News Archive

4/2/2026

 
Decarbonising British food would add less than 1 per cent to food bills but poses an existential risk to worse-off farmers if not properly managed

Decarbonising British agriculture would increase food prices by less than 1 per cent - the equivalent of around 50p on a weekly shop.  But the Government will need to manage the process carefully to preserve a farming sector already in crisis, according to new Resolution Foundation research published on Tuesday 3 February 2026.  

4/2/2026

A UK climate security report backed by the intelligence services was quietly buried - a pattern we've seen many times before

Last autumn, a UK government report warned that climate-driven ecosystem collapse could lead to food shortages, mass migration, political extremism and even nuclear conflict.  The report was never officially launched.  

4/2/2026

Should the BBC allow greater access to its news content for AI systems?

The question of whether the BBC should allow greater access to its news content for AI systems raises complex issues about public service, editorial control, and the future of journalism.   As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly common way for people to access information, decisions made by major news organisations like the BBC have significant implications for public understanding and democratic discourse.  

4/2/2026

 
Government to unlock advanced nuclear to grow economy

Government publishes Advanced Nuclear Framework to get pioneering nuclear technology off the ground.   Plans to speed up building of pioneering nuclear technology to power AI boom and grow economy with clean energy.  

4/2/2026

Reform's claims that hospitality tax cuts can be funded by the two-child limit don't add up, warns think tank

Reform says that reinstating the two-child limit for most, but not all, families would save £2.29bn in 2026/27.   The party claims its package of tax cuts would also cost £2.29bn — making it cost neutral — with the bulk coming from a proposal to halve VAT on hospitality, which it estimates would cost £1.7bn.  

4/2/2026

 
The GDP Lie That's Destroying Our Economy - Richard Murphy

GDP dominates political debate, but it tells us almost nothing about real prosperity, well-being, or hope.   Created as a technical statistic of massive use in wartime, GDP was never meant to measure success and yet it now drives policy, justifies inequality, and is used as an excuse for austerity.  

4/2/2026

Change to short-term prisoner release point

The automatic release point for certain short-term prisoners will be changed from 40% to 30% of their sentence, subject to approval by Parliament.   Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced the plans to Parliament today to help deliver a sustained reduction in the prison population, which remains at critical levels despite significant action already taken by the Scottish Government.  

3/2/2026 : Banks & Finance

The type of job you do could be affecting your ability to save money - and not just because of the salary

It's often said that millions of people in the UK don't save enough - with one in ten adults saving no money at all.  That figure from a 2025 report from the Financial Conduct Authority regulator came with a warning that it's leaving people walking a financial tightrope.  

3/2/2026 : Other Public Services

 
From Headlines to Hidden Lines - Dounreay's Quiet Legacy of Radioactive Particles

For years, radioactive particles discovered near Dounreay were headline news.  Each find triggered a press release, picked up by local and national outlets, reminding communities that the nuclear legacy was still with us.  

3/2/2026 : Local Authority

Homelessness statistics in Scotland - April to September 2025

An update on Homelessness Statistics covering 1 April to 30 September 2025 has been released today.   Over that period: There were 20,643 applications for homelessness assistance.  

3/2/2026

 
Barnsley becomes UK's first government-backed Tech Town

Barnsley named UK's first Tech Town - with local schools and college, businesses, NHS and more getting bespoke government support to unleash opportunities of AI.   Barnsley named UK's first Tech Town - with local schools and college, businesses, NHS and more getting bespoke government support to unleash opportunities of AI.  

3/2/2026

 
Patient long waits reduce for 7 months in a row - Up to £20 million made available to boards to boost progress but its tiny in the overall budget

Waiting lists continue to fall in Scotland with waits over 52 weeks reducing for 7 months in a row.   New figures from Public Health Scotland show at 31 December 2025 new outpatient waits of more than 52 weeks had reduced by 15.4% when compared to November 2025.  

3/2/2026

Local government expenditure and income in 2024-25

The Chief Statistician has released figures on local government finance in 2024-25.  These figures provide a comprehensive overview of the financial activity of local government, including revenue expenditure and income; capital expenditure and financing; reserves; debt; and pensions.  

3/2/2026

Which types of work is AI making a big contribution

AI is making its biggest contributions in work that involves patterns, large amounts of data, speed, and repeatable decisions.  Here are the main areas, with concrete examples so it's easier to see where the impact really is.  

3/2/2026

Pension scheme reforms to tackle gender pension gap

Millions of working women will be better off with new measures being introduced to tackle historic gender pension gap.   Millions of women working in local government will see their pensions improve under new reforms coming into force in April, as the government takes action to close the gender pension gap.  

3/2/2026

UK's first-ever plan to tackle forever chemicals

New framework will protect public health and the environment from risks posed by PFAS.   A new plan to better protect the nation and the environment from harmful ‘forever chemicals' has been unveiled today (Tuesday 3 February 2026) by the UK Government.  

3/2/2026

 
Businesses anticipate uneasy start to 2026

Business confidence in Scotland remains weak, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute's Scottish Business Monitor with firms pointing to cost pressures, subdued investment and little expectation of short-term relief.   All six headline indicators in the quarterly survey, which tracks business sentiment from over 250 businesses across all 32 Scottish local authorities, have remained in negative territory for a fifth consecutive quarter.  

3/2/2026

Helping people into work - £90 million investment to tackle economic inactivity

A series of measures to address long-term unemployment, boost economic growth and tackle child poverty have been detailed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.   Funding of £90 million in the draft Scottish Budget for 2026-27 is expected to help up to 7,500 people furthest from the labour market into work, with thousands more expected to benefit from qualifications and training.  

3/2/2026

 
UK lenders step up with £11 billion push to back British businesses

UK banks agree £11 billion lending packages to support small business growth, particularly for small and mid-sized enterprises.   Money will help firms invest, hire and expand into new international markets, taking advantage of major new trade deals.  

2/2/2026

West Midlands Trains services transferred to join the growing list of failed franchise rail companies

West Midlands Trains services are now managed by DfT Operator Ltd (DFTO).   From 1 February 2026, passengers who travel with London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway will benefit from reliable and better-connected services.