News Archive

17/9/2025

 
Consumer price inflation, UK - August 2025 - 3.8% No Change From July

The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 4.1% in the 12 months to August 2025, down from 4.2% in the 12 months to July.   On a monthly basis, CPIH rose by 0.3% in August 2025, compared with a rise of 0.4% in August 2024.  

17/9/2025

 
Clean energy and jobs from publicly-owned Great British Energy

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has set out his vision for Great British Energy, the UK’s publicly-owned clean power company.   Government sets objectives for how the publicly-owned Great British Energy will drive the expansion of homegrown clean energy – to support skilled jobs, economic growth and help protect British billpayers.  

17/9/2025

Homelessness Statistics Scotland 2024-25

A bi-annual update on Homelessness Statistics covering 2024-25 has been released today.   Findings for that period show: A decrease in homelessness applications for the first time in four years.  

17/9/2025

 
Insolvency Service launches video to help those considering taking on an Individual Voluntary Arrangement in England

Insolvency Practitioners will be asked to show the video to their clients to improve understanding and avoid poor practice.   The video explains the main commitments involved with taking on an IVA, including fees, payments, and suitability.  

17/9/2025

School buildings continue to improve

More children and young people in Scotland than ever before are being educated in schools in good or satisfactory condition, following sustained investment from the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities.   The latest statistics show the proportion of pupils learning in schools in good or satisfactory condition has increased to 92.5%, up from 92% since 2024.  

17/9/2025

Thinking of launching a startup logistics company? Here's three reasons why you shouldn't!

Here's three reasons why you shouldn't!.   When the Government asked logistics professionals what factors make it difficult for startups to succeed in their industry, the responses were eye-opening.  

17/9/2025

Public sector employment UK - June 2025

Employment in the public sector was estimated at 6.17 million in June 2025, an increase of 17,000 (0.3%) compared with March 2025, and an increase of 75,000 (1.2%) compared with June 2024.   Employment in central government was a record high at an estimated 4.04 million in June 2025, an increase of 21,000 (0.5%) compared with March 2025 and an increase of 95,000 (2.4%) compared with June 2024; the main contributors to this increase were the NHS, some local authority schools becoming academies, and the Civil Service.  

17/9/2025

 
Vacancies and jobs in the UK September 2025 - Reducing Vacancy Numbersy

The estimated number of vacancies in the UK fell by 10,000 (1.4%) on the quarter, to 728,000 in June to August 2025.   This is the 38th consecutive period where vacancy numbers have dropped compared with the previous three months, with vacancies decreasing in half of the 18 industry sectors.  

17/9/2025

Civil servants pitch AI fixes for public services in Dragons’ Den-style challenge

Civil servants are invited to apply for the latest round of the Civil Service AI and Data Challenge, with £50,000 in support available for the winning idea.   Applications open today for new ideas to use AI and data to transform how the government works, from tackling benefit fraud to speeding up doctor’s appointments and accelerating net zero.  

17/9/2025

 
Fish, Trace, Ship – help shape the Fish Export Service

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is inviting fishers, merchants, exporters and processors to help shape changes to the Fish Export Service (FES) to keep seafood exports flowing to Europe from next January.   MMO is especially keen to gather insights and ideas right now from businesses involved in processing seafood in the UK to assist with designing changes to the documentation for that key link in the supply chain.  

17/9/2025

News snippets for Caithness and Sutherland from Chatgpt

A few items using Chatgpt.com from local news stories.   To get the full stories go to a search engine or the respective newspaper.  

17/9/2025

UK CPI - Britain's inflation problem won't budge

Annualised inflation came in at 3.8% in August, in line with the 3.8% reported in July.   Annualised inflation was forecast to come in at 3.8% Core Inflation came in at 3.6% in the 12 months to August, down from the 3.8% in July and in line with forecast.  

17/9/2025

Probable Suicides 2024 Scotland 704 - 11% fall

Minister for Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur says a fall in the number of probable suicides last year makes him more determined to continue expanding and improving prevention work.   Official statistics from National Records of Scotland show the number of probable suicides in 2024 was 704 – a decrease of 11% compared to 2023 and the lowest number since 2017.  

17/9/2025

Scottish Government Workforce Statistics June 2025 8857 down from last year 8911

The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.   These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending June 2025.  

16/9/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Business confidence increases in Highlands and Islands business survey

Business confidence is on the rise across the Highlands and Islands, according to the latest survey commissioned by Scotland’s development agency for the region.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) commissioned the survey in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).  

16/9/2025

More than £1.1 billion investment to boost growth, jobs and skills in UK’s coastal towns and cities

Funding will help businesses and academia develop real-life technology that reduces carbon emissions from shipping.   government announces £448 million at London International Shipping Week to slash emissions from shipping, cementing the UK as a clean energy superpower and breaking down barriers to opportunity in coastal communities, as part of the Plan for Change.  

16/9/2025

Will The Employment rights Bill Kill Businesses like Deliveroo, Uber and other platform controlled outlets - Someone has to pay for higher costs

Deliveroo, Uber, and similar “platform economy” businesses are right in the crosshairs of the Employment Rights Bill.  Here’s how the main provisions could affect them.  

16/9/2025

 
UK fighter jets to join NATO operation to bolster European security

The UK will contribute Typhoons to NATO's Eastern Sentry mission, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace.   British fighter jets will fly air defence missions over Poland to counter aerial threats from Russia, including drones, as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission.  

16/9/2025

 
Biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation comes one step closer

After Angela Rayner’s departure, the ministerial responsibility for the Workers’ Rights / Employment Rights Bill now lies with Peter Kyle, who is the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.   Employment Rights Bill returns to the Commons, marking another step towards transformation of workers’ rights.  

16/9/2025

 
Claude AI And Other AI Platforms Are Changing Employment Across Many Industries

Several UK-based companies are actively using Anthropic’s Claude AI, and its deployment is already reshaping certain job categories—especially those involving repetitive, automatable tasks.   Claude’s London-based EMEA hub has also attracted dozens of startups and consultancies, especially in finance, law, and tech, where compliance and precision are critical.