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The Chancellor wants to make it easier for HMRC to recover unpaid tax through automatic bank-account deductions. The proposals raise questions about debt collection, taxpayers' rights and protection for people who are struggling financially.

Children across the country are benefitting from a record high in payments being made by parents through an improved Child Maintenance Service (CMS). Nearly 130,000 parents are now paying more than 90% of the child maintenance due, a record high and up 27% in a year.

Why do we pay tax? Most people believe taxation exists to fund government spending. But what if that is not actually its primary purpose? In this Understanding Economics video, I explain why tax plays a much more important role in our economy and society than simply raising money for the government.

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.

With Christmas still two months away, shoppers might be wise to start looking at phones, tablets and laptops sooner rather than later. The cost of memory chips is rising sharply, and there are growing concerns that higher manufacturing costs could feed through to the prices consumers pay for electronic goods.

The headline of April 2026 promised an end to a terrifying chapter in modern history. Following a high-intensity, devastating military campaign in February that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and obliterated key segments of the country’s defense infrastructure, US President Donald Trump announced a formal ceasefire.

Audit Scotland warns that cuts to community services could deepen inequalities, while councils lack the evidence to measure the full consequences. Scotland’s councils are spending less on culture and leisure services while asking the public to pay more to use them, raising questions about the future of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums and other important parts of community life.

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.

UK deepens nuclear defence ties with France in historic first joint air exercise as RAF Typhoon fighters join French Rafale jets in a French nuclear exercise. For the first time, RAF Typhoon fighters have taken part in a French nuclear air exercise, flying alongside French Rafale in a show of allied strength.

Oil prices climbing above $116 a barrel are a warning that markets remain deeply nervous about the outlook. The question is whether investors are simply pricing in the risk of renewed conflict, or whether several international pressures are combining to push prices higher.

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.

Wick Harbour Authority (WHA) is to appoint a new strategy manager after securing up to £52,500 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help fund the post. The post holder will help WHA deliver its emerging harbour masterplan and outline business case, strengthen capacity and develop new business opportunities.

Storm Boelo will impact Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend. Warnings have also been updated for Storm Austen which impacts the south of England and Wales on Thursday night and Friday.

Rising inflation and fears of higher interest rates are creating fresh uncertainty for homeowners, businesses and the wider UK economy. Oil prices edging towards $114 (Brent Crude) a barrel and the latest increase in UK inflation have raised an uncomfortable question.

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.

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.

Early morning Cleaner required. Good attention to detail Driving licence Essential Contact Elizabeth 07999225288.

WE ARE HIRING! Closing date extended to 9pm Wednesday, 21st October. Looking for a wee temporary, part time job after Christmas? Our Community Session Facilitator vacancy may be the one! Join the team delivering this fantastic project, now in it's 5th year, for the Sinclair's Bay community.

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.

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.

Morven Fancey, Head of housing, skills and population with Highland and Islands Enerprise looks a Childcare. Investing in childcare is an investment in people, in communities and in the long-term success of the Highlands and Islands and the region’s contribution to Scotland’s economy.

Britain is being encouraged to become better prepared for emergencies, with households advised to keep supplies of food and water that could see them through several days. That sounds sensible enough.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join QS, supporting UHI North, West & Hebrides with examinations. QS are looking to recruit an Invigilator to undertake the duties of invigilation for National Qualifications, in accordance with QS policy and procedures.

Bacon has suddenly become a rather more complicated item on the shopping list. Should we worry about nitrates and nitrites? Is nitrate-free bacon healthier? And if supermarkets are now selling bacon without added nitrites, is it worth paying extra for it?.

Women going through the menopause are being offered an ever-growing range of supplements promising to help with hot flushes, poor sleep, mood changes, brain fog, tiredness and a host of other symptoms. But new research raises an uncomfortable question: are some women paying hundreds of pounds a year for products that offer little more than a much cheaper ordinary multivitamin? The answer is not that all menopause supplements are useless.

There are times when a story from thousands of miles away makes you look at your own garden slightly differently. Reports from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky describe residents facing such severe shortages of food that some have reportedly been eating plants growing in their gardens that most of us would simply call weeds.