The worldwide race to develop artificial intelligence is creating an unexpected problem for ordinary consumers. The cost of computer memory chips is rising sharply, putting pressure on the prices of laptops, smartphones, storage devices and other technology products.
Storm Boelo will impact Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend. Warnings have also been updated for Storm Austen which impacts the south of England and Wales on Thursday night and Friday.
From banking and insurance to retail and professional services, artificial intelligence is changing the way large employers operate. The question is whether new jobs will replace those that disappear.
Wick Harbour Authority (WHA) is to appoint a new strategy manager after securing up to £52,500 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help fund the post. The post holder will help WHA deliver its emerging harbour masterplan and outline business case, strengthen capacity and develop new business opportunities.
As the Chancellor prepares the Budget, the question for Caithness is whether the measures announced in Westminster will make it easier for local businesses to invest, employ people and build a stronger economy. Businesses across Caithness will be looking for more than promises about economic growth.
Website owners are being urged to check their security as warnings over serious PHP software vulnerabilities raise questions about how many sites remain exposed to attack. The recent PHP security scare has prompted some organisations to take websites offline or restrict access while they investigate the risks.
Rising inflation and fears of higher interest rates are creating fresh uncertainty for homeowners, businesses and the wider UK economy. Oil prices edging towards $114 (Brent Crude) a barrel and the latest increase in UK inflation have raised an uncomfortable question.
As artificial intelligence threatens to transform millions of jobs, should the government consider reducing the working week and sharing the benefits of higher productivity with employees?. Artificial intelligence is creating a difficult question for governments, employers and workers.
The Highland Council has received reports from customers who have been sent emails containing links to claim an alleged Council Tax refund. The emails appear to be from a sender describing themselves as the "Council Revenue Authority" team.
Inflation hitting its highest rate in almost a year and a £6 billion borrowing overshoot highlight the double dilemma facing the Chancellor in his Budget next week as he tries to ease cost of living pressures while getting government borrowing down, the Resolution Foundation said. CPI inflation rose to 3.5 per cent in September, 0.1 percentage points more than the market expected, driven by rising fuel prices.
The average shortfall between Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates and the 30th percentile rent level has now reached an all-time high of 23.3 per cent – equivalent to a £170 a month ‘affordability gap’ for a typical family in a two-bedroom home – just a week before John Healey’s first Budget, the Resolution Foundation said this week. Rates of LHA, which determine the maximum amount of benefit support that private renting families can receive, were last adjusted in April 2024 – when they were pegged to 2023 rent levels.
The UK Government is planning tougher laws to protect the undersea cables and pipelines that keep Britain connected to the world, with offenders potentially facing prison sentences of up to 14 years and unlimited fines. Announced on 22 October, the proposals aim to bring outdated legislation into line with modern security threats, including suspected hostile activity around critical infrastructure in UK waters.
Oil prices hovering around $114 a barrel are raising fresh concerns about the cost of diesel, with motorists and businesses facing the prospect of further increases in the days ahead. The rise in crude oil prices reflects renewed worries about global supplies, including disruption to production and continuing geopolitical tensions.
Britain is taking another step towards rebuilding its domestic defence industry, with the return of tank and artillery barrel production to the UK providing skilled jobs and reducing reliance on overseas suppliers. A new gun hall operated by Rheinmetall UK in Telford has begun production, creating around 100 skilled jobs.
More Scottish households are expected to receive help with electricity bills automatically, but people using heating oil should understand what the discount does and does not cover. The UK Government has confirmed that eligible households will receive a £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, with changes intended to bring many more people into the scheme.
The share of workers in low pay failed to fall the first time in 15 years, and in fact rose slightly on last year, the Resolution Foundation said (Thursday) in response to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). ASHE is a large ONS survey of businesses and provides valuable detail on earnings and hours worked among UK employees.
Britain is finally creating an energy wealth fund from its North Sea oil and gas revenues. The announcement comes with an initial £2 billion investment, with the aim of using the country's remaining energy wealth to support renewable energy and low-carbon industries.
With borrowing costs rising and the public finances under pressure, tax cuts may have to wait. But will the Government make the difficult decisions now, or leave some of them until later? The Chancellor faces a difficult balancing act ahead of the Budget on 28 October.
The UK Government is planning changes to the rules used to assess public investment projects, with the aim of giving communities that have missed out on funding a better chance of securing support. Announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham on 22 October, the proposed reforms will change how the Government uses its Green Book, the official framework for assessing the costs and benefits of public spending.
We are currently performing important routine security updates on our website server to maintain the highest level of safety and protection for our platform and users. While this work is underway, all website forms—including file and image upload features (such as property submissions)—have been temporarily disabled.