Latest News

Energy Price Fall With New Reduced Price Cap Announced

Between 1 July and 30 September 2025, the energy price cap is set at £1,720 per year for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit.  This is a decrease of 7% compared to the cap set between 1 April to 30 June 2025 (£1,849).  

Community-Led Local Development Fund distributes over £900k to support projects in Highland

The Highland Strategic Local Action Group (LAG) met in June 2025 and considered and agreed funding for 28 projects submitted to the Community-Led Local Development fund (CLLD), which makes up part of The Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) programme.   CRF is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by The Highland Council.  

Hundreds of thousands to get secure roof over their heads in England

Government sets out ambitions for a social rent revolution through the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.   Boost for families as plans are set out to transform housing over the next 10 years, with more social and affordable properties including council homes, building on our Plan for Change.  

Community benefits funding delivers educational resources to Highland schools

Highland Council has provided 12 ‘Talking Tub' resources for use in primary schools across the Highlands, in partnership with Union Technical who deliver community benefits as part of the Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme programme.   Chair of Highland Council's Education Committee, Councillor John Finlayson, said: "This is a fantastic initiative being rolled out across Highland primary schools which brings innovation and inspiration to early years children.  

Rising energy prices have led to a ‘comfort crunch' as families spend more of their budgets on essentials

Rising energy prices over the last two decades have squeezed incomes for low-and-middle income families and contributed to a ‘comfort crunch' as more of their budgets are spent on household essential.  New Resolution Foundation research published on Monday 30 June 2025 sets out the reasons how life has gotten harder.  

Additional bins will help keep popular visitor spots tidy

Visitors will find it easier to dispose of their litter at several popular spots across Highland after the rollout of additional bins.  The rollout has been planned to support the tourism season as part of the Council's ongoing commitment to improve and support sustainable tourism in the area.  

Major immigration reforms delivered to restore order and control

Work to restore control of Britain's borders has seen the first of sweeping reforms to the immigration system introduced by the Home Secretary today 1 July 2025.   New rules to be laid in Parliament see skills and salary thresholds rise, overseas recruitment for care workers end, and more than 100 occupations no longer granted access to the immigration system.  

UK passport warning issued to British travellers

On the eve of the peak summer season, one sad certainty is that some British travellers will be turned away from their holiday flights due to post-Brexit rules on passport validity.   Sometimes airport staff will make a mistake but in the vast majority of cases the passenger will be at fault.  

The psychology of debt in Squid Game - and what your love or hatred of the show means

"Mister.  Would you like to play a game with me?" These seemingly innocuous words to debt-ridden Gi-hun (Lee Jung-Jae) by a mysterious recruiter (Gong-Yoo) lead him to an opportunity for financial salvation - at the expense of human lives, including possibly his own.  

Why is Labour punishing disabled people but rewarding the wealthy?

Labour is cutting disability benefits to balance Rachel Reeves' budget, while handing billions in tax breaks to the rich.   I explain why this is morally bankrupt, and why Labour’s 70 MPs who backed down have failed the poorest.