News Archive

7/2/2026

The Quiet Collapse of the Starter Life - Definitely No Mandelson

For much of the post-war period, Britain operated on a widely shared assumption that social and financial stability followed a predictable sequence.  Education led to employment, employment led to independence, and independence eventually led to home ownership, family life, and long-term security.  

6/2/2026 : Other Public Services

 
CNC supports Police Scotland in £7.1m cannabis seizure at Wick

CNC supported a Police Scotland-led operation in Wick that uncovered a sophisticated cannabis cultivation worth £7.1m, resulting in seven arrests and charges.   Cannabis with an estimated street value of £7.1 million has been discovered at a derelict former school in Wick following a Police Scotland-led investigation supported by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC).  

6/2/2026

Cost of TV licence Will Rise To £180 for 2026/27 - A Rise of 46 pence per month and who does not need to pay

The annual cost of a TV licence will rise to £180 from 1 April 2026, as required by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, in line with inflation.   TV licence fee to rise in line with inflation to provide the BBC with stable financial footing to deliver for audiences and support the wider creative industries.  

6/2/2026

England's NHS Data Outsourced to a US Spy Tech Firm - Thankfully Not Scotland

When ordinary families hear about "data platforms" and "analytics contracts," their eyes glaze over.  Yet behind the jargon lies a story of sovereignty, secrecy, and surveillance.  

6/2/2026

 
Act now - 864,000 sole traders and landlords face new tax rules in two months

More than 860,000 sole traders and landlords need to start using digital tax reporting from 6 April.   Software available to help spread tax admin throughout the year, with thousands already testing the system successfully.  

6/2/2026

World Cup bank holiday confirmed - Royal Proclamation approved by His Majesty the King

Monday 15 June 2026 has officially been confirmed as a national bank holiday to mark Scotland's participation in the men's football World Cup finals.   The holiday was proposed by First Minister John Swinney to allow people, businesses and other organisations in Scotland to celebrate after the team's opening game against Haiti.  

6/2/2026

Three countries to take back illegal migrants after visa threat

Illegal migrants and criminals from 3 African countries will be deported following a threat by the Home Secretary to shut down their visas to Britain.   A month after the Home Secretary threatened visa penalties, Namibia and Angola agreed to cooperate on returns.  

6/2/2026

 
UK provides vital humanitarian support as Ukraine suffers through brutal winter

The UK government has been supporting more than 1 million Ukrainians affected by the energy crisis this winter.   As Ukraine suffers its worst winter in a decade, UK-funded deliveries of generators, hygiene kits and other vital components are providing urgently-needed assistance in response to the dire humanitarian situation.  

6/2/2026

Average House Price In UK Over £300,000 For The First Time

The Halifax house price index has passed £300,000 for the first time.  The average is not £300,077 a one percent increase on a year ago.  

6/2/2026

UK Space Agency investment helps launch cutting-edge electric propulsion lab

A new laboratory that will help UK companies develop and test the engines powering the next generation of satellites has opened at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.   The Disruptive Experimental Electric Propulsion (DEEP) Lab, built by space technology company Magdrive, gives British businesses access to specialist testing facilities for electric propulsion systems - the technology that allows satellites to manoeuvre, maintain their orbits, and travel further into space using less fuel than traditional chemical rockets.  

6/2/2026

Landmark agreements secured after first UK-China Financial Working Group in Beijing

British jobs and businesses to be supported by enhanced cooperation with China in financial services.   Major commitments boost London's position as world-leading financial centre.  

6/2/2026

 
Why you need a pay rise - Richard Murphy

If people do not have spending power, businesses will not invest, innovate, or hire.  It really is that simple.  

6/2/2026

Accelerating Home Building - Consultation launched on unlocking development

Views are being sought on measures to speed up the delivery of new homes as part of the Scottish Government's response to the housing emergency.   The measures would help accelerate building on sites allocated for development or which have planning permission.  

6/2/2026

Is Spending On ASN in Scotland And SEND In England Crashing Council Budgets

In England TES has written that research suggests 95 per cent of councils have a deficit as a result of SEND spending exceeding their funding.   In England, very recent surveys and research show a widespread SEND funding crisis: About 95 % of councils are running deficits on their high-needs (SEND) budgets, meaning spending on special educational needs and disabilities exceeds the funding they receive.  

5/2/2026

 
MOT fraudsters handed suspended sentences for untested vehicles

An MOT tester and mechanic have been ordered to do up to 300 hours of unpaid work and face prison if they reoffend after passing 223 vehicles they never tested.   The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has successfully prosecuted 2 men for dangerous MOT fraud.  

5/2/2026

 
New chapter for the Sellafield skyline as Fellside units are demolished

A familiar feature of the Sellafield skyline has disappeared as major progress is made in the demolition of redundant boiler units at Fellside, the Combined Heat and Power plant.   Sellafield Ltd has completed an important milestone in the demolition of redundant infrastructure at the Fellside Combined Heat and Power Plant.  

5/2/2026

 
First containers of waste from Dounreay reach permanent disposal

Almost 200 containers of low-level radioactive waste that once formed part of Britain's experiment with fast breeder nuclear reactors are being entombed.   Almost 200 containers of low-level radioactive waste that once formed part of Britain's experiment with fast breeder nuclear reactors are being entombed in a purpose-built underground vault at Dounreay.  

5/2/2026 : Local Authority

Climate Change Committee welcomes progress across Highland Council's Net Zero Programme

Members of Highland Council's Climate Change Committee have welcomed continued progress across a wide range of projects within the Council’s Net Zero Programme.   At the meeting held on Wednesday 28 January, Members received updates on delivery across the Sustainable Travel and Built Estate & Energy workstreams, highlighting tangible progress in reducing emissions, improving operational efficiency, and delivering long term financial savings.  

5/2/2026

 
What Making Tax Digital Actually Means for Property Taxes

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a major government initiative to modernise the UK tax system by requiring digital record-keeping and more frequent reporting for income tax — including rental property income.  It changes how many landlords report their property tax rather than how much tax they pay.  

5/2/2026

 
Science fiction prepares military for complex and unpredictable future of technology

Short stories inspiring defence and national security thinking.   The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has unveiled Creative Futures, a new collection of science fiction stories designed to spark fresh thinking about the future of defence and security over the next 100 years.