The right to social security is enshrined in several international agreements on human rights. But the UK's system - even before the disability benefits cuts announced earlier this year - falls way below these standards.
UK-Thai cooperation results in 90% reduction in cannabis arriving in the post. Cannabis arrivals by post from Thailand plummeted by 90% in the first three months of this year, thanks to a new partnership between UK Border Force and Thai customs.
National rollout of new Scottish benefit for pensioners Pension Age Disability Payment is now open for applications across Scotland. The national rollout follows successful pilots in 18 local authority areas, which began in October.
The UK government is currently reviewing the de minimis rule, which allows goods valued at £135 or less to enter the country without paying customs duties. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to reassess this policy, following concerns from British retailers that it creates unfair competition and enables the dumping of cheap imports.
Long-neglected rules governing capital means-testing in Universal Credit (UC) are undermining other Government policies aimed at encouraging lower-income households to accrue savings, according to new research from the Resolution Foundation published on Thursday 24 April 2025. The report Saving penalties - part of a partnership with abrdn Financial Fairness Trust – notes that the current capital thresholds, which have been frozen in cash terms since 2006, mean that a claimant's UC entitlement is tapered away if they have savings above £6,000, with entitlement ended completely if savings go a penny over £16,000.
China just shocked global markets by canceling all U.S. soybean shipments—rerouting 2.4 million tons to Brazil overnight and wiping out $1.1 billion in American farm contracts.
Moray West offshore wind farm capable of powering half of Scotland's homes is switched on by Scottish Secretary. The UK's drive towards clean power, which is a huge jobs and economic opportunity for Scotland, took a significant step forward on Thursday 24 April 2025 when Scottish Secretary Ian Murray switched on full power at Ocean Winds' new Moray West offshore windfarm.
New laws in force today mark the toughest sentencing powers against law-breaking water executives in history. Powers introduced could see water bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills sent to prison for two years.
Thousands of jobs created as major carbon capture and storage network is ready for construction - boosting energy security and the government's Plan for Change. Plan for Change delivers 2,000 skilled jobs to build major carbon capture network driving growth and reducing emissions in industrial heartlands.
Millions of Brits will find it easier to track their pension savings with the creation of a small pensions pot consolidator, in reforms unveiled by the pensions minister. Government unveils reforms to combine small pension pots to make working people better off as part of Plan for Change.
Prime Minister brings forward £300 million for Great British Energy to invest in offshore wind supply chains ahead of the Future of Energy Security summit. Prime Minister brings forward an initial £300 million investment ahead of Spending Review through Great British Energy to win global offshore wind investment for the UK.
The Scottish Government will have increased borrowing powers following an Order made in Parliament this week by Scottish Secretary. Ian Murray has laid the ‘The Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2025' which increases the Scottish Government’s borrowing limits to a cumulative total of £3 billion for capital and £629 million for resource.
In this episode, Sal Mercogliano — a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner — discusses the impact of the tariffs set by the Trump Administration on global shipping and in US ports, with a focus on Los Angeles and New York/New Jersey. This video really shows the real problems coming for Americans with the worst yet to come.
The former premises of a seafood firm in Buckie, which closed in 2022, has been brought back to life as a state-of-the-art shellfish processing facility. Over the next three years, the project is expected to generate nearly £1m in turnover and create 12 new jobs.
Means-tested benefits in Britain are built on the principle that individuals with significant financial resources should use those before turning to the state for help. That's why wealth - as well as income - is assessed when determining eligibility and entitlement levels for means-tested support.
The UK will become the first country in Europe to ban the possession and supply of SIM farms - technical devices used to defraud the public. Members of the public will be better protected from fraudsters and scammers through a landmark, Europe-first ban on the possession and supply of SIM farms, the Fraud Minister Lord Hanson has confirmed today.
British businesses will be supported to trade freely as the Chancellor chooses to act on practices that undercut fair trade, such as the dumping of cheap goods into the UK. Chancellor Rachel Reeves takes action to mitigate the impacts of practices such as potential future ‘dumping' of cheap goods into the UK to help boost growth and deliver the Plan for Change.
New report outlines the transformative potential of Engineering Biology to tackle modern-day challenges. Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean has today launched a new Foresight report, Engineering Biology Aspirations, which highlights the transformative potential of Engineering Biology (EngBio) to address some of the major challenges of our time - from lab-grown blood to biologically derived materials for fashion.
Views sought on exemptions from rent control and where rent could be increased above cap. A consultation has been published on potential for certain exemptions from rent controls or increases above the rent cap.
Despite reports of a slump in consumer confidence, retail sales volumes rose by 0.4% in March - the third rise in a row. The spring sunshine helped the High Street but online sales also increased, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero.
