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News Archive

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4/8/2025

Potential Redirection of Chinese Exports to the UK and EU as USA tariffs goods under $800

With U.S.  buyers facing higher costs under the new de minimis rules, Chinese exporters have a clear incentive to seek alternative markets.  

4/8/2025

How can I tell if some articles are generated by copilot or ChatGPT? - Do we care as long as we get the information?

How to Spot Copilot vs ChatGPT Prose.   AI-generated text often shares a polished fluency, but subtle style cues and structural habits can hint at its origin.  

4/8/2025

 
Water wars - a historic agreement between Mexico and US is ramping up border tension

As climate change drives rising temperatures and changes in rainfall, Mexico and the US are in the middle of a conflict over water, putting an additional strain on their relationship.   Partly due to constant droughts, Mexico has struggled to maintain its water deliveries for much of the last 25 years, in keeping with a water-sharing agreement between the two countries that has been in place since 1944 (agreements between the two regulating water sharing have existed since the 19th century).  

4/8/2025

 
What is an Average UK Income? And it is Enough?

A look at average UK Incomes and is it enough to live comfortably on?..  

4/8/2025

Denmark increased retirement age to 70 and is it likely to happen in UK

Denmark's parliament passed a bill in May 2025 to raise the state pension age to 70 by 2040, making it the highest in Europe.  This decision stems from the 2006 Welfare Reform, which links the retirement age automatically to life expectancy—specifically targeting a 14.5-year pension period—and mandates five-yearly adjustments with at least 15 years' notice.  

4/8/2025

 
The Black Isle Show has been the Real Deal for 10 years

In 2015 the Black Isle Farmers Society signed up to the ‘The Real Deal Scheme' and signed up to the voluntary charter in partnership with Highland Council Trading Standards, demonstrating a commitment to work together to prevent counterfeits and other illicit goods being sold at the show.   The Real Deal campaign is a key aspect of the National Market Group's aim to recognise, reinforce and reward good practice at markets and car boot fairs throughout the UK that are working with local enforcement partners to keep their markets free from counterfeit and other illicit goods.  

4/8/2025

 
Why adverts want you to feel bad about your life - Richard Murphy

Advertising tells you every day that you're too old, too poor, too unfashionable.   Why? Because unhappiness sells.  

3/8/2025

Impact of USAID Cessation and Reduced Global Aid on African Populations

The abrupt suspension of new USAID funding and simultaneous cuts by major donors such as the UK have slashed development and humanitarian budgets across Africa, disrupting programs that once supported health, agriculture, governance, education, and conservation.  These shifts threaten to reverse decades of progress in poverty reduction, public health, and stability.  

3/8/2025

Will Storm Floris Cause Much Damage in Scotland on Monday 4 August

Met Office warnings for Monday 4 August predict unseasonably strong winds and heavy rain across Scotland.  Coastal and upland areas can expect gusts of 60-70 mph, with peaks up to 85 mph on exposed coastlines and hills.  

3/8/2025

Are UK health services over-medicalising anxiety and depression?

Former Health Secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt has warned that the NHS is increasingly treating normal life stresses—bereavement, job loss—as medical conditions, signing off around 3,000 people a day with fit notes for anxiety and depression.  Since 2019, disability benefit claims among working-age adults in England and Wales have risen by nearly one million, with about 500,000 of these new claims linked specifically to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.  

3/8/2025

 
China Sees Workforce Changes As Population Ages

Projections from the UN's World Population Prospects show China peaking around 2024-25 and then edging downwards by roughly 0.22% per year.   Trends in China's Workforce Age Profile Working-age population (15-59) Peaked at about 925 million in 2011.  

3/8/2025

Trump's new tariff regime has begun after months of chaos and uncertainty. But is his approach working?

The beginning of August marks the latest deadline for US president Donald Trump's "liberation day" tariff policy.  This era of chaos and uncertainty began on April 2 and the situation remaims fluid.  

3/8/2025

Impact of Trump's Policies on US Consumer Prices

Consumer inflation in the United States has moderated since President Trump took office in January.  For the 12-month period ending in June 2025, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.7 percent, down from peaks above 9 percent during the pandemic era.  

3/8/2025

Impact of UK Immigration Policies on Incomers Versus Those Leaving

Many recent reforms target inbound migration, tightening who can enter, work, and settle.   Skilled Worker route now requires a degree-level role (RQF Level 6) and a salary threshold rising from £26,200 to £38,700, with limited exemptions for care and NHS professionals.  

3/8/2025

Immigrant Settlement in Scotland Trends

Scotland has shifted from a net exporter of people to a net importer in recent years.  Net migration more than doubled from +22,200 in the year to mid-2022 to +55,100, then rose further to +61,600 in the year to mid-2023.  

3/8/2025

What will it take for China to arrest its declining birth rate?

China's central government introduced a childcare subsidy on July 28 that will provide families with 3,000 yuan (around £312) a year for each child under the age of three.  The announcement came days after plans were unveiled to roll out free preschool education across the country.  

3/8/2025

Brand Scotland Goes To Germany

Young Scottish musicians will help to sell Scotland to Germany on Ian Murray trade trip.   Young Scottish musicians will be centre stage in Germany this week as part of Scottish Secretary Ian Murray's Brand Scotland campaign.  

3/8/2025

Major law change to criminalise small boat smuggler ads

New offence to target criminal gangs promoting dangerous journeys like Channel crossings to the UK on social media.   In a blow to the people smugglers' business model, the government has outlined new measures through its Plan for Change to crack down on social media content which promotes small boat crossings and fuels organised immigration crime.  

3/8/2025

 
Think Your Pension Strategies Now As Government Gradually Increases Retirement Age

Rathbones' most recent analysis focuses on the government's upcoming state pension age review and its potential impact on people now in their early fifties.  They calculate that bringing forward the rise from 68 to as early as 2039 could cost those aged 51-53 between £15,798 and £17,774 in foregone pension payments over a full year's delay.  

3/8/2025

 
Effects of Trump's 2025 Tariffs on UK Prices Likely to Be Negligible

UK goods exported to the US now face a blanket 10 percent reciprocal tariff (unless covered by a bilateral deal).   Sector‐specific levies (e.g., 25 percent on cars above the annual quota, 25 percent on steel) may also apply under US trade defence rules.  

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