News Archive

10/10/2025

This Halloween will be a £1bn monster event thanks to the rise of the ‘Boo box'

Trick or track?.   Home deliveries will be at the heart of Halloween this year as Boo boxes become the new TikTok trend.  

10/10/2025

Small Leak at Dounreay Sparks New Safety Review

A small leak of radioactive water at Dounreay has triggered a new environmental review but regulators say there is no danger to the public and that safety improvements are under way.   The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed that a minor leak occurred from a carbon bed filter, a piece of equipment used to clean contaminated water on the site.  

10/10/2025

Twenty years supporting Scotland's partner countries

First Minister John Swinney will visit Zambia and Malawi to see the impact of the Scottish Government's international development and climate justice work on the lives of people in partner countries over the past two decades.   This will be the first time a First Minister has visited Malawi since the historic Co-operation Agreement between the governments of Scotland and Malawi in 2005, and the first ever visit to Zambia.  

10/10/2025

Would Abolishing Stamp Duty Really Help Young Homebuyers — or Just Push Up House Prices?

When Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch announced her intention to abolish stamp duty, it was framed as a bold gesture to help young people get onto the housing ladder.   The argument is simple and appealing - remove a tax that adds thousands to the upfront cost of buying a home, and ownership will become more attainable.  

10/10/2025

Muirburn licence scheme - Implementation moved to Autumn 2026

New licensing conditions for muirburn will not come into force until autumn 2026, Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie has confirmed.   In the aftermath of the wildfires which have affected many parts of the country and caused extensive damage to Scotland's peatlands, the decision has been taken to move the commencement date from 1 January, when the relevant part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act would have come into effect.  

10/10/2025

Greater safety for non-surgical procedures - Botox injections, dermal fillers, Brazilian Butt Lifts

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers Bill Published A new Bill to regulate some of the most commonly performed non-surgical procedures has been published by the Scottish Parliament.   If passed by parliament, the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill will regulate the provision of certain non-surgical cosmetic and wellbeing procedures to ensure they are carried out in appropriate settings which can meet standards of safety and hygiene.  

9/10/2025

Nearly 7,000 new UK jobs to be created as a result of Prime Minister's trip to India

Nearly 7,000 brand new jobs will be created in the United Kingdom thanks to a raft of major new deals secured by the Prime Minister during his visit to India.   64 Indian companies will invest over £1 billion into the UK, creating 6,900 jobs spread across every region.  

9/10/2025

Bollywood comes to Britain - Three blockbusters to be made in the UK from next year

Three new Bollywood blockbusters will be made in the UK from next year, the Prime Minister has announced in Mumbai today.   Three new Bollywood blockbusters will be made in the UK from next year, the Prime Minister has announced in Mumbai today.  

9/10/2025

Job advisers to be embedded in GP surgeries as tens of thousands more sick and disabled people offered help into work

Over 40,000 more sick or disabled people will receive intensive employment support to move into secure, fulfilling work and out of poverty, thanks to a £167.2 million boost to the Connect to Work programme.   Nine further areas across England to benefit from a £167 million investment in Connect to Work - the programme that refuses to write off sick or disabled people.  

9/10/2025

 
UK Company Law Enters New Era of Transparency and Enforcement

The UK's corporate landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in nearly 20 years as a series of new measures tighten company regulation and transparency requirements.  The reforms, introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), are being phased in through to 2027, reshaping the way companies are formed, managed, and scrutinised.  

9/10/2025

TB rates in England continue to increase in 2024 - But pay attention in Scotland

UKHSA is reminding people to be aware of TB symptoms to help ensure prompt testing and treatment.   Tuberculosis (TB) levels in England increased by 13.6% in 2024 compared to the previous year, data published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows.  

9/10/2025

Ghost Jobs Cloud the UK Hiring Market and Scotland Is No Exception

An increasing number of job adverts in Scotland and the wider UK appear to represent "ghost jobs" vacancies that are never filled or possibly never existed yet linger online giving a deceptive view of hiring demand.   While Scottish-specific data on ghost jobs is lacking recent labour market statistics and recruiter testimony suggest the phenomenon is likely significant north of the border frustrating jobseekers and confusing employers alike.  

9/10/2025

 
AI is killing the graduate job — now what?

AI is reshaping work faster than universities, employers, or governments can adapt.   In this intergenerational conversation, I talk with my son Tom about how artificial intelligence has destroyed the old promise: work hard, get good grades, and you'll get a good job.  

9/10/2025

 
What if the UK admitted it uses MMT and turned that into its superpower? - Richard Murphy

What if the UK government admitted it already uses modern monetary theory?.   Would markets panic — or would we finally have the power to rebuild Britain?.  

9/10/2025

 
UK elevates regional AI partnership to drive growth

The UK is partnering with Malaysia to host the UK-ASEAN AI Innovation Summit in Kuala Lumpur.   This is the biggest event the UK is hosting with Malaysia during its ASEAN Chair year, underlining the UK's ambition to elevate its AI partnership with Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region as a catalyst for growth.  

9/10/2025

 
Businesses feel misunderstood by the Scottish Government

The Scottish Business Monitor found businesses feel misunderstood by the Scottish Government and are unprepared for net zero as last quarter's tentative recovery in activity stalls.   The latest report of the Fraser of Allander Institute's quarterly Scottish Business Monitor, which surveyed over 200 businesses from 31 of Scotland's 32 local authorities.  

9/10/2025

Music programme boosts children's wellbeing

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed a review highlighting the impact of music for young people of all backgrounds during Challenge Poverty Week.   The £9.78 million Scottish Government-funded Youth Music Initiative provides music-making opportunities for young people across Scotland, particularly those who would otherwise be unable to participate.  

8/10/2025 : Local Authority

Scottish Budget Delay Puts Councils Under Strain As Officials Warn of Squeezed Timetables and Unclear Funding

With the Scottish Government shifting its 2026-27 Budget announcement to 13 January 2026, councils across Scotland are bracing for a tighter financial planning process and deeper uncertainty over funding levels.   While ministers argue the delay is forced by constraints from Westminster, local authority leaders and public sector auditors caution that compressed timelines could weaken oversight and hamper service delivery.  

8/10/2025 : Local Authority

Public invited to Wick Street Design Drop-In Event Ahead of Works Starting on Site

Works to transform the commercial and retail centre of Wick to create a more welcoming space are moving forward at pace.   Local firm GMR Henderson have been appointed as the contractor with an expected start date on site of Monday 27 October.  

8/10/2025

Residential rehabilitation funding - Extra support to increase access

An innovative funding programme to help make sure residential rehabilitation placements are available where they are most needed has been extended by the Scottish Government.   The £2 million Additional Placement Fund allows Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) in areas where demand is high, to more easily access money if their existing funding has run out.