UK–Ghana Growth Partnership (2026–2028) aims to boost jobs, trade, infrastructure and skills through major investments and private sector–led growth initiatives. The UK and Ghana have signed a new Growth Partnership aimed at delivering tangible benefits for people and businesses in Ghana, including more jobs, stronger infrastructure and better access to skills and education.
Highland Council’s Education Committee has (3 June 2026) agreed to launch a statutory consultation on proposals to transform education provision in Thurso. The decision marks an important step in shaping future investment in Thurso’s schools, giving pupils, parents, staff and the wider community the opportunity to help influence how modern, high quality education provision is developed for the town.
Donald Trump has once again placed tariffs at the heart of American economic policy, and while the headlines may focus on Washington, Beijing and Brussels, the consequences could be felt in factories, distilleries and ports across Scotland. The latest proposals from the Trump administration would impose new tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom.
Scale of the challenge should not be underestimated and requires speedy action, says Chief Regulator Sir Ian Bauckham. Cheating in exams using latest high-tech smart devices poses a growing threat that must be tackled quickly and not underestimated, Ofqual’s chief has warned in a new podcast.
The Government is backing The King’s Trust’s new youth opportunity initiative with £10 million of funding, launched (3 June 2026). The nationwide initiative will fully launch in 2027, providing young people with access to more trusted adults, training, skills and work experience opportunities.
UK Senior Military Advisor, Colonel Joby Rimmer, cites GCHQ intelligence assessments on heavy Russian losses, criticises and condemns Moscow’s refusal to engage in serious negotiations, and highlights ever increasing and unacceptable civilian casualties as a result of Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. Mr Chair, only a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, one that safeguards its sovereignty, will deter further Russian aggression.
The Universal United Kingdom Resort, one of the largest ever investments in the UK tourism sector, will employ thousands and entertain millions of people. Comcast NBCUniversal has committed to invest over £5bn in the entertainment resort complex during the expected 5 years of construction, as well as an additional £1bn in capital investment over the first 10 years of operation.
An annual conference for the Games sector and a pilot matching film and TV producers with business angels are among new initiatives that will be supported as part of record Scottish Government investment in innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship this year. A total of 44 projects will share £1.75 million through the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund to help entrepreneurs and businesses emerge and grow.
With the PetroJarl Rosebank having left its dry dock in Norway last Saturday and arrived on location west of Shetland, an important major new peer-reviewed study underlines the importance of the area for extending the life of the UK's oil and gas sector. It is economically, environmentally, and strategically beneficial for the UK to prioritise domestic oil and gas production rather than increasing reliance on imports, according to new findings from researchers at the University of Aberdeen.
Labour says it wants to build new towns. But if Rachel Reeves funds them through PFI-style private finance, those towns could be financially crippled from the start.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper arrives in India on her first official visit to the country. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will meet External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to review delivery under Vision 2035.
The US House passed a war powers resolution 215-208 on 3 June 2026 but it appears unlikely to go further as President Trump can veto it. As the price of petrol/Gas is almost $5 a gallon how long can h hold out before paying attention to the voters problems in that context.
Loganair is cutting back several routes in 2026, including reducing flights on key Scottish Highland and Island routes (Inverness to Kirkwall/Sumburgh/Stornoway) from mid-July. Additionally, they are axing the Dundee to London Heathrow service in September and reducing frequencies on routes like Newcastle-Southampton, driven by the need for operational stability and financial sustainability.
Last week marked the start of patrols for The Highland Council’s 2026 Seasonal Access Rangers team, a dedicated group working to promote responsible enjoyment of the Highlands natural environment. Funded by The Highland Council, the team will play a key role in supporting visitors and local communities.
the emergency and strategic oil stocks that governments have been releasing since the Hormuz disruption, the answer is they do not suddenly "run out" on one particular day, but the market is approaching the point where the buffer becomes much less effective. A few key figures help explain the situation.
The issue is one of the biggest political and economic debates in the UK and Europe today. Consumers often ask, "If Scotland is generating lots of electricity from wind and hydro at very low operating cost, why am I still paying prices linked to expensive gas?" The answer lies in how wholesale electricity markets are designed.
On Wednesday this week (3 June) The Highland Council is aiming to take a major step forward in strengthening its support for Gaelic, recognising the linguistic, educational, historical and cultural connections which exist right across our region. Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee is to consider a recommendation to adopt a Highland‑wide designation as an Area of Linguistic Significance (ALS) for Gaelic under the Scottish Languages Act 2025.
Changes to end one-sided flexibility and uncertainty for workers through ban on exploitative zero hours contracts set out in consultation. Changes will end one-sided flexibility, help people plan their finances and daily lives, or enjoy benefits of a zero hours contract if they wish to keep one.
For households in Caithness and across the Highlands that rely on kerosene heating oil, the same broad forces affecting crude oil apply, but heating oil can sometimes behave even more dramatically than crude oil itself. The chain looks like this: Crude oil → refinery → kerosene (heating oil) → local distributor → your tank So if crude oil rises because of Middle East disruption, heating oil usually rises too.
School learning environments across Scotland will become phone free under measures announced by Education Secretary Màiri McAllan. Highlighting the damage phones can cause to pupils’ wellbeing and education, Ms McAllan confirmed forthcoming legislation to restrict their use in all of Scotland’s schools.