Bounce Back Loan fraudster also produced false invoice to liquidator. Shohid Ahmed applied for three Bounce Back Loans using his wife's name, receiving £100,000 his Indian restaurant was not entitled to.
Mounting pressures from inflation, increasing costs and demand are exceeding the Scottish Government's additional investment in Scotland's councils. In 2025/26 councils received over £15 billion in government funding, with more money set to be raised from council tax and charges for some services.
Tourists and hikers exploring the UK's most renowned beauty spots and national parks can now benefit from a huge boost in mobile coverage, helping them plan routes and receive live weather updates for safer outdoor adventures. UK Government upgrades over 50 existing mobile masts across England, Scotland and Wales including in UK's most renowned natural parks, such as Snowdonia and Lake District.
Consultation launched on fast-tracking disposal of vehicles seized for antisocial behaviour. Communities blighted by off-road biking in public parks and intimidating street racing are set to benefit from new police powers to crack down on antisocial behaviour and deliver safer streets through the Plan for Change.
Thirteen upgraded masts to transform rural connectivity across the Scottish countryside. The UK Government has today [Wednesday 28 May 2025] announced a significant boost to mobile connectivity across Scotland's rural areas, with 13 mobile masts upgraded to provide coverage from all four mobile network operators.
Last week, representatives from The Highland Council's Waste Services Team joined The Highland Food Bank Team in Inverness for the delivery of £500 worth of food and essential items which was kindly donated by Jett Distribution. Jett Distribution have been contracted by the Council to deliver wheeled bins as part of the Waste and Recycling Service Change programme and are wheeled bin distribution specialists within the UK and Germany.
Scotland's onshore GDP contracted by 0.2% in March 2025, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. This follows an unrevised contraction of 0.2% in February 2025.
Security Minister signs agreement with Ecuador to affirm international commitment to crackdown on organised criminal gangs. The UK will be better protected from deadly cocaine as the government strengthens crucial partnerships with Colombia and Ecuador to tackle drug smuggling at source.
The UK is a country of massive wealth inequality, with all the stress landing on those the wealthy think to be the undeserving poor, which is most of us..
A funding package to support Ukrainian communities and culture in Scotland to flourish has been announced by Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart. Funding of over £600,000 will support third sector organisations working to support displaced Ukrainians.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and the Isle of Man Treasury Minister agree to joint working to crack down on promotors of tax avoidance schemes. Isle of Man Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson MHK held a virtual meeting with the UK Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray MP.
Angus Robertson has welcomed a new agreement which will strengthen business links between Scotland and Ukraine and support the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine commits the two governments to strengthening trade and investment links through information exchange and practical support for businesses working in both countries.
The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024 was published today. This Official Statistics publication details statistics on the employment, production and value of shellfish from Scottish shellfish farms.
I don't know what's come over me, but here is a more positive take on the UK economy, though if you watch to the end, I run out of steam trying to look for positives. Still there are the odd embers in the fire so to speak..
Thousands of farmers will get a payment boost for restoring habitats and protecting landscapes. Thousands of farmers will benefit from a £30 million boost to payments received for nature-friendly farming practices under the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme.
In 2025, America is facing a silent collapse: mass layoffs, skyrocketing prices, and growing panic as shelves empty and industries disappear overnight. It's not just tech anymore—retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics are all taking hits.
Retail sales volumes (quantity bought) are estimated to have risen by 1.2% in April 2025. This follows a rise of 0.1% in March 2025 (revised down from a rise of 0.4% in our last bulletin).
The U.S. is facing a supply chain nightmare — and it's not due to war or pandemic.
Shop price deflation was unchanged at 0.1% year on year in May, against a decline of 0.1% in April. This is above the 3-month average of -0.2%.
IMF upgraded the UK's growth forecast for 2025 to 1.2%, saying that "an economic recovery is underway". Today the IMF released the concluding statement of their findings from the UK Article IV Mission - their annual review of the UK's economic and fiscal outlook and policies.
