Survey reveals 81% of construction workers recognise importance of reporting qualification fraud for site safety, but 78% unclear on how to report it. Construction sector workers feel confident in spotting the signs of qualification fraud, but do not know how to report it, a survey conducted by construction sector partners reveals.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launches first major cryptocurrency investigation into suspected fraud. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today issued an appeal for investors to come forward with any information they hold about the collapse of a $28 million cryptocurrency scheme called Basis Markets.
The upcoming UK Budget is generating heavy speculation, with many briefings and policy rumours already circulating. The fiscal position facing the current Chancellor Rachel Reeves is difficult: her predecessor Jeremy Hunt had left only a small "fiscal head-room" of about £9 billion (~0.25% of GDP) before the forecast errors of the independent budget office take effect.
Users and customers of Dornoch Service Point are being advised by The Highland Council that the way in which services are being delivered at the Service Point is changing. From Monday 4 August, customers will be able to: access pay, report and request services through a dedicated direct phone line in the library to a service specialist team.
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.
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.
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.
Ahead of Easter, the new Achmelvich beach car park and public amenities are now open. Achmelvich beach facilities have undergone a remarkable £1.1m upgrade and transformation of facilities that include an extensive 70 space car park, designated blue badge spaces, new toilet facilities with an accessible toilet, baby changing facility and two outdoor cold-water showers, cycle rack, recycling bins and new signage and interpretation.
QR phishing, also known as "quishing," involves cybercriminals using QR codes to trick users into visiting malicious websites or downloading malware, often disguised as legitimate offers or requests. These scams can lead to financial loss, data breaches, and identity theft.
On April 2, United States President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping new "reciprocal tariff" regime he says will level the playing field in global trade - by treating other countries the way (he claims) they treat the US. First, Trump's plan will impose a "baseline" 10% tariff on virtually all goods imported into the US, effective April 5.
When U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sweeping new tariffs on imported goods on April 2, 2025 - upending global trade and sending markets into a tailspin - he presented the move as a response to a crisis.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission has today said that the challenges in funding healthcare will become more acute over the next twenty‑five years leading to significant pressures on Scotland's fiscal sustainability. Health is the largest area of spending in the Scottish Budget and it is projected to grow faster than any other area.
Barrow is a blueprint for how defence spending can boost communities up and down the country, the Prime Minister will say while on a visit to the town today. Keir Starmer joins Vanguard Class submarine crew returning home from nuclear deterrent patrol to thank them for their silent service Comes as he visits Barrow to lay the keel of the next generation Dreadnought submarine, the next generation of the UK's nuclear deterrent.
More crime victims will get access to a range of information about the perpetrator and have a say on decisions about their prison release under newly unveiled justice reforms. Currently victims can register with the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) if the offender in their case has been sentenced to 18 months or more in prison, or with the Victim Information Scheme if the sentence was less than 18 months.
When The Highland Council's Harbours Management Board met earlier today, (Friday 28 February 2025) members expressed their delight that two projects are bringing benefits to the council, the fishing industry and their local communities. The Highland Council manages approximately ninety ports, harbours and marine facilities, ten of which provide Marine Gas Oil (MGO) bunkering facilities.
Garage rents for non-council tenants in the Sutherland area will increase by 8% for 2025/26, as agreed at yesterday's Area Committee. Cllr Richard Gale, Sutherland Area Chair said: "We felt it was important to give Council tenants a little break, following the 8% increase in their council rent as agreed at last week's full council meeting.
Following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds and other captive birds, the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer from Scotland and Chief Veterinary Officer from England have declared a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and other captive birds. This means that from 12:00 noon on Saturday 25 January, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Scotland and England to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu.
KAEFER UK & Ireland has clinched a four year framework to provide critical services to the Sellafield site. The company will supply access systems plus asbestos and insulation support under the Access Services and Insulation framework.
Malicious predators who create sexually explicit deepfakes without consent can expect to face the full force of the law under a new amendment to legislation. New offence to be introduced as part of Data (Use and Access) Bill Law targets artificial images showing someone naked or engaging in sexual acts.
A new report explores a framework for global climate risk management and includes contributions from an actuary at the Government Actuary's Department. Georgi Bedenham, an actuary from the Government Actuary's Department (GAD), is co-author of a new report, Planetary Solvency - finding our balance with nature.
