News Archive

15/4/2025

UK sends multi-million pound military equipment loan to Ukraine

The UK makes second £752 million payment to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme.   A £752 million payment has today (14 April) been sent to Ukraine through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme.  

15/4/2025

 
New Achmelvich Beach Car Park And Public Toilets Now Open

Ahead of Easter, the new Achmelvich beach car park and public amenities are now open.   Achmelvich beach facilities have undergone a remarkable £1.1m upgrade and transformation of facilities that include an extensive 70 space car park, designated blue badge spaces, new toilet facilities with an accessible toilet, baby changing facility and two outdoor cold-water showers, cycle rack, recycling bins and new signage and interpretation.  

15/4/2025

Government secures raw materials to save British Steel

The Government has secured raw materials needed to save British Steel.   The Business Secretary pushes ahead with efforts to safeguard British Steel.  

14/4/2025 : Local Authority

 
Council's In-house Bus Service expands into Caithness

The Highland Council is pleased to announce that from Monday 21 April it's in-house bus team will be delivering the 918 Wick to Berriedale service.   This is the first venture for the in-house bus company outside of the Inverness area since the successful introduction and launch of Highland Council Buses.  

14/4/2025

Check if a business is registered for money laundering supervision

Find out if a business has registered with HMRC under the money laundering regulations and report them if they have not.   A full list of HMRC registered businesses is available in the Supervised Business Register.  

14/4/2025

More than just chips: Chinese threats and Trump tariffs could disrupt lots of Made in Taiwan imports − disappointing US builders, cyclists and golfers alike

What would the United States stand to lose economically if its current access to the Taiwanese market were upended or totally restricted? This seemingly theoretical question about the longtime U.S.  trading partner has taken on more relevance in the past several weeks.  

14/4/2025 : Local Authority

The closure of radio teleswitching explained

The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) is due to end on Monday 30 June 2025.   If your electricity meter uses RTS, it must be replaced.  

14/4/2025

Insolvency Service disqualified more than 1,000 directors in 2024-25 With more to come with ongoing enquiries

The latest statistics for Insolvency Service enforcement outcomes also outline Covid loan abuse and bankruptcy restriction orders.   More than 1,000 directors disqualified following Insolvency Service investigations.  

14/4/2025

Scottish Housing Market Review Q1 2025

The Scottish Housing Market Review collates a range of previously published statistics on the latest trends in the Scottish housing market.   Registers of Scotland data shows that due to three consecutive quarters of annual growth up to Q4 2024, sales in 2024 were up 5.4% from 2023.  

14/4/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Argyll seafood firm expands - A history of rising energy costs made things difficult

Loch Fyne company Otter Ferry Seafish Limited to increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs.   A £350,000 expansion project at a seafood company in Argyll will increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs.  

14/4/2025

Sugar Prices Keep Rising For Various Reasons

Sugar prices are increasing due to a combination of factors, primarily related to supply constraints and strong global demand.   Adverse weather conditions, including droughts and frost, have significantly impacted sugar cane and beet production in major exporting countries like India, Thailand, and Europe.  

14/4/2025

UK Government steps in to back British business in changing world

The Chancellor announces a multi-billion-pound increase in government-backed financing.   British businesses across the country have today been given further stability and certainty with access to new support through a multi-billion-pound increase in government-backed financing as the world enters a new era of global trade.  

14/4/2025

Trade mission to UAE to deliver new opportunities for Scottish businesses

Scotland will respond to the ongoing global economic uncertainty by highlighting its economic strengths and making clear it is open for business, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has said.   Speaking ahead of a trade and investment visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ms Forbes promised the Scottish Government would do everything it could to promote trade and attract jobs and investment.  

14/4/2025

UK Government cuts price of everyday items and summer essentials

The Government has cut prices on the imports of everyday essentials like spices and juices to boost economic growth.   Prices slashed on 89 foreign products - ranging from pasta, fruit juices and spices to plastics and gardening supplies - over next two years.  

14/4/2025

NDA commended for commitment to transparency

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority hosted Non-Governmental Organisation's on sites for the first time.   Keeping open and transparent dialogue going with a wide range of external stakeholders is a key commitment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's (NDA) strategy - and last week (April 7 & 8) those groups opposed to the industry got their chance to have their say.  

14/4/2025

If You Are Interested in Health News - Try This

Shor on time and so much always happening on the health front.   Roy Lilley with huge management experience offers a newsletter casting an eye over the health service mainly in England but something inevitably find heir way to Scotland.  

14/4/2025

 
Precarious prospects - Understanding precarious work among foreign-born workers

This briefing note - the second in a Resolution Foundation research programme on precarious work in the UK, supported by Unbound Philanthropy - examines the labour market experiences of foreign-born workers.   While many secure high-skilled, well-paid jobs, we focus on the substantial minority who face barriers to stable and secure employment.  

14/4/2025

 
Easter Eggs and Chocolate Prices Going Ever Higher

Chocolate is experiencing a surge in price due to a global cocoa shortage, primarily caused by adverse weather conditions and diseases affecting cocoa production in West Africa, particularly in Ghana and Ivory Coast.   Climate change is exacerbating these issues with extreme weather patterns and the spread of diseases like swollen shoot virus and black pod disease.  

14/4/2025

Consultation on recovering costs for water company enforcement

Environment Agency launches consultation on cost recovery for water company enforcement activities.   Following the introduction of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, the Environment Agency is now able to recover additional costs associated with regulating the water industry.  

14/4/2025

 
UK and Cyprus strengthen space ties

Cyprus and the UK are set to collaborate more closely on space activities following a successful bilateral event held in Nicosia on 27-28 March.   The first Cyprus-UK Bilateral Cooperation Event brought together representatives from the space sectors and governments of both countries, with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA).