News Archive

15/8/2025

Government works with TikTok to help safety for treatments abroad

Patients who use social media to plan cosmetic procedures will now access more reliable information thanks to a landmark new initiative.   New online campaign to give people clear, reliable advice before travelling overseas for cosmetic or medical treatments.  

15/8/2025

Should You Boost Your Savings Now?

Given the mounting economic risks—slower growth, rising job insecurity, and squeezed household budgets it's wise for families and individuals to strengthen their financial buffers today rather than scramble later.  Reducing debt and stop using credit to live on will pay off in the long run.  

15/8/2025

Organic Farming in Scotland 2024

In Scotland, the fully organic land area was 105,000 hectares in 2024, an increase of 1.4% compared with 2023, and an increase of 26% compared with 2018.   Fully organic land is land which is fully converted and has met organic standards.  

15/8/2025

Devolved revenue grows faster than expenditure

The Scottish Government's delivery of sustainable public finances is being supported by a rise in devolved revenue.   The 2024-25 Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland statistics show Scotland’s £91.4 billion revenue was enough to cover all day-to-day devolved spending and all reserved social security, including the State Pension, which amounts to £84.9 billion.  

15/8/2025

Action to restore seabird populations

Measures such as eradicating non-native invasive predators on seabird islands and restoring seagrass meadows and kelp forests to help increase food supplies are just some of the actions set out today to protect Scotland's seabirds.   Scotland's coastline and waters are of global importance to seabirds but almost two thirds of Scotland's species have declined over the last 20 years.  

15/8/2025

HIE approves £1.175m for Dales Voe dredging works

HIE approves £1.175m for Dales Voe dredging works.   The funding will support preparatory works, dredging and deepening areas adjacent the quayside and approaches at Dales Voe in Lerwick Harbour to -16 metres.  

14/8/2025 : Local Authority

Communities' views to be sought on future Housing Allocations Policy

Local people and Highland Councillors will be invited to attend stakeholder meetings later this year to focus on the specific housing needs of communities as part of a review of the Highland Housing Register Housing Allocations Policy.   Members of the Housing and Property Committee met Wednesday 13 August) and noted the annual performance review of the Highland Housing Register (HHR) Policy for 2024/2025 on housing allocations.  

14/8/2025

diseases being reported by travellers returning to the UK from trips abroad

Here's what recent public health data and reports reveal about illnesses being detected in travellers returning to the UK from destinations abroad.   Common Imported Infections 1.  

14/8/2025 : Local Authority

Climate Change Committee endorses strategy to build Highland's climate resilience

Highland Council's Climate Change Committee has agreed to recommend approval of a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, setting out how the Council will work with communities, businesses, and partners to build resilience and secure a sustainable future for the region.   Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Kate Willis, said: "The world’s climate is changing faster and more significantly than at any point in recent history.  

14/8/2025

Construction output in Great Britain: June 2025, new orders and Construction Output Price Indices, April to June 2025

Total construction output is estimated to have grown by 1.2% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2025 compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2025; new work increased by 1.1%, and repair and maintenance grew by 1.4%.   Monthly construction output is estimated to have grown by 0.3% in June 2025; this follows a fall of 0.5% in May 2025 and an increase of 0.9% in April 2025.  

14/8/2025

 
Got Yer Heid round The GERS report - If Not Richard Murphy Explains

Professor Richard Murphy takes apart the claims about Scotland's "deficits" as GERS figures are released..  

14/8/2025

GB trade with Northern Ireland tumbles after tougher post-Brexit rules kick in

New Government figures show a developing crisis in trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as 10.8% of retailers completely stopped sending goods to Northern Ireland in June.   29.6% of transport & storage sector companies say their volumes to the province fell during the month.  

14/8/2025

UK trade - June 2025

The value of goods imports decreased by £1.7 billion (3.4%) in June 2025, because of falls in imports from both EU and non-EU countries.   The value of goods exports decreased by £1.9 billion (6.3%) in June 2025, because of falls in exports to both EU and non-EU countries.  

14/8/2025

 
GDP first quarterly estimate UK - April to June 2025 - Rise 0.3%

UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by 0.3% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2025, following an increase of 0.7% in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2025.   GDP is estimated to have increased by 1.2% in Quarter 2 2025, compared with the same quarter a year ago.  

14/8/2025

Turning the Tide on Training Malpractice in the Private Security Industry

Pete Easterbrook, Interim Director of Inspections and Enforcement, talks about a new phase to our approach to tackling training malpractice or mismanagement.   Operation RESOLUTE has been designed as a high impact initiative with a strong operational focus on intelligence-led, unannounced inspections to training providers, as well as a deeper collaboration with partners.  

14/8/2025

Evanton social housing reaches milestone build for Highland

The Highland Council completes twenty-four new homes for social rent at Teandallon, Evanton.   The build marks a milestone achievement in tackling the Highland Housing Challenge as the appointed contractor Compass Construction Ltd builds its 1000 affordable home in Highland.  

14/8/2025

Rise in chikungunya cases in UK travellers returning from abroad

Latest data shows an increase in travel-associated chikungunya cases compared to the same period last year.   The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows an increase in travel-associated chikungunya cases in England.  

14/8/2025

 
UK trade with the United States fell by £0.7 billion in June 2025

Exports of goods to the United States, including precious metals, fell by £0.7 billion in June 2025 (Figure 3).  The value of goods exports to the United States in June 2025 were at their lowest level since February 2022 and have remained relatively low since the introduction of tariffs in April.  

14/8/2025

Index of Production UK - June 2025 - Monthly production output was estimated to have increased 0.7%

Monthly production output was estimated to have increased 0.7% in June 2025; this follows a fall in May 2025 (down 1.3%) and no growth during April 2025 (0.0%).   The rise in monthly production output in June 2025 resulted from increases in "manufacturing" (up 0.5%), "electricity and gas" (up 3.3%), and "water supply and sewerage" (up 0.5%); this was partially offset by a fall in "mining and quarrying" (down 0.4%).