At the moment, both sides are technically telling part of the story. Iran has announced that it considers the Strait of Hormuz "closed" and has warned shipping against using it.
There is a growing debate across both the UK and the EU about whether more protection is needed for domestic industries as Chinese exports increase. The issue is not simply that China exports a lot.
governments still have some levers, but they are much weaker than many people imagine. Oil and gas are traded in global markets, so no single government—especially one the size of the UK—can simply order prices lower.
To save or not to save oto spend or not to spend. There is a balance, and this is one of the central dilemmas in economics.
Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime. Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7 Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament.
The Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) is the UK’s single consolidated set of financial statements covering over 10,000 public bodies — central government, NHS, local authorities, devolved governments, academies, and public corporations. It is globally unique and is meant to give Parliament and the public a full picture of the state’s finances.
If you want to understand Scotland’s public finances, you need to understand the Barnett Formula. It’s one of the most important — and most misunderstood — mechanisms in UK finance.
Walk through almost any town or city today and one thing quickly becomes apparent. The high street is not the place it was at the turn of the century.
The news that Devonshire Homes, a £50m‑turnover regional housebuilder, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators is more than a single corporate failure. It’s a symptom of deeper stress across the UK construction and housing market.
The Barnett Formula has shaped Scotland’s public finances for nearly half a century. It was introduced in 1978 as a temporary fix, yet it remains the backbone of how Scotland’s block grant is calculated today.
12 tonne haul found at Southampton Port smashes records. Border Force has seized a record-breaking 12 tonnes of cannabis as part of a major international operation.
Every month, the headlines tell us how many businesses have gone into liquidation, administration or other forms of insolvency. The numbers matter.
The UK Government has published its latest Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) — a 200‑plus‑page document that attempts to show the financial position of the entire public sector in one place. It’s one of the most ambitious public‑sector accounting exercises in the world, but it’s also notoriously dense.
Third sector organisations across Scotland are being invited to apply for a grant as part of a new £15 million Childcare Support Fund to help low-income families manage the cost of childcare. The fund will provide short-term, flexible childcare through registered childcare providers, supporting families living in, or at risk of, poverty.
Scotland has one of the most complex fiscal systems in the world — not because it’s chaotic, but because it sits halfway between autonomy and integration. Some taxes are devolved, some are shared, some are reserved.
Caithness has enjoyed a week defined by community spirit, youth achievement and cultural celebration, with events across the county highlighting the strength and resilience of local groups. From music and sport to heritage and environmental work, residents once again demonstrated the energy that keeps the far north thriving.
The Whole of Government Accounts reveal the UK’s largest financial obligations — the debts and promises the state must honour over decades. These liabilities are huge, and understanding them is essential for understanding future tax and spending pressures.
The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has awarded a £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical aircraft consumable spares across the UK’s entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet. The National Armaments Director Group has awarded an initial £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical consumable spares for the UK Armed Forces’ entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet, including aircraft on live operations in the Middle East.
UK housing policy has created a system where big developers can survive, small and mid‑sized builders struggle, and overall housing delivery remains far below national targets. The pressures come from planning rules, environmental regulations, financing conditions, and shifting government incentives — all of which shape how (and whether) builders can operate.
The UK publishes several major financial reports, and it’s easy to confuse them. Here’s a clear comparison of the three most important ones.