Under current UK law, the State Pension age (SPA) the earliest age you can start claiming the State Pension is rising from 66 to 67 for both men and women. This change is already legislated and will happen on a phased basis between 6 April 2026 and 5 April 2028.
The UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, often referred to in the media as the "Net Zero Grocery Tax," has introduced a new cost element to groceries and packaged goods. While the levy is legally imposed on producers and not directly on consumers, retailers are expected to pass most of the added cost onto shoppers.
Chinese triad gangs and elements linked to Russian organised crime (sometimes generically referred to as the "Russian mafia") have operated in UK cities for decades, and their activities do have real effects on local economies and communities, though the scale and visibility vary by city and type of crime. Here is what reliable sources and law-enforcement reporting show.
People with profound disabilities and complex needs will have greater freedom and independence with the development of 59 new Changing Places Toilets across Scotland. Backed by a total Scottish Government investment of £10 million into The Changing Places Scotland Fund between 2025-27, £4.7 million has been allocated this year to help individuals, families and carers across the country to take part in everyday activities and community life.
Inflation has become one of the most pressing economic issues in the United Kingdom over the past few years, shaping the lived experience of consumers, workers, businesses, and policymakers alike. After reaching historic highs at the end of 2022, inflation rates have eased but remain a significant force in 2025.
The collapsing birth rate in the Highlands, including areas like Caithness and Sutherland, is part of a broader demographic and social trend in Scotland and the UK, and it reflects a combination of economic pressures, social attitudes, and structural changes in family life. It's not just one factor, and the interplay is complex.
Canada's $27 billion fighter jet procurement is more than a military choice it's a window into how global trade and defence politics intertwine. The debate between Lockheed Martin's F‑35 and Saab’s Gripen is not just about stealth versus flexibility.
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has publicly sounded the alarm over a dramatic funding crisis for global refugee assistance. In 2025, the agency reported that it had received only about 23 % of the $10.6 billion it needed to meet its global appeal — a funding level far below what is required to support some of the world's most vulnerable displaced populations.
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19512, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on Scotland's maternity services. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons.
The Lockheed Martin F‑35 Lightning II is more than a fighter aircraft. It is the largest defense procurement program in history, a symbol of U.S.
The Jet That Defines an Era The Lockheed Martin F‑35 Lightning II is more than a fighter jet. It is the largest defence procurement program in history.
For decades, the global economy was stitched together by free trade agreements, multilateral institutions, and the promise of open markets. That fabric is now fraying.
Brexit has reshaped UK trade patterns, introducing new trade frictions with the EU — the UK's largest trading partner. All of which will continue to affect key parts of the economy.
Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine has received substantial military support from Western allies, including hundreds of main battle tanks. According to open-source tracking and reports from research institutes such as the Kiel Institute, around 471 tanks have been delivered to Ukraine by Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other supporting countries, with an additional approximately 286 tanks pledged but not yet fully delivered.
The UK remains one of Ukraine's largest bilateral military supporters. Multiple official announcements and parliamentary answers outline the equipment provided and contracted in 2025.
The UK has seen the highest value of defence exports in 2025 since records began. UK secures over £20 billion in defence exports to allies in 2025, expected to be the highest since records began over 40 years ago.
A structured analysis of key risks to the UK economy, covering both short and long-term perspectives, global influences, vulnerability to shocks, and domestic risk factors. Key Risks to the UK Economy Short-Term Risks (1-2 years) 1.
The enormous military losses sustained by both Ukraine and Russia will have far‑reaching economic consequences that are likely to unfold over several years, affecting not only defense budgets but also labor markets, infrastructure, social spending, and long-term growth potential. Here's a detailed analysis: Ukraine: Economic Consequences of Military Losses Ukraine's military losses, particularly the deaths, injuries, and desertions of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, will weigh heavily on its economy.
When most people talk about elections, they focus on the drama of constituency marginals — the nail‑biting contests where a few hundred votes can flip a seat. But in Scotland, that's only half the story.
As of late 2025, the UK economy is growing but at a modest pace, with signs of slowing momentum. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that UK GDP continued to expand in 2025, but growth has decelerated after a solid start to the year.