Up to 460 new jobs are expected to be created at the Grangemouth industrial cluster and surrounding area, thanks to £8.5 million new Scottish Government funding. Following the allocation of £1.5 million of Scottish Government's Grangemouth Just Transition Funding to Scottish biotech company MiAlgae, up to 310 jobs are expected to be created over the next five years.
New unified organisation to speed up how Defence gathers and shares intelligence. UK military intelligence will be more efficient, faster, and better able to anticipate future threats as the Ministry of Defence launches the new Military Intelligence Services (MIS).
The 14 Scottish most in need communities each to benefit from up to £20 million UK Government Pride in Place Programme funding. Local communities are at the heart of Scottish life - and the UK Government is today announcing the 14 neighbourhoods each receiving up to £20 million to restore pride in their area and open doors to new opportunities.
Tips for motorists on how to recognise and avoid scams, including emails and text messages. DVLA is reminding motorists how they can keep themselves safe from vehicle and driving licence scams.
Venezuela is home to the world's largest proven oil reserves with an estimated 304 billion barrels. And there's one big reason why America is so interested.
The Planning Inspectorate is recruiting experienced planning professionals to become local plan inspectors. Applications open in early 2026.
Three quarters of farmers have received Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments Three quarters of eligible farmers have already received their Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments since the 2025 payment window opened on 1 December, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) confirmed (Friday 12 December). So far, more than 28,351 payments have been made, bringing the total amount paid to farmers to £435.6 million.
Most people believe the national debt is a danger to our economy. In this video, I explain why that story is wrong.
In October 2025, the UK economy shrank slightly, while the US economy was expanding strongly and the EU economy was growing modestly. This contrast highlights how the UK's stagnation is more domestic in nature, whereas the US and EU are benefiting from stronger consumer spending and investment.
As President Donald Trump threatens the independence of the Federal Reserve Bank a look at history may give us some warnings about inflationary pressures that could result. Central bank independence has become a foundational principle of contemporary macroeconomic governance.
Early-years interventions aimed at supporting disadvantaged children and families are a public-policy priority in many high-income countries. Two of the best-known programmes are the UK's Sure Start (children's centres and family support, launched 1999) and the United States' Head Start (early childhood education and family services, launched 1965).
Total UK retail footfall remained broadly unchanged in the week to 7 December 2025, compared with the previous week, but decreased by 1% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (BT Active Intelligence). The most reported challenge affecting turnover for trading businesses in early December 2025 was "economic uncertainty" at 33%, followed by "cost of labour" (21%), "cost of materials" and "competition" (both 20%) (initial results from Wave 146 of the Business Insights and Conditions Survey).
Grangemouth workers and the community will benefit from jobs and investment as UK government backs a new biotech project on the site. Scottish biotech company MiAlgae backed with up to £1.5 million to develop an innovative new project on the Grangemouth site, using byproducts from whisky distillation.
The value of goods imports increased by £0.8 billion (1.5%) in October 2025, because of a rise in imports from both EU and non-EU countries. The value of goods exports rose by £1.5 billion (5.2%) in October 2025, mainly because of an increase in exports to non-EU countries.
The Secretary of State has accepted TRA's recommendation to impose anti-dumping measures on certain engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the UAE. The Secretary of State for Business & Trade has on 11 December 2025 accepted the Trade Remedies Authority's final recommendation to impose anti-dumping measures on certain engine oils and hydraulic fluids imported from Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Colorado beetle, a major threat to potato crops, was found in Kent in 2023. A major potato pest has been eradicated from the UK, the government has outlined today (Thursday 11 December 2025), following extensive operational investigative work and surveillance.
October 2025 GDP: Fell 0.1%, following a similar decline in September and flat growth in August. Three-month trend (Aug-Oct): The economy contracted 0.1%, reversing the small growth seen earlier in the year.
Services output was estimated to have no growth (0.0%) in the three months to October 2025, compared with the previous three months to July 2025. 7 of the 14 sectors showed growth in the three months to October 2025, with the main positive contributing sector being "real estate activities" (up 0.4%).
What can ordinary people do if the financial crash many economists fear is coming? In this video, I explain some practical, calm, and sensible steps to improve your financial resilience without panic and without doom-mongering. From securing savings and pensions to food security and holding a little cash, these tips help you think ahead when the government won't.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday, marking the central bank's third cut of the year. Fed officials were split on the decision to lower rates to a range of 3.50%-3.75%, with policymakers dissenting on both sides.