With the Scottish Government shifting its 2026-27 Budget announcement to 13 January 2026, councils across Scotland are bracing for a tighter financial planning process and deeper uncertainty over funding levels. While ministers argue the delay is forced by constraints from Westminster, local authority leaders and public sector auditors caution that compressed timelines could weaken oversight and hamper service delivery.
Works to transform the commercial and retail centre of Wick to create a more welcoming space are moving forward at pace. Local firm GMR Henderson have been appointed as the contractor with an expected start date on site of Monday 27 October.
An innovative funding programme to help make sure residential rehabilitation placements are available where they are most needed has been extended by the Scottish Government. The £2 million Additional Placement Fund allows Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) in areas where demand is high, to more easily access money if their existing funding has run out.
NRS has appointed Costain as the principal contractor to reduce the height of two reactor buildings at Trawsfynydd former nuclear site, in Gwynedd, North Wales. Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) has appointed Costain as the principal contractor to reduce the height of two reactor buildings at Trawsfynydd former nuclear site, located in Gwynedd, North Wales.
ACE helped the Joint Maritime Security Centre explore how it could improve decision-making by simplifying current complex sensor signals into one system. The UK's coastal waters are monitored by a wide range of maritime sensors, including radar and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).
Solar and wind outpaced the growth in global electricity demand in the first half of 2025, resulting in a very small decline in both coal and gas, compared to the same period last year. New analysis from Ember shows that record solar growth and steady wind expansion are reshaping the global power mix, as renewables overtake coal for the first time on record.
ACE developed a portfolio of in-depth reports to increase understanding of how AI products in four key areas could be used by criminals. The Public Safety Group (PSG), part of the Home Office, commissioned the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) to increase understanding across government of AI products, especially those based on Generative AI (GenAI), that are being released onto the market and how these could be used by criminals.
This will make many people think hard..
ACE developed options for an AI lab that would inspire and enable greater innovation by adding in technical expertise from industry and academia. Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in shaping the police service of the future, bolstering capabilities by making investigations more sophisticated and efficient as well as freeing up officers' time.
The United Kingdom generated 66% of its electricity from low-carbon sources, significantly higher than the global average of 41%. In 2024, the United Kingdom generated 66% of its electricity from low-carbon sources, significantly higher than the global average of 41%.
New review process will ensure lessons are learned from each case. Legislation to help reduce the number of domestic abuse-related homicides and suicides in Scotland has been passed unanimously by Parliament.
The new record has been reached amid strong growth in EV and battery exports in 2025, half of which has come from emerging markets. New data analysed using Ember's China Cleantech Exports Data Explorer shows that China's exports of clean technologies in August 2025 totalled $20 billion USD - a new record for the world's largest exporter of electrotech.
Border Security Command now has a better understanding of how online platforms used in people smuggling can be monitored and potentially disrupted. The UK's new Border Security Command (BSC) commissioned the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) to produce a series of evidence-based reports to provide additional insights into criminal networks.
You used car finance for a motor vehicle, for example, a car, van, campervan or motorbike between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 (this includes hire purchase agreements, such as Personal Contract Purchases. Your lender included a discretionary commission arrangement (DCA), a high rate or commission, or a contractual tie that you weren't properly told about.
Amid global economic turbulence, the prices of precious metals have been climbing higher and higher. The price of gold in particular has skyrocketed over the past year, rising more than 50%.
A record £99 million will be invested in Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) this financial year to help thousands of households struggling to afford housing costs in Scotland. During Challenge Poverty Week, Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan highlighted the payments as a ‘lifeline' for thousands of families and individuals.
Britain's steel industry is at a critical juncture. With the European Union set to slash tariff-free import quotas and impose duties of up to 50% on excess steel.
Results published today from the Scottish Household Survey 2024 show that 83% of households with a two to five year old child (not yet at school) used at least one form of childcare, similar to previous years. The most common forms of childcare used were local authority nurseries and private nurseries, used by 40% and 32% of households respectively.
Scotch Whisky Association and producers join PM India trade mission. A Prime Minister-led trade mission to India this week will drive home the benefits of the landmark UK - India trade deal for Scottish businesses.
Elevator UK will develop and manage the services offered by the Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed a specialist operating company to run a new multi-million-pound innovation centre to support manufacturing in Moray.
