Britain’s public services are in a state that no one can ignore, yet the political system seems unable to confront the scale of the challenge. That is the central argument of the Resolution Foundation’s latest report, which sets out a stark but measured assessment of where the country stands in 2026.
Amazon is set for a bumper $27.6bn Prime Day in the US and £2.4bn in the UK alone, forecasts the home delivery expert Parcelhero. However, Amazon is now facing increasing competition from the likes of Joybuy and Temu.
The latest ONS trade figures for March 2026 reveal a UK economy grappling with rising import costs, uneven export performance and a shifting global environment. For businesses, the message is not one of crisis, but of tightening margins, volatile markets and a trade position that is becoming harder to stabilise.
The latest Index of Production from the Office for National Statistics offers another reminder that the UK’s industrial foundations remain uneven, fragile and deeply exposed to global pressures. On the surface, the first quarter of 2026 looks mildly positive, with production output rising by 0.2% and manufacturing showing a more convincing 0.8% increase.
British soldiers will be equipped with modern guns capable of firing eight rounds per minute at targets up to 70km away – delivering the long-term close support artillery solution for the British Army, a landmark moment in UK defence modernisation. Procurement of 72 Remote Controlled Howitzers (RCH 155) for the British Army will deliver a step change in artillery capability.
The Highland Council will meet on Thursday, 14 May and on the agenda for discussion is a report on the Highland Housing Challenge. The Highland Housing Challenge was declared in June 2024, with a target of 24,000 new homes by 2034.
The latest GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics paint a picture of a UK economy that is moving — slowly, unevenly, and with more fragility than confidence. March 2026 delivered a modest 0.3% rise in GDP, with a 0.6% increase over the three‑month period.
Political drama in London might feel distant from Wick or Thurso, but it has a direct line into your mortgage payments. Every bout of instability in Westminster such as leadership speculation, fiscal uncertainty, election noise sends a ripple through financial markets.
A new practical website, Sustainable Screen, has launched to help screen professionals reduce their environmental impact and embed greener practices across productions. Scotland is already over halfway to its target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045, placing it ahead of the wider UK.
The following is a summary of an article by Simon Pittaway published on the Resolution Foundation substack. He digs into the data to figure out why mortgage rates are rising, even as the Bank of England holds off on rate rises.
Thirty women from across the region are starting out on a new leadership programme launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The women, who come from a wide range of sectors, age groups and communities, are taking part in the 16-week HIE Impact Women programme.
E.ON has agreed to buy OVO Energy, creating what will become Britain’s largest household energy supplier, with around 9.6–10 million customers once the deal completes. The deal was announced on 11 May 2026.
The Scottish parliamentary elections of May 2026 returned the SNP as the largest party, with 58 seats, supported by a record 15 Greens. Together they form a pro‑independence bloc, though still short of an outright majority.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (May 12th) sold 229 adult head of breeding cattle at their special sale. The bull show was kindly sponsored by Sellars Agri, Invergordon and judged by Mr Blair Duffton, Huntly.
A pumped storage hydro project proposed near Loch Ness has committed to allocating 5 per cent of its annual gross margin to a Community Wealth Fund estimated to deliver over £20 million a year. Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) has become the second company to sign the Highland Social Value Charter, marking a significant milestone in delivering long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the Highlands.
For most of the past century, the global oil system was built on one assumption. Crude oil would always be plentiful, refineries would always be running, and tankers would always be able to move freely.
His Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament. My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
The King’s Speech – the second under this government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain. King’s Speech will strengthen public services, reform the state and reverse decline.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said, “April’s sales fall was largely driven by the Easter shift, with food hit hardest. But weak consumer confidence also played a role as fears about the Middle East conflict driving up living costs led shoppers to rein in.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (May 12th) sold 71 Pedigree and commercial Luing cattle at their annual spring breeding sale. Pedigree Bulling Heifers (63) averaged £3,396.67 and sold to 6,200gns (£6,510) for lots 25 & 26 from A l & A C McCall, Culmaily Farm, Golspie selling to Messrs Jardine, Fairgirth Farm, Dalbeattie.