News Archive
14/1/2025
Transport and storage firms reject increased working from home
As Brits return to work, thousands are planning to quit their jobs with companies that insist on a full-time return to the office. That could spell trouble for transport & storage sector companies, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero.14/1/2025
Support with energy costs - Statement to the Scottish Parliament about support with fuel costs in winter
More than 456,000 people are due to receive inter Heating Payments totalling £26.8 million this winter, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will tell MSPs today (Tuesday 14th Jan 2025). Updating the Scottish Parliament on support with fuel costs for people on low incomes, Ms Somerville will confirm the Scottish Government is forecast to invest more than £65 million in our three Winter Heating Benefits this year, providing vital support to more than 630,000 people with their energy bills.14/1/2025
AI teacher tools set to break down barriers to opportunity
£1 million of funding awarded to 16 ed tech companies to build teacher AI tools for feedback and marking, driving high and rising education standards. Kids are set to benefit from a better standard of teaching through more face time with teachers - powered by AI – as the Government sets the country on course to mainline AI into the fabric of society, helping turbocharge our Plan for Change and breaking down the barriers of opportunity.14/1/2025
Growth, opportunity, and prosperity for the UK at the heart of the CMA's next Annual Plan
The CMA has launched a consultation on its draft Annual Plan for 2025/26, inviting consumers, businesses and investors to help shape its priorities for the year ahead. With a renewed government focus on economic growth, there is an opportunity for the CMA to drive the positive outcomes of effective competition and empowered consumers further and faster to achieve growth, opportunity, and prosperity across the UK.14/1/2025
World-leading proposals to protect businesses from cybercrime
The government will consult on proposals to protect hospitals, railways and public services from ransomware attacks. UK businesses are set to be protected by new world-leading ransomware proposals to tackle the threat of cybercrime, which is estimated to cost the UK economy billions of pounds every year.
13/1/2025
‘I was left with nothing.' Why apprentices are being pushed into the informal economy
In the UK, apprenticeships and training schemes are often seen as a gateway to skilled careers, providing invaluable hands-on training for service trade professions as varied as plumbing, engineering, accounting and hairdressing. But for many trainees, the financial realities of these programmes are driving them into the informal economy.13/1/2025
Prime Minister Sets Out Blueprint To Turbocharge AI
Artificial intelligence will deliver a decade of national renewal, as part of a new plan announced today (13 January 2025). AI to drive the Plan for Change, helping turbocharge growth and boost living standards.
13/1/2025
The rich don't spend enough - and that means they shrink the economy
Most of any country's saving is done by its wealthiest people. But because the rich are obsessed with staying rich they save in ways that are unproductive.
13/1/2025
Dstl trials future of invisible war
Major electromagnetic technology trial demonstrated deception and countermeasures in both offensive and defensive capacities. The future of ‘invisible war' has been trialled by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) using emerging and next generation electromagnetic (EM) concepts.
13/1/2025
Potential New Smart Data Scheme To Drive Innovation And Support Consumers In The Energy Market
Smart data scheme could give people greater control over their energy use and help save money on bills. Households could make more informed choices about their energy usage through a new smart data scheme.
13/1/2025
Maritime and Coastguard Agency issues new guidance for safe navigation in the digital age
Update to stay ahead of developing technology and maritime practices. New guidance has been published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) today (Monday 13 January 2025) to support the technological development of digital navigation and its safe use by smaller commercial craft.
12/1/2025
Turbulent Times - How Should The Chancellor Respond To Recent Movements In The Gilt Market?
Turbulent gilt markets, a devaluing pound and speculation about the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) downgrading its economic forecasts is not the start to 2025 the Chancellor was hoping for. What is causing all the fuss?.
11/1/2025
Modern Slavery Is Endemic In Global Supply Chains - Companies Should Be Praised - Not Shamed - For Detecting It
It's an uncomfortable reality, but modern slavery is endemic in global supply chains. Statistics on the scale of this issue are becoming as well known as they are shocking.11/1/2025
UK Borrowing Costs Have Hit Their Highest Level Since The Banking Crisis. An Economist Explains What's Happening
UK borrowing costs have risen rapidly to their highest level since the banking crisis of 2007-08, with implications for the government's tax and spending plans. Yields on gilts, as UK government bonds are called, have been rising - and these yields are effectively the level of interest that the government pays on its borrowing.11/1/2025
The UK Property Outlook For 2025: Another Bleak Year For Mortgages Amid So Much Economic Uncertainty
Throughout 2024, many home owners and prospective first-time buyers would have kept a close eye on the Bank of England's base interest rate. Eventually, the first cut arrived in August (from 5.25% to 5%), followed by another drop to 4.75% in November.11/1/2025
House Prices In UK According To The Halifax - Fixed Mortgages Get Looking
"UK house prices finished 2024 up +3.3% over the year, with the average house price £297,166. Prices fell back slightly in December, by -0.2%, following five consecutive monthly increases.11/1/2025
The Bank Of England Is Driving The UK Economy Into Recession
The Bank of England is crashing the UK economy. And apparently, our politicians want to do nothing about that.
11/1/2025
Is Trump right about the U.S. 'subsidizing' Canada? 
Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed the United States is 'subsidizing' Canada 'to the tune of $100B.' Where does that number come from? And is Canada really getting a free ride from the U.S.? Andrew Chang dives into the math, the money and the politics of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship to uncover how much — if any — of what Trump says is actually true..
11/1/2025
What Would Reform Do About Potholes?
Managing potholes is a core, unglamourous and unthanked task of government. Reform only knows about gesture politics.
10/1/2025
