An annual review of cross-border transactions on the UK's balance of payments, including the current account, financial account, and the international investment stock position. The UK's current account deficit moved to £63.2 billion, or 2.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, narrowing both in cash terms and as a proportion of GDP; from a revised deficit of £98.3 billion (3.6% of GDP) in 2023.
Fiscal pressures from State Pension spending have intensified. The previous Government proposed that the State Pension age should rise such that people spend "up to one-third" of adult life in receipt of the State Pension.
The Pink Book 2025 - the official annual review of cross-border transactions – has revealed that, although the UK's trade balance narrowed, our trade in goods deficit widened to £210.7bn last year. Turning to 2025, Q1 and Q2 exports to the UK’s two key markets – the US and EU – also present a mixed picture, says the international delivery expert Parcelhero.
A special meeting of Highland Council has been called for 6 November 2025. The council has almost no powers in this situation as you can read and there was little or no consultation by UK authorities.
The Chancellor should take decisive steps in her Budget to put the public finances in order and aim to double her level of headroom, while focusing on reducing prices, poverty and protecting payslips, the Resolution Foundation said on Tuesday. The Foundation's Autumn Budget 2025 preview notes that the widely anticipated downgrade to the UK's ‘trend' productivity growth - effectively our economic ‘speed limit' - is likely to be large at nearly 0.3 percentage points.
# 05 November 2025 The Highland Council Strategic Housing Investment Plan priorities ‘The Highland Council's plan to accelerate Affordable Housing Programme with increased Investment and strategic planning that aligns with the priorities set out in the Highland Housing Challenge'. At today’s meeting of the Housing and Property Committee (Wednesday 5 November 2025), Members welcomed an increase in Scottish Government funding for affordable housing.
The Housing and Property Committee met today (Wednesday 5 Nov 2025) and agreed a new Domestic Abuse Housing Policy that clearly sets out its approach to assisting victim-survivors of domestic abuse. The Policy strengthens the Council's role in preventing homelessness caused by domestic abuse, while ensuring a person-centred and safety focused response.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November 4th) sold 309 adult head of breeding cattle. Cow with calf at foot (22) sold to £4,700 gross for an Aberdeen Angus cross cow with an Aberdeen Angus cross calf from 4 Monks Walk, Fearn.
Millions of trees to help get Britain growing through billion-pound investment in green jobs and nature restoration, creating thousands of jobs. Second new national forest will be in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.
More than 60 major and many small employers are joining forces with government to tackle the rising tide of ill-health that is pushing people out of work and holding back growth. Employers join forces with government to tackle ill-health and keep Britain working Employers and mayoral authorities back plans to support employees to keep people healthy and in work.
ScotRail has today (Wednesday, 5 November 2025) issued a contract notice on the Procurement Contracts Scotland (PCS) website for the launch of a new suburban train fleet. Potential suppliers are being invited to tender for this opportunity which will see the trains enter service in the early 2030s.
New report exposes major AI skills gap holding UK businesses back - but 3 new tools launched will help unlock up to £400bn growth potential by 2030. Skills England unveils new AI Skills Framework, Adoption Pathway and Employer Checklist to support wider and more responsible AI use.
Euro-Atlantic security will be significantly strengthened in the High North and Baltic Sea as the UK and allies from across the region ramp up their military cooperation and agree an enhanced partnership with Ukraine. Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) defence ministers meet with Ukrainian counterpart as they launch new enhanced Ukraine-JEF partnership.
Thomas Piketty called it the most important formula in economics: it's R is greater than G , which means that the rate of return on capital (R) is greater than the rate of growth in the economy (G). That simple equation explains why the wealthy always get richer, why inequality keeps growing, and why governments pretend it's inevitable when it isn't.
The Highland Council is encouraging community groups and organisations to apply for a share of £500,000 that has been made available through a new Highland Reuse & Repair Fund. Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "I am very pleased to be able to announce the opening of this new fund.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her scene setter speech on Tuesday 4 November 2025. Later this month, I will deliver my second Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Responding to the Employment Rights Bill returning to the House of Commons on Wednesday for the next stage of parliamentary consideration. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said, "While we fully support the goal of the Employment Rights Bill to crack down on unscrupulous employers who do not treat their employees fairly, it must not penalise responsible businesses.
A connected company entered liquidation earlier this year. Customers of Trident West Industries Ltd and Star Solar Ltd were promised government grant refunds to cover the cost of solar equipment and maintenance.
The Good News. Health Secretary Neil Gray underlined the Scottish Government's commitment to shift the balance of care to community settings, as new data shows an increase in the number of times people have accessed care at their GP surgery.
British food and drink sector sees nearly £100m in export opportunities unlocked as agri-food attaches resolve more than 40 trade barriers so far in 2025. British food producers can now benefit from export opportunities estimated by industry to be worth nearly £100 million, following intensive work by its network of agri-food attaches this year.
