Health Secretary Neil Gray has thanked NHS staff for their efforts as latest figures show that in the 12 months to November 2025 the number of operations carried out increased by 5.3% on the same period the year before. A total of 272,465 operations were performed during this time according to the statistics from Public Health Scotland.
The question of whether the Scottish Government is ignoring fraud in the benefits system has become a contentious political and public issue. Critics argue that the extremely low number of reported fraud cases indicates under-enforcement, while the government insists that its approach balances accountability with fairness, particularly for vulnerable claimants.
On the A9 between the Invereen Roundabout and the B9154 Moy South junction. BT are carrying out works close to the A9 carriageway, to allow for safe working, overnight traffic signals will be in place to manage traffic through a short 300 metre section lane closure.
UK Total retail sales increased by 1.2% year on year in December, against a growth of 3.2% in December 2024. This was below the 12-month average growth of 2.3%.
Gold prices are soaring to unprecedented levels in early 2026, climbing above $4,600 per ounce, with silver also reaching all-time highs. Headlines about "record gold prices" dominate financial media, but the surge reflects more than mere market hype.
New rules mandating classification and price reporting for sheep carcases come into force, bringing sector in line with beef and pork. New regulations mandating classification and price reporting for sheep carcases in England come into force this week (Monday 12 January 2026), bringing the sector in line with beef and pork and ensuring farmers are paid more fairly for their livestock at slaughter.
Approximately a quarter (25%) of businesses reported that they are currently using some form of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in late December 2025, up 15 percentage points since the question was first introduced in late September 2023. For businesses with 250 employees or more, the proportion was higher at 44%.
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting Met Office - A Yellow warning for rain is in force for western and northern Scotland until 10:00 on Monday morning and warns of 40-60mm of rain quite widely, with up to 80-100mm possible over higher ground in the west. 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.
Medics Against Violence (MAV), a charity operating across 10 hospital Emergency Departments, is among 19 organisations to receive a share of more than £1 million from the Victim Surcharge Fund, which is financed by penalties imposed on offenders who received a court fine. The funding will support MAV to offer practical assistance and essential items to people arriving at hospital after experiencing violence or exploitation.
Analysis of the impact of large events on UK consumer spending using Visa cardholder spending data. New data capabilities allow us to understand the impact of events in greater detail, which helps to assure the quality of gross domestic product (GDP) estimates and better interpret and communicate their movements.
New proposals to end the use of cages for laying hens and minimise pain during lamb castration and tail docking. Laying hens and lambs will benefit from better animal welfare standards under detailed plans set out by the Government today (12th January 2026).
Self Assessment customers reminded of payment options as deadline approaches. Almost 340,000 Self Assessment filers have already paid their tax bill using the HMRC app.
ScotRail recorded its busiest December since public ownership began, with 7,866,187 passenger journeys made across Scotland's Railway during December 2025. The figure represents an increase of 701,910 journeys (+10 per cent) compared to December 2024, when 7,164,277 journeys were recorded, and a 69 per cent increase on December 2022, when 4,646,072 journeys were made.
Total UK retail footfall increased by 2% in the week to 4 January 2026, compared with the previous week, but decreased by 1% when compared with the equivalent week of 2025 (BT Active Intelligence). Almost two-thirds (65%) of trading businesses reported that they had cash reserves in late December 2025.
UK Latin America Minister visits Ecuador to deepen security ties and work to disrupt cocaine trade at source. UK Latin America Minister visits Ecuador to deepen security ties and work to disrupt cocaine trade at source.
New day one rights to parental leave set to enter force from April. Over 18 million workers across the UK to benefit from stronger protections at work, with most insecure workers set to gain the most.
Scotland's Displaced Workers Scheme signals the type of country the government is working to create, according to First Minister John Swinney. The £500,000 scheme is helping employers recruit international workers who are already in the UK and find themselves without sponsored employment.
Do you need to think about who owns your assets..
Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will continue to receive dedicated advocacy support. £600,000 has been made available under the second year of the 3-year £1.5million Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) which launched last April.
Artificial intelligence is often presented as a growth driver. I argue the opposite risk is emerging.