Reform has pledged to do everything it can to block green energy, but doing so will increase energy prices. Why do they want to do that? .
NRS Dounreay has been awarded Gold status for skills and training for the fourth consecutive year by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board. The engineering construction industry values its members, who design, construct, maintain, renew and dismantle the UK's strategically important industrial infrastructure.
The value of goods imports decreased by £0.4 billion (0.7%) in March 2025 because of a fall in imports from non-EU countries, partially offset by a rise in EU imports. The value of goods exports increased by £0.2 billion (0.8%) in March 2025, with a rise in exports to the EU.
Total construction output is estimated to have shown no growth (0.0%) in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2025 compared with Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2024; over the period new work increased by 0.9%, while repair and maintenance fell by 1.2%. Monthly construction output is estimated to have grown by 0.5% in March 2025; this follows a downwardly revised increase of 0.2% in February 2025, and an unrevised decrease of 0.3% in January 2025.
President Trump formally announced a range of tariffs on imports of goods to the United States on 2 April 2025, with imports from the UK subject to a blanket 10% tariff and imports of steel and aluminium, and cars and car parts subject to a higher 25% tariff. On 8 May 2025 the UK government announced the signing of a trade deal between the United States and the UK.
The Government has accepted the TRA's recommendation to impose new anti-dumping and countervailing measures on imports of excavators from China to the UK. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has accepted the TRA's recommendation to impose new anti-dumping and countervailing measures on imports of excavators from China to the UK.
Works on the Naver Bridge replacement scheme, on the A836 section of the North Coast 500 route near Bettyhill, have reached a major milestone this week with the completion of the in-river works. This includes all piling works for the bridge foundations, and enables the contractor, Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd, to continue with the remaining foundation and bridge superstructure works throughout the summer months.
Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in March 2025, following unrevised growth of 0.5% in February 2025. Real GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.7% in the three months to March 2025, compared with the three months to December 2024; this is mainly because of widespread growth in the services sector in this period.
Changes will mean more money in the pockets of hard-working people when they reach retirement, delivering on government's Plan for Change. Street cleaners, school cooks and other dedicated public servants are set to benefit from a package of reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) that will end discrimination and lead to more money in people's pockets.
Government confirms UK+ exhaustion of rights regime. no legislative changes means businesses can continue operating under the existing exhaustion of intellectual property rights regime without any new requirements.
After a successful three-week trial of thermal technology in 2024, Highland Council has appointed Thermal Road Repairs for a two-year patching repair contract worth a seven-figure sum. This will provide an additional resource for repairing surface defects such as potholes, cracking and deteriorating surfacing joints.
Tidal stream energy sector calls for collaborative action to resolve consenting challenges and accelerate clean energy growth. A new report published today, Managing the Consenting Risk of Harbour Seal Collision in the Scottish Tidal Energy Industry, sets out key recommendations to underpin robust consenting to enable the growth of tidal stream energy in Scotland while addressing environmental concerns - particularly the potential impact on harbour seals.
The river catchments of the Nith, Dee (Galloway), Cree, Doon, Irvine and Ayr and the Clyde have been raised to Alert. The river catchments of the Shin, Naver, Conon, Spey, Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeenshire), Esk, Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond, Tyne (Lothian), Tweed, Esk (Dumfriesshire), Annan and Thurso remain at Alert.
Following an unusually dry start to 2025, Scotland has been placed on an "early warning" for water scarcity by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). Considering this warning, Highland Council's Environmental Health Team is recommending that consumers on private water supplies use water responsibly, to check the water system for any indications of leaks or contamination risks and think about other options if your water supply is potentially in shortage.
For six days Page 94 is covering the extraordinary stories of the investigative journalists shortlisted for this year's Paul Foot Award, before the winner's announcement next week. First up is Laura Hughes (The Financial Times) for her deep-dive about the abandoned mines leaching toxic lead into British soil, livestock and food, and why nobody is taking responsibility.
ScotRail is reminding customers that significant timetable improvements will come into effect from Sunday, 18 May, with a focus on enhancing rail connections for Fife and other parts of the country. The updated timetable will see more frequent services to and from Leven, improving links to Edinburgh and better connecting communities throughout Fife.
Travelling with loads of luggage can be very stressful. Worse still, if holidaymakers get their suitcase's weight or size wrong, excess charges can run into £100s.
The UK government has announced plans to relocate 12,000 civil service jobs from London to regional hubs across the country. As part of this initiative, 11 government office buildings in London will be closed, including major sites like 102 Petty France and 39 Victoria Street.
Dstl has been part of a major MOD programme which will fundamentally change electromagnetic warfare surveillance and anti-ship missile defence capabilities. In a significant advancement for UK maritime defence, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has played a crucial role in revolutionising the Royal Navy's electromagnetic warfare (EW) capabilities through the Maritime EW Programme (MEWP).
Cardiology nurses are to be supported to develop advanced skills to enable them to treat a wider range of patients and heart conditions. The National Specialist Nursing In Cardiology Framework will set out how nurses can develop advanced skills and expertise through university-level qualifications and clinical experience.
The Defence and Security Accelerator's impact on innovation showcased in new research. A new report published today reveals that companies funded by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) have generated nearly £1 billion in economic value and created over 1,800 jobs across the UK.
Total New Housing Supply (new build, rehabilitations, and net conversions) New housing supply decreased by 16.4% (3,984 homes) in 2023-24, with 20,364 homes supplied compared to 24,348 in 2022-23. Of the total new housing supply, 97.9% (19,943 homes) were new builds, 0.3% (57 homes) were rehabilitations, and 1.8% (364 homes) were net conversions in 2023-24.
t is a travesty of justice that Labour had a landslide victory at last year's UK general election with the support of just 20% of the UK electorate. We need electoral reform, and we need it now.
The Scottish Government has invested over £65 million in projects across Scotland through its ground-breaking Nature Restoration Fund. Established in 2021, it has funded hundreds of projects helping Scotland's species, woodlands, rivers and seas back on the road to recovery.
Parents of 16 to 19 year olds can go online to extend their Child Benefit claim to guarantee payments in September. Parents of 16 to 19 year olds reminded to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August to continue payments.
Scottish Secretary drives forward Brand Scotland with new campaign fund. The UK Government's drive to sell Brand Scotland around the world will get a boost with the launch of a new fund for overseas campaigns.
Highland Council is appealing for people to consider becoming foster carers. This week marks the beginning of Foster Care Fortnight (12-25 May) and Highland Council is appealing for more people to come forward and become foster carers.
See Poster..
The recent Annual General Meeting of Castletown Heritage Society was unable to elect the required amount of Office Bearers to the Committee as defined by the Societyâs Constitution. All interested parties are invited to attend this Extraordinary General Meeting the purpose of which is to elect a Committee to ensure the continued operation of Castletown Heritage Society and Castlehill Heritage Centre.
26 - 29 May. See poster..
Children in the UK will be able to live a safer life online under new Ofcom protections which set ambitious new safety standards for tech firms. As the UK's online safety regulator, protecting children is a priority for Ofcom.
the details of our upcoming youth workshop... TAKE 5! Aimed at youngsters aged between 11 and 16, this workshop is all about having fun, building confidence, and exploring the magic of amateur drama through five dynamic sessions of drama, games, and creativity.
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