Early estimates for July 2025 indicate that the number of payrolled employees was 30.3 million, which is a fall of 0.5% from July 2024; this is equivalent to 164,000 fewer employees. The largest increase was in the health and social work sector, with a rise of 67,000 employees; the largest decrease was in the accommodation and food service activities sector, with a fall of 108,000 employees.
Scotland's innovation success is increasingly driven by cross-sector, cross-disciplinary collaboration. No single institution or sector can address today's complex challenges alone — whether it's reaching net zero, transforming healthcare, or building ethical AI systems.
You will be automatically enrolled into your employer's pension scheme if you are 22 years old and earn more than £10,000 per year. Your employer must contribute a minimum of 3% of qualifying earnings to your pension.
Gillian Martin confirms new Historic Marine Protected Areas in Orkney and Shetland. A World War naval base and a centuries old Swedish ship have both been named as Scotland's newest Historic Marine Protected Areas.
Tens of thousands of NHS patients living with obesity could get cutting-edge help to improve their health, thanks to a new health innovation programme being announced today (Tuesday 12 August 2025). New programme backed by up to £85 million from government and pharmaceutical company Lilly to test new ways to support patients living with obesity across the UK.
Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report data reveals the overall choice of mortgages fell month-on-month, as shelf-life rose. Average fixed rates edged closer to sub-5%.
Highland hosts 110 of the Highlands & Islands' 251 identified transformational projects, representing over £40 billion of potential investment and more than 11,450 direct operational jobs in the area. Across the Highlands & Islands, the total investment potential from 2025 to 2040 is over £100 billion, marking a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the regional economy and support nearly 18,000 ongoing roles post-construction.
Nuclear Taskforce interim report finds "once-in-a-generation" reform is needed to tackle regulatory barriers. Independent expert taskforce finds British nuclear projects are being held back by costly and complex regulation barriers.
‘Deport Now Appeal Later' scheme nearly trebled to 23 countries, with more to follow in the future. More foreign criminals will have their appeals heard from abroad, preventing them from gaming the system to delay their deportation from the UK, in the latest step to restore order to the UK's immigration system as part of the Government's Plan for Change.
Scotland's mandatory short-term let (STL) licensing regime came into force on 1 October 2023. It requires anyone offering accommodation for non-residential short stays—whether a room, whole home or unconventional unit—to hold a licence from their local authority before accepting bookings or guests.
Sky's standard terms allow mid-contract price rises by inflation (or up to 10% a year) without specifying exact amounts in pounds and pence. Ofcom's rules only require Sky to notify customers at least 30 days before a rise, not to highlight prospective increases or promote alternative deals.
Brits save £400 a year by cancelling subscriptions - but still lose £61 to the ‘direct debit trap' according to HSBC UK research. Consumers are saving an average of £34 a month - over £400 a year - by cancelling subscriptions.
Council tax bands in Scotland are still based on property values from April 1991. Despite periodic rate adjustments, there has been no full revaluation of domestic properties in over 30 years.
Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) investigation into whether Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) has breached paragraph 5 of the Code (No delay in Payments) in relation to certain of its practices.
Unearned income—like dividends, rents, and capital gains—escapes the tax burden workers face. In this video, I argue it's time for economic fairness and tax justice.
The Electric Car Grant will make owning an electric car cheaper and easier for people across the UK. thirteen models from Nissan, Renault and Vauxhall now qualify for major discounts as part of the Electric Car Grant scheme.
Donald Trump's new international trade tariffs have landed. Some are lower than others, some deals have been done, but overall they are the highest they have been in 100 years.
A report on the waste reprocessing infrastructure in Scotland in accordance with section 23 of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024. Material reprocessing is a cornerstone of Scotland's transition to a circular economy.
From Politics Chat, August 7, 2025. Professor Dr.
Under Operation Equalize the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement teams launched a nationwide intensification week of activity targeting illegal working hotspots with a focus on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders. Illegal workers arrested in nationwide enforcement surge as part of government's drive to crack down on immigration crime.
