Britain's Immigration Numbers Are Changing — But the Story Is More Complicated Than the Headlines Britain's immigration system is changing rapidly, but the latest official figures suggest that there is no single story that can accurately be described simply as "immigration going up" or "immigration coming down". The Home Office has published its latest Immigration System Statistics, covering the year ending June 2026, and the figures show significant falls in work visas, study visas, family visas and small-boat arrivals.
Almost One Million Young People Are NEET — What Does It Say About Britain's Future? There is a number in today's labour market figures that deserves rather more attention than it is likely to receive. Almost one million young people aged 16 to 24 are currently not in education, employment or training.
There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died. The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.
The national debt is nearing £3 trillion, and almost everything said about that claim is wrong. It is not a debt in the way a household mortgage or a credit card is a debt - it is just the nation's savings.
There was a time when measles was becoming something most parents in Britain barely had to think about. Vaccination had changed the picture so dramatically that measles seemed to belong to another generation.
A series of measures to modernise and simplify the compulsory purchase system in Scotland are set to move forward. Following a consultation on compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) which found widespread support for change, the Scottish Government plans to bring forward legislation to ensure they can be used to their full potential.
Thousands of young people across the UK will get the chance to gain work experience, build confidence and develop skills to help them get ready for work as Sainsbury's launches a major new “Modern Work Experience Programme” designed to help more young people into employment. Sainsbury’s to offer around 10,000 work experience and skills opportunities to help young people gain experience, build confidence and prepare for work New programme launching from October.
Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.7% in the three months to June (2026 Quarter 2), compared with growth of 0.1% in the three months to March (2026 Quarter 1), according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. In the three months to June, the sector with the largest contribution to three month GDP was Retail, Wholesale & Motor Trades, which contributed around 0.1 percentage points of growth to the overall three month growth of 0.7%.
Volunteer with Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) and make a lasting difference in your community. Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) is currently recruiting volunteer Panel Members across Scotland, including the Western Isles.
In July 2026, the Prime Minister cut taxes on electricity bills. From 1 October 2026, VAT will be removed from household electricity bills, saving households an average of £45 per year.
A new National Performing Company will be set up to champion Scotland’s traditional music sector. A public consultation has now been launched seeking views on how such a flagship organisation will raise the profile of Scottish folk music around the world.
Government-backed finance helps Aberdeenshire's Dean's of Huntly scale up production and meet growing export demand across four continents. A £1 million trade loan, guaranteed by UK Export Finance, enables Dean’s of Huntly to meet rising export demand in Australia, China, Japan, the US and Europe.
There is a question about fuel security that most of us probably never think about until the petrol station is empty. How many filling stations could Highland lose before everyday life began to break down? It is a particularly relevant question after what has happened in Ukraine this summer.
Households can save hundreds on bills as plug-in solar panels become legal to use and buy across the country. Plug-in solar panels now legal to buy and use across the country Households could save up to £110 a year, with panels providing up to 20% of average home electricity use Savings follow government cuts to VAT on energy bills to offer breathing space this winter More families are set to save money on bills as plug-in solar panels become legal across Great Britain.
New opt-in alerts will warn people when air pollution is high, or expected to be high, in their local area. People across the UK can now sign up for a new air quality alerts service, giving them an easy way to check local pollution levels through accurate, up-to-date information.
The Creative Trade Forum, a new partnership between government and industries to boost UK creative businesses, has been launched today in Edinburgh. UK creative businesses from film, TV, music, arts and more set to benefit from new partnership to help them sell more ideas, talent and products overseas.
The first young people supported by a new Government programme for the long-term unemployed have started their jobs. First cohort of young people start work through the Government’s Jobs Guarantee, delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to tackle youth unemployment.
Energy regulator Ofgem has today (Wednesday 26 August) announced a 4% increase of the energy price cap for the period covering 1 October to 31 December 2026. The energy price cap protects around 22 million households on default tariffs by limiting the maximum rates and standing charges that energy suppliers can charge.
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Recorded Crime in Scotland, year ending June 2026. In the year ending June 2026: The police in Scotland recorded 323,531 crimes.
Pupils, parents and teachers are among those being encouraged to share their views about restricting phones in schools with the launch of a public consultation today. The Scottish Government’s consultation will inform the development of legislation to restrict phone use in schools, given concerns about the harmful effect on pupils’ education and wellbeing.
Canada could use potash as a weapon against US farmers, and it would be a particularly powerful lever because the United States is unusually dependent on Canada for this fertiliser. But there is an important twist: Canada has just chosen not to use that weapon in its latest retaliation.
Britain is becoming a much more digital economy. We tap cards and phones to pay for coffee, use online banking rather than visiting branches and increasingly expect even small purchases to be completed electronically.
The countdown to the Budget has already begun, and Westminster's annual guessing game over taxation is becoming increasingly intense. By 28 October we will know what Chancellor John Healey has decided, but until then there is plenty of room for speculation.
Most of us probably assume that if we buy something from a reputable shop, website or well-known brand, it is safe. That is a perfectly reasonable assumption.
The oil price falls below $89 is telling us that the oil market is currently putting more weight on the possibility of easing geopolitical tensions and weaker demand than on the very serious supply problems in the Middle East. Brent fell by more than 3% today, reaching about $89.10 a barrel, while WTI fell to about $82.08.
As Canada gets ready to counter Donald Trump Tariffs and Canadians are trying to avoid American products as new tariffs will soon b implemented. So we take look at food in the UK.
£1.7 million investment in detoxification and residential rehabilitation in the Highlands and Islands. More people across the Highlands and Islands will be able to access residential rehabilitation – including dedicated detoxification services – thanks to a £1.7 million Scottish Government investment in CrossReach services in Inverness.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has acquired the assets of Sutherland Spaceport Ltd (SSL) from the joint liquidators, Chad Griffin and Graham Smith of FRP Advisory. SSL was established in 2020 by Moray-based space launch company Orbital Express Ltd (Orbex), which entered administration in February this year.
Over a third of children talk or play online with people they have never met. 91% of parents use monitoring tools — but 41% of children have tried to get around them.
There is something rather odd about the way we treat sunscreen in Britain. We know that exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer.
The Highland Council’s Justice Service teams will be hosting open days in Inverness and Golspie this September. The public are invited to open day sessions on Wednesday 9 September at Inverness Justice Centre and Thursday 10 September at Golspie Justice Services.
Britain is adopting artificial intelligence at remarkable speed. But there is an intriguing problem developing beneath the headline figures.
We are looking for part-time / relief bar staff to join our team. * Casual, part time work as and when needed * Must be able to work evenings and weekends * Must be over 18 * Full bar training can be provided If you would like to join our team, and for more info on this post, please contact our Head Steward Donna by messaging our Facebook page or pop in to the Seaforth Club and see her.
No booking required. Get ready to create..
Waiting Staff – Full & Part Time We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic and reliable Waiting Staff to join our team. We have full-time and part-time positions available, with shifts covering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chef de Partie – Full Time We’re looking for a passionate and reliable Chef de Partie to join our kitchen team. You’ll work alongside our Head Chef and wider kitchen team to deliver high-quality food across breakfast, lunch and dinner service.
A lovely two-bedroom cottage with two sun rooms, located on the roadside in Bilbster with enclosed mature garden grounds and views across the open countryside. Accommodation comprises vestibule, hallway, lounge, kitchen/diner, two double bedrooms, newly fitted modern shower room and two sun rooms, one to the rear and another to the side.
Set in a prominent location on the popular NC500 route is this well established 8-bedroom hotel (all ensuite), with public bar, lounge bar, dining room, owners’ accommodation, covered beer garden, detached garage and large commercial tarmacadam carpark. Originally a church manse, dating back to the 19th century, this impressive and substantial property boasts many original features throughout including a beautiful feature staircase, ornate cornicing, high skirtings and ceilings, and decorative internal archways.
Here at Riverside house care home we are looking to employ a dedicated and reliable domestic assistant to join our team. Hours to be worked are 8am-2pm covering four days including some weekends.
Here at Riverside house care home in Wick we are looking to employ full or part time care assistants to join our team. SVQ level 2 in care would be an advantage but not essential full training will be provided.
Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd. is the largest crane hire and heavy lifting services company based in Caithness.
Gingerbread House is a beautifully presented detached cottage situated in the peaceful village of Mey, close to the Castle of Mey and on the world-famous NC500 route. Currently operating as a highly successful Airbnb holiday let, the property offers an excellent opportunity as either a lifestyle business or a charming private home.
A&D Sutherland Ltd have vacancies for general labourers. The positions are based on the main Quarry site in Spittal.
Patti Bremner, the Countryside Ranger for East Caithness explains why dune systems need our protection and why recreational fires pose a real risk to these habitats. Working in an office alongside the Dunnet Bay sand dunes I have come to appreciate and respect them more and more each working day.
This 3 bedroom detached bungalow is situated in a popular residential area in Thurso. It is a few minutes walk from the coast and a short walk into town.
Some medicines can make you more sensitive to the sun or increase the risk of dehydration without you realising it. The MHRA is encouraging people to know the risks and stay protected this summer.
We are looking for a cook in our busy pub kitchen to cook pub grub. Hours are 4.30 to finish.
A story on BBC by Luke Mintz caught our attention. Read it and think hard if your children remain unvaccinated.
Do you know someone affected by hoarding. An article by Barbara Potter, Kerry Musselbrook caught our attention.
Here at Riverside house care home we are looking to employ a full time domestic assistant to join our team, hours to be worked are 8am-2pm over five days including some weekends. Duties include dusting, hoovering, mopping and sanitizing surfaces in all areas of the home including kitchen areas, bathrooms, living spaces and bedrooms.
They are certainly not as exciting as dolphins, or as awe inspiring as eagles or even wonderful to watch like otters, but they are members of our Highland wildlife suite that are often talked about and they are both fascinating and worrying. They are ticks - animals that are part of the class of arachnids, along with spiders, scorpions, mites, harvestmen (see my blog about these harmless long-legged ones here).
Andy Summers, Ranger describes the efforts he and local volunteers have taken recently to help save this species. Oyster plant is one of Scotland’s northern coastal specialists, a species more at home on the cold shores of the North Atlantic and Arctic than further south.
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