https://caithness-business.co.uk/ Business news stories for the county of Caithness, Scotland en-gb PHP Business Index by Niall Fernie Copyright 1998-2026 Caithness.Org niall.fernie@gmail.com (Niall Fernie) 720 https://caithness-business.co.uk/images/logo_rss.gifhttps://caithness-business.co.uk/ https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31990 New AI Hardware Plan sets out how the government will back British companies developing the chips and semiconductor technologies behind AI. Ambitious £1.1 billion AI Hardware Plan to back British firms developing the chips and computing power behind AI. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31990 Caithness Business Index Tue, 9 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31991 £11 million in grant funding available to help customers who need extra support. More than £11 million in funding available for organisations to help customers with their tax affairs. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31991 Caithness Business Index Tue, 9 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31977 For many people rumours of a one percent reduction in capital funding across all government departments by the UK government to help increase funding for defence spending may seem a long way away but it might impact on the proposed new Thurso School Complex. It potentially could impact as it might ripple across many projects adding delays and time constraints and therefor push up prices. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31977 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31978 The renewed exchange of fire between Israel and Iran has once again pushed global oil markets into a state of heightened anxiety. Each time the conflict flares, traders immediately price in the risk of disruption to Middle Eastern supply routes especially the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes every day. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31978 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31979 The closure and militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz in 2026 has forced Middle Eastern producers into a frantic search for alternative export routes. With around 20% of the world’s oil normally passing through this narrow waterway, the region has been pushed into the most serious energy logistics crisis in decades. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31979 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31980 New property tax rates from 6 April 2027 for landlords who own rental property personally. The Renters' Rights Act - impacting multiple areas such as evictions and rent increases. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31980 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31981 UK interest rates are far too high, and the Bank of England is making a serious mistake by keeping them that way. Mortgage holders are paying more, renters are facing rising housing costs, businesses are struggling to invest, and public services are under increasing pressure. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31981 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31982 Fertiliser prices are rising again and there is a genuine shortage risk for 2026, especially for UK farmers including Scotland according to multiple industry and economic sources. The pressure is coming from Middle East conflict, tariffs, logistics bottlenecks, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a huge share of global fertiliser shipments. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31982 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31983 More than 100,000 faster broadband connections have now been delivered to homes and businesses across Scotland through the £600 million R100 programme. The milestone marks significant progress in bringing faster, more reliable broadband to communities across Scotland, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31983 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31984 Scotland’s relationship with the United States of America will be celebrated through a new tartan to celebrate 250 years of American independence. A new design by Kaci McEwan, a student from Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design, has been selected as a symbol of the historic and cultural ties between Scotland and the United States. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31984 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31985 Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion and next steps in negotiations to support a just and lasting peace. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31985 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31986 A new partnership between government, industry and trade unions to better support young people entering the job market. More support to get young people into their first jobs through launch of new partnership to reshape entry-level jobs in sectors exposed to AI. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31986 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31987 The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers, China and India. The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers China and India Her agenda has focused on issues crucial for the UK national interest, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and artificial intelligence. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31987 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31988 £2 Bus Fare Scheme Drives Accessible and Sustainable Travel Across the Highlands With the school holidays approaching, The Highland Council is encouraging residents and visitors to make the most of the £2 single fare cap on its in-house bus services. The initiative is helping to make public transport more accessible and affordable, particularly for families looking for low-cost ways to travel during the summer months. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31988 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31989 For centuries, naval power has been measured by the size of a nation's fleet. The British Empire ruled the waves through its battleships and the United States has dominated the oceans for decades through its aircraft carrier strike groups. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31989 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31971 Scotland stands at a crossroads in preparing its young people for adulthood. As the economy becomes increasingly digital, cashless, and complex, the ability to manage money is no longer a soft skill — it is a survival skill. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31971 Caithness Business Index Sun, 7 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31972 Time to get real as it is always great to see headlines for a £100million in a schools project in Thurso but we have already got proof that headlines do not build anything. The NHS Highland Health Hubs for Thurso and Wick project is one very real project announced many years ago and still not delivered still at yet another stage so what hope for Thurso schools. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31972 Caithness Business Index Sun, 7 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31973 If you want to understand the future of the Thurso schools project, you don’t need to look at Edinburgh’s spreadsheets or Holyrood’s deficit forecasts. You only need to walk down Wick High Street. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31973 Caithness Business Index Sun, 7 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31974 This video is a short introduction. The war is being finance by debt and nobody in USA was asked not the people or the congress. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31974 Caithness Business Index Sun, 7 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31975 Americans are using credit cards to fill a widening gap between income and expenses Credit‑card balances reached $1.28 trillion in Q4 2025, a 5.5% annual increase, even though personal incomes rose during the same period. Savings rates collapsed from 6.2% in early 2024 to 4.0% in 2026, meaning people are earning more but saving less — and turning to credit to survive. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31975 Caithness Business Index Sun, 7 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31976 Highland Council's education committee members have praised the apprenticeship programmes offering more young people the chance to learn skills and equip them for the world of work. Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) and Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) in Highland are growing strongly, with participation now well above national averages. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31976 Caithness Business Index Sun, 7 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31953 there is quite a lot of evidence that many UK households have been changing their spending habits to prepare for high winter energy costs, although it is often more accurately described as "coping strategies" than formal preparation. Around 11 million UK households planned to buy warming gadgets or clothing to reduce heating costs. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31953 Caithness Business Index Sat, 6 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31954 Overdue reforms to protect women and meet the needs of modern relationships as the government continues to prioritise tackling VAWG and working people. Survivors of domestic abuse will get better financial protections when bravely leaving a relationship, regardless of whether they’re married. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31954 Caithness Business Index Sat, 6 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31955 June 2026 will mark four years of Operation Interflex, a UK-led multinational training programme that has trained more than 63,000 Ukrainian personnel as infantry soldiers, leaders and instructors. The fifth year of the successful and highly valued programme will herald a new phase of specialist training designed to build long-term capability. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31955 Caithness Business Index Sat, 6 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31956 The new laws will extend and strengthen seafarer protections beyond UK territorial waters. Thousands of seafarers working across the Channel to benefit from proper rest periods, fair pay, and stronger protections as the government goes further to make seafarers’ lives fairer, safer and better. https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/31956 Caithness Business Index Sat, 6 Jun 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9501 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. https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9501 Caithness Business Index Mon, 1 Jun 2026 19:14:16 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9500 REDUCED £15,000 below Valuation. This beautiful large end-terraced five-bedroom family home is laid across four floors. https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9500 Caithness Business Index Tue, 26 May 2026 15:40:52 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9499 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. https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9499 Caithness Business Index Tue, 26 May 2026 15:36:45 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9498 NEWLY REDUCED PRICE A unique chance to acquire this B Listed former Granary, steeped in history and dating back to the 18th century. Planning permission was previously granted for conversion into a family home, highlighting the property's exciting residential potential. https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9498 Caithness Business Index Thu, 21 May 2026 13:42:10 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9497 A spacious 4 bedroom semi-detached house with garage and off road parking, situated in the popular Mount Vernon area of Thurso. Within walking distance of the town centre, the property benefits from easy access to the amenities, services, and transport links expected of a bustling Highland town. https://caithness-business.co.uk/property.php?id=9497 Caithness Business Index Tue, 12 May 2026 14:58:27 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=233 Blargoans Ltd have an opportunity for a Health Physics Support to work within our client’s facility in Caithness on a fixed term maternity cover until at least June 2027. The purpose of the post is to play a key role in maintaining and strengthening radiological protection standards at NRS Dounreay, offering a unique chance to contribute to a critical function supporting safe and compliant site operations. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=233 Caithness Business Index Mon, 8 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=232 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. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=232 Caithness Business Index Thu, 4 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=230 Imenco Future Technologies is an innovation-driven company specialising in high-quality vision systems, subsea sensors and acoustic solutions. We collaborate closely with our customer partners in the offshore energy, defense, and maritime sectors to solve their unique operational challenges by applying core technical knowledge in optics, sound propagation and AI enabled electronic systems. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=230 Caithness Business Index Mon, 1 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=231 Blargoans Ltd have 24 month contract opportunities for Operators to work within our client's facility in Caithness. We are looking for Operators to join our client's Fuel Cycle Area (FCA) Programme area or Site Services, Waste Operations and Logistics department, supporting critical activities that underpin the safe and effective decommissioning of the site. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=231 Caithness Business Index Mon, 1 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=228 Here at Riverside house care home in Wick we are looking to employ full or part time Care Assistants to join our team, in this role, you will provide essential support. Your primary focus will be enhancing the quality of life for our residents by assisting with daily activities , ensuring their comfort, and promoting their independence. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=228 Caithness Business Index Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=229 https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=229 Caithness Business Index Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=227 Here at Riverside House Care Home in Wick we are seeking to employ a part time dedicated laundry assistant working 20 hours per week to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and organisation of laundry services within the home. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=227 Caithness Business Index Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=220 https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=220 Caithness Business Index Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=221 https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=221 Caithness Business Index Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=222 https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=222 Caithness Business Index Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=219 Full time counter assistant at north coast butchers. Hours negotiable. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=219 Caithness Business Index Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=216 https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=216 Caithness Business Index Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=217 A & D Sutherland Ltd have vacancies for General labourers. Please apply including your CV to: mark@caithnessflagstone.co.uk. https://caithness-business.co.uk/vacancy.php?id=217 Caithness Business Index Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT