News Archive

4/7/2025

 
The mistakes Keir Starmer made over disability cuts - and how he can avoid future embarrassment

Labour MPs have forced a major government climbdown over disability benefit cuts, in an embarrassing turn of events for Keir Starmer.  The prime minister has blown a hole in his budget by agreeing to scrap plans to tighten eligibility criteria for disability benefits via the universal credit and personal independence payment bill.  

4/7/2025

Elizabeth Emblem awarded to families of public servants who died in the line of duty

More than 100 public servants who died in service recognised in the second ever Elizabeth Emblem List.   106 police officers, firefighters, overseas workers and other public servants who died in service have been recognised with the Elizabeth Emblem.  

4/7/2025

Amnesty launched as part of mission to halve knife crime

Young people across the country are being urged to surrender bladed weapons including ninja swords to help prevent further loss of young lives to knife crime.   With the support of Word 4 Weapons and FazAmnesty, young people will be able to anonymously hand in any weapons to surrender bins or a purpose-built and fully secure van, across London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands - the 3 highest areas for knife crime in England.  

4/7/2025

 
Jake Broe Analysis Of The Latest Ukraine News

North Korea will be sending 30,000 additional troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine.   Trump has decided to halt delivery of promised US military aid to Ukraine or potentially one of his subordinates has made the decision (Elbridge Colby) without his knowledge.  

4/7/2025

 
Protest is how change happens - and that's why the powerful fear it

Those with power rarely give it up willingly.  That's why protest matters.  

3/7/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland team

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio.   Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.  

3/7/2025

 
Why the US bombed a bunch of metal tubes − a nuclear engineer explains the importance of centrifuges to Iranian efforts to build nuclear weapons

When U.S.  forces attacked Iran's nuclear facilities on June 21, 2025, the main target was metal tubes in laboratories deep underground.  

3/7/2025 : Local Authority

Bringing more empty homes back into use

Additional empty homes officers are being recruited to bring more privately owned houses back into use.   The new posts are being supported as part of a £2 million investment through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2025-26 which will see staff take a more proactive and targeted approach to tackling local housing issues.  

3/7/2025

Scottish Government publishes the National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young Disabled People

The strategy aims to ensure that every young disabled person feels supported in the transition into adulthood.   Scottish Government published their new National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young People, with a focus on collaborative and co-ordinated approaches to improve outcomes for young disabled people.  

3/7/2025

 
UK launches tender for mission to clean up space and safeguard vital services

The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris.   The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris, initiating a £75.6 million tender for the nation's first mission to actively remove defunct satellites from orbit.  

3/7/2025

 
When stock markets fall, where does all the money that was lost go?

Every time stock markets drop, headlines say that billions have been lost.   But where does that money actually go? If you want to understand crashes, confidence, and the baked bean market (trust me), this one's for you..  

3/7/2025

 
Will We Get Lower Interest Rates?

Recently Donald Trump told the chair of the Federal Reserve that the US should be cutting interest rates like other countries.  But will it happen?.  

2/7/2025

What's the big picture with house prices in Highland?

Zoopla What's the big picture with house prices in Highland? Property prices in Highland rose 2.3% over the past year, adding £4,500 to the typical home, according to our May 2025 House Price Index.   The area is well ahead of the UK average where prices have risen by 1.4% since May 2024.  

2/7/2025 : Local Authority

Community-Led Local Development Fund distributes over £900k to support projects in Highland

The Highland Strategic Local Action Group (LAG) met in June 2025 and considered and agreed funding for 28 projects submitted to the Community-Led Local Development fund (CLLD), which makes up part of The Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) programme.   CRF is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by The Highland Council.  

2/7/2025

Energy Price Fall With New Reduced Price Cap Announced

Between 1 July and 30 September 2025, the energy price cap is set at £1,720 per year for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit.  This is a decrease of 7% compared to the cap set between 1 April to 30 June 2025 (£1,849).  

2/7/2025

 
Why your holiday flight is still not being powered by sustainable aviation fuel

As you wait in the departure lounge for your flight this summer, you may notice your aeroplane being pumped full of fuel ahead of takeoff.  And then you may start to wonder why flying is still so dependent on fossil fuels, and whether you should have booked a holiday destination that's accessible by a more environmentally friendly form of transport.  

2/7/2025 : Local Authority

 
Community benefits funding delivers educational resources to Highland schools

Highland Council has provided 12 ‘Talking Tub' resources for use in primary schools across the Highlands, in partnership with Union Technical who deliver community benefits as part of the Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme programme.   Chair of Highland Council's Education Committee, Councillor John Finlayson, said: "This is a fantastic initiative being rolled out across Highland primary schools which brings innovation and inspiration to early years children.  

2/7/2025

Museum Futures Programme launched

£4 million programme to encourage new approaches and collaboration across the museum sector.   Museums are being encouraged to sign up for a new partnership programme to strengthen and sustain their role as the stewards of Scotland's cultural heritage.  

2/7/2025

Hundreds of thousands to get secure roof over their heads in England

Government sets out ambitions for a social rent revolution through the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.   Boost for families as plans are set out to transform housing over the next 10 years, with more social and affordable properties including council homes, building on our Plan for Change.