It’s been another bad week for the UK economy, with UK bond yields rising to the highest level for 30 years. Not only that, but the Pound has had a bumpy ride.
Labour has an economic problem – and appointing Minouche Shafik as Starmer’s senior economic adviser will not fix it. Shafik represents the neoliberal technocracy that has failed for decades.
Many people in the UK feel they are working harder than ever. A higher cost of living and more precarious work arrangements push many households to take on longer hours and multiple jobs.
The U.S. Dollar Index (broad, trade-weighted) stood at approximately 120.6 as of August 29, 2025, reflecting a slight decline from previous days—this indicates modest weakening in the dollar’s value against a basket of global currencie.s Against major currencies: The dollar is down about 3.13% over the past year and down roughly 0.15% in the last month.
Making AI quicker, smarter and better is proving to be a very expensive business. Companies like OpenAI are investing billions of dollars in hardware, and the likes of Meta are offering top (human) talent huge salaries for their expertise.
As borrowing costs soar and the pound falters, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting pressure to stabilise the UK’s public finances. Difficulties include limited room for tax rises, sluggish growth and stubborn inflation.
Donald Trump’s tariff policy seems to have morphed into as much of a tool of foreign policy as an economic strategy. But the administration’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on India, a key US ally as part of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) along with the US, Australia and Japan, could have significant repercussions – not just for international trade, but for global geopolitics.
The UK defence sector has driven unprecedented growth across the country following at least £1.4 billion foreign investment being announced since July 2024. Unprecedented UK defence sector growth with more than £1.4 billion in foreign direct investment committed in just 12 months.
Letter from the Independent Adviser to the Prime Minister. Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards Sir Laurie Magnus CBE 5 September 2025.
Specialist services to help disabled people find and remain in suitable work have been expanded to cover the whole of Scotland. An additional £5 million is being invested to enable disabled people living in all 32 local authority areas to access tailored support through their local employability partnership.
The Scottish Government is consulting on potential measures to simplify planning processes and encourage the provision of new homes in rural areas and town and city centres. Permitted development rights, which allow certain developments to go ahead without the need for a planning application, could be changed to make some small-scale residential developments easier - reducing costs and administrative burdens for developers.
Services helping women affected by drugs and preventing substance use by young people are to benefit from more than £2 million funding. Minister for Drugs Policy Maree Todd announced the support during a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the National Records of Scotland latest statistics on drug misuse deaths.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has joined staff and teachers to mark the formal launch of the Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Glasgow. The facility was established to help place Scotland at the forefront of global teaching practice and will support research and innovation within the profession.
A project to eradicate an incurable pig disease from Scotland is to get further Scottish Government funding. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is estimated to cost the UK farming industry an estimated £52 million per year.
New awards of public money to defence companies involved with Israel will be halted, First Minister John Swinney announced today as he set out a package of new economic, humanitarian and diplomatic measures in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. As the death toll in Gaza passes 63,000, the First Minister reiterated his concern at genocide unfolding in Gaza.
Scottish benefits are easing the cost-of-living burden for families according to a new evaluation. The Scottish Centre for Social Research surveyed people in receipt of any of the Five Family Payments, a group of benefits designed to tackle poverty and to improve household finances.
Support payments of more than £322 million will reach the accounts of Scottish farmers and crofters this week. As of 1 September 2025 77% of eligible Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening funding has been paid out.
Consumers across the Highlands can now make more confident and informed choices when hiring local businesses, thanks to the launch of the Highland Trusted Trader scheme by Highland Council Trading Standards. The scheme offers a reliable directory of businesses that have passed a comprehensive vetting process, including checks on trading history, business practices, professionalism, customer service, and legal compliance.
Highland council has announced that Thurso Community Council received sufficient nominations to reform the community council. Th number of nominations was enough to form the council without an election.
An ONS survey reveals competition costs impacted more transport & storage firms employing 10 or more employees than any other sector in August. Similarly, labour costs impacted the sector more than any other except hospitality.