News Archive

1/9/2025

 
The UK's food system is built on keeping prices low - but this year's droughts show up its failings

This year's drought has once again put farmers in the spotlight, with yields in some crops falling by as much as 50%.  But behind the headlines of empty reservoirs and wilting fields lies a bigger problem: the way the UK's food system is organised, managed and governed.  

1/9/2025

Chancellor appoints growth adviser

John Van Reenen will help deliver the government's mission to kickstart economic growth and raise living standards right across the country, under the Plan for Change.   London School of Economics Professor will advise the Chancellor, as a productivity expert.  

31/8/2025

 
What Farage's British Bill of Rights really means - Richard Murphy

Nigel Farage says he wants to replace the UK Human Rights Act with a so-called "British Bill of Rights." But let's be clear: this is not about protecting freedoms.  It's about removing them.  

31/8/2025

Donald Trumps ending of the de minimis (duty-free) exemption for packages into the U.S.

President Trump issued Executive Order 14256 on April 2, 2025, known as part of the "Liberation Day tariffs," which eliminated the de minimis exemption specifically for imports from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2, 2025.   This meant that packages valued under $800 from those regions were no longer duty-free.  

31/8/2025

 
Boost for UK Growth and Security as Norway Selects UK Warships in £10 billion partnership

Billions of pounds will be pumped into the UK economy following Norway's decision to select British warships for their Armed Forces - securing thousands of jobs in Britain for years to come.   Major export deal sustains 4,000 UK jobs including more than 2,000 in Scotland.  

31/8/2025

Life-saving ambulance drugs programme

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd has praised the Scottish Ambulance Service's successful Take Home Naloxone (THN) programme, which has now issued more than 4,000 kits.   On a visit to Springburn Ambulance Station in Glasgow to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, Ms Todd was trained to use naloxone kits which temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.  

31/8/2025

MHRA crackdown on illegal ‘Botox' after victims left seriously ill

More than 40 people hospitalised following suspected use of unlicensed botulinum toxin products.   The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is warning criminals that they face prison as it cracks down on the illicit trade in unlicensed botulinum toxin products, commonly referred to as Botox, used in cosmetic procedures.  

31/8/2025

British businesses cheer UK-EU deal to support food trade and profits

The SPS agreement will making trading with the UK's biggest market faster, easier and cheaper, adding up to £5.1bn a year to the UK economy.   Local food businesses to hear how the government's upcoming SPS agreement with the EU will benefit industry and consumers.  

31/8/2025

 
The economy - why Rachel Reeves has got it wrong - Richard Murphy

The UK doesn't just have one economy: it has three.  They are the real economy, the sustainable economy, and the monetary economy.  

30/8/2025

Adult Disability Payment transfer complete

Almost 350,000 disabled people who were getting Personal Independence Payment have had their benefit awards successfully transferred to Social Security Scotland - meaning everyone in Scotland who was receiving the benefit is now getting Adult Disability Payment.   This month marks the third anniversary of Adult Disability Payment being available across Scotland and the complete transfer represents the delivery of an entirely new approach to disability assistance based on dignity, fairness and respect.  

30/8/2025

Protecting women and girls from hate crime

Women and girls will have greater protection against hate crimes under plans being consulted upon by the Scottish Government.   Draft regulations have been laid in Parliament to add ‘sex' as a characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.  

30/8/2025

 
Why Rachel Reeves should ignore the bond market panic - Richard Murphy

The media claims UK government borrowing costs have soared to 5.6%, spelling financial crisis for Rachel Reeves.   But that's nonsense.  

30/8/2025

Economic activity and social change in the UK real-time indicators 29 August 2025

The number of new online job adverts decreased by 1% in July 2025 compared with the previous month and also when compared with July 2024.   When asked how your business plans to adapt to future increases in employment costs.  

30/8/2025

Extra support in the classroom

Tutoring staff from two Scottish universities will be working in classrooms across the country to help engage children and young people in their studies and improve attainment.   Aimed at those impacted most by poverty, the innovative approach will see almost 500 pupils receive extra tutoring support from Queen Margaret University and the University of Glasgow this academic year.  

29/8/2025 : Local Authority

Vape seller prosecuted after Trading Standards investigation

A local vape seller has today been convicted of illegal sales and fined £900 in Inverness Sheriff Court.   Adnan Abbas who operated the shop Wow Mobile in Lombard Street in Inverness city centre was subject to a court order that banned him from selling vapes to the public after he had been caught on multiple occasions selling to children.  

29/8/2025

Successful Applicants Announced for Highland Council's Strategic Events Grant Fund

The Highland Council is pleased to announce the successful applicants of its Strategic Events Grant Fund, introduced following Committee approval in May as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme.   Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: "I'm delighted to see this fund generate such strong interest and support for our vibrant events sector.  

29/8/2025

 
New prison houseblocks to make streets safer

A Devon jail is set to almost double in size as the Government ploughs ahead with the largest prison building programme since the Victoria era.   Two new houseblocks to be built at HMP Channings Wood by end of 2027.  

29/8/2025

 
Thriving Japan defence partnership boosting UK jobs and investment

The Defence Secretary met Japanese PM Ishiba and his counterpart, Minister Nakatani, while welcoming the Carrier Strike Group deployment to Tokyo.   New figures reveal millions of pounds of investment and thousands of British jobs created through the UK-Japan defence relationship as Defence Secretary John Healey visits Japan for the first time.  

29/8/2025

Stablecoins in the historical crossroads between innovation and regulation

Soon after the Bank for International Settlements issued a report laying out a cautious stance towards stablecoins, the Trump administration cast itself as the "crypto capital of the world".  Where do these disparate visions come from? Taku Kinai finds ideological parallels in the British currency controversies of the 19th century.  

28/8/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Multi million-pound government investment for pioneering plutonium disposal technology

The NDA group has been allocated £154 million in government funding to develop specialised capabilities to enable plutonium disposal.   People in North West England are benefitting from £154 million in government funding to develop specialised capabilities to enable the disposal of the UK's civil plutonium inventory.