News Archive

16/10/2025

People warned to stay aware of winter heating payment scams

Most winter heating payments will be paid to people automatically.   Social Security Scotland's winter heating payments helped over half a million families warm their homes last year.  

15/10/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
The NDA Group Graduate Programme: more than a job

The NDA group graduate scheme offers far more than just a stepping stone into the nuclear industry; it's a chance to grow professionally, explore new places, and become part of a supportive community.   Nuala Ledward, Assurance and Performance Graduate, shares how her secondment to Dounreay brought these benefits to life.  

15/10/2025

China's Retaliation to Trump's Tariffs - Strategic Response and Global Economic Implications

Tensions between the United States and China intensify once again over trade.  The world is witnessing a new phase of economic retaliation marked by strategic countermeasures, global supply chain disruptions, and rising uncertainty for multinational firms.  

15/10/2025

Major reforms would require vet businesses to make fundamental changes to the way they support pet owners

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today published the provisional decision in its market investigation into the UK's £6.3 billion veterinary services market.   Proposals to transform consumer experience will lead to more choice and savings.  

15/10/2025

Migrants will be required to pass A Level standard of English

Migrants will be required to pass tough new English language requirements under a law introduced in Parliament on 14 October 2025.   Migrants will be required to pass tough new English language requirements under a law introduced in Parliament today (14 October), as the government continues to replace Britain's failed immigration system with one that is controlled, selective and fair.  

15/10/2025

Government has approved enough clean energy to power 7.5 million homes

Government approves Tillbridge Solar Farm, a major new solar project.   Tillbridge Solar Farm given the green light, marking the 17th nationally significant clean energy project approved by the government since July 2024 - enough clean energy to power the equivalent of over 7.5 million homes.  

15/10/2025

Scottish Veterans Fund opens - £500,000 to help former Armed Forces personnel

A veterans support fund is open for applications to help improve the lives of former service personnel and their families.   The Scottish Veterans Fund is awarded to projects improving the lives of veterans and their families including with financial support, mental and physical health challenges and employment.  

15/10/2025

Scottish scallop stocks: results of 2023 stock assessments

The commercial dredge fishery for the king scallop (Pecten maximus) in Scotland began in the 1930s as a seasonal (winter) fishery prosecuted by approximately 10 small inshore vessels in the Clyde.   The fishery developed rapidly during the 1960s and 1970s, expanding northwards around the rest of the west coast of Scotland, Shetland and the northeast Scottish coast.  

15/10/2025

Ofcom fines Royal Mail £21m for missing its 2024/25 delivery targets

Royal Mail only delivered 77% of First Class mail and 92.5% of Second Class mail on time, well short of 93% and 98.5% targets.   Ofcom tells Royal Mail it must urgently publish - and deliver – a credible improvement plan, or fines are likely to continue.  

15/10/2025

UK and NATO nations ramp up response to Putin's aggression in Ukraine and incursions into Europe

More than 85,000 military drones have been delivered by the UK to Ukraine in just six months this year by accelerating production from British companies.   More than 85,000 military drones have been delivered by the UK to Ukraine in just six months.  

15/10/2025

Work Health and Opportunity: Building a More Inclusive UK Labour Market

The health and employment outcomes of working-age adults are closely interlinked.  Poor health reduces an individual's capacity to participate in the labour market, while unemployment and job insecurity are associated with worse physical and mental health outcomes.  

15/10/2025

 
Neoliberalism is dying - What comes next? - Richard Murphy

Neoliberalism promised prosperity but delivered austerity, insecurity, and despair.  It hollowed out our public services, undermined democracy, and left wealth in the hands of the few.  

15/10/2025

The Employment Rights Bill is still in process but changes are coming

A current-view and breakdown of where the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is, and what is expected to change first (and when).   The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 10 October 2024.  

14/10/2025

Improving access to primary care - Walk-in GP clinics to open - A closer Look at a new pressure

A network of walk-in GP clinics will open as part of work to improve access to primary care.   The clinics, which would be staffed by GPs, nurses and support staff, will be open seven days a week, 12:00-20:00, in addition to existing primary care services.  

14/10/2025

 
Average weekly earnings in Great Britain: October 2025

The following information is for the period from June to August 2025.   Annual growth in employees' average earnings was 4.7% for regular earnings (excluding bonuses) and 5.0% for total earnings (including bonuses).  

14/10/2025

Police Scotland Warning - Keyless vehicle theft

Police Scotland have seen an increase in vehicle thefts across Scotland in recent months using the 'relay method'.  Many of us may not know what this means so they have kindly provided the information below in relation to this and what we can do to try and combat it.  

14/10/2025 : Local Authority

 
Communities urged to ‘apply now' for winter resilience aid

Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now' for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities.   The Highland Council's winter service starts today (Tuesday 14 October 2025) and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.  

14/10/2025

Preparing for wildfires - Learning lessons and building resilience after record breaking numbers in 2025

Representatives of organisations involved in tackling the wildfires which took place across Scotland this year are coming together to reflect on how to prevent future incidents.   The event is a result of Scotland enduring the largest wildfires in living memory, with 13 wildfire alerts in Scotland this year alone and Dava in the Highlands enduring the worst damage.  

14/10/2025

 
New agency chair appointed to crack down on minimum wage underpayment and worker exploitation

Matthew Taylor to lead Government's new Fair Work Agency from April 2026.   Taylor Review author Matthew Taylor appointed as first Fair Work Agency chair to support the government's mission to kickstart economic growth.  

14/10/2025

Ming Yang Smart Energy To Inver £1.5billion To Build Wind Turbines in Scotland

Ming Yang Smart Energy (a Chinese renewable energy company) is planning a major wind turbine manufacturing facility in Scotland.   The investment would be around £1.5 billion.