The first modern barcode was scanned 50 years ago this summer - on a 10-pack of chewing gum in a grocery store in Troy, Ohio. Fifty is ancient for most technologies, but barcodes are still going strong.
Chancellor addresses House of Commons with a pledge to ‘restore economic stability' after revealing £22 billion of unfunded pressures inherited from the previous Government. Findings of a Treasury spending audit reveal £22 billion of unfunded pledges inherited from the previous Government this year.
The BMA will recommend members accept the offer following the negotiations, which could bring an end to 15 months of devastating strike action. End to junior doctor strikes in sight as union recommends members accept government offer.
New rules for owners take effect this week. XL Bully owners have until midnight Wednesday 31 July to apply for an exemption certificate ahead of new laws coming into force.
There's been a recent increase in reports of doorstep scammers who go door to door and offer to carry out cleaning or maintenance work on properties. In many cases they provide misleading information about their products, saying they will save money on energy bills or increase the value of your house.
Postmasters whose convictions have been overturned by the Post Office Offences Act can now apply to a new redress scheme. Postmasters whose convictions were overturned by the Post Office Offences Act can now access the new Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme.
Rolls-Royce SMR Limited's 470 MWe Small Modular Reactor design completes Step 2 of Generic Design Assessment (GDA). The Environment Agency, Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced today (Tuesday 30 July) that they are progressing to the next step of their assessment of Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd's 470 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design.
Up to £8 million of Scottish Government funding is being made available to help start-up businesses and entrepreneurs solve public sector challenges. The latest round of the Scottish Government CivTech programme invites companies and individuals to come up with innovations and products that will improve lives and practices across a wide range of public sector areas.
Thew John O'Groat Journal highlighted a letter from Thurso Community Council to Highland council. The controversy surrounding the closure of Avonlea Children's home in Wick and the decision to stop respite care in Thor House in Thurso has left people in doubt about the decisions.
The Highland Council's Environmental Health team is advising caution as blue-green algae has been found in Loch Watten, Caithness. During periods of prolonged warm weather, the chance of Blue Green algae (cyanobacteria) affecting water courses, particularly ponds, lochs and canals (as well as rivers), increases significantly.
The Highland Council is reminding individuals and community groups that there is still time to take part in the consultation seeking views on the Draft Community Wealth Building Strategy. This new strategy aims to ensure every area and community across the Highlands can participate in, and benefit from economic activity.
ritish household wealth has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent years. In Q1 2024, it was estimated to be worth more than six times GDP (630 per cent), more than 50 per cent higher than the last time Labour came into power (410 per cent in 1997).
Key advice on medicines and medical devices for the holiday season. The summer is upon us, and with it the arrival of warmer weather and promise of holidays at home and abroad.
A fund to help businesses, charities and other organisations adopt fair work practices has opened for applications. Grants are available to implement changes such as the delivery of workplace training and processes that support flexible working and help to create and sustain a more diverse workforce.
The government will agonise over the cost of paying NHS workers and teachers the above inflation pay rises that have been recommended for them, but doing so is absurd. Once tax is taken in to account a large part of any payment due heads straight back to the government, quite quickly.
All new NHS building projects including those in Caithness were put on hold in February for up to two years because of budget constraints. The Scottish Government said then that a revised plan would be released in the spring.
An article in the Scotsman today highlights he problems in the Highlands with comments from a recent letter by a local community council. Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council made a "crise de coeur" this year regarding the urgent need to arrest the continuing decline in population, services and infrastructure within the county within the local authority area.
Recent data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows that people are probably not doing enough to avoid paying tax on their savings interest. For the 2023/24 tax year the amount of Income Tax collected from UK savers was around £6.6billion.
The Flow Country in Caithness and Sutherland has been granted World Heritage Site Status by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. It joins Scotland's six existing WHS - the Neolithic Heart of Orkney, New Lanark, The Antonine Wall, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge, which were all awarded the designation for their cultural heritage, and St Kilda, recognised for both its cultural and natural importance.
UK Science Secretary Peter Kyle has commissioned an Action Plan to identify how AI can drive economic growth. UK Science Secretary commissions Action Plan to identify how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive economic growth and deliver better outcomes for people across the country.
