Regional innovators backed by up to £20 million each through investments aimed at strengthening local economies and unleashing benefits across the country. Targeted support for local ingenuity and talent will grow industries from Scotland to Cornwall, including defence, space, energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and the creative industries.
Families in the bottom decile of the income distribution will be at the sharp end of the latest development in the cost of living crisis, and changes to energy and fuel prices alone could mean they experience a rate of inflation almost a percentage point higher than households in the top income decile by the end of this year - according to new analysis released by the Resolution Foundation (Thursday 2 April 2026). Happy new tax year 2026 weighs up the key personal finance changes in the new tax year against the backdrop of the impending price shock brought on by the conflict in the Middle East.
As new variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge, each one brings a familiar cycle of concern, headlines, and uncertainty. The latest to attract attention is the BA.3.2 subvariant—nicknamed "Cicada." Reports of its spread in the United States and beyond have raised an obvious question: is this something the UK should be worried about?.
Before dawn on March 1, 2026, Iranian Shahed drones struck two Amazon Web Services data centers in the United Arab Emirates. A third commercial data center in Bahrain was hit, though it is less clear whether it was deliberately targeted.
The British Army trialled AI-powered drone technology to help identify landmines and explosive ordnance, allowing bomb-disposal experts to rapidly recognise threats, and dispose of those munitions safely. AI-powered drone technology successfully trialled to identify landmines and explosive ordnance.
As a number of key reforms come into place from April 6, as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments. "April 6 marks a significant moment for some of the most substantial elements of the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Zoopla has published its latest House Price report for April 2026. What's happening to property prices in Highland? Property prices climb £6,900 over the past year as Highland keeps ahead of Scotland as a whole.
The Colorado River is one of the most stressed water systems in the world—and yes, farmers are very much in trouble. The problems come from a combination of declining rainfall, shrinking snowpack, and a system built for a wetter past.
Why you'll love the ScotRail Family Pass Unlimited travel: Travel across Scotland, hopping on and off, as many times as you like. Great value: £60 covers up to 2 adults plus up to 4 children for 7 days of travel.
The UK is in a war economy, and most people don't realise it yet. The Middle East conflict has already cut global oil supplies by around 20% and gas supplies by roughly 30%.
At the start of the year, the consensus was 2026 would see moderate house price growth. But, with mortgage rates soaring, and the global economy grinding to a halt, these forecasts need to be thrown out.
When oil prices surge, politics tends to follow. That's exactly what we're seeing with John Swinney and the renewed debate over North Sea drilling—a debate that reveals a deeper truth about energy, economics, and the limits of national control in a global market.
Susannah Streeter, Chief Investment Strategist, Wealth Club give the latest view. "High hopes have been replaced by fresh frissons of fear about the duration of the war with Iran after President Trump's bellicose speech, which gave no indication the conflict was very close to ending.
Cash ISA savers are encouraged to transfer out of underperforming closed accounts to avoid missing out on £416, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk analysis can reveal. Loyal cash ISA savers have been consistently penalised by holding their cash in closed accounts that trail behind the highest rates by over 2%.
The income tax system has changed a lot over the last parliament, with the introduction of new tax bands and changes to both rates and thresholds. These changes go against the SNP's 2021 manifesto promise to freeze both income tax rates and bands.
Statement on the Foreign Secretary-led talks with international partners on the Strait of Hormuz. Today the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Yvette Cooper, convened a meeting of over 40 countries from every continent of the world, as well as key international organisations including the International Maritime Organisation and the European Union.
Four years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the world is bracing for another energy crisis. The US-Israel bombing of Iran and then the blockade of the strait of Hormuz have forced up the price of oil.
Statements of Persons and Parties Nominated and Notice of Poll Twenty candidates are seeking election on Thursday 7 May 2026 in the three Scottish Parliamentary local constituencies for Highland. Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency has attracted 7 candidates; Inverness and Nairn constituency has attracted 7 candidates; Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency has attracted 6 candidates.
The Bank of England has issued one of its starkest warnings in years. An additional 1.3 million UK households are now expected to face higher mortgage costs as a direct result of the economic shock triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The Highland Licensing Board has granted a general extension of licensed hours for all on sales licensed premises that have: a full premises licence and. televised sport included in their operating plan for the Scotland group stage matches and any further Scotland fixtures should they progress within the tournament, until 30 minutes after the final whistle/end of play.