News Archive

21/7/2026

 
Cold Homes Don't Just Feel Uncomfortable – They Can Be Deadly

When many people cannot afford to heat their homes adequately, deaths and illness associated with cold weather tend to increase.   The chain of events looks like this: Higher heating costs mean some households use less heating.  

21/7/2026

New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham takes immediate action to cut taxes on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space this winter.   This announcement was made at 6.00am today.  

21/7/2026

The Forgotten Link in the AI Revolution: Have We Neglected the Electricity Grid?

The headlines are full of billion-pound investments in AI data centres, offshore wind farms, solar parks and new nuclear power stations.  Governments and technology companies are racing to secure enough electricity to power the next generation of artificial intelligence.  

21/7/2026

Andy Burnham Changes The Government With New People At The Top

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments as set up by Andy Burnham PM.   The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments.  

21/7/2026

Britain's Jobs Map: Why Where You Live Matters More Than Ever

For many years, politicians have spoken about creating a more balanced economy across the United Kingdom.   The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest there is still some way to go.  

21/7/2026

Why Caithness Can Have Labour Shortages Even When Britain Has Rising Unemployment

Every month we hear about unemployment figures, employment rates and the state of the UK jobs market.   Yet anyone running a business in Caithness may be left wondering whether the statisticians are describing the same country.  

21/7/2026

Scotland's Labour Market Holds Up, But Warning Signs Remain as UK Employment Stalls

The latest regional labour market figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) paint a mixed picture of the UK economy.  While Scotland continues to enjoy relatively high levels of employment, there are signs that the jobs market is becoming more challenging across much of the country.  

21/7/2026

UK's biggest home defence drill puts spotlight on supply chain cyber risk

The Government's announcement of ‘Operation Albiston Shadow’, the UK's largest home defence exercise in decades, has put supply chain resilience back on the agenda for British businesses, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero.   New analysis of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) latest business survey, carried out by the home delivery specialist Parcelhero, reveals that fears over cyber-attacks disrupting supply chains vary sharply depending on the sector.  

21/7/2026

Can the UK Ever Reduce Its Government Debt?

A realistic look at the options, constraints, and long‑term fiscal choices Public sector debt in the UK has climbed to levels not seen since the early 1960s, now sitting close to 95% of GDP.  With borrowing rising year after year and new commitments such as the £850 million VAT cut on electricity many people are asking whether the UK can ever meaningfully reduce its debt.  

21/7/2026

The UK Digital Services Tax: Key Issues, Global Tensions, and When It Could Become Law

The UK’s Digital Services Tax (DST) has become one of the most debated fiscal measures in recent years.  Originally introduced in 2020 as a temporary solution to the challenge of taxing multinational tech giants, the DST continues to raise questions about fairness, international cooperation, and the future of global tax reform.  

21/7/2026

How bond markets have become one of the most powerful forces in modern politics

To stay in the top job, a British prime minister has to try and keep certain groups happy.  MPs, party members and donors do not like to be ignored.  

21/7/2026

Earnings and Employment from PAYE Real Time Information, UK — July 2026

The latest ONS PAYE Real Time Information bulletin (July 2026) shows a small fall in payrolled employees over the year, modest month‑to‑month stability, and continued growth in median pay, with strong increases in health and social work but weaker growth in education.   Payrolled employees: 30.3 million in June 2026 — down 71,000 (0.2%) from June 2025.  

21/7/2026

Borrowing Falls Sharply as Inflation Eases, but the UK’s Debt Burden Remains a Long-Term Challenge

The latest Public Sector Finances bulletin from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a significant improvement in the UK’s fiscal position for June 2026.   Borrowing fell sharply compared with last year, driven primarily by lower inflation-linked debt interest payments.  

21/7/2026

UK Export Finance signs £750 million agreement with GE Aerospace to support airline engine maintenance at regional UK sites

UKEF have signed a first-of-its-kind financing framework with GE Aerospace worth £750 million, over five years.   UKEF will support financing for airlines seeking engine repairs at GE Aerospace’s sites in Wales and Scotland, backing regional supply chains and jobs.  

20/7/2026

 
What fiscal policy really is and why so many people get it wrong - Richard Murphy

What is fiscal policy, and why does it matter? Fiscal policy is one of the government’s most powerful economic tools, yet it is also one of the least understood.  Fiscal policy is the process of managing the difference between government spending and its tax revenue for the benefit of society.  

20/7/2026

A Few News Items From The Past Week In Caithness

Caithness Show attracts thousands to Thurso The annual Caithness Show took place on 17–18 July with livestock competitions, equestrian events, trade stands and family attractions.  It remains one of the county's largest annual events.  

20/7/2026

The First 100 Days: Ten Decisions That Will Show What Kind of Prime Minister Andy Burnham Really Wants to Be

A new Prime Minister has little time to make a first impression.   History suggests that the first 100 days often shape public opinion for years to come.  

20/7/2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham: Speculating On The First Decisions That Could Affect Your Pocket

What would you do if you inherited an economy with slow growth, high taxes, stretched public services and a national debt measured in trillions of pounds? That is the challenge facing Britain's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.   During his years as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham built a reputation for championing better public transport, stronger local economies and policies aimed at improving everyday living standards.  

20/7/2026

Cardiff businesswoman jailed after raiding Covid support scheme five times to fraudulently claim more than £200,000 across four companies

She fraudulently secured five Bounce Back Loans during the pandemic.   Rupali Wagh fraudulently secured £216,250 in Bounce Back Loans for her four companies in 2020.  

20/7/2026

As the Clock is Ticking - When Andy Burnham Becomes Prime Minister, What Does It Mean for Scotland?

A new Prime Minister from Greater Manchester could bring a new approach to how Britain is governed.  But could giving more power to English regions also reopen the debate about Scotland's own future? Andy Burnham has built much of his political reputation around one central argument: Decisions should be made closer to the people affected by them.