The Planning Inspectorate is recruiting experienced planning professionals to become local plan inspectors. Applications open in early 2026.
Weekly UKHSA report for the 2025/26 season, monitoring respiratory viruses as people are encouraged to take simple steps to protect themselves. This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other viruses.
Up to 460 new jobs are expected to be created at the Grangemouth industrial cluster and surrounding area, thanks to £8.5 million new Scottish Government funding. Following the allocation of £1.5 million of Scottish Government's Grangemouth Just Transition Funding to Scottish biotech company MiAlgae, up to 310 jobs are expected to be created over the next five years.
A new report exploring views on how Scotland's medical workforce might need to evolve over the next 15 to 20 years has been published today. The Future Medical Workforce report follows six months of extensive engagement with the profession, and we have listened to over 2,000 doctors through a national survey and 40 focus groups.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance has chaired a resilience meeting this afternoon to discuss the rising number of flu cases and the subsequent pressure on health services. She was joined by the Health Secretary, the Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith and Public Health Scotland Head of Health Protection (infection Services) Jim McMenamin.
The 14 Scottish most in need communities each to benefit from up to £20 million UK Government Pride in Place Programme funding. Local communities are at the heart of Scottish life - and the UK Government is today announcing the 14 neighbourhoods each receiving up to £20 million to restore pride in their area and open doors to new opportunities.
As President Donald Trump threatens the independence of the Federal Reserve Bank a look at history may give us some warnings about inflationary pressures that could result. Central bank independence has become a foundational principle of contemporary macroeconomic governance.
In October 2025, the UK economy shrank slightly, while the US economy was expanding strongly and the EU economy was growing modestly. This contrast highlights how the UK's stagnation is more domestic in nature, whereas the US and EU are benefiting from stronger consumer spending and investment.
Early-years interventions aimed at supporting disadvantaged children and families are a public-policy priority in many high-income countries. Two of the best-known programmes are the UK's Sure Start (children's centres and family support, launched 1999) and the United States' Head Start (early childhood education and family services, launched 1965).
The Secretary of State has accepted TRA's recommendation to impose anti-dumping measures on certain engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the UAE. The Secretary of State for Business & Trade has on 11 December 2025 accepted the Trade Remedies Authority's final recommendation to impose anti-dumping measures on certain engine oils and hydraulic fluids imported from Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Total UK retail footfall remained broadly unchanged in the week to 7 December 2025, compared with the previous week, but decreased by 1% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (BT Active Intelligence). The most reported challenge affecting turnover for trading businesses in early December 2025 was "economic uncertainty" at 33%, followed by "cost of labour" (21%), "cost of materials" and "competition" (both 20%) (initial results from Wave 146 of the Business Insights and Conditions Survey).
The Colorado beetle, a major threat to potato crops, was found in Kent in 2023. A major potato pest has been eradicated from the UK, the government has outlined today (Thursday 11 December 2025), following extensive operational investigative work and surveillance.
Grangemouth workers and the community will benefit from jobs and investment as UK government backs a new biotech project on the site. Scottish biotech company MiAlgae backed with up to £1.5 million to develop an innovative new project on the Grangemouth site, using byproducts from whisky distillation.
The value of goods imports increased by £0.8 billion (1.5%) in October 2025, because of a rise in imports from both EU and non-EU countries. The value of goods exports rose by £1.5 billion (5.2%) in October 2025, mainly because of an increase in exports to non-EU countries.
October 2025 GDP: Fell 0.1%, following a similar decline in September and flat growth in August. Three-month trend (Aug-Oct): The economy contracted 0.1%, reversing the small growth seen earlier in the year.
Services output was estimated to have no growth (0.0%) in the three months to October 2025, compared with the previous three months to July 2025. 7 of the 14 sectors showed growth in the three months to October 2025, with the main positive contributing sector being "real estate activities" (up 0.4%).
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday, marking the central bank's third cut of the year. Fed officials were split on the decision to lower rates to a range of 3.50%-3.75%, with policymakers dissenting on both sides.
What can ordinary people do if the financial crash many economists fear is coming? In this video, I explain some practical, calm, and sensible steps to improve your financial resilience without panic and without doom-mongering. From securing savings and pensions to food security and holding a little cash, these tips help you think ahead when the government won't.
Households with specific tumble dryers manufactured by Haier must check if their machine needs an urgent safety repair. Households with specific models of integrated heat pump tumble dryers manufactured by Haier must check if their machine needs an urgent safety repair because of the risk of fire.
A new report evaluating the impact of the 20th International Island Games has revealed that Orkney 2025 added £4 million to the island's economy, and has left a powerful legacy for local sport, infrastructure, and community spirit. Held from 12-18 July 2025, the Games brought together 2,141 athletes and officials from 24 islands across the globe, with 1,630 athletes competing across 12 sports.
