Government consults on new rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children, including whether paid leave could improve job opportunities. Millions could re-enter the workforce if better workplace protections for unpaid carers were implemented, saving the economy billions of pounds each year.
Britain's housing market is changing. Home ownership is increasingly determined by inherited wealth rather than earned income, while high rents, rising deposits and weak affordability keep many younger buyers locked out.
Young people from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds will be helped to start innovative businesses through the First Minister’s Start Up Challenge, which is now open for applications. Delivered in partnership with the King’s Trust and Dechomai, the programme will select 20 participants for a six-month accelerated entrepreneurial apprenticeship, providing tailored support, grant funding, workshops and hands-on experience.
There is an old saying that when times become uncertain, families tighten their belts. One of the first things to come under scrutiny is often the annual holiday.
AI‑generated videos are already influencing oil prices, wars, and people’s behaviour, mainly by accelerating misinformation and emotional reactions at massive scale. The evidence from recent conflicts shows that synthetic videos can move markets, intensify violence, and distort public perception.
UK Total retail sales increased by 3.7% year on year in May, against a growth of 1.0% in May 2025. This was above the 12-month average growth of 2.0%.
Can you turn a hose into a pressure washer with a cheap nozzle as some ads online say? Some are genuine products, but many of the adverts—especially on social media—are misleading. The biggest red flag is the claim that a simple hose attachment can "turn any garden hose into a powerful pressure washer." The short answer is: a hose attachment cannot perform like a real pressure washer.
Highland Council has confirmed that the cost of its garden waste permits will remain frozen at £48.95 for the 2026/27 season, maintaining last year’s price to support residents during ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Garden waste permits are now available to purchase online at www.highland.gov.uk/gardenwaste or through the Council’s Service Point network.
For many people rumours of a one percent reduction in capital funding across all government departments by the UK government to help increase funding for defence spending may seem a long way away but it might impact on the proposed new Thurso School Complex. It potentially could impact as it might ripple across many projects adding delays and time constraints and therefor push up prices.
A new partnership between government, industry and trade unions to better support young people entering the job market. More support to get young people into their first jobs through launch of new partnership to reshape entry-level jobs in sectors exposed to AI.
Scotland’s relationship with the United States of America will be celebrated through a new tartan to celebrate 250 years of American independence. A new design by Kaci McEwan, a student from Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design, has been selected as a symbol of the historic and cultural ties between Scotland and the United States.
More than 100,000 faster broadband connections have now been delivered to homes and businesses across Scotland through the £600 million R100 programme. The milestone marks significant progress in bringing faster, more reliable broadband to communities across Scotland, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
£2 Bus Fare Scheme Drives Accessible and Sustainable Travel Across the Highlands With the school holidays approaching, The Highland Council is encouraging residents and visitors to make the most of the £2 single fare cap on its in-house bus services. The initiative is helping to make public transport more accessible and affordable, particularly for families looking for low-cost ways to travel during the summer months.
The renewed exchange of fire between Israel and Iran has once again pushed global oil markets into a state of heightened anxiety. Each time the conflict flares, traders immediately price in the risk of disruption to Middle Eastern supply routes especially the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes every day.
The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers, China and India. The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers China and India Her agenda has focused on issues crucial for the UK national interest, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and artificial intelligence.
UK interest rates are far too high, and the Bank of England is making a serious mistake by keeping them that way. Mortgage holders are paying more, renters are facing rising housing costs, businesses are struggling to invest, and public services are under increasing pressure.
For centuries, naval power has been measured by the size of a nation's fleet. The British Empire ruled the waves through its battleships and the United States has dominated the oceans for decades through its aircraft carrier strike groups.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion and next steps in negotiations to support a just and lasting peace.
The closure and militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz in 2026 has forced Middle Eastern producers into a frantic search for alternative export routes. With around 20% of the world’s oil normally passing through this narrow waterway, the region has been pushed into the most serious energy logistics crisis in decades.
Fertiliser prices are rising again and there is a genuine shortage risk for 2026, especially for UK farmers including Scotland according to multiple industry and economic sources. The pressure is coming from Middle East conflict, tariffs, logistics bottlenecks, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a huge share of global fertiliser shipments.