The UK government recently endorsed proposals in its strategic defence review to consider the creation of military gap years for young people in the UK. It would potentially be similar to a scheme offered by the Australian Defence Force.
The UK government's spending review has set out its priorities for the next three years. But behind the rhetoric about boosting growth lies growing concern about small businesses being locked out of the wider UK economy.
Whenever the UK government decides to spend public money on a new project, it needs to weigh up the costs against the value of the benefits it hopes to achieve. And it's rarely a simple calculation.
The UK is facing a security crisis. Great power competition has returned, and the threat of hostility from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea is increasing.
The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, recently announced that if in government, his party would abolish the two-child limit on benefits. This social security policy restricts the payment of means-tested benefits to the first two children of a family.
The Spectator's economics editor Michael Simmons is joined by the outgoing boss of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Paul Johnson and the CEO of the Resolution Foundation Ruth Curtice to understand why Britain's economy is in such a bad place. Given it feels like we are often in a doom loop of discussion about tax rises, does this point to a structural problem with the British economy?.
Half of entry-level white collar jobs might cease to exist in the near future, according to Dario Amodei, the CEO of leading AI company Anthropic. Amodei, whose company is behind the Claude platform, has since called for transparency standards requiring companies making AI models to demonstrate how they are handling risks such as the AI enabling cyberattacks or helping to make bioweapons.
The UK government's investment of around £14 billion in a new nuclear power plant marks a big economic shift for the country's approach to energy. The Sizewell C plant in Suffolk will be the second of a new generation of reactors to be built in the country, after Hinkley Point C in Somerset, which is expected to open in 2031.
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered the government's spending review, setting out its plans and priorities for the next three years. The aim of the review is of course to allocate spending over that time period - but this government is keen for economic growth and so has directed the funds to try to boost GDP.
The British state is slowly turning into a National Health State. With half of all public-service spending set to allocated to health and social care by the end of the decade, according to the Resolution Foundation's overnight analysis of Spending Review 2025.
Leading tech firms have partnered with government to deliver AI skills training to 7.5 million UK workers. Leading tech firms join talks with ambitions to train 7.5 million UK workers in essential AI skills.
The Fraser of Allender Institute weekly review tackles the Spending Review from Rachel Reeves. One of the roles we play on a day with big fiscal announcements is to explain all the numbers flying about from different politicians - to set out which numbers are illuminating, and which are misleading.
New initiatives taking advantage of Scotland's world-class reputation as an innovation nation have been announced by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. Three projects, backed by £4.4 million, are designed to help turn ground-breaking research across the country's universities and colleges into high-growth businesses that create jobs and support economic growth.
The NHS has again grabbed the lion's share (90 per cent) of the extra funding for day-to-day public services allocated at the Spending Review, with inflation-adjusted per-person spending flat or falling for most other departments, leaving little to rebuild other public services, the Resolution Foundation said on Wednesday. After two fiscal events dominated by tax rises and welfare cuts, Spending Review 2025 was finally an opportunity for the Chancellor to deliver good news by allocating an additional £149 billion of day-to-day public service spending (RDEL) and £115 billion of capital spending (CDEL) relative to plans inherited from the last Government.
Children most in need across the country will be kept from going hungry during the school holidays thanks to funding announced in the Spending Review. Major support package will help ensure the poorest children don't go hungry in the school holidays and give vital support to communities.
Over the past year the Office of the Traffic Commissioner has been working with the 293 operators who relied on a transport manager that holds an Acquired Rights Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for light goods vehicles. As the certificate could only be used to satisfy the professional competence requirements on an operator's licence until 20 May 2025, it was important that they had a suitably qualified person specified on their operator's licence before this date.
Tax havens - or secrecy jurisdictions - are an abomination on the global economic landscape that should have been consigned to history long ago. .
Scottish economic growth picked-up in the first quarter of 2025 following a weak end to 2024. However businesses remain concerned about weakening demand and a further fall in consumer sentiment in April highlights the risk that rising global economic uncertainty translates into weaker domestic spending.
Between 1991 and 1998, Russian GDP fell an estimated 40%. The transition to free market economy, was plagued by hyperinflation, rising poverty, falling life expectancy and social dysfunction.
OK this is an American video but it may make you think hard about solar panels..
An Aberdeenshire businessman has lost a five-figure sum to scammers in what is known as a ‘payment diversion fraud.' Criminals hacked the victims accounts and then sent him false invoices for payment, pretending to be his accountant. When the victim queried one of the invoices with a genuine supplier he realised he had been scammed.
Carers urged to check for financial support during Carers Week. This Carers Week (9 - 15 June), unpaid carers across Scotland are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible for social security support - through Carer Support Payment, Carer's Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant.
More than £1.5 million targeted funding over two years. Families most at risk of living in poverty are benefitting from expanded childcare offers through projects backed by the Scottish Government's Access to Childcare Funding.
People still like to talk about having 'money in the bank'. But they haven't.
Our updated policy on mobile phones has been finalised after a period of consultation with our parents/carers, pupils and staff. This policy will begin with the start of the new academic year, on Tuesday 19th August, and will essentially mean that mobile devices will be prohibited in the school building and grounds during the school day.
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.
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.
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..
Plan your summer holidays around the next Live Jive on Sunday 22nd June. See you on the dance floor..
See poster for times and dates of the weekend. Calling all 12-17 year olds - join us for The Living Camera! Build recycled pinhole cameras, forage for natural developing materials and develop pinhole photographs with local ingredients⦠Workshop led by artist Jess Holdengarde Fri 20th - Sun 22nd June Lyth Arts Centre & nearby beach (transport provided) Free to attend but booking required BOOK NOW: https://lytharts.org.uk/event/the-living-camera/.
Highland Council's dedicated road marking team has been fully mobilised to carry out road marking across the Highland region. Chair of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: "The Council has invested significantly in road maintenance as part of a broader program to improve Highland roads and the dedicated road marking team will help us to improve road safety for our communities.
Camps Bar donates £250 to Homestart Caithness..
Camps Bar Donated £250 To Caithness Klics Young Carers..
Camps bar donated £250 to Bower Young Farmers group..
Several groups received £250 each from Camps Bar..
Camps Bar Donated £250 To North Highland Cancer Information..
Camps Bar Donated £250 To Healing Hub, Wick..
Another school holidays will be here in a few weeks Once again Highland Highlife has a wide range of activities for children and young people to enjoy. It will not be long so take look to find something for your children this summer right across Highland region.
Programme coming in later weeks..
Artists and communities across Scotland will be given an opportunity this summer to help inform the independent Review of Creative Scotland. Eight roundtable discussions will be held across the length and breadth of Scotland this summer to ensure any recommendations are evidence-led and reflect a national perspective on Creative Scotland's role.
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