News Archive

10/4/2026

Business Secretary champions flagship investment in UK's largest gigafactory

Thanks to the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, 4,200 jobs have been secured following over £700 million of investment in the advanced manufacturing sector.   The government has taken decisive action to ensure battery manufacturers, auto firms and SMEs rooted in communities across Britain benefit from major financial support - keeping the country a leading hub for business, investment, and jobs in a volatile global environment.  

10/4/2026

Oil Prices Rising Again As Peace Process Falters Over Lebanon Attacks

The recent tension around the Strait of Hormuz has once again pushed global oil markets into uncertainty, with clear knock-on effects for everyday fuel costs.   While a ceasefire in the wider regional conflict briefly calmed markets, the situation has not stabilised.  

10/4/2026

 
UK considers ban on owning signal jamming devices used by car thieves and shoplifters

The UK government is considering tougher measures against criminals exploiting gadgets designed to hack doorbells and vehicle tracking systems.   UK government investigates rising misuse of radiofrequency jammers to commit crime, from hacking video doorbells to enable burglaries to bringing airports to a halt.  

10/4/2026

Why the war in Iran will make your UK mortgage more expensive

The war in Iran is affecting the cost of living around the world.  In the UK, it is leading to higher energy prices, weaker economic growth and a more expensive future.  

10/4/2026

Mediocre March under a Middle East cloud

Total UK footfall increased by 2.4% in March (YoY), up from -4.7% in February.   High Street footfall increased by 2.0% in March (YoY), up from -5.4% in February.  

9/4/2026

 
They're Putting Potato In Your Beef. Here's Why

Every time supermarket beef shrinks in the pan — now you'll know why.  I'm a working British farmer who doesn't supply supermarkets, which means I can tell you what farmers inside the supply chain can't.  

9/4/2026 : Local Authority

Important information on 2026/27 Non?Domestic Rates

The Highland Council is issuing important updates regarding Non‑Domestic Rates for the 2026/27 financial year.   All ratepayers are urged to review the changes, as they may affect liability and the amount payable.  

9/4/2026 : Local Authority

 
Spring jobs without the scams: how to choose safe, reliable traders in the Highlands

With the clocks now forward and planning for home improvements getting underway, residents are being reminded that this is the time of year when rogue traders and doorstep are becoming more active.   To help people stay safe, Highland Council Trading Standards is highlighting simple steps households can take - and promoting the Highland Trusted Trader (HTT) scheme as the easiest way to find reputable local trades.  

9/4/2026

 
Government approves UK's largest power-producing solar farm

800 MW Springwell Solar farm given approval - the largest solar project in the UK terms of power generation.   Marks the 25th nationally significant clean energy project approved by the government since July 2024 - enough clean energy to power the equivalent of over 12.5 million homes.  

9/4/2026

When Will the UK Run on Alternative Energy? A Rural Story About Targets, Timelines, and Reality

Most headlines talk about the UK "going green" as if it's a single switch waiting to be flipped.  But for people living in rural Scotland from Caithness to the Western Isles the question isn't abstract.  

9/4/2026

 
UK exposes covert Russian submarine operation in and around UK waters

The British military has exposed a covert Russian submarine operation in and around UK waters, forcing the vessels to retreat back to Russia.   UK reveals Russian submarine operation in and around British waters.  

9/4/2026

When Waiting Becomes a Journey: How NHS Delays Hit the Highlands Hardest

In the central belt, a delayed appointment is an inconvenience.  In the Highlands, it can feel like a threat to your health, your livelihood, and sometimes your dignity.  

9/4/2026

Trading Standards - Energy Supplier Impersonation Scams

Rising fuel prices have led to an increase in scam calls and messages posing as energy suppliers.   Scammers may ask you to take urgent action to avoid having your energy supply disrupted or being charged a fee.  

9/4/2026

Should the UK Treat the Energy Crisis Like a Wartime Effort?

A Rural Perspective on Speed, Survival, and the Cost of Delay.   There's a growing feeling across the UK and especially in rural Scotland that the country is drifting through an energy crisis that demands far more urgency than it’s getting.  

9/4/2026

The UK "Mansion Tax" and Its Impact - With a Focus on Scotland

In recent years, the UK government has introduced plans for what is commonly referred to as a "mansion tax." While not always officially named as such, the policy refers to additional taxation on high-value residential properties.  The aim is to increase tax contributions from the wealthiest homeowners while leaving the vast majority of households unaffected.  

9/4/2026

Markets update: Crude rises amid Iran ceasefire concerns, causing jitters

Brent crude has headed back above $97 a barrel.   Israel's strikes on Lebanon have sparked accusations of a violation of ceasefire terms.  

9/4/2026

 
The Petrodollar Is Breaking - What Happens Next?

The petrodollar system has quietly shaped the global economy for decades.  It enabled the US government to borrow cheaply and maintain global financial dominance.  

9/4/2026

The Impact of Rising Jet Fuel Costs on Travel and Holidays Including the Hidden Cost of Baggage

In recent years, rising jet fuel prices have begun to significantly reshape the cost of travel and holidays.  Fuel is one of the largest expenses for airlines, and as prices increase, airlines pass these costs on to passengers.  

9/4/2026

 
When the Bank of England Hesitates: How Rate Uncertainty Lands in Rural Scotland

In London, interest‑rate decisions are discussed in the language of markets, gilt yields, and inflation expectations.  In rural Scotland, the conversation sounds very different.  

9/4/2026

ScotRail celebrates bumper Easter passenger numbers

New figures released by ScotRail show that more than 800,000 passenger journeys were made during the Easter weekend.   The train operator recorded 802,367 passenger journeys between Friday, 3 and Monday, 6 April 2026 - up four per cent on Easter 2025 when 772,040 journeys were made.