There have been more reports of rogue traders offering to carry out 'free' loft surveys, supposedly on behalf of the government. They then go on to provide misleading information about the existing insulation in the property.
Households eligible for the Warm Home Discount must be named on their energy bill by 23 August to receive it automatically this winter. People receiving means-tested benefits must be named on their energy bill by 23 August to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount.
A charity support line providing a one-step gateway to cost of living and whole family support will be expanded by Scottish Government funding to help up to 7,500 families. Children First’s service offers practical, emotional and financial help and advice to families across Scotland 365 days a year by phone, webchat, text, email, video and face to face.
Young people are beginning to realise something that previous generations rarely had to face. the economic system no longer works for them.
Scotland and India’s trading partnership could be worth more than £3 billion a year by 2030 – up by more than a half on current levels - according to a new report. It highlights four high-growth sectors where Scotland's specialist strengths can capitalise on the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement which came into force earlier this month.
Community groups and organisations across the Highlands are being invited to apply for funding through The Highland Council's Community Transport Grant Scheme. The scheme supports community-led transport services that help people access healthcare, employment, education, shopping and social activities.
The Leader of The Highland Council has welcomed confirmation from Transport Scotland of almost £1.8 million funding to support Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services from Wick for the year ahead. Following an open tender exercise, the Council has awarded the contract to Air Charter Scotland, which will continue to operate services between Wick and Aberdeen and introduce scheduled flights between Wick and Glasgow from 15 August 2026 to 14 August 2027.
As the emergency response to the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park continues, attention is now turning to economic recovery and supporting the businesses and people whose livelihoods have been impacted. The Highland Council through Business Gateway Highland is working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Government, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Cairngorms Business Partnership as part of a multi-agency business recovery group.
The UK Government's announcement of £8.4 billion of additional investment in Britain's nuclear submarine programme has understandably focused on the major shipyards and manufacturing centres in England. Yet there is another part of the country with a long and distinguished connection to the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine fleet – one that is often overlooked.
A major renewable energy boost is coming to Caithness as TagEnergy secures approval for the Cairnmore Hill Wind Farm, located just west of Thurso. The five‑turbine project will deliver 21.5 MW of clean electricity—enough to power around 28,000 homes—and marks one of the company’s first operational wind ventures in the UK.
Running a business in Caithness has never been easy. The challenges facing firms today are very real: rising costs, energy uncertainty, staff shortages, higher taxes, transport difficulties and pressure on household incomes.
When people discuss the future of Caithness, the conversation often focuses on major industries such as energy, tourism, engineering and the legacy of Dounreay. All of these are important.
The UK Government has announced £8.4 billion of new funding for the next phase of Britain's Dreadnought nuclear submarine programme, one of the largest defence investments in recent years. The announcement is about far more than replacing ageing submarines – it is also being presented as a major industrial investment designed to support jobs, apprenticeships and advanced manufacturing across the UK.
Seven areas of England now officially in drought after record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures. Half of England has been declared in drought by the Environment Agency.
Community groups across Scotland are to receive further help to cut their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions, thanks to a £10 million investment over five years from the largest community funder in the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund investment will help to fund the installation of renewable technologies like heat pumps and solar panels, as well as energy efficiency measures through the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) Community Buildings Fund.
Recent headlines have warned that Britain could face an increased risk of electricity blackouts as the country moves towards a cleaner energy system. Some reports have suggested the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has been sitting on a confidential report warning that the UK's electricity grid is becoming more fragile.
Young adults today have similar earnings, incomes and housing-cost burdens to people their age 10–15 years ago but worse employment rates, far higher rates of living with parents, and no real improvement in living standards compared with earlier generations. The IFS argues that the core problem is two decades of stalled productivity and wage growth, not a sudden collapse in young people’s fortunes.
Is the Ukraine War Expanding? Why an Attack on an Iranian Cargo Vessel Could Have Global Consequences The war in Ukraine may have reached another important turning point. Reports that Ukraine has struck an Iranian cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea have raised questions about whether what began as a conflict between Russia and Ukraine is now becoming part of a much wider geopolitical struggle involving Iran and, indirectly, the United States.
If you only read the headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking that Britain's small businesses are fighting a losing battle. Almost every week there are reports of rising costs, labour shortages, higher taxes, business closures and weak consumer confidence.
At its meeting ending on 29 July 2026, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 6–3 to maintain Bank Rate at 3.75%. Three members voted to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4%.