News Archive

15/11/2025

Supporting workplace learning

Thousands of Scottish workers will gain new skills and enhance their career prospects through a £2 million investment delivered by trade unions.   The latest round of the Scottish Government's Union Learning Fund will support 23 programmes in sectors ranging from social care to the steel industry.  

14/11/2025

From builder's tea to oat milk coffee, how British family eating habits have changed since WW2

New survey data shows that British families eat a significantly larger variety of foods since 1940.   New data shows how the British diet has changed over the last 85 years - as global tastes and demands for heathier food change what's on our plates.  

14/11/2025 : Local Authority

Council confirms letter of concern regarding 300 asylum seekers to Home Office

Council confirms letter of concern sent to Home Office regarding proposals to accommodate asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks.   Council Leader Raymond Bremner, Convenor Bill Lobban and Leader of the Opposition Alasdair Christie have written to the Home Secretary outlining concerns at proposals to accommodate 300 adult male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.  

14/11/2025

Budget Preview 2 - Implications for Scotland of abolishing the two-child limit

Fraser of Allander Institute article yesterday in a budget preview set out the Implications for Scotland of abolishing the two-child limit".   The institute estimates that if the two‑child limit on Universal Credit (UK policy) were abolished, the Scottish Government's cost saving via its mitigation payment (the Two‑Child Limit Payment or TCLP) would be around £155 million in 2026-27.  

14/11/2025

 
Economy and Housing Market FREEZE Before Budget

The UK economy showed more signs of slowing down with the slowest quarterly growth since the mini recession of 2023.   Growth actually fell in September after a flat August.  

14/11/2025

5 ways AI can help save school leaders time and effort

As AI is seemingly Seeping into every aspect of our lives the Time Educational supplement published an article with some very good suggestions.   Although aimed at school leaders it is easy to see how the suggestions could assist anyone involved in meeting, minute taking and needing to save time Doing more in less time is a going to improve productivity and much more.  

14/11/2025

Exports boost as Scottish cheese sold in Spain for first time

UK Government 'Brand Scotland' funding helps award-winning producers, including Haddington-based Yester Farm Dairies Limited, debut produce in Spanish stores.   Scotland's dairy sector is celebrating a major export win with Scottish cheese going on sale in Spain for the first time.  

14/11/2025

GDP monthly estimate UK - September 2025

In the three months to September 2025, compared with the three months to June 2025: Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.1%, following growth of 0.2% in the three months to August 2025 (revised down from growth of 0.3% in our previous publication).   Services output grew by 0.2%, compared with growth of 0.3% in the three months to August 2025 (revised down from our initial estimate of 0.4%).  

13/11/2025

Social worker who ran drugs and weapons network has sentence increased

A children's social worker who had a double life running a large-scale drug and weapons enterprise had her sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General.   Chloe Scott (27) from Lewisham, London, had her sentence increased by three years and three months after the Solicitor General referred her case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.  

13/11/2025 : Local Authority

Council progresses plans for Masterplan Consent Areas to accelerate housing delivery across Highland

The Highland Council is taking a significant step forward in addressing the region's housing needs and unlocking development potential by progressing plans to establish three to four Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) across Highland.   MCAs are a legal planning tool that enable advance consent for large development sites, significantly reducing the time it takes to deliver housing and infrastructure.  

13/11/2025 : Local Authority

Bridge Maintenance and Investment Plans approved

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has today (Thursday 13 November 2025) approved a comprehensive report outlining the condition of its road bridge stock, the inspection regime, and the works required to maintain vital road structures across the region.   The report highlights the scale of the Council's responsibility for bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and associated structures on the public road network, and sets out plans for future investment under the Roads and Infrastructure Capital Programme.  

13/11/2025 : Local Authority

Inverness City Region Deal Annual Report highlights investment

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (Thursday 13 November 2025) noted the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal Annual Report for 2024/25.   The Inverness & Highland City-Region Deal, a ten-year partnership between The Highland Council, UK Government, Scottish Government, and key partners, continues to deliver transformative investment across the region.  

13/11/2025 : Local Authority

Community participation and engagement a key focus for Highland Council

At last week's meeting of the Communities and Place Committee, progress updates were provided on Highland Council’s ongoing work to increase participation and engagement with communities across the Highlands.   Members also considered a draft Participation and Engagement Strategy and agreed the Annual Participation Request Report for the Scottish Government.  

13/11/2025

 
Who can we really afford — the rich or everyone else?

Every day we're told that Britain can’t afford the poor and that there isn’t enough money for care, housing or wages.  But the truth is the opposite - it’s the poor who can’t afford the rich.  

13/11/2025

International work strengthens Scotland's global reputation

Work to promote Scotland internationally has been integral to record export sales, inward investment and tourism growth, according to a new report launched today by Angus Robertson.   Scotland's International Strategy annual report highlights the benefits the Scottish Government's international presence has delivered for people, businesses and institutions across Scotland, through the promotion of sustainable growth, equality, and international cooperation.  

13/11/2025

Scotland's future offshore wind workforce

Plans to support the training of specialist electricians, engineers and technicians who will be key to the expansion of Scotland's offshore wind sector have been published today.   Developed in partnership with industry and public sector partners, the Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan sets out 12 initial actions to support the pipeline of skilled workers needed by the sector.  

13/11/2025 : Local Authority

Promotion plans shared for Highland Council's Registration Service

An annual update on the work of Highland Council's Registration Service was given at last week’s meeting of the Communities and Place Committee, with plans in place to modernise and further promote the service throughout the Highlands.   Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, said: "Highland Council’s Registration Service provides a vital statutory role to record life events for our communities.  

13/11/2025

China's trade surplus in 2025 is at record-breaking level - The ripples reach us all

China's trade surplus in 2025 is at record-breaking levels—projected to exceed $1.2 trillion—driven by strong exports and weak imports.  This imbalance is reshaping global trade dynamics and intensifying geopolitical tensions.  

13/11/2025

Supporting marine industries and coastal communities

The Scottish Government is investing £14 million to support jobs and reduce emissions in marine sectors.   A total of 60 projects focusing on innovation and sustainable development will receive grants ranging from £1,500 to £1.7 million from the Marine Fund Scotland.  

13/11/2025

Scottish Government bonds launch planned

The Scottish Government is on track to issue its first bonds in 2026/27, First Minister John Swinney has announced after international ratings agencies set a credit rating matching the UK and better than other major industrial nations.   The issuance will be the first in a £1.5 billion bond programme over the life of the next parliament, subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election, in-year borrowing requirements and market conditions.