With household bills continuing to put pressure on family budgets, the Government faces a difficult question. How can it help people feel better off, encourage spending and support economic growth without placing an unsustainable burden on public finances? One possibility is to reconsider the balance between personal tax allowances, higher income tax rates and Capital Gains Tax.
Dolly Parton's estate highlights the challenges that can arise after a founder dies. For family businesses in Scotland, a clear will and a succession plan could make the difference between continuity and costly uncertainty.
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.
Almost every country owes money, yet governments continue borrowing billions every year. Who is providing the money, why do lenders keep lending, and what would national debt mean for an independent Scotland?.
Scotland’s used-car market is facing questions about its financial health following the collapse of Cars4You Ltd, which entered administration in October 2026. The company’s difficulties have highlighted the pressures facing vehicle retailers as households become more cautious about spending and the cost of running a car continues to rise.
The number of companies leaving London's stock market continues to exceed the number joining it. With foreign buyers and private equity firms playing an increasingly important role, should Britain be doing more to protect its long-term economic interests? Britain has a problem that deserves more attention than it receives.
Are we living through a new Gilded Age, where a small number of enormous corporations have accumulated too much economic and political power? In this video, I argue that monopoly and oligopoly are becoming serious threats not only to competitive markets, but also to democracy. Monopoly power is about much more than prices.
Rightmove figures reveal a divided housing market, with Scotland recording a high rate of successful sales while buyers elsewhere have more choice and sellers face tougher competition. Britain's housing market is showing two very different sides.
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.
Cap to be expanded across the north east of Scotland from April 2027. Bus passengers across North East Scotland will benefit from more affordable public transport from April 2027 when the £2 Bus Fare Cap is expanded to the region.
Fund to Leave scheme investment doubled to £4 million. An initiative supporting women and children to escape abusive relationships will see its funding doubled from £2 million to £4 million for the current year.
A new digital platform for recording, transcribing and translating spoken Gaelic has been awarded £600,000 through the CivTech innovation programme. AITEAL – which means “ray of light” – will help in developing advanced technologies, including AI, for Gaelic speakers.
First Minister announces series of interventions to tackle violence against women and girls. A new Respect Fund for Scotland will see school pupils supported to reject misogyny and promote respect as part of a package of Scottish Government action to tackle violence against women and girls.
The Scottish Government has announced additional investment to help more refugee doctors living in Scotland return to practise medicine, supporting NHS Scotland's workforce. The £190,023 nearly doubles investment in the Bridges Programmes' Refugee Doctors Programme this year.
The week brought a significant change for public transport in Caithness, with local bus operations moving into public ownership while the loss of a direct link to Inverness raises fresh questions about rural connectivity. Caithness faces an important week for public transport, with two developments highlighting the opportunities and difficulties of providing essential services in the far north.
Scottish pensioners will receive a separate winter heating payment this year, while the UK Government continues its own scheme elsewhere in Britain. Income rules, payment dates and additional support all matter as household energy costs remain a concern.
Pressure is mounting on Beijing to strengthen the yuan as Chinese exports surge, industrial competitors struggle and governments question whether the global trading system is operating on a level playing field. China's growing trade surplus is becoming an increasingly difficult problem for the rest of the world.
Tesla's latest announcement has revived the dream of taking to the air in a personal vehicle, but technical challenges, safety rules and cost mean flying cars are unlikely to become commonplace overnight. For generations, the flying car has been a familiar feature of science fiction.
Community projects and services working to tackle poverty and inequality in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities across Scotland will share in more than £30 million over the next three years, First Minister John Swinney has announced. The new Scotland Together Fund will support grassroots organisations to address pressing issues facing communities affected by poverty, disadvantage, and racism from 2027/28.
Wind farms, battery storage, offshore wind and major electricity infrastructure are transforming the energy landscape in the far north. Here is a guide to the projects already under construction, those with consent and the proposals still going through planning.
Prolonged fuel costs threaten to push up food prices, transport charges and household bills, with rural communities in Scotland particularly exposed. Households across Britain could face another squeeze on their finances in 2027 if oil, diesel and heating oil prices remain high for as long as some analysts expect.
Easing sanctions may bring more fuel to market, but rising tensions in the Middle East and attacks on energy infrastructure are driving prices higher. Britain’s households and businesses could pay the price.
Britain's discount retailers should be well placed to benefit from the cost-of-living squeeze. When household budgets are tight, shoppers look for cheaper food, cleaning products, toiletries and everyday essentials.
Britain's banks are facing the prospect of higher taxes as Chancellor John Healey prepares his Budget for 28 October, with the government under pressure to raise revenue while protecting economic growth. Reports suggest the Chancellor is considering restoring the bank profits surcharge from its current rate of 3% to 8%.
A new project at the Port of Inverness could create around 70 jobs by tackling one of the less visible problems facing Scotland's renewable energy industry: what to do with wind-turbine blades when they reach the end of their working lives. Northern Ireland-based company Plaswire has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Inverness to establish a facility for recycling wind-turbine blades.
International oil prices have climbed sharply, with Brent crude approaching $110 a barrel, despite President Donald Trump announcing a relaxation of restrictions on Russian oil and gas. The decision could help increase fuel supplies, but renewed fears over disruption in the Middle East are currently dominating the market.
More Russian oil and diesel could help ease competition for supplies from other producers. However, additional exports will take time to reach buyers, and the effect will depend on the scale of the increase and the ability to transport fuel safely.
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.
This one-bedroom flat is situated in the sought-after Bignold Court. It is in need of renovation, after being empty for a duration of time, and is looking for a buyer to restore it to its former glory.
Trading Standards regularly issues warning about scams. Now they have provided a very useful advice list.
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.
The Scottish Government has appointed another trade and investment envoy, this time to the United Arab Emirates. Ronnie Graham, managing partner of Winston Taylor's Dubai office, has been appointed to promote Scotland's interests in the UAE and help Scottish companies build relationships in the market.
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.
RG SetSquare has a requirement for multiple HGV Drivers required for an ongoing assignment with our client. 6 month contract.
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.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join QS, supporting UHI North, West & Hebrides with examinations. QS are looking to recruit a Depute Chief Invigilator to be responsible for supporting the Chief Invigilator (CI) with the organisation and supervision 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.
The Highland Council has agreed to submit proposals for two Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) to Scottish Ministers following extensive public consultation and consideration by local area committees. At today’s special meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee (28 September), Members approved the submission of proposals for: An Inverness City Short Term Let Control Area, covering Inverness and surrounding areas; and A Highland Rural Short Term Let Control Area, covering Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness South, Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, Lochaber, Skye and Raasay, and Sutherland.
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.
Five place based residencies across Caithness and Sutherland. The Caithness and Sutherland Culture Collective Partnership invites applications for five artist residencies, each rooted in a different locality and hosted by a partner organisation.
A beautiful mid-terraced, three-bedroom (one with ensuite), stone-built home which retains many of the original features, with a large area of garden to rear. Accommodation comprises vestibule, hallway, lounge, sitting room/dining room, Ashley Ann fitted kitchen and a utility room on the ground floor, upstairs from the landing there are three bedrooms, one with ensuite and a family bathroom.
Vapes, Drinks and Spiking: What Young People and Parents Need to Know A recent BBC report has highlighted an issue that parents of teenagers may find worrying: the possibility of drugs being put into drinks or even vapes without the person's knowledge. It is a subject where sensible advice is more useful than alarm.
This doer-upper was started and now looking for a new owner to finish it. Hidden away in Beaufoy Street, this lovely stone-built property has a new fitted kitchen, oak doors fitted throughout and now needs plumbing and electrics to be finished, along with decoration.
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