The use of Chromebooks, laptops and other digital devices in schools was once widely regarded as an important step towards modernising education. Giving every pupil access to technology promised to improve learning, widen access to information and prepare young people for a world increasingly dependent on digital skills.
There is a fundamental question at the heart of democracy which is not always comfortable to discuss. Should the public decide every major national question, even when the consequences are complicated, uncertain and potentially irreversible?.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the way European countries think about defence. For decades, many NATO members reduced their military spending, believing that a major conventional war in Europe was increasingly unlikely.
The prospect of an independent Scotland rejoining the European Union is frequently presented as one of the major advantages of independence. Scotland would regain access to the European single market, restore freedom of movement with EU countries and recover a relationship with Europe that ended when the UK left the EU in January 2020.
When oil prices rise, motorists and households across Britain face higher costs for petrol, diesel, heating oil and energy. Oil-producing countries and regions, however, can benefit from increased revenues generated by their natural resources.
The debate about Scottish independence regularly returns to familiar subjects: oil revenues, taxation, public spending, pensions, the NHS and whether Scotland would be better off economically outside the United Kingdom. But there is another important question that deserves considerably more attention.
The Bank of England's decision to increase interest rates in November has important implications for households, businesses, government finances and local authorities. It may also signal the beginning of another period in which the cost of borrowing remains higher than many people had expected.
There is an interesting contradiction developing in Britain's economic outlook. On one hand, the Government wants people to become better prepared for emergencies, build financial resilience and ensure they have enough savings to cope with unexpected events.
Politicians at Westminster, Holyrood and local government regularly talk about economic growth. It has become one of the central promises of almost every administration, regardless of political party.
Caithness has become an important centre for renewable electricity generation. Wind farms across the area produce electricity that contributes to Britain's energy supply, but there is an interesting question that deserves more attention locally.
People earning a little extra money outside their main employment are set to receive a tax break under changes announced in the 2026 Budget. From 6 April 2027, the annual tax-free trading allowance will rise from £1,000 to £3,000, potentially making life simpler for millions of people involved in small-scale trading or occasional paid work.
Scotland has spent years recognising the importance of its peatlands as natural carbon stores. Millions of pounds are being invested in restoring damaged bogs, blocking drainage channels and encouraging the return of vegetation that helps keep carbon locked safely underground.
More than £500 million is being handed out in tax-free prizes this month, but are Premium Bonds still a good place to keep your savings? There are few things quite like Premium Bonds in British personal finance. They are part savings account, part lottery and part national institution.
The American midterm elections of 3 November 2026 may be remembered as a major political setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress and made significant gains in state elections.
The Bank of England has delivered a warning that households, borrowers and businesses should take seriously. Its November 2026 Monetary Policy Report paints a more difficult picture for the months ahead, with inflation expected to rise further and the possibility that interest rates may have to remain higher, or increase again, to bring inflation under control.
The removal of Paraguay's president following a major banking crisis raises some interesting questions about political accountability, the relationship between business and government, and the ability of elected representatives to hold their leaders to account. It also provides an opportunity to examine how the American political system deals with similar challenges.
HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate increase to 4.00%. The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 5 November 2026 to increase the Bank of England base rate to 4.00% from 3.75%.
Political leaders around the world are discovering that winning an election and taking office does not guarantee that they will remain in power. From mass protests and parliamentary impeachments to military coups and foreign intervention, a growing number of governments are facing challenges that would have been difficult to imagine only a few years ago.
£13.2m is being distributed across the UK - including more than £859,000 for the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) charity in Dumfries and Galloway. The funding comes as UK Government Scotland Office Minister Melanie Ward hosted a Remembrance Reception in Edinburgh on Thursday evening to celebrate Scotland’s Armed Forces community, including veterans.
Potential Sciences, a British startup aiming to unlock the next big advance in how we use AI to design new medicines, has secured backing from Sovereign AI. UK Government’s Sovereign AI backing Potential Sciences - a British startup whose new approach to using AI in science could make the design of new medicines faster, cheaper and more reliable than current methods.