For many families, Christmas dinner is the centrepiece of the festive season — a meal rich in tradition, comfort and celebration. However, in recent years the cost of putting that meal on the table has become an increasing concern.
In November 2025, the United Kingdom Government announced a landmark decision in the nation's energy history. Wylfa, located on the north coast of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) in North Wales, has been selected as the site for the UK's first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — a pivotal step toward delivering clean, secure, and homegrown nuclear energy.
People smuggling gangs storing small boats and engines in Germany now face 10 years in jail under new German legislation. Criminal gangs will face up to 10 years in jail after Germany passed landmark new legislation on Friday 19 December to crack down on the criminal gangs involved in smuggling illegal migrants to the UK.
Around 3,000 more parent carers who look after disabled or seriously ill children will be able to take a break from their caring routine thanks to increased investment. They will receive cash grants to help finance a short break, like a day out or time away with their loved ones, after an additional £1.1 million was given to Family Fund, a charity supporting parents who look after disabled and seriously ill children.
HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate cut to 3.75% on 18 December 2025. The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 18 December 2025 to reduce the Bank of England base rate to 3.75% from 4.00%.
China has become the world's largest builder of commercial ships by a very large margin, far surpassing the United States and most other countries. Here's how it breaks down based on the latest available data.
Some householders will have a change of collection day over the festive period. If you are affected, a sticker will be placed on your bin with details of the collection days.
Ann Gow and Professor Anna Glasier have been appointed as Vice Chairs of the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce. They will support the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health Jenni Minto in leading the Taskforce’s work to improve maternity and neonatal care across Scotland.
oil prices have risen modestly on the markets in response to the United States' actions against Venezuelan oil tankers. After U.S.
The EU's leaders have approved an interest-free €90 billion loan package to Ukraine to help cover its military, budgetary, and economic needs in 2026 and 2027. This is one of the largest single financial commitments from the EU since the war began.
As the UK labour market cools in 2025, young people are feeling the effects disproportionately. There are signs this may be contributing to higher emigration among this age group.
At its meeting ending on 17 December 2025, the Monetary Policy Committee voted by a majority of 5-4 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.75%. Four members voted to maintain Bank Rate at 4%.
For decades, the United States has been the world's top destination for scientists, researchers, and innovators. Its vast federal funding, world‑leading universities, and stable research ecosystem created a powerful "brain gain" that fuelled breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, computing, and space science.
The Bank of England's decision on 18 December 2025 to reduce the base rate by a quarter of a percentage point has renewed public interest in when and how mortgage holders will feel the effects. While base rate changes are often presented as immediately beneficial for borrowers, the reality is more complex and depends heavily on the type of mortgage an individual holds.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data for November 2025 show that retail sales volumes fell by about 0.1% month‑on‑month, despite expectations of modest growth. Analysts had been forecasting around a 0.4% rise.
For Britain's pubs and restaurants, 2025 has been a year of adaptation rather than celebration. While the sector has traditionally thrived on late-night trade, rising costs and operational pressures are forcing many businesses to rethink their hours — and for some, "last orders" is coming earlier than ever.
For Britain's smallest businesses, the coming financial year doesn't feel like an economic cycle at all. It feels personal.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled a long‑awaited reform that will reshape the retirement landscape for hundreds of thousands of pensioners. In a statement to Members of Parliament, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell confirmed that the government will extend inflation protection to defined benefit pension service accrued before April 1997—a change many campaigners have sought for decades.
Over 837,000 payments have been made to people across the country to help with heating costs this winter - thanks to a unique package of support that provides more for people in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. More than 268,500 payments for Child Winter Heating Payment and Winter Heating Payment – support only available in Scotland – have been paid and are likely to have already landed in people's bank accounts.
As the UK heads into the next financial year, employers are not talking about expansion or opportunity. They are talking about cost, risk and uncertainty.