The Scottish Government has announced millions for NHS capital projects—but Caithness is missing from the list. This week the Scottish Government announced progress on a range of NHS capital projects across Scotland.
The Highland Council has agreed plans to establish a Highland Wealth Fund to create a lasting legacy from renewable energy development and support long-term benefits for communities across the region. Inspired by the principles of the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, the new partnership-led fund will support strategic, regional, area and local priority projects, helping to ensure that the opportunities created by the energy transition deliver lasting value for current and future generations.
The Highland Council has agreed to continue working with the tourism industry to co-design a draft Visitor Levy scheme for the Highlands. It follows the Council securing greater flexibility from The Scottish Government on how a Visitor Levy could be applied and administered, after feedback from accommodation providers and industry groups across the Highlands about a percentage-based charge.
Proposed reforms to ease the high prison population, support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and improve public safety have been published for public consultation. Justice Secretary Neil Gray told Parliament that despite a range of measures taken to reduce numbers and maximise capacity, the prison population is at a critical level and is projected to rise further.
The fall below $75 a barrel is significant because it suggests that the "war premium" which built up during the Iran crisis has largely evaporated. Brent crude is now back close to where it was before fears of a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
The most significant reform of Scotland’s curriculum in more than ten years is underway, as the first early samples of new curriculum materials have been shared with councils across the country. Planned updates to the curriculum, prepared by Education Scotland and co-designed with input from over 1,500 teachers, nursery practitioners, and partners through the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC), will clarify knowledge and progression, making it clearer what children should know, understand and be able to do at every stage of school. Discussions are taking place with the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) for two additional in-service days to be offered during the 2026-27 academic year, to help schools prepare for change.
Leading US and UK fusion labs deepen trans-Atlantic collaboration on plasma science, workforce exchange and advanced computing. Trans-Atlantic cooperation on fusion energy has been strengthened by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
Up to 40,000 disabled people and people with health conditions will benefit from expanded access to personalised support, as the government rolls out Support Conversations across a further 27 Jobcentres taking the total number of sites to 33. Support Conversations expanding to a further 27 Jobcentres across Great Britain, bringing the total to 33 sites.
A concerning 31.5% of transportation & storage sector firms have told the ONS they have no cash reserves this month. That’s a higher number of cash-strapped firms than any other sector, warns the home delivery expert Parcelhero.
Around £160,000 has been lost so far this year to so-called "Hi Mum/Dad" scams on WhatsApp, where a scammer impersonates a family member and asks for money, usually to make an urgent payment. One man received a message from someone pretending to be his son, saying he had lost his phone and wallet while on holiday abroad and asking his Dad to transfer money that day to help him out.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announces a new support package at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk. New UK support for Ukraine’s recovery and energy security in the face of Putin’s war.
Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) has delivered the third and final return of high-level waste (HLW), in the form of vitrified residue, to Germany. This marks the completion of an international commitment between the UK and Germany, and a significant milestone in the UK’s nuclear clean-up mission.
Summer jobseekers urged to use the HMRC app to demystify tax and money matters. 40% of young people wish they had learnt the basics about tax when they were younger.
O2 has warned customers to be wary of a new scam text message which appears to have been sent by them and says your SIM card will be deactivated unless you take urgent action. The message asks you to click a link to sign in to your O2 account and accept updated terms and conditions, supposedly to keep your SIM card active.
Graduates earn on average around £100,000 more over their lifetime than non-graduate counterparts, but returns vary by degree subject. Students’ choice of degree subject has a hugely significant impact on their lifetime earnings, according to new research from the IFS.
More than £50m of additional public investment was attracted to the Highlands and Islands last year by the region’s development agency. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) almost doubled its £53m opening budget from the start of financial year 2025/26, delivering an annual spend of £105m to create hundreds of jobs and grow the regional economy.
If you are 16 to 19 years old, at school or college, and come from a low-income household you may be able to get financial help from an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). EMA is a weekly allowance of £30 per week, paid during term time.
Scotland's wildlife will be protected from an inhumane and indiscriminate pest control method when a comprehensive ban on glue traps comes into force next month Glue traps do not distinguish between target and non-target animals, and any creature that crosses their path can become trapped, meaning other species such as songbirds can suffer prolonged unintended distress or death. From 1 July 2026, under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024, it will be a criminal offence to use, supply or possess a glue trap.
Tax cut on meals and days out come into force. Every family across the UK will pay less tax on meals and days out as new VAT cut helps families enjoy trips to the seaside and making memories with loved ones.
Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.1% in the three months to April 2026, compared with GDP remaining flat (0.0% growth) in the three months to January 2026, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. In the three months to April, the sectors with the largest positive contribution to three month GDP were Retail, Wholesale & Motor Trades and Health & Social Work, which contributed around 0.1 percentage points of growth respectively towards the overall three month growth of 0.1%.