New analysis has revealed that a Scottish Government programme to install 55 4G mobile phone masts in rural and island communities has improved home life, work life and business performance.
As a result of the £28.75 million Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) project, around 2,200 homes and businesses now have a faster mobile internet connection.
Highlighted benefits include wider online customer bases for businesses and better connectivity for communities during broadband outages.

The Scottish Government has launches a consultation on a minimum charge for single-use cups.
Views are being sought on the possible introduction of a 25p charge to all single-use drinks cups when a drink is bought, regardless of material.
There would be exemptions for specific locations and uses, such as in schools and hospitals.
Under the proposals, retailers would be able to retain reasonable implementation costs from the charge – mirroring the approach taken for single-use carrier bags.

Three new car parks in Cheltenham are to benefit from new charging hubs in 2024, delivered and managed by the EV Network.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has agreed to fund two NHS England initiatives which aim to boost commercial capability and improve efficiency and patient care and reduce waiting lists.
CCS is set to provide NHS England with over £15 million over the next three years, to support NHS Energy Management Capability and to create a first of its kind NHS Commercial Learning & Development Academy. The Academy will offer commercial staff access to a range of learning and development opportunities to deliver a best-in-class workforce.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan have met for the first time in their new roles.
Over a two-day visit, the pair visited a wind farm in west Wales, where they committed to cooperation to unleash the benefits of a publicly owned energy company.
Starmer also pledged to build on work already done by the Welsh Government to establish a publicly owned energy company.
Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru was built from scratch in a year. It is on course to produce 1 GW of clean energy by 2040 – enough to power up to a million homes in Wales.

The Scottish Carer Support Payment is now available in seven more council areas.
The replacement for Carer's Allowance, is now available in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Fife, Moray and North, East and South Ayrshire.
The extension comes after pilots in Perth & Kinross, Dundee City, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), Angus and North and South Lanarkshire.
It is set to be available across all of Scotland from 4 November.

Nine organisations from across the Lancaster district have pledged to work together more closely to improve the lives of the local community with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Lancaster City Council to monitor air quality using monitors and public portals to inspire public engagement and active travel across the city.

Blaenau Gwent Council trial Kerbo Charge's through-pavement electric vehicle (EV) charging channels.

Barnsley Council has made an order to stop motor vehicles driving along a section of Fitzwilliam Road in a bid to improve active travel routes.
Cars, vans and lorries will be prevented from driving down the road as part of a plan to support cyclists and people walking in the town.
The council's A635 ‘Active Travel Scheme’ was signed off by the council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority in September 2022.