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OBR concludes planning reforms will bring housebuilding to its highest level in 40 years

OBR forecast concludes housebuilding will be at its highest level in over 40 years a result of UK government's planning reforms by 2029/30 - bringing UK closer to Plan for Growth 1.5 million homes target.   Economic watchdog also forecast 0.2% to be added to GDP by 2029/30 because of planning reforms - worth around £6.8bn in today's prices For a zero-cost policy this is the biggest positive growth effect the OBR have ever taken on - while also protecting £3.4 billion for UK public services The government's reforms to the UK’s planning system will result in housebuilding being at its highest level in over 40 years, the OBR has concluded in its forecast for today’s Spring Statement.  

Live Reporting From the BBC on The Spring Statement by Rachel Reeves

Rachel Reeves the chancellor will be all over tv, radio and other media today.   The BBC is running a live updating web page today.  

Rachel Reeves and the 2025 spring statement - Four key questions for the chancellor

How will the spring statement shape the chancellor's spending choices?.   How has the OBR revised its outlook for the economy? Alongside the spring statement, the government will publish an updated assessment of the UK economy from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) - and the OBR is likely to present a gloomier picture than in October.  

Why the social pain of welfare reform overshadows any economic gain

The UK government is calling it the "biggest shakeup to the welfare system in a generation" - prompted by what the prime minister described as the "devastating" cost of sickness and disability benefits.  Planned reforms to cut those costs are designed to save £5 billion a year by 2030, from a welfare budget that will reach £70 billion on current projections.  

AI threatens women's job market participation

The possibility of an AI-managed world is increasingly tangible.  Not well represented in STEM areas, women could get left behind in an AI-driven economy.  

Scottish house prices climb 4.6%

Scotland's housing market saw a 4.6% annual increase in average property prices, reaching £187,000 in January 2025, according to the latest House Price Index (HPI).   This comes just under the 4.9% rise experienced across the UK, where the average price reached £269,000.  

Driving Growth: Innovation and Sustainability in Scotland

Energy transition and digital transformation present enormous opportunities.   Energy transition and digital transformation present enormous economic growth opportunities, if leveraged properly - including the use of public assets.  

Meeting Scotland's child poverty targets - Modelling and policy packages

When governments set targets, policy makers need to draw on modelling tools to ensure they are putting in place the right policy interventions at the scale required to meet the challenge at hand.   In 2017, the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act set statutory interim targets for child poverty, due in 2023/24, final targets due in 2030/31.  

Moray agriculture firm in £400k growth project

A family run agriculture company in Moray has embarked on a major growth project that will increase production and efficiency, improve product quality and create jobs.   James Taylor & Son, operating at Kintessack near Forres, has secured up to £161,446 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards total project costs of £403,616.  

The role of competition in promoting growth and innovation in the UK

A speech by Jessica Lennard, CMA Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer.   Good morning I'm Jessica Lennard and I’m the Chief Strategy Officer at the UK Competition and Markets Authority.