News Archive

2/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
New coffee roastery launches in Caithness with £35k HIE investment

A new coffee roasting business established in Caithness has secured up to £35,165 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   58 North Coffee Roastery was formed earlier this year by entrepreneurs Daniel Doerr and Simon Dix, who identified an opportunity following their relocation to the area.  

2/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Asia Pacific interest in the Highlands and Islands at all time high

There's no doubt that investment from companies owned outside of Scotland is increasingly important in growing the economy of the Highlands and Islands.   Interest in the region is diverse and across many sectors.  

2/2/2026

SQA has officially been replaced by a new body called Qualifications Scotland

SQA has officially been replaced by a new body called Qualifications Scotland.  As of today, Qualifications Scotland has become fully operational with statutory authority.  

2/2/2026

 
Farewell to the Penny - Scotland's Changing Relationship with Small Change

For 232 years, the one pence coin was a fixture of British life.  Introduced in 1797 under King George III, it became the nation's longest‑circulating coin.  

2/2/2026

Check Local Fuel Prices But Be Patient As The New Web Site Is Still Populating Data

As of February 2, 2026, the new UK Government Fuel Finder scheme is live, requiring petrol stations to report price changes within 30 minutes.   The data is available through third-party apps, websites, and in-car navigation systems rather than a single government-branded app.  

2/2/2026

Latest UK PAC reports on NHS performance and government health figures and Scotland very similar

The NHS and Department of Health and Social Care have failed to take meaningful action on persistent medical negligence problems, despite repeated warnings over decades.   Total government liability for clinical negligence has soared to around £58-60 billion, the second-largest liability across the whole UK government.  

2/2/2026

 
Gold and Silver Prices Drop in Volatile Markets

Gold and silver prices fell sharply this week after hitting record highs.  Both metals experienced one of their biggest drops in decades, with notable selling pressure late January.  

2/2/2026

Gold Down, Silver Down, Oil Down, Stock Market Down

Gold and silver in freefall sparking stock market declines.   Shock unravelling of gold and silver prices has continued.  

2/2/2026

The Epstein and Mandelson Emails - A Look At Previous Political Scandals

The leaked correspondence between Peter Mandelson, a former Labour Cabinet minister and EU Commissioner, and Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and financier, revealed ethically troubling exchanges.   The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer believes Peter Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords.  

2/2/2026

 
Technology risk trends - Your key priorities for 2026

Your key priorities for 2026 report from Grant Thornton UK highlighting the main technology and risk priorities organisations should focus on this year.   The following is short summary of the report with a link to the full report at the bottom of this page.  

2/2/2026

 
The Student Loan System is Now Completely Broken

Young people should think carefully — but not necessarily be put off.   UK student loans are very different from normal debt, and whether they're a problem depends a lot on future earnings, not on the headline amount borrowed.  

2/2/2026

 
How the centre of government can design better growth policy

The government needs to sharpen up its strategy for raising the rate of growth, led by a stronger more economically capable No.10.   This report, in partnership with Imperial College London, sets out the underlying problems with the way Labour like many previous governments approaches growth policy, and how the centre can be reformed to better equip it to take tough choices on growth.  

2/2/2026

 
What the Slide in the U.S. Dollar Means for American Consumers

Less than 3 minutes video to explains what happened to the dollar.   WSJ's David Uberti explains why the U.S.  

1/2/2026

Britain's Fraud Epidemic - Why the New Report Fraud Service Is a Wake-Up Call

Fraud is no longer a peripheral crime in the United Kingdom.  It is the crime.  

1/2/2026

 
Latest Russian Railways Financial & Operational Challenges As It Drowns In Debt

Russian Railways (RZhD), the state-owned rail monopoly that's vital to Russia's economy, is facing serious financial stress and a deepening crisis, but it's not literally "collapsed" yet.  However, multiple credible sources now describe it as being in financial trouble that's worsening and putting the company under severe strain.  

1/2/2026

 
Lewis Set to Ride the Floating Wind Revolution

The Isle of Lewis, long celebrated for its rugged landscapes and cultural heritage, is now preparing to step onto the global stage as a leader in renewable energy.   At the heart of this transformation lies Stornoway Port's Deep Water South expansion, a project designed to anchor floating offshore wind farms in the North Atlantic and turn Lewis into a strategic hub for clean energy.  

1/2/2026

Alcohol Duty Rises in the UK From Today 1 February 2026 - Do We Move To Dry February

From 1 February 2026, alcohol duty in the UK has officially increased, affecting beer, wine, spirits and cider.  While the rise may seem modest on paper, it is expected to feed through to higher prices in supermarkets, bars and pubs over the coming weeks.  

1/2/2026

 
Britain's Broken Promise - How Student Loans Became a Lifetime Sentence

The UK student loan system is facing major upheaval in 2026.  Tuition fees are rising, repayment thresholds are shifting, and a new "Lifelong Learning Entitlement" is launching all while many borrowers face high interest rates and confusing repayment terms.  

1/2/2026

 
We examine a widely reported 6.2 million better off on benefits - it ain't necessarily so

Some media today are reporting that 6.2 million workers would be better off on benefits than working based on a report by the Centre for Social Justice a right wing think tank.   A closer look reveals this is an exaggeration of the facts.  

1/2/2026

Why public expectations of inflation matter - They Might Know Better Than The Bank of England

Not for the first time the British public was able to predict the latest inflation much more accurately than the Bank of England's policymakers.  Costas Milas Professor of Finance at the University of Liverpool explains why and what the Bank should do about it.