Tariff wars are more than just a straightforward tax on imports—they create a cascade of hidden costs that can ripple through every level of an economy. Here are some of the key areas where these costs emerge.
Rachel Reeves could cut the interest paid by the government to the UK's commercial banks by up to £20bn a year. So why won't she, when she says she is so short of money that those with disabilities must suffer?..
On April 11, 2025, Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine that significantly bolsters Kyiv's defensive capabilities. In this latest contribution, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that Ukraine will receive: Air Defense Systems: 4 IRIS-T systems to help counter aerial threats.
The temporary rent control measures in Scotland ended on March 31, 2025. These measures, introduced during the cost-of-living crisis, included a cap on rent increases.
The US has decided - again - to upend the global trading system. With the latest raft of tariffs just beginning to kick in, and after a week in which markets worldwide fell precipitously, the Trump administration announced that it would be suspending high tariffs on nearly 60 countries for 90 days.
Porton Down carries out research to ensure that the UK's military and wider public benefit from the latest technical and scientific developments. In the interests of national security much of this work is secret.
"Iron-clad" and "non-negotiable" is how UK prime minister Keir Starmer recently described the country's fiscal rules. The government has been coming under pressure to relax the rules and cut itself some financial slack.
Nominations will open this summer for traditions like Notting Hill Carnival, Hogmanay and artisanal crafts to be officially recognised. New inventory of traditions will champion UK values and heritage.
Donald Trump has partially walked back on his so-called "liberation day" tariffs on nearly all US imports after fears mounted that the move would result in a global recession and much higher borrowing costs for the US government. On Wednesday, April 9, a mere 13 hours after his higher rate of "reciprocal tariffs" had come into effect, Trump announced they would be paused for 90 days.
Bond markets don't often make front-page news but the recent sharp sell-off in US Treasuries appears to have been enough to prompt US president Donald Trump to pause his plans for new tariffs. Traditionally, US Treasuries are seen as one of the world's safest assets for investors.
Individuals can take several practical steps to prepare for a potential tariff war, which tends to drive up the prices of imported goods and may ripple through everyday expenses. Reassess Your Budget and Build a Financial Cushion Since tariffs often lead to higher prices on common commodities—from grocery items to household appliances—it's wise to review your monthly budget and identify areas where you can cut back.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statement on British Steel. As Prime Minister, I will always act in the national interest.
There have been reports of a new email scam which appears to have been sent by Openreach. The message refers to a recent broadband upgrade and asks you to digitally sign an attached PDF to allow them to start work.
The government will introduce new fees for passport applications on 10 April 2025. The passport fee increases came into force on 10 April 2025.
After a tough Budget and Spring Statement for low-to-middle income households, the Spending Review could brighten a bleak living standards outlook by prioritising spending on services they use the most, according to new research published by the Resolution Foundation. The research notes that public services are crucial for quality of life, providing ‘in-kind' benefits worth £13,000 per household on average.
New data from the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey reveals a fall in university-business collaboration and the broader knowledge exchange environment. Headline findings from the 2023-24 data: Knowledge exchange income – which encompasses a variety of collaborative activities between universities, business, and other non-commercial organisations – totaled £5.9 billion, a 3.9% decrease from last year in inflation-adjusted terms.
Nuclear Taskforce lead appointed to accelerate UK's nuclear renaissance. John Fingleton CBE appointed as head of government's nuclear taskforce.
The Career Development Institute (CDI) today announced the launch of its Technical Education Resource Hub, an online platform designed to transform how career development professionals access news, information and resources about technical education pathways. In an era where technical skills are increasingly vital to the UK's economic growth, resilience and global competitiveness, this centralised hub addresses a critical need - it brings together comprehensive, up-to-date information on T Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), apprenticeships, and ongoing qualifications reform - creating a one-stop resource for careers professionals who are shaping the future workforce.
The food supply chain and agriculture stakeholder group, FAST, met with Scottish Government last week to discuss how to best implement agricultural support. Members of FAST, who were invited as a critical stakeholder group, represent organisations from across the sector, including tenant farmers, young farmers, landowners, crop growers, and the meat supply chain, and many of the representatives in the room are also farmers or closely linked to grass roots agriculture.
There's been a recent increase in reports of rogue traders who have been contracted to carry out a small repair job to a roof, and then tell the homeowner that they have found further work that needs to be done urgently. One couple were cold called by roofers who said they were offering free inspections.
