The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has awarded a £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical aircraft consumable spares across the UK’s entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet. The National Armaments Director Group has awarded an initial £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical consumable spares for the UK Armed Forces’ entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet, including aircraft on live operations in the Middle East.
If you want to understand Scotland’s public finances, you need to understand the Barnett Formula. It’s one of the most important — and most misunderstood — mechanisms in UK finance.
Scotland has one of the most complex fiscal systems in the world — not because it’s chaotic, but because it sits halfway between autonomy and integration. Some taxes are devolved, some are shared, some are reserved.
Caithness has enjoyed a week defined by community spirit, youth achievement and cultural celebration, with events across the county highlighting the strength and resilience of local groups. From music and sport to heritage and environmental work, residents once again demonstrated the energy that keeps the far north thriving.
The news that Devonshire Homes, a £50m‑turnover regional housebuilder, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators is more than a single corporate failure. It’s a symptom of deeper stress across the UK construction and housing market.
Third sector organisations across Scotland are being invited to apply for a grant as part of a new £15 million Childcare Support Fund to help low-income families manage the cost of childcare. The fund will provide short-term, flexible childcare through registered childcare providers, supporting families living in, or at risk of, poverty.
UK housing policy has created a system where big developers can survive, small and mid‑sized builders struggle, and overall housing delivery remains far below national targets. The pressures come from planning rules, environmental regulations, financing conditions, and shifting government incentives — all of which shape how (and whether) builders can operate.
The UK publishes several major financial reports, and it’s easy to confuse them. Here’s a clear comparison of the three most important ones.
The Barnett Formula has shaped Scotland’s public finances for nearly half a century. It was introduced in 1978 as a temporary fix, yet it remains the backbone of how Scotland’s block grant is calculated today.
Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime. Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7 Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament.
The Whole of Government Accounts reveal the UK’s largest financial obligations — the debts and promises the state must honour over decades. These liabilities are huge, and understanding them is essential for understanding future tax and spending pressures.
Every month, the headlines tell us how many businesses have gone into liquidation, administration or other forms of insolvency. The numbers matter.
12 tonne haul found at Southampton Port smashes records. Border Force has seized a record-breaking 12 tonnes of cannabis as part of a major international operation.
Walk through almost any town or city today and one thing quickly becomes apparent. The high street is not the place it was at the turn of the century.
The Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) is the UK’s single consolidated set of financial statements covering over 10,000 public bodies — central government, NHS, local authorities, devolved governments, academies, and public corporations. It is globally unique and is meant to give Parliament and the public a full picture of the state’s finances.
The UK Government has published its latest Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) — a 200‑plus‑page document that attempts to show the financial position of the entire public sector in one place. It’s one of the most ambitious public‑sector accounting exercises in the world, but it’s also notoriously dense.
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.
The political headlines following the Makerfield by-election have naturally focused on Andy Burnham's victory and what it could mean for the future leadership of the Labour Party. But while politicians and commentators debate the result, another audience has been quietly delivering its own verdict – the financial markets.
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.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) present a striking picture of the UK's public finances. Britain is collecting more tax than ever before.
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.
The third and final shipment of high level waste in the form of vitrified residues has been safely delivered to Germany. Seven flasks containing high level waste were transported from the Sellafield site to the port of Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria by rail.
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending March 2026.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that Britain's retailers enjoyed a much better May after a disappointing April. Online spending rose 3.3% during May.
The Scottish Government’s March 2026 workforce statistics claim a leaner, more efficient government. But when you look past the headline, the picture becomes far murkier.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison described this as evidence of careful financial management, and in one important respect that is true. Unlike the UK Government, Holyrood has strict legal limits on borrowing for day-to-day spending and must keep its finances within the budget approved by Parliament.
The Scottish Government’s provisional outturn for the financial year is £55.9 billion against a total fiscal budget of £56.3 billion. The underspend of £358 million, presented to Parliament this afternoon, represents 0.6% of the Scottish Government’s total budget.
The Aberdeen South by‑election has sent a political shockwave far beyond the North‑East of Scotland. For the first time in over half a century, the Conservatives captured a by‑election seat and they did it by putting the future of the oil and gas industry at the centre of their campaign.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are currently looking for bar staff. This is a part time position which will be permanent.
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.
Position: We are seeking a Lecturer – Pathways (Maternity Cover) to be based at our Thurso campus. This role spans further and higher education provision and is currently structured across the following areas, therefore there is an opportunity for candidates to job share: Pathways to College and Employment and Pathways to Health, Education and Social Care These access-level programmes are designed for learners who have experienced barriers to engagement in mainstream education.
A number of projects have been supported by funding allocations agreed at today’s Sutherland County Committee. Community regeneration projects Members approved £95,000 of Community Regeneration Funding in support of two community projects in Sutherland.
At The Highland Council’s Economy & Infrastructure committee held on 28 May 2026, members agreed the distribution of Highland Coastal Communities Funding (HCCF) allocation across the local area committees. HCCF funding is allocated to Highland Council from the Scottish Government.
This beautiful four-bedroom, terraced home, has a garage and a mature garden to the rear. Many of the original features have been retained including original doors, cornicing, dado rails and the staircase.
Polling will take place on Thursday 25 June 2026 to elect one candidate standing in the Ward 4 East Sutherland and Edderton by-election. Voters in this Ward are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.
Escape Pain next block starting 23rd June ð Please phone to speak to our staff before booking. ESCAPE-pain is a group education and exercise programme for people with chronic joint pain or osteoarthritis which aims to increase physical function and improve quality of life whilst living with a painful condition.
The Open Fund for Individuals supports the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. This fund is designed to support a range of creative activity, such as a specific project, production or a period of research and development.
Caithness and Sutherland have always been counties where people make the most of what they have. Long distances to shops, higher food prices, and a climate that rewards resilience mean that regrowing vegetables from scraps isn’t just thrifty it’s tradition.
Sutherland is a place of extraordinary beauty and extraordinary resilience. But when the Richmond Project’s Spotlight on Financial Literacy 2026 is read through a Sutherland lens, the findings take on a sharper edge.
The Richmond Project’s Spotlight on Financial Literacy 2026 lands differently when read from Caithness, Sutherland, or the wider Highlands. The UK‑wide findings are stark enough with low financial literacy, deep numeracy problems, and widening inequality but in the Highlands the implications are sharper, more structural, and more personal.
REDUCED £15,000 below Valuation. This beautiful large end-terraced five-bedroom family home is laid across four floors.
This beautiful three-bedroom, semi-detached bungalow, was built only ten years ago and is located in a sought-after residential area of the town. It benefits from having solar panels to the roof and has an oil-fired central heating system, the oil tank has just been filled.
This latest development will offer flexible and affordable business premises that lend themselves to different commercial requirements. Businesses in Sutherland are being invited to register their interest in new flexible units currently being developed at Golspie Business Park.
A £20 million Scottish Government investment will give young people the chance to get involved in different sporting activities on their doorstep. Highland Council, working in partnership with sportscotland, has secured funding to provide free and low-cost opportunities for young people as part of the national agency’s 2026 Summer of Sport.
Encouraging children and young people to get active. A nationwide summer programme of free and low-cost sporting activities - including football, rugby, padel, swimming, cycling and athletics - has been launched by Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth.
Grandparents have always been part of the quiet architecture of family life — the school‑run helpers, the emergency babysitters, the keepers of stories and common sense. But new research published in early 2026 shows something bigger happening: grandparents are now structural pillars in the UK’s childcare, social care, and emotional support systems.
Grandparents have always been part of the background architecture of family life — steady, familiar, and often underestimated. But when you look closely at what they pass on, you realise they are teaching the most important lessons a child will ever learn.
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