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Wick High Brings In New Policy Banning Mobile Phone from 19 August 2025
Our updated policy on mobile phones has been finalised after a period of consultation with our parents/carers, pupils and staff. This policy will begin with the start of the new academic year, on Tuesday 19th August, and will essentially mean that mobile devices will be prohibited in the school building and grounds during the school day.Today
Scotland's unpaid carers over £4,400 better off
Carers urged to check for financial support during Carers Week. This Carers Week (9 - 15 June), unpaid carers across Scotland are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible for social security support - through Carer Support Payment, Carer's Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant.Today
Chancellor invests in Britain's renewal with up to 4 million additional NHS tests and procedures over the next five years
Families across the country will benefit from this investment in the NHS, delivering up to 4 million additional NHS tests and procedures over the next five years. The £6 billion investment will deliver new scanners, more community diagnostic centre capacity, ambulances, and Urgent Treatment Centres to support emergency care teams, with increased capacity in community care to reduce pressure on hospitals and provide more convenient care for patients.Today
Director of mobile phone shops given suspended sentence for £150,000 Covid loan fraud
Zahid Afzal, of Pembrokeshire, fraudulently claimed extra Covid Bounce Back loans for his phone sales and merchandise companies. Zahid Afzal claimed £150,000 in Covid loans - most of which he moved to personal accounts.Today
If you think there's a pile of bank notes in the bank with your name on them - There aren't
People still like to talk about having 'money in the bank'. But they haven't.
Today
Vaccine to prevent gonorrhoea
Thousands of cases of the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea could be prevented through a new vaccine programme. The Scottish Government is funding the programme, which will begin in August, to address increasing health inequalities and growing resistance to antibiotics treatment.Today
Sickle cell patients to get better treatment after £9m boost
Patients living with rare blood disorders to benefit from increased access to treatment and availability of services, thanks to £9 million investment. Patients with sickle cell disease are set to benefit from quicker and more accessible treatment thanks to major upgrades to life saving technology.Today
Aberdeenshire Businessman Scammed Out of Five-Figure Sum
An Aberdeenshire businessman has lost a five-figure sum to scammers in what is known as a ‘payment diversion fraud.' Criminals hacked the victims accounts and then sent him false invoices for payment, pretending to be his accountant. When the victim queried one of the invoices with a genuine supplier he realised he had been scammed.
Today
Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to the IAEA Board, June 2025
UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell's statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine. The United Kingdom reiterates our support for the IAEA's work to support nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine.
Today
Charging into the future: government set to deliver over 100,000 more EV chargepoints
Local authorities across England are set to enter into contracts with chargepoint operators, making it easier for everyone to switch to EVs. drivers without a driveway will be able to charge their electric vehicles more easily as government aims to roll out over 100,000 new local chargepoints in England - ideal for local overnight charging.Today
Largest amphibious exercise on Braunton Burrows since WW2
Exercise Catamaran brought together more than 3,000 personnel from several NATO allies to carry out training on the North Devon coast. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has enabled a major multi-national training exercise alongside NATO allies on Braunton Burrows Training Area, demonstrating its crucial role in supporting military capability.
Today
Expanding access to childcare
More than £1.5 million targeted funding over two years. Families most at risk of living in poverty are benefitting from expanded childcare offers through projects backed by the Scottish Government's Access to Childcare Funding.Today
UK Trade Commissioner visits Guatemala to boost economic ties
Jonathan Knott, the UK's Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, will visit Guatemala on June 16-17 to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries. This visit comes at a key moment, as Guatemala has become the UK's most dynamic commercial partner in Central America.
Today
Nuclear safeguards: AUKUS statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025
Statement by Australia, the UK and the US to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on IAEA safeguards and AUKUS. I take the floor on behalf of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to respond to continued false claims that purposefully mischaracterize AUKUS partners' intentions and attempt to undermine the independence, integrity, and authority of the IAEA.Yesterday
Spending Review 2025 speech as delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
My driving purpose since I became Chancellor is to make working people, in all parts of our country, better off. To rebuild our schools and our hospitals ...to invest in our economy so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed, …culminating in a £22bn black hole in the public finances.Yesterday
Chancellor pledges at least £445 million of rail investment as part of biggest ever Welsh funding boost
Major transport upgrade to drive growth and unlock economic potential across Wales, as UK Government delivers on Plan for Change. Investment is part of comprehensive spending package to invest in UK's renewal, creating thousands of jobs in clean energy, manufacturing and defence. The Welsh Government will receive the largest real terms settlement since devolution began in 1999, with an average settlement of £22.4 billion per year, enabling the Welsh Government to deliver for working people in Wales.Yesterday
New business venture benefits from HOIL support - Remotely Operated Vehicles - The Future Of Underwater Operations?
Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited, HOIL has recently provided Sgùrr Access and Marine Services Limited with loan assistance towards their start-up costs for a new business venture based in Kyle of Lochalsh. HOIL, The Highland Council's business loan company offers loan support to Highland based businesses and community organisations, who can benefit from straightforward loan conditions and a tailored offer to support their project.
Yesterday
Chancellor announces record investment to rebuild National Health Service
The Chancellor has today (Wednesday 11 June 2025) announced a record £29 billion investment to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future. Rachel Reeves announces record £29 billion funding boost to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future.Yesterday
US, China reach deal to keep trade truce alive | REUTERS
After two days of negotiations in London, US and China have agreed to a broad framework agreement to put their trade truce back on track and resolve China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets..
Yesterday
