The latest monthly GDP release from the Office for National Statistics offers a surprisingly upbeat snapshot of the UK economy in February 2026—though one that comes with clear warnings about what may lie ahead. After a sluggish end to 2025 and a largely flat January, February delivered a marked shift in momentum, suggesting the economy entered the year on firmer footing than many had expected.
The latest UK trade figures from the Office for National Statistics for February 2026 provide a cautiously encouraging picture of the country's external position. But one that still highlights deep structural imbalances in how the UK trades with the world.
In recent weeks, reports of potential shortages of everyday items such as chicken and pork have begun to surface in discussions around UK government contingency planning. At first glance, the idea may seem surprising.
Aberdeen is entering another wave of job losses just as the UK faces the most serious energy‑security warnings since the 1970s. Spirit Energy's plan to cut around 100 jobs is only the latest in a cascade of reductions across the North Sea sector.
The Government has announced that electricity bills will be cut by up to 25% for over 10,000 businesses through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. Chancellor announces bold action on businesses' electricity bills during IMF meetings in Washington, as Government strengthens Britain’s economic security - helping deliver stability, keeping costs down, and boosting competitiveness.
The latest construction output figures from the Office for National Statistics for February 2026 present a mixed but ultimately concerning—picture of the UK's building sector. While headline growth in the wider economy has recently surprised on the upside, construction remains one of its weakest links, raising serious questions about whether the government's ambitious housebuilding targets can realistically be achieved.
Biggest ever UK drone package for Ukraine announced, including more than 120,000 drones, supplying cutting-edge battlefield technology. The UK has announced the biggest ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones for Ukraine this year and driving growth and jobs across the UK.
A key focus for the MHRA as we develop our forthcoming strategy is enabling safe and timely access to innovative technologies, while maintaining public trust. This includes strengthening our approach to regulating adaptive AI, enhancing both pre-market evaluation and robust post-market surveillance, and ensuring that safety, performance and equity remain central as technologies evolve in real-world settings.
In early 2026, regional carrier Loganair quietly made aviation history with a series of real world electric aircraft trials across Scotland linking key regional airports including Wick Airport. Unlike previous test flights that stayed firmly in the realm of demonstration, this programme was designed to mimic actual airline operations, offering a glimpse into how electric aviation could soon become part of everyday travel.
Thousands across the UK set to benefit from re-opening of the historic Erasmus+ programme. Students, apprentices and young people will soon be able to study and work across Europe, as the UK and EU sign the legal text in Brussels today to formally bring the UK into Erasmus+ in 2027.
More than 1,000 jobs have been secured through a new contract to help sustain Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters. £879 million contract awarded to Boeing Defence UK to keep the British Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters mission-ready.
Johnstons of Thurso is hiring Shop assistant & kitchen support Job requirements -Early mornings -Friendly manner -Excellent customer service skills Experience is preferred but not essential as training will be provided. Please send your CV to johnstonsbakery@gmail.com.
It has become a familiar rhythm in the UK. Another investigation, another scandal, another quiet admission that customers have been overcharged, misled, or simply treated as a revenue stream rather than people.
The AA Driving School and BSM Driving School - both of which are owned by the AA - must refund more than 80,000 customers and pay a fine of £4.2 million. CMA orders more than £760,000 be repaid to customers - the first time it has used its new powers to secure money back for consumers.
A dozen breakthrough technologies are set to reach farms faster, boosting productivity and sustainability. Cutting-edge technologies from robotics to AI will be fast-tracked into practical tools for farmers, backed by around £50 million of public and private investment, Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle announced on 14 April 2026.
Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, comments on the buy-to-let statistics (Q4 2025 data) from UK Finance, out today. "Tough times are ahead for landlords as the profitability of buy-to-let has been damaged due to tighter legislation, and with rising running costs eating into profit margins, it is squeezing them from all sides.
Landlords in Scotland and especially in the Highlands are selling up in significant numbers, and the reasons are even sharper than in the rest of the UK. The combination of rising mortgage rates, higher operating costs, new regulations, and rural‑specific pressures has pushed many small landlords to exit the sector.
Finding a home is harder, keeping one is more precarious, and the financial pressures on both tenants and landlords are converging in a way that threatens the stability of thousands of households. The lived reality for prospective tenants and families already in private rented homes when social housing is very hard to get.
It sounds like something from a Cold War thriller, not a family day out: fragments of radioactive material, invisible to the naked eye, quietly lying in the sand. Yet for decades, beaches near Dounreay and Sellafield have been the final resting place for exactly that.
The latest outlook from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) paints a picture of a global economy that is slowing but not collapsing. Growth is weakening, inflation is proving stubborn, and geopolitical tensions—particularly energy-related—are once again shaping the trajectory of markets.
Building on the Government's recently published fusion strategy, UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) has published its new Fusion Strategy. The strategy sets out how the UK will deliver its prototype fusion power plant, STEP Fusion, and secure a leading position in the emerging global fusion market estimated to be worth up to £12 trillion by 2100.
If the IMF's current outlook plays out—especially with prolonged energy disruption and sticky inflation the price increases won't hit everything equally. Some categories tend to spike hard and fast because they sit at the centre of supply chains.
In its latest assessment of the world economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delivered a clear message. Global growth is weakening again, and risks are rising.
In this kind of environment, small decisions compound into big financial outcomes over time. In the current environment it is time to spend carefully and save if you can - cash in the hand or in the bank beats debt every time.
Commodities are where the real stress in the global economy is showing up first—often before consumers feel it. And what's happening is not uniform.
Despite persistent concerns about slow growth, high living costs, and global uncertainty, the UK economy is not without meaningful strengths. In fact, beneath the surface of negative headlines, there are several genuine bright spots suggesting resilience, adaptation, and long-term potential.
⭐️ House For Sale – Barons Well, Wick ⭐️ Offers over £100,000 Available to view now - awaiting home report. This lovely 3-bedroom mid-terraced home offers comfortable family living in a central location, close to Noss Primary school and the town centre.
See poster for full details. 2nd 3rd 4th July.
Community groups and organisations across rural Highland are invited to apply to the fund, which is now open for Expressions of Interest for grants of up to £25,000 until 24 April. Following this deadline, a small grants pot will open on 28 April, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.
As a researcher investigating how electric brain stimulation can improve people’s powers of recollection, I’m often asked how memory works – and what we can do to use it more effectively. Happily, decades of research have given us some clear answers to both questions.
Refreshments, Baking Stall, Hotdogs, Kids Games. Tickets available from Crew & Fundraising Committee.
Next Session - Special Reminiscence and Collection Afternoon The next session of the Dounreay Reminiscence Group will take place at Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives, Wick on Thursday 7th May 2026 from 1300-1500. For this session we would like to invite you to bring along your own archives to share with the group and get conversation flowing.
Come down and celebrate our town with some music, highland dancing and refreshments as we unveil the new 'Welcome to Wick' logo, visitor map and website alongside a new Telford Trail leaflet map..
A semi-detached, 2 bedroom bungalow with a detached garage and secure garden. Located in the vibrant village of Castletown, the property sits on the renowned North Coast 500 route and is just a short distance from the stunning Dunnet Beach, with its 2 miles of golden sand.
Sparsile Books (Glasgow) presents an evolution/ancestor-themed event at Nucleus. The Nuclear and Caithness Archives.
| Vacancy: | Graduate Electronics Engineer | Duration: | Permanent | Location: | Thurso Salary: TBA Candidate dependant At Denchi, we offer an environment where your talents will be nurtured, and your ideas will have a real impact. Denchi has 20 years of expertise in designing and manufacturing batteries from our base in Thurso, Scotland, we proudly serve blue chip customers in defence, security, aerospace, oil and gas, and renewables markets.
Scaffolders/helpers required, please contact Caithness scaffolding at caithness.scaffolding@live.co.uk for more information..
| Vacancy: | Electronics Engineer | Duration: | Permanent | Location: | Thurso Salary: TBA Candidate dependant At Denchi, we offer an environment where your talents will be nurtured, and your ideas will have a real impact. Denchi has 20 years of expertise in designing and manufacturing batteries from our base in Thurso, Scotland, we proudly serve blue chip customers in defence, security, aerospace, oil and gas, and renewables markets.
The Routes Quartet is an exquisite blend of folk, classical, jazz and fiddle traditions, featuring evocative arrangements of folk tunes and stunning original compositions. The Routes Quartet is made up of the classic string quartet instrumentation of Cello (Rufus Huggan), Viola (Emma Tomlinson), and two Fiddles (David LombardiandMadeleine Stewart).
Join the ranger on a 12km guided walk through Broubster Forest in north Caithness. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest as we wind our way to a couple of hidden lochs.
Blargoans Ltd have 12-month contract opportunity for an Administrator to work within our client’s facility in Caithness. https://blargoans.com/jobs/administrator-ohd/ Closing date for CV applications will be on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 12 Noon To apply: email your CV to recruitment@blargoans.com and specifying the reference BL34102 Blargoans Limited operates as a locally based employment business for temporary/contract recruitment and an employment agency for permanent recruitment for technical and professional roles to the Engineering, Office & Commercial Industries..
App scaffolders required for long term contracts, please send CVs to caithness.scaffolding@live.co.uk.
New research published by Ofcom reveals how people in the UK use, understand and feel about the media and online services they interact with in their daily lives. In line with our duty to promote and research media literacy, Ofcom’s annual Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes and Adults’ Media Lives research reports tracked trends in the nation’s media habits and online behaviours over the last year.[1] The research reveals, among other things, more circumspect relationships with social media; rapid adoption of AI tools; a continuation of online enterprising; and mixed views when it comes to trust in news sources.
Job Opportunities - Immediate Start We currently have three jobs available, One Full Time and Two Part Time. Job Description Removals Porter(s) - Van Driver - LGV Driver Students - Semi Retired - Etc Working as a member of a removal crew carrying out Local and National household removals and deliveries.
Here at Riverside house care home we are seeking a compassionate and dedicated night shift care assistant to join our team working four nights per week. Previous experience working in a care setting is an advantage but not essential as full training will be provided.
For decades, nightlife has been defined by darkness, alcohol, and the slow drift toward closing time. But a new cultural experiment is emerging in cities from London to New York: the early‑morning “coffee rave.” These events are part fitness class, part club night, part wellness ritual and start at 6am, run on caffeine rather than alcohol, and send people into their working day energised rather than hungover.
Rural communities across Highland are set to benefit from more than £1 million in funding to support community asset improvements and to help tackle inequalities affecting children, young people and families. The Highland Local Action Group (LAG) are inviting organisations to apply for funding to finance revenue and capital projects to address two main priorities.
Relief Care/Support Staff Wanted We are seeking relief care staff to join our team. We are looking for people who are caring, reliable, and flexible, with a genuine interest in supporting others.
Kitchen Worker (Part-Time) The Laurandy Centre We are seeking a motivated and reliable individual to support the day-to-day running of our busy kitchen. Main Duties: Assist with preparation and serving of food Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene Wash dishes and kitchen equipment Ensure compliance with food safety regulations Support other staff as required Person Specification: Experience in domestic or catering environments preferred Good time management and reliability Willingness to undertake Food Hygiene training Successful completion of a Standard Disclosure Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:00am – 2:30pm For further information or to request an application form, please contact: 📧 tracy.mackay@laurandycentre.org.uk.
Job Summary GMG Energy is expanding, and we’re looking for a hands‑on, motivated Sawmill Operator to help drive our wood production operations forward. If you take pride in producing high‑quality work, enjoy practical tasks, and want to be part of a friendly, growing team, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Why the next year will test the resilience of Scotland’s local economy especially north of Perth If you want to understand the pressure Scottish businesses are under, picture a crofter trying to mend a fence in a gale. Every time he hammers one post in, another one blows over.
When businesses struggle, households pay — and rural Scotland pays twice. If you want to see how national policy changes land in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, don’t look at the legislation look at the weekly shop, the fuel gauge, and the heating bill.
Are you passionate about supporting your local community? Caithness FM is looking for a motivated Fundraiser and Admin Support to join the team in Thurso! You’ll help keep our station thriving by coordinating fundraising, seeking new sponsorship and adverts, assisting with grant applications, and supporting our Treasurer behind the scenes, including invoicing. You will need good computing and Admin skills and the ability to express yourself in verbal and written communication.
Blargoans Ltd have a 12-month contract opportunity for a Document Control Coordinator to work within our client’s facility in Caithness. https://blargoans.com/jobs/document-control-coordinator-2/ Terms and Conditions Basic Annual Income – £38,354 to £51,475 overtime rates apply as standard.
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: Are you passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment? We’re looking for 2x compassionate and proactive Learning Support Workers to be based at our Thurso campus (x1) and any NWH campus (x1) to play a key role in empowering students to thrive—academically, personally, and emotionally.
As festival season approaches, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is urging consumers to take extra care when buying neon makeup and face/body paints. Bright colours and bold looks may be part of the fun, but unsafe cosmetics are never worth the risk.
Ideal Investment or First Home Traditional two bedroom townhouse with huge potential, An excellent opportunity to acquire this traditional built maisonette, ideally located close to Wick Marina and within easy walking distance of all local amenities. This property offers fantastic potential for buyers looking to add value and create a beautiful home or investment.
Local families and environmental enthusiasts are invited to attend a free, fun-filled visit to Causeymire Wind Farm on Saturday, 9th May. Hosted by Nadara, Europe’s largest independent power producer of onshore wind and operator of Causeymire Wind Farm, the event is set to be a day of discovery, creativity, and learning about the environment and renewable energy.
A rare opportunity to acquire this hidden gem. This impressive 5 bedroom detached house features a detached garage and a wraparound garden, offering both privacy and versatility.
A true hidden gem, this charming 2 bedroom detached home, dating from around 1900, offers a rare opportunity to enjoy peaceful Highland living. Featuring two reception rooms and a wraparound garden, the property is full of character and potential.
An interesting position has become available as a Sales Assistant in out depot in Thurso. This role will involve creating a welcoming experience for visitors, providing product information and maintaining both our display and stock areas to keep them always looking their best.
Pay: (£31,200 - £35,360, depending on experience) An opportunity has arisen within our production team for 2No. Trainee Stone Masons.
The Highland school Easter holidays start on 3rd April. And whether you're planning ahead or still figuring it out, we've got everything your family needs right here.
"Pay by Bank" in the UK. It is a secure, fast, and growing payment method powered by open banking, allowing you to pay directly from your bank app without entering card details.
Round 2 of The Highland Council’s Reuse and Repair Fund opens this week on Thursday 2 April. Grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 are available to support a range of community‑led initiatives that will help people repair, reuse and upcycle materials - reducing waste and supporting a stronger circular economy.
When people imagine fuel shortages or the prospect of rationing, they tend to picture dramatic disruptions: grounded flights, empty petrol stations, or governments imposing strict limits on usage. Yet the real story of fuel consumption is far less dramatic—and far more embedded in the quiet routines of everyday life.
Fuel security has quietly become one of the most important issues facing the Highlands, even if it rarely gets the political attention it deserves. Prices rise, global tensions escalate, and supply chains creak under the strain of geopolitical shocks.
New insights from sector data suggests that charities directed £5 billion of additional resources to delivering their aims, despite ongoing financial pressures. The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has analysed data drawn from annual returns for the financial year ending 2024 – the most comprehensive dataset available to the charity sector each year.
We at Riverside house care home in Wick are looking to employ a full time nurse working three 12.5 hour shifts 7am-7.30pm or 7.30pm-7am. Rate of pay £20.85 per hour paid weekly For more information or to request an application form please contact; joannesinclair@riversidehousecarehome.com or call 01955602314.
Position: We are seeking a Facilities Technician to be based at our Thurso campus. This post will be required to travel periodically to other sites to provide technical expertise and undertake packages of maintenance works.
With Ofgem due to announce the July–September energy price cap on 28 May 2026, households across Scotland are bracing for what comes next. The April cap has already set the baseline for spring, but the big question now is whether the July cap will push bills back up just as we move toward the colder months.
Government answers parents’ calls for support on screen time with new evidence-backed guidance. Parents of young children are facing a constant battle with screens.
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.
Norbloc Construction Ltd have a vacancy for a part time QHSE Manager who will be responsible for leading, developing, and maintaining integrated management systems for Quality, Health, Safety & Environment across their projects. Key Responsibilities & Duties • Lead, develop, and maintain an Integrated Management System (IMS) aligned with ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), and ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) standards.
Lessons from the Post-War house building Boom Between 1951 and 1964, successive UK governments pledged and delivered 300,000–400,000 new homes per year. This included New towns like Glenrothes, East Kilbride, and Cumbernauld.
A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Most households want to save money on groceries, but they fear the fallout. Complaints from the kids, grumbles from partners, or the dreaded “this tastes different”.
Households across the UK are being squeezed harder than at any point in recent memory. Energy bills, fuel, insurance, council tax, and food prices have all risen together.
Households often underestimate the cumulative power of small savings. Downgrading a few items feels trivial — until you add it up over a year.
Brand snobbery is one of the most expensive habits in the weekly shop. But here’s the truth as many unbranded items don’t just match the branded versions - they outperform them.
Supermarkets look friendly, but they’re engineered with military precision. Every shelf, every sign, every smell is designed to make you spend more than you intended.
A major project to develop a new net zero distillery in Sutherland has secured up to £1.57m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). A major project to develop a new net zero distillery in Sutherland has secured up to £1.57m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
What New Rules Mean for Pet Owners Across The country. If you’ve ever walked out of a vet’s surgery almost any where wondering how a five‑minute consultation turned into a three‑figure bill, you’re far from alone.
We have a jam-packed Easter programme of family friendly events this Spring including Graffiti workshops, Ukulele Club, a drumming workshop and more. Check out the poster below for more info and head over to our website to book.
If the Highlands is to navigate the next decade without sliding into a quiet, unmanaged decline, it needs a new model for public services and one that reflects the region’s geography, its demographics, and the financial constraints shaping every decision. The old model, built around a large workforce, a wide estate of local offices, and a service structure designed for a very different era, is no longer sustainable.
A fascinating talk by Thomas Keyes about his work at the Pictish Tarbet Discovery Centre, Portmahomack. FREE ENTRY - All welcome.
Date for the diaryâ¦.. Saturday 4th July 1pm Rose Street Gardens, Thurso Tea and Coffee following served in Gardens.
£500,000 funding of digital development for world’s largest performing arts festival. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society will receive £500,000 to help support ongoing digital transformation work, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced.
Scotland is set to become the first country in the UK to publish a miscarriage patient charter, giving women clear information about the care and support they can expect from the NHS. The charter, commissioned by the Scottish Government and developed in partnership with baby loss charities Tommy's, Held In Our Hearts and the Miscarriage Association, sets out the rights and entitlements women should receive during and following a miscarriage.
A temporary export bar has been placed on the historically significant archive of James Stirling. The archive catalogues revolutionary practices at James Stirling’s Scots Mining Company that ushered in a new era of better conditions for workers.
Reviving old-fashioned church jumble sales could be a practical and community driven response to charity shop closures, especially in rural areas like Caithness. These sales were once a staple of British parish life, offering low-cost goods, social connection, and local fundraising and they’re well-suited to low-overhead, volunteer-led models.
Like many of us in Caithness, we have noticed the weekly shop creeping up. Here’s a simple idea that won’t take extra time.
Animals, Flower Tent and much more..
5 star theatre coming to Staxigoe! Love is a complicated business. It gets even more complicated when the person you love doesnât want to be alive.
The UK pays the highest electricity prices in Europe — and it doesn't have to. In this video, I explain the electricity pricing scam at the heart of the UK energy crisis and why the government refuses to fix it.
New plans aim to support British farmers by improving supply resilience to global market shocks and supporting innovation in the fertiliser sector. British farmers could benefit from access to new and innovative fertilising products which have the potential to reduce air, land and water pollution under new government proposals launched today (Thursday 19 March 2026).
Commodity markets have slipped back into a familiar pattern: when the world becomes uncertain, prices stop reflecting supply and demand and start reflecting fear. Oil is the clearest example.
Travellers who have had flights delayed or cancelled due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East are being warned that scammers are setting up fake airline accounts on social media. Several customers have messaged these fraudulent accounts, believing that they were talking to genuine customer service staff from the airline.
More than 80 grassroots initiatives across Scotland will share in over £3 million funding to help deliver more ambitious community projects and activities and enable them to generate their own income. To date the Strengthening Communities Programme has helped hundreds of organisations to develop and improve their work with local communities and boost local economies.
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