NHS Scotland long waits have fallen for the sixth consecutive month with significant year-on-year increases in activity, according to new figures published today. Public Health Scotland data shows that the number of patients waiting over 52 weeks for an outpatient appointment fell by 12.8% in a single month between October and November 2025 - numbers are now lower than April 2025.
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a major climate policy, which helps cut down on pollution. The scheme sets a limit on how much greenhouse gas different industries can release into the air and puts a price on these emissions.
Defence Medical Services awards £2.5 million contract to Avenue3 for Project Mercury, enabling secure military medical records access worldwide. A £2.5 million contract to develop a Deployed Clinical Record system to enable defence clinicians to access military medical records anywhere in the world, has been awarded by the Defence Medical Services to Leeds digital health-care solutions consultancy Avenue3.
The next World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos will take place from 19-23 January 2026 under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue". It will focus on five global challenges: cooperation in a contested world, unlocking new sources of growth, investing in people, advancing sustainability, and harnessing innovation.
Millions of taxpayers have less than one month to file their Self Assessment tax return. 5.65 million people still need to file their Self Assessment tax return thousands of people celebrated the New Year by filing their Self Assessment tax return 6.36 million people head into 2026 with their tax affairs in order Thousands of people got a head start on their 2026 resolutions by filing their Self Assessment tax return over the New Year.
The United Kingdom maintains a strategic nuclear deterrent as a core component of its national defence policy. In recent years, the government has committed substantial financial resources to sustain and modernise this capability.
Analysis of new data* from Moneyfactscompare.co.uk illustrates how easing mortgage rates may allow for a modest growth in house prices in 2026 without improving or worsening current affordability pressures on first-time buyers and homemovers. *Consumers comparing mortgage deals on moneyfactscompare.co.uk in 2025 and Moneyfacts Average Mortgage Rates.
New legislation has been published that will give councils more choice in how they design and apply a visitor levy to raise funds for local tourist services. While local authorities currently have the power to apply a charge on overnight stays based on a percentage of accommodation costs, the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill proposes giving councils additional powers to set the levy as a fixed amount.
New road safety strategy shows that the government is listening and leading: together, we can build a safer future for all UK road users. government announces its first road safety strategy in over a decade, with a plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads by 65% by 2035.
New measures will be introduced to make online public services more secure and resilient, so people can use them with confidence - whether applying for benefits, paying taxes or accessing healthcare. £210 million plan to strengthen cyber resilience across government.
The Original Factory Shop (often called TOFS) has gone into administration as of early January 2026. It, along with the high-street chain Claire's, has entered insolvency proceedings after its owner said last-ditch attempts to save the business failed.
An Amber warning for snow and ice is in force for much of the Highland area today. For the latest weather reports, please visit the Met Office website.
Snow and ice is likely to bring further disruption, particularly across central and northern mainland Scotland on Tuesday. Scotrail passengers from Inverness heading to Thruso and Wick had the longest journey of their lives 2nd January lasting three nights and four days Likeliehood of more snow today.
Police travel advice has been issued following a further Amber weather warning for snow across large parts of north and northeast Scotland. The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for heavy and persistent snow affecting parts of Highlands and Grampian areas, along with Highland Perthshire and north Angus.
UNISON (often jointly with GMB and Unite) has submitted annual national pay claims for local government/public-sector workers, including care workers in councils/schools. 2026-27 National Joint Council (NJC) Pay Claim.
Dspite often gloomy headlines the UK economy was accelerating in 2025, and the engines of growth are clear. Entrepreneurial energy, booming car sales, and the rapid rise of electric vehicles show far from stagnating, Britain's business landscape is thriving, innovation is surging, and consumers are responding — all signalling a strong boost to GDP.
The age of the robotaxi is no longer a distant promise. In the UK, driverless taxis are poised to move from headlines into everyday life—quietly at first, then with growing confidence.
When it comes to health planning, the UK isn't a single story. England's 10 Year Health Plan has made headlines — but is it substance or just spin?.
Inflation Is Expected to Ease, But Remains Above Target. Most independent forecasts show that inflation, the main driver of cost of living pressures should fall in 2026 compared with 2025.
Scotland's economy is holding its own. While it doesn’t always grab the headlines like London or the South East.
