News Archive
8/3/2025
Breaking glass ceilings: read Jessikah, Sabrina, Clare and the Chancellor of the Exchequer's stories
On International Women's Day, we're celebrating the female trailblazers who paved the way for future generations. After translating countless legal textbooks into braille at university, Jessikah Inaba passed the Bar aged just 23 to become the UK's first blind, black barrister.
8/3/2025
The UK deepens cooperation with France on people smuggling
The UK and France sign a roadmap to deepen cooperation on people smuggling. The UK and France have further deepened their small boats cooperation with the signing of the Upstream Working Group Roadmap yesterday (6 March) at the Ministry of Interior.
7/3/2025
Highland Council Agrees 7% Rise in Council Tax - One Of Lowest In Scotland
Highland council agreed a 7% increase in Council Tax, one of the lowest increases in Scotland, with 2% of this allocated to create capital investment fund for schools and roads as part of the Highland Investment Plan. Members agreed a budget which will see over £4.5 million of revenue investments for 2025 - 2026, over £17 million additional reserves investment for major developments and the creation of over 100 jobs across the Highlands.7/3/2025
Military Satellite SKYNET 6A passes initial phase of testing
The SKYNET 6 programme is working closely with industry to exploit technological advancements to deliver the next generation of military communication satellites. SKYNET is the UK Ministry of Defence's satellite communication (SATCOM) capability.
7/3/2025
UKAEA and Eni partner to develop tritium fuel cycle facility
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the UK's national organisation responsible for the research and delivery of sustainable fusion energy, and Eni, have entered into a collaboration agreement to jointly conduct research and development activities in the field of fusion energy. The collaboration primary starts with the construction of the world's largest and most advanced tritium fuel cycle facility, a vital fuel for future fusion power stations.
7/3/2025
New UK-made space system to help protect military satellites
Innovative UK-made tech will help the military monitor space following a new £65 million deal agreed today, in British Science Week. The Borealis command, control and data processing system will help the UK military the UK Space Agency to better monitor and protect satellites, through new software which compiles and processes data from multiple sources, more quickly, to monitor space.
7/3/2025
Alistair Dodds Chair of HIE to retire in July
The chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced plans to retire from the role in July. Alistair Dodds CBE has served on the HIE board for 11 years.
7/3/2025
Putin is not Hitler. His actions in Ukraine are horrific enough to need no exaggeration
A thought proving article by Simon Jenkins in the Guardian on 4 March 2025 should make us all think more carefully about what we are being told by the UK government. Keir Starmer has said we face the greatest threat to our national security since the cold war.7/3/2025
Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry RUSI Speech
Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry The Rt Hon Maria Eagle MPRUSI/IFRI Speech "Enhancing UK-France Defence Industrial cooperation". I'm sure I speak for us all in thanking RUSI and IFRI for bringing us together at this pivotal moment for European security.
7/3/2025
Can European Economy Catch up and Overtake US Economy?
The US has outperformed the EU in recent years, but can Europe turn this around? A look at the strength and weakness of the EU economy and what can be done differently..
6/3/2025
India expands UK footprint as £41 billion partnership boosts countries' growth
Britain and India bolster trade ties during Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar's visit to UK. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar visits UK to boost £41 billion trading relationship.6/3/2025
Decision Day For Highland Council Tax
The Highland council will meet today to finalise the level of council tax. There little doubt that the well trailed level will be ratified.6/3/2025
Trading Standards - Landscaping Scams
There's been a recent increase in rogue traders posting leaflets through doors offering to carry out paving work, cleaning, turfing or other landscaping work. Several consumers who contacted companies listed on the leaflets reported that the work they requested was done to a poor standard and that their garden was left in a mess.
6/3/2025
Changes to sick pay will help people stay in work and grow economy
More than one million working people across the UK will see a rise in living standards thanks to improvements to Statutory Sick Pay, ministers have announced. Landmark changes are all part of the government's number one priority in the Plan for Change to grow the economy and put more money into working people’s pockets.
6/3/2025
Trading Standards - Housing Repair Scams
There has been a recent increase in phone and doorstep scams related to housing repairs. A cold caller says they work for the local council or a housing maintenance department and asks if there are any outstanding repairs to be carried out on the resident's property.
6/3/2025
Trading Standards - Amazon Refund Scams
There have been reports of scam text messages saying that there has been a 'significant price reduction' on an item you recently ordered from Amazon. The message doesn't specify which item has been discounted, but asks you to click on a link to obtain a refund.
6/3/2025
New resources to help access reliable immigration advice
Digital posters and leaflets, available in multiple languages, for regulated organisations, ambassadors, and charities to easily download, share, and distribute. The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) has launched a range of new promotional materials aimed at helping people understand the importance of seeking regulated immigration advice, the risks of unregulated advice, and how to report poor or illegal advice.6/3/2025
Trading Standards - Remote Access Scams - Software Updates
There have been recent reports of cold callers who say they work for an IT company. They say there have been issues with automatic updates to Microsoft software and ask you to allow them to access your computer remotely so they can 'run a check'.
6/3/2025
UK to extend electronic travel to European visitors
Europeans can now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK and will need one from 2 April 2025. The UK government is taking the last major step in the rollout of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the millions of visitors who pass through the UK border every year.6/3/2025
