At its meeting ending on 4 November 2026, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 8–1 to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4%. One member voted to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 4.25%.
There is something rather puzzling happening in the international oil market. Despite growing evidence that the world is producing more oil than it consumes, prices have been rising again, with Brent crude briefly moving above $100 a barrel on Friday, 6 November.
Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27. This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.
Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026. The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.
D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership. The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.
Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme. Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.
Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region. Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.
Workers rather than mortgagors have the most to fear from the Bank’s announcements today (Thursday), with higher inflation forecast in its latest economic outlook dealing a £670 blow to the average private-sector salary next year, says the Foundation. With markets having already priced in today’s decision to raise interest rates, the 90 per cent of mortgagors who are on fixed rather than variable rate mortgages are unlikely to be affected by today’s news.
A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road. Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.
A landmark transport policy designed to make travel cheaper is threatening to push Scotland’s nationalised railway into a financial crisis. The Scottish Government’s £2 bus fare cap has "punched a significant hole" into ScotRail's balance sheets, threatening millions of pounds in losses.
People in NHS Highland can now access rapid physiotherapy support for bone, muscle and joint conditions, commonly known as musculoskeletal (MSK), through Phio, a clinically supported digital assessment and self-management service. Phio works alongside our First Contact Physiotherapy service and offers immediate access to expert advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
‘Dissatisfaction drain’ as job satisfaction falls to record low and workers become less willing to go the extra mile, new British Social Attitudes research shows. People’s job satisfaction has dropped to the lowest ever level recorded by the British Social Attitudes survey.
A scheme helping low-income households avoid homelessness will receive an additional £2 million this year. The Discretionary Housing Payment scheme provides direct financial support to low-income households struggling with housing costs and helps people to retain their tenancy in the rented sector.
Scotland’s business community will continue to benefit from the expertise and support of Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart as she continues in her role until September 2027. Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn confirmed the extension of her contract at a Scottish Government-supported event celebrating the inaugural Sunday Times Scotland Fast 50.
The American stock market suffered one of its most dramatic falls in recent years on Thursday, 5 November, with approximately $3 trillion wiped from the combined market value of companies in the S&P 500. Technology shares bore the brunt of the selling, raising fresh questions about whether the enormous investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres can deliver the profits investors have been expecting.
The war between Russia and Ukraine is increasingly becoming a battle over energy infrastructure, with both countries stepping up attacks on facilities that keep their economies and military operations running. The latest developments are particularly concerning as Europe approaches another winter.
A new defence agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan could have important consequences for the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond. The agreement, known as the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, brings together three countries with significant military capabilities, regional influence and different strategic interests.
The Government has announced the increases to State Pensions and most benefits that will come into effect from April 2027. For pensioners, the headline news is a 3.9% increase in the State Pension, while most other benefits will rise by 3.5%, reflecting inflation.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has been presented as one of the biggest economic opportunities of the coming decade. Governments want to attract technology companies, investors are committing billions of pounds and countries are competing to become centres of the new AI industry.
Andy Burnham’s announcement of the creation of a “National Centre for Information Defence” at the UN last month highlighted Russia’s well-funded campaign of information manipulation and its methods. But a mere defensive approach will not be enough, argues Oliver Gill.