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Yesterday :: Business
Podcast - Financing the UK Energy Transition with Deloitte

Accelerating the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy system will require substantial investment—much of which must come from private capital. Energy providers, investors, policymakers, and consumers each have a critical role to play in ensuring that investment in low-carbon infrastructure and technology scales up rapidly enough to meet the UK's net zero targets.

Yesterday :: Business
 
Almost all the economics taught, and which informs our politics, is completely rubbish

Economics, as it is now taught, is almost total rubbish. No wonder the world is in a mess when political decisions are based on this nonsense..

Yesterday :: Business
Universal Winter Fuel Payments In Scotland

First Minister John Swinney has confirmed that pensioners in Scotland will receive no less than they would under the new UK Winter Fuel Payment scheme. During a speech on public service reform and preventative public health measures to ensure Scots live longer, healthier, wealthier lives, the First Minister confirmed further details of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme will be set out in due course and that ‘the Scottish Government will always seek what is best for Scotland's pensioners’.

Yesterday :: Business
New Scottish Technology Council

An expert group will assist Ministers on how to maximise the economic benefits of Scotland's multi-billion technology sector. A new Scottish Technology Council will help shape policy, provide a link between businesses and the Scottish Government and promote Scottish tech companies on the international stage.

Yesterday :: Business
Insolvency-related activity in Scotland hits 29-month high

Insolvency-related activity in Scotland hit a 29-month high in May 2025, according to new research from R3, the UK's insolvency and restructuring trade body. R3’s analysis of data provided by Creditsafe shows there were 141 cases of insolvency-related activity in Scotland in May - the highest number on record since December 2022’s figure of 142.

Yesterday :: Business
SQA publishes new guidance on use of Artificial Intelligence in qualifications assessment

SQA has published guidance on acceptable use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools in assessments for the 2025-26 session. GenAI tools may be used where they do not undermine a learner's ability to demonstrate the knowledge, understanding, and skills required for assessment.

Yesterday :: Business
Adam Smith Inst - Only 1 in 20 Think Taxes Are Well Spent

The Adam Smith Institute commissioned its partner organisation, Adam Smith Insights, to conduct a nationally representative poll of adults in Great Britain. The polling showed that only 5% of Brits believe that their taxes are well spent, with over half of Brits saying that taxes are too high.

15/6/2025 :: Business
UK looks to military gap years to boost recruitment in the face of growing geopolitical tension

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
The UK's small businesses should be fuelling the country's growth ambitions. Here’s why that’s not happening

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
Spending review delivers big boosts for health and defence - but Rachel Reeves is focused on investment

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
The UK is gearing up for autonomous warfare - but missing the reality of war today

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
 
In an uncertain world, how do we make decisions?

Economists assume that we don't need to make decisions because they think we are possessed of perfect knowledge, so knowing what to do is innate to us. But that's nonsense.

15/6/2025 :: Business
Where should governments spend your money? The impossible maths of political and moral decisions

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
It's time to stop debating whether AI is genuinely intelligent and focus on making it work for society

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
The political opportunism behind Reform UK's support for abolition of the two-child limit on benefits

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
Disappearing Babies As UK Economy Falters - A Brief Look

The UK's fertility rate has fallen to around 1.44 children per woman in England and Wales—the lowest on record—and even lower in Scotland at about 1.3. Raising a child in the UK is no small financial feat! According to recent estimates, the cost of raising a child to age 18 is around £260,000 for a couple and £290,000 for a lone parent.

15/6/2025 :: Business
NHS-dominated Spending Review leaves little to rebuild other public services

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
 
Number soup on Spending Review day from all sides

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
Why is Britain's economy so unhealthy? - The Spectator

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?.

15/6/2025 :: Business
Nuclear energy is a risky investment, but that's no reason for the UK government to avoid it

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
Britain is turning into a National Health State, as lower-income families gain most from Spending Review

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
Boosting university spin-outs - Capitalising on Scottish innovation, ideas and expertise

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
The End of Light Goods Vehicle Acquired Rights

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
 
Tech giants join government to kick off plans to boost British worker AI skills

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.

15/6/2025 :: Business
 
School holiday meals for more children who are most in need thanks to transformative support package

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.

11/6/2025 :: Arts
 
The Toddler Museum Of Things At Keiss Beach

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.

11/6/2025 :: Arts
 
The Frayed Atlantic Edge

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.

11/6/2025 :: Arts
 
SAVED at Lyth Arts Centre

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.

9/6/2025 :: Coming Events
Sat, 26 Jul 10:30am - Halkirk Highland Games

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 O’Groats.

9/6/2025 :: Coming Events
Sat, 19 Jul 07:30am - Caithness County Show

A great day out for the family. Friday 18th July – Equestrian Events from 10am and gates open at 4pm for the preview evening which normally runs to around 9pm.

9/6/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Sun, 3 Aug 12:00pm - Wick Gala 5k Run 1mile Fun Run

See poster..

9/6/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Sun, 22 Jun 2:00pm - Live Jive At Park Hotel

Plan your summer holidays around the next Live Jive on Sunday 22nd June. See you on the dance floor..

9/6/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Fri, 20 Jun 1:30pm - The Living Camera - Three Day Course 12 - 17 years old

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/.

5/6/2025 :: Sutherland
 
Highland Councils Own Road Marking Team Mobilised Throughout The Highlands

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.

1/6/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Sat, 26 Jul 9:00pm - Wick Gala Night Dance

See poster..

29/5/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Sat, 5 Jul 8:00pm - Party Night With Live Music

See poster..

28/5/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Sat, 21 Jun 8:00pm - Prize Bingo - Wick Players

See poster..

27/5/2025 :: Community
 
Camps Bar Donated £250 To North Highland Cancer Information

Camps Bar Donated £250 To North Highland Cancer Information..

27/5/2025 :: Community
 
Camps Bar Donated £250 To Healing Hub, Wick

Camps Bar Donated £250 To Healing Hub, Wick..

27/5/2025 :: Community
 
Camps Bar Donated £250 To Caithness Klics Young Carers

Camps Bar Donated £250 To Caithness Klics Young Carers..

27/5/2025 :: Community
 
Camps Bar donates £250 to Homestart Caithness

Camps Bar donates £250 to Homestart Caithness..

27/5/2025 :: Community
 
Camps Bar Donates £250 To Bower Young Farmers

Camps bar donated £250 to Bower Young Farmers group..

27/5/2025 :: Community
 
Donations to Community Groups From Camps Bar Wick

Several groups received £250 each from Camps Bar..

26/5/2025 :: Community
 
School Holiday Activities Bookings Open Monday 2nd June

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.

25/5/2025 :: Coming Events
 
Sat, 12 Jul 09:00am - Latheron Show - JCB Dancing Diggers

See poster..

19/5/2025 :: Coming Events
Sat, 26 Jul 12:00am - Wick Gala Week Starts

Programme coming in later weeks..

19/5/2025 :: Arts
Public Asked To Inform Independent Review Of Creative Scotland - Eight roundtable discussions to be held across Scotland

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.