John Sturrock KC, who conducted the enquiry into NHS Highland bullying has written today (10 November 2025) in The Scotsman about the costs of enquiries and the need to find another way to deal with them. The bill for public inquiries is now running at more than £230 million.
A new survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows UK employers are planning average pay rises of around 3% in the year ahead roughly in line with recent years. At the same time, a significant minority of firms anticipate workforce reductions thanks to automation and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
As the COP30 UN Climate Summit gets underway in Brazil, First Minister John Swinney called for swift and decisive action to tackle the devastating impacts of climate change. The Scottish Government will be represented at the Summit by Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin.
On Wednesday 26 November, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her second Budget, and it could prove to be the defining economic event of her tenure so far. Arriving unusually late in the calendar year, this fiscal statement comes at a time when the UK's economic outlook is clouded by sluggish growth, sticky inflation, and debt servicing costs at multi-decade highs.
In 2025, the weekly shop has become a source of anxiety for millions of UK households. From fresh produce to pantry staples, food prices have surged at a pace not seen in decades, outstripping general inflation and reshaping how people eat, budget, and live.
After years of economic turbulence, UK families are finally beginning to see glimmers of hope. While challenges remain—from rising debt to housing pressures there are signs that the economy is stabilizing and that households may soon find some relief.
If coffee growers can't make a sustainable living, the future for drinkers will likely mean higher prices, lower quality, and reduced availability especially for premium beans like Arabica. The global coffee industry is facing a mounting crisis, and its effects are beginning to show in your morning cup.
New investment will enable hundreds of affordable homes to be provided in the first phase of Scotland's largest brownfield regeneration project. Funding of up to £42 million from the Scottish Government will support the construction of the country's biggest low carbon housing development on former industrial land at Granton in Edinburgh.
Government grant to ensure tributes to fallen servicemen and women are preserved across the UK. National Heritage Memorial Fund to support communities in repairing and conserving local war memorials.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November 4th) sold 309 adult head of breeding cattle. Cow with calf at foot (22) sold to £4,700 gross for an Aberdeen Angus cross cow with an Aberdeen Angus cross calf from 4 Monks Walk, Fearn.
The project, led by the Stornoway Port Authority, will involve upgrading the full length of the 3.3km Arnish Moor Road. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a £3.4m contribution to a £7.2m public funding package for a major project to transform road access to strategic industrial and port sites on the Isle of Lewis.
In 2025, both the United States and the United Kingdom are witnessing a wave of restaurant and fast-food chain closures. While the industry isn't collapsing, it's clearly reshaping itself trimming under-performing stores, consolidating older formats, and reacting to new economic and consumer realities.
New changes will enable bus, coach and lorry drivers with diabetes to use Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems. From 7 November 2025, bus, coach and lorry drivers with diabetes will be able to monitor their glucose (sugar) levels using modern technology, such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS), which use sensors to track glucose levels in real time.
If you've borrowed money from a loan shark, it's important to remember that you've done nothing wrong. You're in no legal trouble and support/guidance is available to you Find out more at www.stopillegallending.co.uk.
If your job involves working with vulnerable people or the general public, you may come across clients who have fallen victim to a loan shark. They may be frightened and feel trapped by their situation.
British food and drink sector sees nearly £100m in export opportunities unlocked as agri-food attaches resolve more than 40 trade barriers so far in 2025. British food producers can now benefit from export opportunities estimated by industry to be worth nearly £100 million, following intensive work by its network of agri-food attaches this year.
Loan sharks may threaten and intimidate people they've lent money to and make their life extremely difficult. If you've worried about a friend/family member who has borrowed money from a loan shark and is struggling to pay it back, you can reach out for help confidentially on their behalf.
Scout missions can prove new concepts using small satellites, which can then be scaled up in larger missions. The Scout missions are an element of ESA's Earth Observation programme that demonstrate innovative science concepts using agile small satellites, enabling fast deployment and validation of new technologies.
Several homeowners who have had spray foam insulation installed have recently received cold calls or unsolicited letters offering legal services in connection with a claim relating to the removal of the insulation. Some of those who had previously been contacted by a company offering to inspect and remove their spray foam insulation are now receiving calls and letters from a company called 'The Franco-British Lawyers Society'.
There have been more reports from across Scotland of scam phone calls impersonating GP practices. The caller or automated message asks you to press a button to update your details, threatening that if you fail to do this you will be removed from the GP's practice list.