..
Click over to the Caithness show Facebook page for lots of details. You can now buy early tickets online to avoid queues etc.
See poster..
In times of uncertainty, savers may want to keep cash close, but with over 200 easy-access accounts beating inflation, leaving money in low-paying accounts is costly. Time to move your money out of low interest accounts.
Position: We are seeking a proactive and detail‑driven Quality Officer to play a central role in upholding UHI North, West and Hebrides’ commitment to excellence. This position is critical to maintaining and enhancing the high-quality learning experience we deliver across the college and will be based at our UHI North, West and Hebrides campuses in Fort William or Thurso.
Scaffolder required for approximately 6 weeks contract in Fair Isle commencing beginning of August.Send CVs to caithness.scaffolding@live.co.uk for more infomation contact 07793102455. .
Postal vote packs for the Ward 4 East Sutherland and Edderton by-election were posted posted out last Friday. The Highland Council is advising postal voters to read the instructions carefully when completing their statement and ballot paper to ensure their vote counts.
About Us Norscot is a leading manufacturer of high-quality windows, doors, and timber frame kits, operating from our hi-tech facility in Bower, Caithness. With a strong reputation for quality workmanship and customer service, we are committed to continuous improvement across all areas of the business, including Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) standards.
The case against children’s access to social media isn’t just about online harms, argues Goldsmith’s Dr Veli Hillman, but about the steady narrowing of what childhood is allowed to become. Modern societies routinely restrict children’s access to activities where power, incentives and risks are radically unequal.
Serving customers for dinner and breakfast on our campsite with adjoining cafe and restaurant. Over 18 please as we are a licensed premises.
The Pentland Hotel, Thurso, is one of three hotels in The Caithness Collection, an established family hotel business, with over 35 years of hospitality experience. The hotel has 42 rooms, which caters for tour buses from April to October, we have a strong local client following allowing us to stay open all year round.
In rural Scotland, distance is not an abstract concept. It is the price of participation in modern life.
(As spoken by the Seer of Dunnet Head, on a windy day like any other). Hear now, O folk of the far north, And gather close against the breeze, For I shall speak the ancient words Passed down through budgets, cuts, and pleas.
(As sung by the Bards of Berriedale, whose patience is older than the rocks themselves). In the age before spreadsheets, when ministers still believed in timetables and the word “2025” sounded achievable, there came a mighty proclamation from the south: “We shall dual the A9,” they cried, “from Perth to Inverness — a road fit for heroes, tourists, and lorries alike!”.
The collapse of Orbex in February 2026 and the fate of its subsidiary Sutherland Spaceport Ltd (SSL) was not caused by a single event. It was a combination of funding failure, rising costs, and strategic setbacks that slowly removed its ability to continue operating.
Our School’s Out summer activity programme is now available to preview. You can save chosen activities ahead of the bookings going live for a faster checkout.
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