Latest News

Today

Europe's Migration Turning Point: Is Britain Alone, or Is the Whole Continent Changing Course?

The dramatic scenes at Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, where tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco in a short period, have once again brought immigration to the top of Europe's political agenda.  While many of those who crossed later returned to Morocco, the incident served as a reminder that migration pressures can escalate rapidly and unexpectedly.  

Today

Government takes action to crack down on rogue funeral operators

Urgent work to take place to protect bereaved families.   Proposals for formal regulation of the funeral sector to be developed following harrowing case in Hull.  

Today

What the Autumn Budget Could Mean for Rural Scotland

As the Chancellor prepares to deliver the Autumn Budget on 28 October, households and businesses across the UK are wondering what changes lie ahead.  While no one knows the final contents until Budget Day, the economic pressures facing the Government mean we can already make some educated predictions.  

Today

Money worries can leave a lasting mark on the brain, 80‑year study shows

Money worries can keep us up at night, but could decades of financial stress leave a lasting mark on the brain itself? That’s the question my colleagues and I set out to answer in a new study – and the answer, it turns out, is yes.   Most research on money and brain health looks at people’s financial circumstances at just one point in time.  

Today

£3.5 million to support regeneration programme

Funding set to unlock land for development across Clyde Gateway.   More development plots for businesses, housing and infrastructure in the Clyde Gateway area will be unlocked thanks to Scottish Government investment of £3.5 million.  

Today

Britain Approaches 70 Million People: Why Population Growth Is Creating Pressure — But Not Everywhere

The United Kingdom is approaching a significant demographic milestone.  With the population now around 69.5 million people, the country is likely to pass 70 million during 2027 if current trends continue.  

Today

The Return of Industry: Why America and Europe Are Rethinking Decades of De-industrialisation

For much of the last half-century, Western economies appeared to accept that manufacturing was in decline and that the future belonged to services, finance and technology.  But after decades of factory closures and overseas outsourcing, governments on both sides of the Atlantic are now asking a different question: did the world move too far away from industrial production? The answer is becoming increasingly important.  

Today

Seaweed surveys discover species never seen before and new to science

Underwater surveys discover remarkable collection of rare and previously unknown seaweeds.   Natural England’s underwater surveys of maerl beds off the south coast of Cornwall have uncovered a remarkable array of rare and scientifically important seaweeds, including species never before recorded in the UK.  

Today

 
Tax havens: what really happens behind closed doors? - Richard Murphy

John Christensen knows because he was there.  As Jersey's Head of the Government Economic Service, he witnessed first-hand how political power, financial interests and official secrecy combined to protect wrongdoing.  

Today

A Public Mood Turning Pragmatic: Why Many Britons Want the UK to ‘Get On With It’ on North Sea Energy

Want the UK to ‘Get On With It’ on North Sea Energy The debate over the future of the UK’s North Sea oil and gas sector has become one of the most emotionally charged issues in British politics.  Yet beneath the political noise, a clear public mood is emerging — one that is less ideological, more practical, and increasingly impatient.  

Today

Budget to move “power and money out of Westminster, and into every postcode around Britain”

The Chancellor has confirmed that the date of the Budget will be Wednesday 28 October 2026.   In a video message posted this afternoon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey MP said: This government is working fast to restore hope and back Britain’s communities.  

Today

From Rust Belt to Renewed Industry: How Eastern Europe Became Europe's New Factory Floor

When the European Union expanded eastwards in 2004 and beyond, many expected the biggest impact to be political.  However, one of the most significant changes was economic: Eastern and Central Europe became a major manufacturing centre for the continent.  

Today : Advisory / Counseling Services

Economic Development or Political Numbers Game? How Should We Judge Organisations Like HIE?

Economic development agencies frequently publish impressive statistics: thousands of jobs created, businesses supported and millions of pounds of investment attracted.  But one question is often much harder to answer: how much of that success actually happened because of their intervention? This is one of the biggest challenges facing organisations such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise.  

Today : Advisory / Counseling Services

Economic Development: How Do We Judge Success When Taking Risks Means Some Projects Will Fail?

Economic development organisations are often asked to perform an almost impossible task: transform regions, create jobs and encourage investment in places where the private sector may be reluctant to take risks.  But when some supported projects fail, criticism quickly follows.  

Today

Got money questions? How to get chatbots to give you accurate answers

Finding good financial advice can be stressful – and expensive.  That’s one reason why chatbots have become an increasingly popular and free alternative.  

Today

What “shovel‑ready” means in the North Sea

In offshore energy, “shovel‑ready” means: The field is fully appraised.   Engineering design is complete.  

Today

Britain's New Political Map: Are Traditional Party Strongholds Disappearing?

Bev Craig's victory in Manchester to become the new mayor: a relief for Labour, but not a landslide.   Bev Craig, Labour's candidate and former leader of Manchester City Council, won the Greater Manchester mayoralty after Andy Burnham left the role to move into national politics.  

31/7/2026

Burnham drives defence to deliver security and growth in every postcode with £8.4bn nuclear submarine investment supporting 22,000 apprenticeships - 250 Jobs For Thurso

A major £8.4bn investment in the UK’s nuclear deterrent, delivering jobs and opportunity for young people for years to come, is set to be announced by the Prime Minister.   Prime Minister announces major £8.4 billion investment in next stage of UK’s Dreadnought nuclear deterrent submarine build programme during visit to Barrow-in-Furness.  

31/7/2026

Can you spot the sniper? MOD challenges public to see hidden danger in military training area

New MOD campaign demonstrates how military personnel can remain hidden during training.   The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has challenged the public to test their observation skills through a new, interactive “Spot the Sniper” campaign.  

31/7/2026

First-Time Buyers Face a Tougher Climb as Higher Mortgage Rates Tighten the Squeeze

For many aspiring homeowners, the dream of buying a first property has become increasingly difficult.  While headlines often focus on house prices, it is now the cost of borrowing that is proving to be one of the biggest barriers to getting onto the property ladder.