News Archive
26/6/2025
Improving the safety of non-surgical cosmetic procedures
New proposals to improve safety and standards in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector have been set out as the Scottish Government publishes its response to a consultation on the issue. The proposals, informed by over 2,200 responses and broad stakeholder engagement, intends to introduce a minimum age of 18.26/6/2025
£300,000 boost for Edinburgh International Book Festival
Over 5,000 schoolchildren will continue to enjoy free literary events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival over the next three years, thanks to a £300,000 grant from the Scottish Government. The one-off funding will support the festival's acclaimed schools programme with more than 60 in-person and livestreamed events, including author talks with How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell and award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce.26/6/2025
Education reforms agreed by Parliament for Scotland
New qualifications body and independent inspectorate will be established. The creation of a new national qualifications body, along with an independent education inspectorate, has taken a major step forward after legislation to implement the changes was passed in the Scottish Parliament.26/6/2025
Plans for UK to become sustainable finance capital of the world
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband outlines plans to support banks and large companies in developing climate transition plans. Government welcomes views on supporting banks and large companies to set out their climate transition plans.
26/6/2025
Targeting funding at frontline services in Scotland - Financial strategy and action plan
Savings rising to £2.6 billion in 2029-30 will ensure funding can be targeted at frontline services such as the NHS, social security, action to eradicate child poverty and other priorities. Under the five-year Medium Term Financial Strategy and Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan the Scottish Government will: increase value for public money, with affordable and sustainable investment plans set out through a Scottish Spending Review in December.26/6/2025
Negotiations update on an enhanced UK-Switzerland FTA
The seventh round of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Switzerland took place in London between 5 and 13 June 2025. Economic growth is our first mission in government and FTAs have an important role to play in achieving this.26/6/2025
On track and online: landmark deal to end mobile dead zones
Project Reach deal signed to boost connectivity and remove mobile signal blackspots on the rail network. ground-breaking public-private partnership delivers on the government's Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth with ultra fast fibre optic cable across 1,000 kilometres of major rail lines.26/6/2025
Foreign prisoners to be deported sooner
Foreign prisoners will be deported sooner thanks to new legislation introduced (25 June) to free up vital prison capacity, keep our streets safe and save taxpayers' money. Swifter deportation to ease capacity crisis and stop wasting taxpayers' money.26/6/2025
Side hustlers urged to get tax returns sorted now
HMRC is encouraging anyone with a side hustle to check if they need to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. If you earn more than £1,000 from additional income, you may need to register for Self Assessment.
26/6/2025
Accelerating AI adoption in the Civil Service
The Open Innovation Team is offering new services to help civil servants use AI to solve problems and do their best work. The Open Innovation Team (OIT) has launched the AI Adoption Accelerator - a practical, people-first programme that helps civil servants turn curiosity about generative AI into safer, faster and higher-quality ways of working.
26/6/2025
Monthly GDP Estimates for April - Scotland
Scotland's onshore GDP contracted by 0.2% in April 2025, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. This follows contraction of 0.4% in March 2025 (revised from contraction of 0.2%) .25/6/2025
Prime Delivery For Britain: PM Hails £40 Billion Amazon Investment Set To Create Thousands Of Jobs
Prime Minister welcomes a £40bn investment plan by Amazon over the next three years in show of confidence following Industrial Strategy launch. Amazon confirms £40bn investment plan for the UK over the next three years in vote of confidence following the Industrial Strategy.25/6/2025
Scotland's Quarterly Housing Statistics in the year to end of March 2025 - Targets Are Bring Missed as New Starts Fall By 11 %
There was an 11% decrease in all sector housebuilding starts and a 4% decrease in completions between 2023-24 and 2024-25 (financial year ending March) In the 12 months ending March 2025, there were 19,288 all sector homes built and 15,053 all sector new builds started. All sector completions (-4%) and starts (-11%) were lower than the previous 12 months.25/6/2025
£1.6m lost to gig ticket scams as public urged to take caution
Gig-goers have been urged to be wary of scams when purchasing last-minute tickets on social media after £1.6 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2024. On the eve of Glastonbury, British music lovers are being urged to take caution over last-minute tickets for sale on social media, after new figures revealed that the amount lost to ticket fraud more than doubled to £1.6m in 2024.25/6/2025
UKEF unveils new strategic financing for industrial growth
Up to £13 billion of direct lending will be used to help boost British exports across key industrial sectors as part of new growth measures spearheaded by UK Export Finance (UKEF). Multi-billion-pound direct lending by UK Export Finance will help boost orders for British exporters across key industrial sectors, including defence.25/6/2025
Highland Council to deliver housing energy efficiency upgrades with ECO funding
The Highland Council will deliver a transformative programme of energy efficiency upgrades across Council housing supported by a £9.2 million Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding proposal secured by Union Technical. The funding proposal will deliver approximately 1,000 individual energy efficiency measures to Council owned properties across the Highlands.25/6/2025
Dr Freya - My Salary as a Junior Doctor in Australia: payslip revealed
What would your life look like if you moved to Australia?. Or are you already training here and wondering what you can expect to earn in the coming years?.
25/6/2025
The NHS can't make us better when big business is making profit by making us sick for life
From addictive foods to lifetime drugs, corporations are profiting from your ill-health, and the NHS is left to foot the bill. This is how neoliberalism is eating the state from within..
24/6/2025
Business leaders welcome the government's modern Industrial Strategy
Business leaders have welcomed the government's modern Industrial Strategy - a 10-year plan to promote growth. Business leaders from across the UK have welcomed the government's modern Industrial Strategy.24/6/2025
