Two-thirds of workers choose their jobs because of the flexibility they offer, according to new polling, as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) warns that poorly designed Guaranteed Hours reforms could put those opportunities at risk, and that the government must not regulate flexible jobs out of existence. YouGov polling commissioned by the BRC found that 67% of part-time workers took their role because they needed flexibility around commitments such as study, childcare, caring responsibilities or other aspects of everyday life.
There is an old saying that when times become uncertain, families tighten their belts. One of the first things to come under scrutiny is often the annual holiday.
Total Scottish greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture were 7.5 MtCO2e in 2024, the second-lowest level since current records began in 1990. Emissions fell by 0.4% from 2023 as a 15.3% increase in fuel combustion emissions was offset by reductions across all other agricultural emission sources.
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland, 2024-25. The police recorded 64,967 incidents of domestic abuse in 2024-25, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year.
For many people rumours of a one percent reduction in capital funding across all government departments by the UK government to help increase funding for defence spending may seem a long way away but it might impact on the proposed new Thurso School Complex. It potentially could impact as it might ripple across many projects adding delays and time constraints and therefor push up prices.
£2 Bus Fare Scheme Drives Accessible and Sustainable Travel Across the Highlands With the school holidays approaching, The Highland Council is encouraging residents and visitors to make the most of the £2 single fare cap on its in-house bus services. The initiative is helping to make public transport more accessible and affordable, particularly for families looking for low-cost ways to travel during the summer months.
A new partnership between government, industry and trade unions to better support young people entering the job market. More support to get young people into their first jobs through launch of new partnership to reshape entry-level jobs in sectors exposed to AI.
Scotland’s relationship with the United States of America will be celebrated through a new tartan to celebrate 250 years of American independence. A new design by Kaci McEwan, a student from Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design, has been selected as a symbol of the historic and cultural ties between Scotland and the United States.
More than 100,000 faster broadband connections have now been delivered to homes and businesses across Scotland through the £600 million R100 programme. The milestone marks significant progress in bringing faster, more reliable broadband to communities across Scotland, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The closure and militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz in 2026 has forced Middle Eastern producers into a frantic search for alternative export routes. With around 20% of the world’s oil normally passing through this narrow waterway, the region has been pushed into the most serious energy logistics crisis in decades.
The renewed exchange of fire between Israel and Iran has once again pushed global oil markets into a state of heightened anxiety. Each time the conflict flares, traders immediately price in the risk of disruption to Middle Eastern supply routes especially the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes every day.
The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers, China and India. The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers China and India Her agenda has focused on issues crucial for the UK national interest, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and artificial intelligence.
For centuries, naval power has been measured by the size of a nation's fleet. The British Empire ruled the waves through its battleships and the United States has dominated the oceans for decades through its aircraft carrier strike groups.
UK interest rates are far too high, and the Bank of England is making a serious mistake by keeping them that way. Mortgage holders are paying more, renters are facing rising housing costs, businesses are struggling to invest, and public services are under increasing pressure.
New property tax rates from 6 April 2027 for landlords who own rental property personally. The Renters' Rights Act - impacting multiple areas such as evictions and rent increases.
Fertiliser prices are rising again and there is a genuine shortage risk for 2026, especially for UK farmers including Scotland according to multiple industry and economic sources. The pressure is coming from Middle East conflict, tariffs, logistics bottlenecks, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a huge share of global fertiliser shipments.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion and next steps in negotiations to support a just and lasting peace.
Highland Council's education committee members have praised the apprenticeship programmes offering more young people the chance to learn skills and equip them for the world of work. Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) and Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) in Highland are growing strongly, with participation now well above national averages.
If you want to understand the future of the Thurso schools project, you don’t need to look at Edinburgh’s spreadsheets or Holyrood’s deficit forecasts. You only need to walk down Wick High Street.
Time to get real as it is always great to see headlines for a £100million in a schools project in Thurso but we have already got proof that headlines do not build anything. The NHS Highland Health Hubs for Thurso and Wick project is one very real project announced many years ago and still not delivered still at yet another stage so what hope for Thurso schools.