Statistics on annual average private sector rents to the end of September 2025 have been released today. These statistics are based predominantly on advertised rents and so reflect rents that landlords are charging when their properties become available for rent at the point of tenant turnover or when properties are new to the rental market.
A boost to Scotland's block grant ("Barnett consequential"). According to media reporting, the UK Government has allocated £820 million to Scotland via the standard block-grant mechanism (under the Barnett formula) as a result of increased UK spending announced in the Budget.
The North Planning Committee of Highland council will consider a major application of a huge battery storage system at Spitall in Caithness today 26 November 2025. The application (Ref.
A single online point of contact for global investors looking to participate in Scotland's biggest projects has launched. InvestScotland showcases large-scale investment opportunities in renewable energy and housing, including Kishorn Port, one of Scotland’s most strategically important deep-water facilities, and Coire Glas, a pumped storage hydro investment planned for the Great Glen.
From April 2027, there will be a two percentage point increase to the basic, higher and additional rates of savings income tax, increasing them to 22%, 42% and 47% respectively. Most people do not save enough to fall into paying income tax on their savings, but it does make the system more complicated.
UK debt is stabilising around 93-94% of GDP, but only just. Borrowing is falling, yet debt interest costs (~£110bn a year) are eating into fiscal space.
Valued at £38 billion in 2023, Scotland's international exports are estimated to have fallen by 4 per cent in real terms since 2018, a comparison chosen for stability prior to economic impacts like pandemic lockdowns, EU withdrawal and the invasion of Ukraine. Export statistics published on 25 November 2025 by the Scottish Government adjust for years of high inflation which can mask changes in export performance.
Social Security Scotland's Scottish Child Payment is supporting 322,230 children across the country, newly published figures show. Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit gives families with low incomes crucial financial support to help with the cost of raising children.
Cyber & Specialist Operations Command's (CSOC) Integrated Warfare Centre (IWC) and Dstl have underscored Britain's leading role in modern defence analytical wargaming. This year's Concept Development plus Wargaming Initiative for NATO Conference (CD & WIN 2025) helped to share fresh insights from concept development and wargaming, strengthen collaborative networks across NATO, and bring partners together to explore common challenges, exchange best practice, and advance collective understanding.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed the publication of the independent review of Creative Scotland. The review determined that while the organisation's remit remains relevant, improvements in delivery and leadership are needed to support the breadth of the culture and creative sector’s needs.
Scotland's Chief Statistician has released Recorded Crime in Scotland, year ending September 2025. In the year ending September 2025: The police in Scotland recorded 305,925 crimes.
Madame Deputy Speaker. It is my understanding that the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook was released on their website before this statement.
Scottish families will benefit from a Budget to cut the cost-of-living, create more high skilled jobs and invest in public services, as the Chancellor reaffirmed her commitment to drive economic growth. Chancellor announces fair deal for working families with removal of two-child benefit cap, energy bill saving and fuel duty freeze .
This Budget takes the fair and necessary choices to deliver on the government's promise of change: Cutting the cost of living by tackling inflation and taking around £150 off energy bills on average from April next year, and implementing a one-year freeze on regulated train fares and prescriptions charges. Cutting the NHS waiting list in England, supported by 5.2 million more appointments delivered since the start of the Parliament and by creating 250 new Neighbourhood Health Centres.
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.
The government has announced an extension of the soft drinks industry levy to more high-sugar drinks, including milk-based drinks. Soft drinks levy will be extended to cover more products, including sugary milk-based drinks.
Ultra-processed foods now make up at least half of all food sold in UK supermarkets. The Lancet has described them as a "corporate-engineered public health crisis." That is exactly what they are - industrial products designed for profit, not nutrition.
The Highland Council continues to work through the procurement process for the provision of the Wick Public Service Obligation for the Highland Council. We have now entered the preferred bidder stage and have entered a standstill period.
As we mark 60 years since the region's economic and community development agency was established, it's timely to reflect on the global aspects of our work on shaping rural futures. The recent Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, welcomed changemakers from Australia, Ireland, India, Canada.
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting (external link) The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
