There has been an increase in planned operations across NHS Scotland, as recent statistics reveal that the number of hip and knee arthroplasty operations reached an all-time high in 2024. The statistics from The Scottish Arthroplasty Project reported that 17,399 first (primary) hip or knee replacements performed in NHS Scotland hospitals in 2024 compared to 15,908 in 2019.
A historic reactor complex has been demolished, creating a new skyline at Harwell site - the birthplace of pioneering nuclear research and innovation. The complex originally housed the UK's first fast fission reactor Zephyr, followed by Dimple - a multi-purpose, zero power, water moderated reactor.
An article in The Lowdown web site 1 August 2025. The government's recently unveiled 10-Year Health Plan wants to set up to 300 "neighbourhood health hubs." - local one-stop centres to offer diagnostics, outpatient treatment, mental health support, and preventive services, to relieve pressure on hospitals.
New Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer published. Clinicians will be able to refer patients with symptoms which might indicate cancer for tests more quickly following the introduction of new revised guidelines.
The paradox in US economy that company profits are soaring. The stock market has been going up, but elsewhere the economy is in difficulty.
Are the wealthy essential to our economy - or are they holding it back?. In this 10th video of the series, I examine whether we need their land, their taxes, their consumption, or their ideas.
Two public organisations have signed a partnership agreement committing them to work together to accelerate the UK's transition to clean energy. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Aberdeen based Great British Energy (GBE) signed the agreement in Inverness on Thursday 31 July during a GBE visit to the region.
Companies House are phasing in identity verification over 12 months to make things simpler for companies and business owners. Companies House confirms that from Tuesday 18 November 2025, legal requirements for directors and people with significant control (PSCs) of companies to verify their identities will begin.
NHS and local authorities begin rollout of world-first gonorrhoea vaccination programme across the country. Vaccination against gonorrhoea now available in sexual health clinics in England for those at greatest risk of infection.
ScotRail is advising customers that some disruption from Storm Floris will continue into Tuesday. Storm Floris is continuing to have a significant impact on Scotland's Railway, including damage to overhead lines and trees falling on tracks across the country.
Approximately 147,000 students across Scotland are receiving results today covering National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications. Digital results (via MySQA text, email, and online) begin arriving as early as 8 AM BST, with paper certificates sent by first-class post throughout the day.
It is widely reported that most analysts forecast the Monetary Policy Committee will cut the Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 4.00% at its meeting on Thursday, 7 August 2025. Financial markets assign an 80-94% probability to this move, which would be the fifth reduction since August 2024 and bring rates to their lowest level since March 2023.
Doctors are being urged to share their views about how best to shape and sustain Scotland's medical workforce over the next 15-20 years. The Future Medical Workforce project will gather feedback from doctors, residents and senior clinicians to help shape future reforms in training, recruitment and workforce planning.
Following the high winds forecast and experienced due to Storm Floris, The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which may have been damaged. Landowners are also asked to check the drainage from their property that it is not blocked and overflowing onto public roads.
The treaty provides a legal basis for the ground-breaking UK-France ‘one-in, one-out' pilot scheme. The latest step towards dismantling the criminal trade in small boat crossings was taken today by the ratification of a treaty between the UK and France to help prevent dangerous journeys at sea.
Former Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is stepping down from the Scottish Parliament, marking the departure of the SNP's most high‑profile pro-business advocate. Her exit is seen as a shift leftwards for the party, exacerbating concerns about economic direction amid waning enthusiasm for independence among voters.
You get a payment reminder through the letterbox, maybe for a credit card, an overdraft, a bill, or a parking fine. You ignore it and leave the envelope unopened, or put it to one side to deal with later.
Caitlyn Eastell, Spokesperson at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said "While premium bonds are a fun, unconventional way to win some tax-free cash, the reality is that it is a game of chance, and the majority of savers may not even win a prize. They sometimes also rely on investors to claim these prizes, meaning there is currently over £100 million left unclaimed—more than £10 million higher compared to the end of 2024.
Imagine it's April 2025 and you're the owner of a small but fast-growing e-commerce business. Historically, you've sourced products from China, but the president just announced tariffs of 145% on these goods.
The trade deal between the US and the European Union, squeezed in days before the re-introduction of Donald Trump's "liberation day" tariffs, is reflective of the new politics of global trade. Faced with the threat of 30% baseline tariffs from Washington, as well as additional levies on specific sectors, the EU has secured a partial reprieve of a flat 15% tariff on all goods.
