News Archive

Scottish Connections Fund open for applications

Applications are now open for the Scottish Connections Fund 2025-26, which helps strengthen Scotland's international diaspora.   Grants of up to £5,000 are available for new projects that help to promote Scotland and bring together our diaspora around the world.  

The Scottish Affairs Committee's Inquiry into the Barnett Formula

The Scottish Affairs Committee has released a report calling for increased transparency in how the Barnett formula is applied to determine funding for Scotland.   The Barnett formula is a mechanism used by the Treasury in the United Kingdom to automatically adjust the amounts of public expenditure allocated to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to reflect changes in spending levels allocated to public services in England, Scotland and Wales, as appropriate.  

31.3% of transport & storage firms have no cash reserves - worse than any other sector

31.3% of transportation & storage sector firms have told the ONS they have no cash reserves.  That's a higher number of cash-strapped firms compared to any other sector - but it's an improvement on December's results, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero.  

UK Speeds Up Free Trade Agreements As USA Goes for More Tariffs

he UK has been actively accelerating its free trade agenda—especially in contrast to the U.S., which has leaned heavily into tariffs under its current administration.   President Trump has announced that on 1 August 2025 he will impose more tariffs on several countries.  

Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund - Agriculture support applications open

Applications for up to £200,000 a year to build farming skills and improve biodiversity have opened.   Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie also confirmed that the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) would consider requests for multi-year funding agreements, subject to budgetary confirmation each financial year.  

Non-binary people in Scotland: an analysis of Scotland's Census 2022

This report uses the new availability of Scotland's Census 2022 data to analyse the characteristics and outcomes associated with non-binary people, to fill evidence gaps and create a better understanding of Scotland's diverse population.   This report draws comparisons between the non-binary population aged 16 and above and the rest of Scotland aged 16 and above (excluding non-binary people) using data from Scotland's Census 2022.  

The UK Housing Market Has Changed Forever

It's hard to believe but there was a time in recent memory, the average worker could buy an average house for four times their salary.   Now house prices are out of reach.  

A look at the arguments for and against the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine, especially as it's being rolled out more widely in the UK

the letters inviting older people for the RSV vaccine are popping through letter boxes.   So we take look at the pros and cons.  

5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

5,000 steel jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel's Port Talbot electric arc furnace project today.   Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens join Tata Group Chairman to break ground on construction of electric arc furnace that will secure thousands of jobs.  

Trade win unlocks £250 million for British firms in Vietnam

Trade win unlocks £250 million in exports for British pharmaceutical firms in Vietnam.   Trade win unlocks £250 million in exports for British pharmaceutical firms in Vietnam.