Rachel Reeves woke one morning to find herself not in 11 Downing Street but peering into a small, brass-lined hatch beneath her desk. A white rabbit—wearing a waistcoat embroidered with "Fiscal Year 2025/26"—scurried past, muttering about "deadline dips" and "threshold tunnels." Before she could grasp her speech notes, she tumbled headfirst into a labyrinth of shifting ledgers and whispering gold coins.
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed she will preserve the overall £20,000 annual ISA allowance but is actively considering reform to how much of that can be held in cash to nudge savers into markets. Industry reports suggest Reeves may ring-fence a portion of the £20,000 limit for stocks and shares ISAs, reducing the cash-only allowance.
Below is a roadmap showing likely tax and benefit tweaks in Rachel Reeves's next Budget and illustrative impacts on different household profiles. These figures assume measures such as an extended freeze on income tax thresholds, tighter pension relief and allowance cuts to dividends, savings interest and capital gains.
Stealth taxes raise revenue by freezing allowances and thresholds instead of increasing headline rates. As incomes grow with inflation, more earnings become taxable or shift into higher bands without Parliament voting a rate rise.
Maximising Tax-Free Wrappers are just one way to reduce tax liability. Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) allow up to £20,000 per tax year to grow free of Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.
Why not join us for our final club night of the year before we get started for this yearâs pantomime. We are delighted to be welcoming former members, Glen Harper to our Clubrooms to hear about his successful path in the theatre world.
We are delighted to announce we are partnering with our friends at North Coast Watersports to offer surfing sessions over the course of the summer holidays. See attached poster below for dates and times, and remember to book online using the booking system to ensure a place for your child..
Our next planned activities of the summer holidays are our Garden Storytime sessions, on Monday 7th - 3.00 - 3.30pm and Tuesday 8th July - 4 - 4.30pm Come along to hear some relaxing garden inspired stories, aimed at children aged up to 12 years old!.
Labour MPs have forced a major government climbdown over disability benefit cuts, in an embarrassing turn of events for Keir Starmer. The prime minister has blown a hole in his budget by agreeing to scrap plans to tighten eligibility criteria for disability benefits via the universal credit and personal independence payment bill.
The global ecosystem of climate finance is complex, constantly changing and sometimes hard to understand. But understanding it is critical to demanding a green transition that's just and fair.
Some UK employers are shortening closing dates on job ads in 2025—but it's not universal, and it depends on the sector and urgency of the role. We have noticed this here in Caithness in our jobs and vacancies section.
The Strategic Defence Review, launched in July 2024, said it would "put personnel at the heart" of the UK's defence. The House of Commons library has published an update.
The UK has historically been held up as leading democracy with free and fair elections. However, our new report shows election quality in the UK is now ranked in the bottom half of countries in Europe.
Young people across the country are being urged to surrender bladed weapons including ninja swords to help prevent further loss of young lives to knife crime. With the support of Word 4 Weapons and FazAmnesty, young people will be able to anonymously hand in any weapons to surrender bins or a purpose-built and fully secure van, across London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands - the 3 highest areas for knife crime in England.
Those with power rarely give it up willingly. That's why protest matters.
Urgent investment is needed to secure the future for the state owned shipyard Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG). This conclusion comes in a new report by the Scottish Parliament's Public Audit Committee following the Committee's consideration of the 2023/24 audit of Ferguson Marine by Audit Scotland.
Scottish shoppers are being urged to stay alert ahead of Amazon Prime Day as fraudsters use artificial intelligence to craft increasingly convincing scams. Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer advice service consumeradvice.scot, says criminals are exploiting AI to create realistic phishing emails and automated calls that make it harder to spot fraud.
More than 100 public servants who died in service recognised in the second ever Elizabeth Emblem List. 106 police officers, firefighters, overseas workers and other public servants who died in service have been recognised with the Elizabeth Emblem.
Vince Cable, former U.K. business secretary, discusses the outlook for U.K.
Many people want to save and help their community by making funds available at good rates from a local entity such as Hi-Scot Credit Union that covers Highland and Islands. Credit Unions encourage savings as well as offering affordable borrowing but lets take a closer look.
North Korea will be sending 30,000 additional troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Trump has decided to halt delivery of promised US military aid to Ukraine or potentially one of his subordinates has made the decision (Elbridge Colby) without his knowledge.
Additional empty homes officers are being recruited to bring more privately owned houses back into use. The new posts are being supported as part of a £2 million investment through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2025-26 which will see staff take a more proactive and targeted approach to tackling local housing issues.
Food for thought..
The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris. The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris, initiating a £75.6 million tender for the nation's first mission to actively remove defunct satellites from orbit.
Every time stock markets drop, headlines say that billions have been lost. But where does that money actually go? If you want to understand crashes, confidence, and the baked bean market (trust me), this one's for you..
When U.S. forces attacked Iran's nuclear facilities on June 21, 2025, the main target was metal tubes in laboratories deep underground.
Recently Donald Trump told the chair of the Federal Reserve that the US should be cutting interest rates like other countries. But will it happen?.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio. Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.
Lochaber will come alive with the sights and sounds of Gaelic song, cèilidh music, bagpipes and processions as the Royal National Mòd rolls into the Highlands from 10 - 18 October 2025. Attendees of the world's largest celebration of Gaelic language and culture are in for a bustling nine days, as events showcasing everything from music, poetry and dances, to exhibitions, book launches, and the region's best food and drink, are unveiled.
Highland Councillors have restated their commitment to a partnership between the Council, NHS Highland and WildLand to see a new North Coast Care Facility developed in Tongue in Sutherland at today's meeting of The Highland Council. The development which compliments WildLand’s creation of new housing in the area is underpinned by the Council’s partnership with NHS Highland, who have developed a full business case for a future health and care facility in Tongue.
SAVED, created by internationally renowned performer and workshops leader Graeme Leak (The Spaghetti Western Orchestra), is a sonic exploration through the ordinary moments of everyday life. The show centres around two rescued 1970s home organs, deconstructed to expose their internal spinning speakers for you to see and hear.
Join David Gange, author of The Frayed Atlantic Edge, for a special illustrated talk and conversation, featuring vivid excerpts and images from The Frayed Atlantic Edge and a sneak preview of his forthcoming book, Afloat. Part of LAC's Between Two Beaches programme.
Lyth arts Centre invite you on an adventure to see the world differently, through the eyes of a toddler. Toddlers and children are magpies, finding the mundane and making it magnificent.
Caithness Show 2025 is, taking place on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July in Wick!. Join us for a weekend packed with family fun â from horses and livestock to local produce, crafts, competitions, and so much more..
Adults £10, Concessions £5, Children 12 to 16 years £5, Children under 12 years - free. The Halkirk Highland Games, a traditional and spectacular Scottish sporting event is held in Caithness in the far North of Scotland, near to Thurso, the North Coast 500 travel route and the famous end of the road landmark of John OâGroats.
A great day out for the family. Friday 18th July â Equestrian Events from 10am and gates open at 4pm for the preview evening which normally runs to around 9pm.
See poster..
Caithness Forums
What's On in Caithness
Property For Sale
Property For Rent
Sutherland Property
Planning Notices
Who Is Building?
Submit Your Details
Other Enquiries