News Archive

30/5/2025

Community energy must be the next step in the renewables revolution

There is mounting scepticism and alarm at the impact of green, clean energy, and no sign of a slowdown.   But an apparently-ceaseless series of applications for wind farms, battery storage facilities, hydro and transmission infrastructure is currently reaching, for some, a tipping point.  

30/5/2025

 
Interest rates in the UK and USA are way too high because markets have no faith in their leaders

Interest rates in the UK and the USA are way too high, as a comparison with the Eurozone proves.   That's because of their incompetent economic leaders..  

30/5/2025 : Local Authority

Highland Council agrees regional adaptation plan to support coastal communities

Members of the Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have today agreed a Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan.  This will enable coastal communities to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change over time.  

30/5/2025

Block Grant for Scottish Government hits £50 billion

The block grant for the Scottish Government this year is £50 billion following Main Estimates 2025-26 published on Thursday.   The Scottish Government already had the largest real terms spending review settlement in the history of devolution of £47.7 billion.  

30/5/2025

Agricultural industry in Scotland profit recovers in 2024

The Chief Statistician has released 2024 figures on total income from farming, the official measure of the profit (output minus costs) of the agricultural industry in Scotland.   These initial estimates predict a strong recovery of agricultural industry profit from its 5-year low in 2023.  

29/5/2025

Government steps in to build first major reservoirs in 30 years

New reservoirs will supply three quarters of a million homes and unlock the building of tens of thousands more as part of the Plan for Change.   In a significant intervention to speed up delivery of much-needed reservoirs, the Environment Secretary Steve Reed has seized control of the planning process to build two major reservoirs for the first time since the 1990s.  

29/5/2025

Community benefits and shared ownership for low carbon energy infrastructure - A Consultation - Also Discussed by Highland Council Today

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State (Minister for Energy, Security and Net Zero) made a statement on 21 May 2025.   My hon.  

29/5/2025

 
Robotics demo points to interstellar future - UKAEA and Space Solar have collaborated on a robotics demonstration unit

UKAEA and Space Solar have collaborated on a robotics demonstration unit to pave the way for space-based data centres, solar farms and other megastructures.   A collaboration between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the UK's national organisation responsible for the research and delivery of sustainable fusion energy, and space-tech innovator, Space Solar, has shown that robotic technology could build infrastructure in space without human intervention.  

29/5/2025

Over £7.4 million put back in working people's pockets by employers failing to pay minimum wage

Employers who have left workers over £7.4 million out of pocket by failing to pay the National Living and National Minimum Wage named.   More money put into the pockets of hardworking people, as government delivers the biggest upgrade to worker's rights in a generation, as part of the Plan for Change.  

29/5/2025

Pension plan to double £25 billion+ megafunds, boost investment and improve returns for savers

Millions of workers are set to retire with bigger pension pots as the Government confirms plans to double the number of UK pension megafunds by 2030, unlocking billions to invest in Britain's future.   Move secures over £50 billion investment in UK infrastructure, new homes and fast-growing businesses, as pension funds reverse decades of declining domestic investment.  

29/5/2025

UK to deliver pioneering battlefield system and bolster cyber warfare capabilities under Strategic Defence Review

Defence Secretary announces new Cyber and Eletromagnetic Command and £1 billion investment in pioneering battlefield system.   More than £1 billion to be invested in pioneering ‘Digital Targeting Web' to spearhead battlefield engagements, applying lessons learnt from Ukraine to the UK Armed Forces.  

29/5/2025

 
$40 Trillion Market GONE? China Cancels Trade in USD Amid Its Global Power Play Showdown

Lena Petrov sets out what is happening on the dollar..  

29/5/2025

Trump tariffs blocked by US court ruling: What does it mean? | ITV News

A US court has blocked Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports in a major blow to the president's economic plans.   The ruling from a three-judge panel came after several lawsuits arguing Trump has exceeded his authority, leaving the country's trade policy dependent on his whims.  

29/5/2025

 
Rachel Reeves vs reality: The economics of the two-child cap

The Labour government claims that it cannot afford to pay benefits for the elderly, children in poverty, and people with disabilities.   That is nonsense.  

29/5/2025

 
Is this the beginning of the end of the American empire?

The U.S.  national debt is spiralling out of control, currently standing at an astonishing $36.2 TRILLION and climbing fast.  

28/5/2025

‘Highly deceptive' fraudster secured Covid loan funds under his wife's name and claimed innocent member of the public was his boss

Bounce Back Loan fraudster also produced false invoice to liquidator.   Shohid Ahmed applied for three Bounce Back Loans using his wife's name, receiving £100,000 his Indian restaurant was not entitled to.  

28/5/2025 : Local Authority

 
Communities face growing expectation gap

Mounting pressures from inflation, increasing costs and demand are exceeding the Scottish Government's additional investment in Scotland's councils.   In 2025/26 councils received over £15 billion in government funding, with more money set to be raised from council tax and charges for some services.  

28/5/2025

 
Highland Council's Waste Services team supports food bank donation

Last week, representatives from The Highland Council's Waste Services Team joined The Highland Food Bank Team in Inverness for the delivery of £500 worth of food and essential items which was kindly donated by Jett Distribution.   Jett Distribution have been contracted by the Council to deliver wheeled bins as part of the Waste and Recycling Service Change programme and are wheeled bin distribution specialists within the UK and Germany.  

28/5/2025

Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024

The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024 was published today.   This Official Statistics publication details statistics on the employment, production and value of shellfish from Scottish shellfish farms.  

28/5/2025

Scotland's Rural Regions Get Major Mobile Connectivity Boost

Thirteen upgraded masts to transform rural connectivity across the Scottish countryside.   The UK Government has today [Wednesday 28 May 2025] announced a significant boost to mobile connectivity across Scotland's rural areas, with 13 mobile masts upgraded to provide coverage from all four mobile network operators.