The Chancellor has announced help with immediate pressures, but important decisions on welfare, public spending, housing support and the future tax burden remain unresolved. Is the government buying time to develop a long-term plan, or postponing choices that will become harder to make? The Chancellor's Budget on 28 October contained a long list of measures intended to help households and businesses cope with rising costs.
Disruption to Russian and Ukrainian grain exports is adding to rising food, fuel and fertiliser costs. Britain may face another squeeze on household budgets, but the consequences for poorer countries could be far more severe.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept interest rates unchanged, but the decision offers little reassurance that borrowing costs have peaked. Rising oil and gas prices, driven by the continuing conflict in the Middle East, are increasing the risk of another wave of inflation across Europe.
Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years. The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.
New restrictions take effect across the UK, banning sales of nicotine pouches and nicotine-free vapes to children, while also targeting promotional offers and sales through vending machines. Young people will face tighter restrictions on buying vapes and nicotine products following new measures that came into force across the UK on 29 October 2026.
Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation. In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.
Spend Less, Save More: How Cutting Back Can Also Cut Your Tax Bill From takeaways and restaurant meals to alcohol and cigarettes, some everyday spending carries a surprisingly large tax bill. Cutting back can leave more money in your pocket, improve your health and reduce the amount you hand over to the taxman.
New legislation gives trade unions greater access to workplaces, strengthens protection for workers taking strike action and makes it easier for unions to secure recognition from employers. The changes apply across Scotland, England and Wales.
A growing off-grid solar industry could provide electricity to almost 400 million people by 2030, while creating jobs, supporting small businesses and helping some of the world's poorest communities gain access to reliable energy. That is the central finding of a new report published on 27 October 2026 by the World Bank Group and GOGLA, the global association representing the off-grid solar industry.
A seemingly genuine job offer, an invitation to attend an online interview and a request to complete a technical test might sound like an ordinary part of modern recruitment. But increasingly, cybercriminals are turning this familiar process into a way of breaking into computers, stealing information and gaining access to business networks.
The cryptocurrency industry is facing one of its biggest tests of confidence after Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, reported a security breach with an estimated impact of $6.3 billion. The incident could represent the largest cryptocurrency theft in history.
American businesses are facing an uncomfortable question as the country approaches its November midterm elections. Have some of the biggest corporations in the United States become too closely associated with Donald Trump, and what happens if the political balance of power in Washington changes?.
A new Government policy could change the way Britain buys military equipment from overseas, requiring foreign defence contractors to deliver economic benefits in return. Scottish manufacturers and smaller engineering businesses could be among those to benefit.
The Chancellor's Budget has offered households a collection of measures designed to ease the cost of living. Lower energy costs, help with household bills, changes to fuel duty and some reductions in the cost of groceries have all been presented as evidence that the Government understands the financial pressures facing ordinary families.
When governments make decisions about taxation, employment rights, energy prices, planning regulations, public contracts or business investment, they are supposed to act in the interests of the country as a whole. But there is another influence which operates behind the scenes: lobbying.
The Resolution Foundation has examined the Budget in considerable detail, looking beyond the Chancellor's announcements to assess who really benefits, who loses and what problems remain unresolved. Its 48-page report makes uncomfortable reading for a Government hoping to convince voters that household finances are improving.
The world's major oil companies are enjoying another extraordinary period of profitability, with BP and Shell reporting sharply higher earnings as disruption to international energy supplies pushes up prices and creates exceptionally favourable conditions for parts of the oil and gas industry. The latest figures have reignited an important debate.
The Chancellor has reversed plans to cut the annual Cash ISA allowance for people under 65, keeping the £20,000 limit for savers of all ages. The decision will be welcomed by people who value the security of cash savings, although it leaves the Government looking for another way to encourage more investment in British companies.
The UK Government is moving towards tighter restrictions on children's use of social media, including a proposed ban for under-16s. The aim is to protect young people from cyberbullying, harmful content and the pressures created by platforms designed to keep users online for as long as possible.
Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East are attacking energy infrastructure while the prospect of renewed US strikes on Iran adds another layer of uncertainty. The danger is that expensive oil and scarce diesel become a prolonged problem for households and businesses worldwide.