Ten years after the referendum that took Britain out of the European Union, the relationship between the two sides of the Channel is beginning to change again. The British Government is now openly discussing closer economic and political cooperation with Europe.
From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about. But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.
The future of the North Sea energy industry is once again attracting considerable attention. With the UK Government facing difficult decisions about oil and gas production, energy security, investment and the transition towards renewable energy.
Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances. The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.
The Budget Is Over, But Are Britain's Financial Problems Really Solved? The Big Decisions Still Awaiting the Government The Chancellor has delivered the Budget, set out his tax and spending plans and attempted to reassure financial markets that Britain is getting its public finances under control. But the Budget has not settled some of the most difficult questions facing the Government.
The closure of Scotland's only oil refinery and another major plant in England has left Britain with just four operational refineries. As attacks on energy infrastructure disrupt international supplies, Europe is reconsidering the importance of domestic refining.
Households are already struggling with high energy costs, but the next three months could bring another substantial increase. European gas prices have climbed to levels not seen since the 2022 energy crisis, and the consequences are likely to appear in household bills just as winter reaches its coldest period.
The first household energy bills reflecting the price cap increase introduced on 1 October are now arriving, and many families will be looking at the figures with growing concern. Unfortunately, there may be worse to come.
Plans to make public procurement for lower-value contracts quicker, simpler and more proportionate have been announced. Subject to Parliament’s approval, the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 threshold for goods and services will be increased from £50,000 to £100,000 and the works threshold will increase from £2 million to £4 million.
There was a time when governments, councils and public bodies made decisions, explained their reasoning and got on with the job. Today, it can sometimes seem that hardly anything happens without first launching a public consultation.
People across Scotland are being invited to have their say on proposals to make recycling easier and more consistent. The Scottish Government consultation seeks views on a new household recycling code of practice, which also aims to increase recycling rates and help reduce carbon emissions.
UK and Ukrainian defence companies have come together at Larkhill Garrison on Salisbury Plain to showcase the latest innovations in battle-proven drone technology. 12 Ukrainian drone manufacturers showcased combat-ready uncrewed systems to UK industry, investors and military officials.
Local communities across the UK are benefiting from Civil Service jobs coming closer to home, with four in five civil servants based outside London. Over two thirds (c 67%) of all new full-time Civil Service positions in key regional locations.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept interest rates unchanged, but the decision offers little reassurance that borrowing costs have peaked. Rising oil and gas prices, driven by the continuing conflict in the Middle East, are increasing the risk of another wave of inflation across Europe.
A growing off-grid solar industry could provide electricity to almost 400 million people by 2030, while creating jobs, supporting small businesses and helping some of the world's poorest communities gain access to reliable energy. That is the central finding of a new report published on 27 October 2026 by the World Bank Group and GOGLA, the global association representing the off-grid solar industry.
A seemingly genuine job offer, an invitation to attend an online interview and a request to complete a technical test might sound like an ordinary part of modern recruitment. But increasingly, cybercriminals are turning this familiar process into a way of breaking into computers, stealing information and gaining access to business networks.
The Chancellor has announced help with immediate pressures, but important decisions on welfare, public spending, housing support and the future tax burden remain unresolved. Is the government buying time to develop a long-term plan, or postponing choices that will become harder to make? The Chancellor's Budget on 28 October contained a long list of measures intended to help households and businesses cope with rising costs.
Disruption to Russian and Ukrainian grain exports is adding to rising food, fuel and fertiliser costs. Britain may face another squeeze on household budgets, but the consequences for poorer countries could be far more severe.
New legislation gives trade unions greater access to workplaces, strengthens protection for workers taking strike action and makes it easier for unions to secure recognition from employers. The changes apply across Scotland, England and Wales.
The Resolution Foundation has examined the Budget in considerable detail, looking beyond the Chancellor's announcements to assess who really benefits, who loses and what problems remain unresolved. Its 48-page report makes uncomfortable reading for a Government hoping to convince voters that household finances are improving.