Scottish Government response to Sir John Elvidge’s performance review of the Scottish National Investment Bank. This review is a requirement under the Scottish National Investment Bank Act 2020 (17 August 2026).
UK weapons and ammunition manufacturing jobs rose 51% in 2024/25, part of a wider 26,000 increase in defence-supported roles nationwide. Jobs supported by defence expenditure in weapons and ammunition manufacturing rose by 51% in 2024/25.
Most of us have been brought up to think about debt in a very simple way. If you borrow money, you owe somebody that money.
There is a remarkable change taking place in the world's electricity system, and it is easy to miss because it is happening in several different technologies at once. Solar power is expanding at record speed.
A £2.1 billion investment programme sounds impressive. But when the money is spread over 20 years, the real question is not how big the number looks today.
Caithness is seeing the rundown of Dounreay so can the area say no to new big developemens thatmight help creae new jobs. There is a growing resistance to large data centres and other major developments across Scotland.
Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town. The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.
There is a growing debate about the future of Scotland's public finances, with warnings that the Scottish Government could face a substantial fiscal gap in the years ahead. It is tempting to turn this into a political argument but let us ryto be neutral and take technical look at the possibilities.
There is a strange contradiction developing across Europe. Governments are talking about the possibility of a prolonged confrontation with Russia, strengthening their armed forces and worrying about the security of critical infrastructure.
Andy Burnham will arrive in Ukraine on Monday 24 August for his first overseas visit as Prime Minister. Prime Minister in Kyiv for first international visit to reiterate UK’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine.
Budgets are what everthing runs on from a household to government and having a realistic picure of whatis happening can help us be in our expectations of whatis possible and coming down the line. There is an important distinction in the growing debate about Scotland's finances that can easily get lost in the headlines.
Around 47,000 children starting Primary One in the next academic year, 2027-28, will be the first to receive a Welcome to School backpack in a variety of colours, to help them start school feeling excited, supported and ready to learn. Procurement of the first bags is now underway following engagement with children, families and teachers to ensure they provide the practical contents and equipment that will help cut the cost for families as children start school.
There is a question that deserves rather more attention after the extraordinary rise in heating-oil prices earlier this year. Are households using less oil because their homes have become more energy efficient, or are they simply using less because they cannot afford to use as much? For anyone who heats their home with oil, the difference is important.
For years, the message to young people has been remarkably consistent: get a degree, gain qualifications and you will improve your chances of building a good career. That advice has not suddenly become wrong.
There was a time when putting a letter in the post meant something fairly simple. it would be collected, transported and delivered within a reasonably predictable period.
Manufacturing order books saw a noticeable improvement in August according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS), following a sharp deterioration over April-July. Total order books were reported as below “normal” to the least extent since November 2024, with export order books recovering to “normal” for the first time in over four years.
The impact of AI on health and care is already being felt. From supporting diagnosis to helping services manage growing demand, AI could transform health and care as we recognise it.
Harnessing opportunities of data centres. Planning authorities will be required to notify Scottish Ministers of new data centre applications within seven days of validation.
The low water level on the Rhine can affect UK businesses, even though the Rhine is thousands of miles away and Britain is not directly dependent on it. The important connection is through European supply chains.
For decades, the United States and Canada have been among the world's closest trading partners. Goods have crossed their 5,500-mile border almost unnoticed, factories on either side have depended upon components from the other country and millions of consumers have taken the relationship for granted.