Local people and Highland Councillors will be invited to attend stakeholder meetings later this year to focus on the specific housing needs of communities as part of a review of the Highland Housing Register Housing Allocations Policy. Members of the Housing and Property Committee met Wednesday 13 August) and noted the annual performance review of the Highland Housing Register (HHR) Policy for 2024/2025 on housing allocations.
Highland Council's Climate Change Committee has agreed to recommend approval of a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, setting out how the Council will work with communities, businesses, and partners to build resilience and secure a sustainable future for the region. Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Kate Willis, said: "The world’s climate is changing faster and more significantly than at any point in recent history.
Total construction output is estimated to have grown by 1.2% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2025 compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2025; new work increased by 1.1%, and repair and maintenance grew by 1.4%. Monthly construction output is estimated to have grown by 0.3% in June 2025; this follows a fall of 0.5% in May 2025 and an increase of 0.9% in April 2025.
Here's what recent public health data and reports reveal about illnesses being detected in travellers returning to the UK from destinations abroad. Common Imported Infections 1.
New Government figures show a developing crisis in trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as 10.8% of retailers completely stopped sending goods to Northern Ireland in June. 29.6% of transport & storage sector companies say their volumes to the province fell during the month.
Professor Richard Murphy takes apart the claims about Scotland's "deficits" as GERS figures are released..
The value of goods imports decreased by £1.7 billion (3.4%) in June 2025, because of falls in imports from both EU and non-EU countries. The value of goods exports decreased by £1.9 billion (6.3%) in June 2025, because of falls in exports to both EU and non-EU countries.
Pete Easterbrook, Interim Director of Inspections and Enforcement, talks about a new phase to our approach to tackling training malpractice or mismanagement. Operation RESOLUTE has been designed as a high impact initiative with a strong operational focus on intelligence-led, unannounced inspections to training providers, as well as a deeper collaboration with partners.
UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by 0.3% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2025, following an increase of 0.7% in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2025. GDP is estimated to have increased by 1.2% in Quarter 2 2025, compared with the same quarter a year ago.
Latest data shows an increase in travel-associated chikungunya cases compared to the same period last year. The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows an increase in travel-associated chikungunya cases in England.
The Highland Council completes twenty-four new homes for social rent at Teandallon, Evanton. The build marks a milestone achievement in tackling the Highland Housing Challenge as the appointed contractor Compass Construction Ltd builds its 1000 affordable home in Highland.
Monthly production output was estimated to have increased 0.7% in June 2025; this follows a fall in May 2025 (down 1.3%) and no growth during April 2025 (0.0%). The rise in monthly production output in June 2025 resulted from increases in "manufacturing" (up 0.5%), "electricity and gas" (up 3.3%), and "water supply and sewerage" (up 0.5%); this was partially offset by a fall in "mining and quarrying" (down 0.4%).
Exports of goods to the United States, including precious metals, fell by £0.7 billion in June 2025 (Figure 3). The value of goods exports to the United States in June 2025 were at their lowest level since February 2022 and have remained relatively low since the introduction of tariffs in April.
Recession coming?.
Falling North Sea revenue contributes to a deterioration in Scotland's net fiscal balance, whilst expenditure also grows faster than onshore revenue. Scotland's net fiscal balance has worsened since last year, with North Sea revenue falling for a second year in a row.
The company entered administration owing more than £3 million. David Smith submitted false VAT returns on behalf of long-established Scottish machinery firm Balgownie Limited across a three-year period.
The First Minister has (12 August 2025) opened a new £26 million facility to help grow more trees for Scotland's forests and woodlands. Newton Tree Nursery, near Elgin, will support Forestry and Land Scotland to almost treble their tree production - from seven million to nearly 20 million trees per year by 2029.
Fraser of Allender looks at the deficit showed in the GERS report today. Higher devolved expenditure is the main driver of the widening deficit.
Scotland's councils urgently need to make progress with workforce plans if they are to protect services and financial sustainability. Staff are councils' most important resource and are vital in delivering services and meeting Scotland's changing and increasing needs.
From autumn 2025, driving theory tests will include new CPR questions and, for the first time, questions about defibrillators to boost cardiac arrest survival. Driving theory tests will include enhanced first aid questions from autumn 2025, building on existing first aid content that has been part of driver education for years.
