The World Bank cut its 2025 global growth projection to around 2.3%, the slowest outside major recessions, citing trade tensions and policy uncertainty. Organisations like the OECD and IMF also noted slower expected expansion compared with previous years, with bumps caused by tariff effects but some resilience in investment and tech sectors.
Patients at all GP practices in Scotland are benefiting from a digital dermatology service designed to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes. Since the national rollout in September, GPs have referred more than 12,000 patients.
Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) has begun AE 1107 engine testing to support prototype delivery for the U.S. Army MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.
A £1.49m project to build a brand-new Screen Machine - Scotland's mobile cinema, will ensure that rural and island communities can enjoy the latest films close to home. For almost 30 years, Screen Machine has served more than 34,000 people across 44 communities, half of them on islands, offering a digital cinema experience where no permanent cinema exists.
Since the Bank of England Base Rate (BBR) was cut in August 2025, more than 90% of savings providers have cut rates, but mortgage rates have only reduced marginally, according to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk analysis. Cuts to the Bank of England Base Rate (BBR) hit savers the hardest, with more than 90% of providers cutting savings rates since August 2025.
An up-to-date summary of the Employment Rights Bill (often referred to as the UK Employment Bill) as it completes its passage through Parliament. It is expected to receive Royal Assent today (18 December 2025) with a focus on what it contains and how it will affect employees and employers once it becomes law.
Scottish businesses will pursue new export opportunities and investment support during a three-day trade initiative taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month. UAE Scotland Week aims to connect Scottish companies with investors and partners across renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, cyber security, agritech and food and drink sectors.
Actions to combat sexual abuse set out alongside next steps in national review. Immediate action will be taken to address any harms or risks identified in the first part of an independent inspectorate-led review of responses to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE).
There are nearly one million young people in the UK who are not in employment, education or training (so-called Neets). After falling in number during the 2010s before the pandemic, this cohort of 16 to 24-year-olds has grown from 750,000 only six years ago.
16 grants totalling £2,164,121 for community asset projects across Scotland announced today by the Scottish Land Fund. The Category-A listed Winter Garden, that has occupied Rothesay's waterfront since 1924, is to pass into community hands following an award of £120,500 from the Scottish Land Fund.
Projects aimed at protecting homes at risk of flooding and tackling the impacts of extreme heat in towns and cities are some of the initiatives benefitting from Scottish Government funding to guard communities against the impacts of climate change. A total of £550,000 is supporting local authorities, health boards, community groups and businesses to work together to address climate risks such as increased flooding, coastal erosion, extreme heat and water scarcity.
Is tax theft? Many people think so — and that belief shapes how we vote, how we treat public services, and how democracy functions. In this video, I explain why the popular claim "it's my money, why should the government take it?" is based on a fundamental mistake.
Most people think that economics is about money, that government spending is constrained by tax, and that public services must always come second to "balancing the books". All of that is wrong.
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending September 2025.
Scotland's onshore GDP grew by 0.2% in the three months to October 2025, up from the growth of 0.2% in the three months to September, and revised growth of 0.5% in August, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. In the month to October 2025, Scotland’s GDP contracted by 0.2%.
UKAEA and NDA sign formal agreement to share knowledge and expertise, advancing the delivery of major decommissioning programmes. Memorandum of Understanding agreed to enable and encourage knowledge sharing, and improve best practice.
The World Inequality Report 2026 presents a stark and unsettling picture of the global economy. Despite decades of economic growth and technological progress, inequality remains not only widespread but extraordinarily concentrated.
The UK has committed £600 million in air-defence capabilities, including cutting edge turrets that can shoot down Russian drones to support Ukraine through the winter. Over 1,000 UK-built air-defence missiles delivered since June, as Russia targets power stations and energy networks.
The Highland Council has announced the publication of an Invitation to Tender for the next round of the Wick Public Service Obligation (PSO). This procurement seeks to secure an operator for lifeline air services from Wick John O'Groats Airport beyond 31 March 2026.
There were 327,746 local authority housing stock units as of March 2025. 3.0% of the total local authority stock was vacant, however this includes stock that will be demolished or cannot be currently let as it needs modernisation.