News Archive

24/5/2025 : Local Authority

Environmental schemes on the agenda of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee

Environmental schemes on the agenda of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee Members of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will have the opportunity to discuss compensatory planting schemes and biodiversity enhancement when they meet on Thursday 29 May.   Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Environmental schemes are important for our communities as they ensure that biodiversity is improved when new infrastructure projects are developed.  

24/5/2025

Starmer's winter fuel allowance ‘U-turn' sets him on a tricky path with backbenchers and voters

The U-turn is a long and, depending on your point of view, honourable or dishonourable tradition in British politics.  Now Keir Starmer has been accused of following this tradition after heavily hinting the UK government is reconsidering last year's decision to deny the winter fuel allowance to millions of pensioners.  

24/5/2025

 
Greenland strikes deal with Europe, ices out the US

Breaking: Greenland strikes deal with Europe, ices out the US..  

24/5/2025

 
Americans Aren't Ready For The Joblessness That Is Coming To The United States

The job market in America is collapsing before our eyes.  In 2025, it's not just about layoffs anymore—it’s about a tidal wave of joblessness that’s sweeping across the country with no signs of stopping.  

24/5/2025

Trump to hit EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere' - Stock Market Falls

EU imports to US will be subject to levy from 1 June as tit for tat markets slump.   The US president posted on his Truth Social platform that his long-running battle to secure concessions from the EU had run aground.  

24/5/2025

 
Trading Standards - Energy Grant Scams

This week, the Shut Out Scammers campaign is focused on doorstep scams linked to rising costs of living and energy bills.   Scammers continue to provide misleading information about services and products, saying that they will save money on energy bills or increase the value of your house.  

24/5/2025

Retail sales climbed again in April but online results were patchier, says Parcelhero

Today's ONS retail sales results for April reveal a fourth consecutive rise in sales volumes, up 1.2%, as shoppers shrugged off economic bad news and hit the High Street.   However, the picture for online sales was more mixed, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero.  

24/5/2025

 
The world has a glut of savings, and you might not think it, but that's a huge problem

A savings glut creates global economic instability, and that's precisely the problem the world's got right now.   The question is, what are we going to do about it? .  

24/5/2025

 
ALMOST UNWATCHABLE: Warren Literally Reads Off Rule Word-By-Word To Trump IRS Commissioner Nominee

At today's Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen.  Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) questioned William Long, President Trump's nominee for Commissioner of the IRS..  

23/5/2025

Teachers in Scotland and England Pay Increases - 4%

Scottish teachers are set to receive a 4% pay increase, effective from August 2025.  This increase, which was recommended by the Scottish Teachers' Remuneration Board (STRB) and accepted by the Education Secretary.  

23/5/2025

Long-term international migration, provisional - year ending December 2024 - Huge Drop

Long-term net migration is down by almost 50%.  The number of people immigrating minus the number of people emigrating is provisionally estimated to be 431,000 in year ending (YE) December 2024, compared with 860,000 a year earlier.  

23/5/2025

Public sector finances UK - April 2025

Borrowing - the difference between total public sector spending and income - was £20.2 billion in April 2025.  This was £1.0 billion more than in April 2024 and the fourth-highest April borrowing since monthly records began in 1993.  

23/5/2025

Reason for international migration, international students update - May 2025

Immigration of non-EU+ migrants initially arriving on a study-related visa decreased from 423,000 in year ending (YE) December 2023 to 266,000 in YE December 2024.  A decrease in student dependants following government policy changes accounts for around two-thirds of this change.  

23/5/2025

Business insights and impact on the UK economy: 22 May 2025

Approximately 1 in 7 (14%) trading businesses reported that their turnover had increased in April compared with the previous calendar month, down 4 percentage points from March.  In contrast, 24% reported that their turnover had decreased, remaining broadly stable over the same period.  

23/5/2025

Changes to energy price cap between 1 July and 30 September 2025 - Prices to Go Down

Every 3 months we review and set a level for how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy and daily standing charge, under the price cap.   From 1 July to 30 September 2025 the price for energy for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit will go down by 7% to £1,720 per year.  

23/5/2025 : Local Authority

Highland Council drives forward with fleet management action plan

Highland Council has updated members of the Communities and Place Committee on its Fleet Action Plan supplied to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.   The action plan was developed following an independent audit of the Council's fleet operations and addresses a number of improvements being made in relation to compliance and control processes and monitoring of heavy goods vehicles.  

23/5/2025

NHS Pay Increases in Scotland and England

For 2024/25 the Scottish Government implemented the DDRB recommendation to uplift GP pay net of expenses by 6.5%.  In total the Scottish Government uplifted the GP contract by £59.6 million.  

23/5/2025

 
HMS Glasgow naming ceremony marks milestone for UK security and economy

The people and city of Glasgow have been honoured (22 May) as the Royal Navy's most advanced anti-submarine warfare warship is officially named HMS Glasgow.   The naming ceremony at BAE Systems' shipyard in Glasgow was attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales.  

23/5/2025 : Local Authority

Highland Council agrees outcomes for mainstreaming equality

Members of Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have today welcomed progress against the Council’s Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report.  They also agreed a revised set of equality outcomes for 2025- 2029.  

23/5/2025

US bonds and the dollar slide continues

The US dollar is currently under pressure due to concerns over rising debt and fiscal policy changes.   Dollar Index Decline: The US Dollar Index (DXY) has fallen toward 99.50, reaching a two-week low.