The landscape of commercial media is shifting beneath our feet. For decades, the photography licensing industry was dominated by corporate giants and a steady, highly profitable subscription model.
From civil servants and council employees to offshore oil workers, the pressure for better pay is spreading. But employers face rising costs, tight budgets and difficult decisions about the future.
Councils, the NHS and other public bodies face a difficult choice when rising diesel and energy costs threaten the contractors they depend on. School transport in rural Scotland illustrates the problem.
The UK Government is expected to announce a cut to gas standing charges in its Budget on Wednesday, offering some relief to households connected to the mains gas network. But for many people in the Highlands and other rural areas, the measure will do nothing to reduce their heating bills.
Renewed fears of war in the Middle East are pushing oil prices higher, with motorists, businesses and households facing the prospect of another expensive winter. The American elections may offer little reassurance.
ScotRail is advising customers to check their journey before they travel as more strong winds and heavy rain are set to sweep across the country. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning across large parts of Scotland from 03:00 until 21:00 on Tuesday, 27 October, with wind gusts of 50-60mph widely forecast and potentially reaching more than 70mph in coastal and northern parts of Scotland.
Rising fuel prices expose the limits of presidential promises and offer a warning for Britain about the cost of energy dependence. Donald Trump made cheaper energy one of the central promises of his return to the White House.
Hospitality support raises questions about fairness as small accommodation providers face rising costs, new charges for visitors and uncertainty over the future of rural tourism. The Government has promised additional support for pubs, recognising their importance to local communities and the financial pressures facing the hospitality industry.
Sales surge after new advice urges households to prepare for three days without essential services, but ministers say there is no need to panic. The British public appears to be taking the Government’s latest advice about emergency preparedness seriously.
The technology giant is seeking to reshape its workforce while spending heavily on artificial intelligence. The move raises wider questions about the future of employment, productivity and the economic benefits of AI.
Britain faces a difficult financial dilemma. The public wants a properly funded NHS, decent pensions, better social care, reliable public services and stronger national defence.
From technology companies to supermarkets and small shops, artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate. The benefits could include greater productivity and lower costs, but workers and local communities may pay part of the price.
As household budgets tighten, more meals may be eaten at home. That could save families money, but it creates another challenge for already pressured hospitality businesses.
The Government is targeting the cost of everyday essentials with a programme of import tariff reductions covering a surprisingly wide range of products. Marmalade, gherkins, garlic, baked beans, chocolate and sweets are among the familiar items affected, alongside plant-based drinks, agricultural fertilisers and kerosene used for heating.
The Government has announced plans to make higher tax-free business mileage rates permanent and increase the rate paid on higher annual mileage. The changes could benefit millions of employees and self-employed workers, including nurses, care workers, builders and other people who use their own vehicles for work.
Higher wages for the lowest-paid may leave experienced staff asking an awkward question: why is the gap between their pay and that of a new recruit getting smaller? The Government's expected increase in the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage in April 2027 could have consequences well beyond those workers who receive the statutory minimum. While much of the debate focuses on how much the lowest-paid will gain, employers may also face demands for increases from staff who already earn more than the legal minimum.
Mileage payments, carers' benefits, paternity pay and fuel duty are among the changes announced ahead of the Budget. But who will benefit, and how much difference will they make? The Government has unveiled a series of practical measures ahead of the Budget on Wednesday 28 October, covering working expenses, unpaid carers, new parents and everyday services.
A proposed tax allowance for pensioners is among the measures attracting attention ahead of the Budget. But what is confirmed, what has been reported, and what could it mean for older people in Scotland? Pensioners will be watching the Chancellor's Budget on Wednesday 28 October for signs of how the Government intends to protect their incomes as the cost of living continues to put pressure on household finances.
Institute for Fiscal Studies warns against repeating costly energy subsidies as businesses face another price shock. British businesses are facing renewed pressure from rising energy prices, but the Government must think carefully before introducing another large support package.
Higher mileage rates are welcome news for volunteer drivers, but charities need the funding to pay them Volunteers are often described as the backbone of the charity sector. They drive older people to hospital appointments, deliver food parcels, support community transport schemes and help keep local services running.