Britain's economy continued to grow in September, but the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal an uneven picture. While some business services and manufacturing industries are performing well, construction remains under pressure and there are signs that consumer-facing businesses are finding conditions difficult.
The welfare system could be heading for one of its biggest changes in years, with young people aged 18 to 24 potentially losing access to two important sickness and disability benefits under proposals being developed by former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn. The proposals, which are expected to feature in his government-commissioned review due to be published on 17 November 2026, could leave some young people with considerably less financial support than they receive today.
A look at the shortage of affordable housing, rising homelessness, struggling first-time buyers and the challenge facing Scotland's communities. Scotland has a housing problem that has been developing for years, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Britain's manufacturing industry is showing some encouraging signs of improvement, but the latest official figures suggest that the country's wider industrial recovery remains fragile. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 12 November show that total production output increased by just 0.1% during the third quarter of 2026, covering July to September.
Since autumn 2024, the share of UK manufacturers worried that cyber attacks will hit their supply chains has risen almost sixfold, and wholesalers and retailers are more than five times as worried, reveals Parcelhero. With AI concern rising too, and M&S, the Co-op, Jaguar Land Rover and Europe’s supermarket fridge hacks as warnings, half of retailers and over half of transport and storage firms still have no resilience action planned.
Britain's trade position deteriorated significantly during the third quarter of 2026, with imports rising much faster than exports and the overall trade deficit widening by £6.2 billion. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), covering September and the three months from July to September, highlight a continuing weakness in Britain's trade in physical goods.
Britain's construction industry is showing signs of improvement in some areas, but the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal an industry still struggling to regain momentum. Construction output increased in September, bringing some welcome relief after four consecutive monthly falls.
Britain is facing a demographic challenge which could have profound consequences for its economy, public services, workforce and communities. Fewer babies are being born, women are having children later in life and the average family is becoming smaller.
There have been more reports of rogue traders going door to door and offering to replace or repair driveways or private roads using materials that are supposedly left over from a previous job. Last week workers visited a restaurant and said they had tarmac left over from a job they had just completed.
There have been more reports from across the country of scams related to locksmiths. Consumers who have phoned locksmiths in an emergency have been quoted one price, then charged hundreds of pounds more once the work has been completed.
At this time of year, with more people buying Christmas presents and Black Friday deals online, there is always an increase in delivery scams. Scammers typically direct people to malicious websites by sending scam text messages and emails impersonating delivery companies which claim that you need to rearrange a missed delivery.
The prospect of a change in America's immigration policies may already be influencing the decisions of people thousands of miles away. Just days after Democrats celebrated significant victories in the US midterm elections, a large group of migrants began moving north through Mexico, encouraged by the possibility that the political climate in the United States might become more welcoming.
The Footsie skips higher as the UK economy confounds expectations. UK GDP grew 0.2% in September, with quarterly growth accelerating to 0.7%.
Scotland is recording its highest breastfeeding rates since records began, providing encouraging news for the health of a new generation of babies. New figures from Public Health Scotland, published on 10 November 2026, show that seven in ten babies are now breastfed for at least some time after birth.
Following an increase in detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild and captive birds, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland has declared Scotland-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and other captive birds. From 12 noon on Tuesday 10 November, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Scotland to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from avian flu.
The Government is encouraging households across Britain to prepare for emergencies by keeping at least three days' supplies of essential food, drinking water and other necessities at home. It is sensible advice, but it raises some interesting questions about how well prepared households already are.
Oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels since August, despite fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure and continuing instability across the Middle East. Brent crude briefly dropped below $90 a barrel on Tuesday, November 10, leaving many observers wondering why the market appears so relaxed when the security of one of the world's most important oil-producing regions remains under threat.
The UK will be more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic following a new £90 million investment in new drones, sensors and AI systems for the Royal Navy. First phase of the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Bastion programme will deliver new drones, sensors and AI systems to protect undersea cables and energy networks.
The announcement that the Lidl supermarket in Giffnock, Glasgow, has been put up for sale for offers over £6.82 million raises an interesting question about who actually owns Britain's supermarkets. The property is being marketed by commercial property agents Knight Frank.
A change to credit scoring could help millions of British renters build a better financial record. But there are questions about fairness, privacy and what happens when someone falls behind with their rent.