News Archive

16/1/2026

UK and Ukraine strengthen ties under landmark partnership as £20 million accelerated to support energy infrastructure

The UK and Ukraine mark the first anniversary of  the historic  100 Year Partnership with new initiatives driving security and prosperity in both countries.  UK and Ukraine mark first anniversary of the historic 100 Year Partnership with new initiatives driving security and prosperity in both countries.   £20 million of new support announced for vital energy infrastructure repairs in Ukraine as Russia's barbaric attacks on innocent civilians intensify.  

16/1/2026

Graphene Batteries and the Next Phase of Energy Storage: Promise, Limits, and Timelines

As wind and solar power expand rapidly across the UK and globally, attention is increasingly turning to a less visible but equally critical part of the energy system: batteries.   Intermittent renewable generation demands storage technologies that are fast-charging, durable, safe, and scalable.  

16/1/2026

Shrinkflation: smaller products hurt some households more than others - and can be bad for business

UK inflation may be easing, but many households still find their weekly shop getting more expensive.  One key reason is something not captured in headline prices: shrinkflation, where manufacturers reduce pack sizes without reducing the price.  

16/1/2026

£279 million investment to build new home for Army's cyber regiment

Army cyber warriors are to benefit from new modern accommodation and specialist training facilities, following nearly £300 million investment announced today for Duke of Gloucester Barracks.   Specialist facilities to be developed for Army's cyber unit in Gloucestershire after £279 million contract signed.  

16/1/2026

 
Red tape to be slashed for British robotics and defence innovators

Robotics and defence tech announced as the RIO's 2 new priority areas.   Outdated red tape blocking robotics and defence innovation will be cut under new priorities for the Regulatory Innovation Office.  

16/1/2026

Convicted criminals detained in hospitals set to lose benefits

Government seeking to restore trust and common sense to the benefits system.   Serious criminals held in hospitals would lose their benefits worth hundreds of pounds per month, under new proposals.  

16/1/2026

Delivering Additional Support for Learning

A national review into the provision of Additional Support for Learning (ASL) will be led by former Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland Janie McManus.   Announcing the appointment to Parliament, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said Ms McManus will lead an expert group to examine how to strengthen delivery, including provision in schools and how policy is translating into effective practice.  

16/1/2026

UK industry support to Ukraine supercharged with new business centre

A new business centre will open in Kyiv this year to ensure Britain's cutting-edge defence industry and innovators can step up their work to equip Ukraine's Armed Forces in their fight against Putin's illegal invasion.   A new centre for industry will help UK firms support Ukraine’s Armed Forces against Putin’s illegal invasion.  

16/1/2026

Protecting football fans from ticket touts

The Scottish Parliament has approved government legislation which will help ensure EURO 2028 in Scotland is fair and affordable for supporters and businesses.   At the heart of the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill is a commitment to putting fans first by helping to safeguard against touts and preventing EURO 2028 tickets being sold above face value or for profit in Scotland.  

16/1/2026

A Budget to tackle child poverty

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 is a "landmark intervention" in the Scottish Government's drive to tackle the root causes of child poverty and increase living standards.   Around £8 billion has been earmarked for the social justice portfolio.  

16/1/2026

Governments are rushing to embrace AI - They should think twice

Governments across the world want AI to do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to public services.  The plan is apparently to make things much more efficient, as algorithms quietly handle a country's day to day admin.  

15/1/2026

Scottish Government Claims Record Funding For Councils - While True in Cash Terms Inflation Eats it Back Cuts to Come

A record cash settlement for councils hides the reality.  In real terms the result means Scottish councils are likely still to make cuts in services.  

15/1/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Regional Edge returns with £400k funding available for 20 businesses

Scottish EDGE is set to provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs living outside the central belt thanks to a second round of its successful Regional EDGE competition.   Backed by £400,000 of Scottish Government funding, the competition is open for applications from 9am on 14 January 2026.  

15/1/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council winter road condition and school closure report for Thursday 15 January 2026

Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting.   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.  

15/1/2026

 
Crown Estate Scotland Annual Report and Accounts Year to 31 March 2025

Crown Estate Scotland (CES) is a public corporation established under the Scottish Crown Estate Act 2019.   It manages a diverse portfolio of assets across Scotland including rural land, seabed rights, foreshore, commercial property and natural resource rights with a primary purpose of creating long-term value for the people of Scotland.  

15/1/2026

1000 Jobs As Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm secures Contract for Difference

The Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm has secured a Contract for Difference (CfD) in the UK Government's seventh CfD Allocation Round (AR7), marking a significant milestone in Scotland and the UK’s transition to net zero while strengthening long-term energy security.   The Pentland project, located off the coast of Dounreay in Caithness, will now progress towards a final investment decision in 2027, with operations expected to commence in 2030.  

15/1/2026

Beakfasts For School Children But Not With the School Dinner Service - Through Breakfast Clubs

New funding will allow every primary pupil in Scotland to access a breakfast club, the First Minister has said.   Staff working in Bright Start Breakfasts clubs can be paid.  

15/1/2026

Record Offshore Wind Auction - CfD Allocation Round 7 - enough to power over 12 million homes

The UK government (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) announced the results of Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7 (AR7) — the UK's main auction process to support new renewable electricity projects.  This round focused on offshore wind and floating offshore wind.  

15/1/2026

After school clubs expansion By Scottish Government - is this tokenism as it will reach a tiny number of kids

Before you start to read this item consider the statistics.   According to the official Scottish Government statistics for 2024, there were approximately 379,354 primary school pupils in Scotland's schools the number of children enrolled in publicly funded primary education (Primary 1 to Primary 7) in that school year.  

15/1/2026

Funding For Colleges and Universities Comes With Strings

Colleges and universities to widen compliance.   Fair work policies are to be extended at colleges and universities in Scotland as part of a larger change to the funding arrangements for these institutions.