News Archive

11/8/2025

Brits Save £400 a Year by Axing Subscriptions, But ‘Direct Debit Trap' Still Costs Them £61 Annually

Brits save £400 a year by cancelling subscriptions - but still lose £61 to the ‘direct debit trap' according to HSBC UK research.   Consumers are saving an average of £34 a month - over £400 a year - by cancelling subscriptions.  

11/8/2025

Groceries Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Amazon

Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) investigation into whether Amazon.com, Inc.  (Amazon) has breached paragraph 5 of the Code (No delay in Payments) in relation to certain of its practices.  

10/8/2025

 
How Rachel Reeves could raise £15 billion without hurting working people

Unearned income—like dividends, rents, and capital gains—escapes the tax burden workers face.   In this video, I argue it's time for economic fairness and tax justice.  

9/8/2025

Waste Reprocessing Infrastructure in Scotland

A report on the waste reprocessing infrastructure in Scotland in accordance with section 23 of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024.   Material reprocessing is a cornerstone of Scotland's transition to a circular economy.  

9/8/2025

 
Electric car prices slashed as grant scheme expands to 13 more models

The Electric Car Grant will make owning an electric car cheaper and easier for people across the UK.   thirteen models from Nissan, Renault and Vauxhall now qualify for major discounts as part of the Electric Car Grant scheme.  

9/8/2025

Hundreds arrested in illegal delivery rider shut down 

Under Operation Equalize the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement teams launched a nationwide intensification week of activity targeting illegal working hotspots with a focus on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders.   Illegal workers arrested in nationwide enforcement surge as part of government's drive to crack down on immigration crime.  

9/8/2025

 
Trump's tariffs have finally kicked in, so what happens next?

Donald Trump's new international trade tariffs have landed.  Some are lower than others, some deals have been done, but overall they are the highest they have been in 100 years.  

9/8/2025

 
Huge Economic Problems Coming for Republicans and the U.S. | Explainer

From Politics Chat, August 7, 2025.   Professor Dr.  

9/8/2025

Supporting Scotland's transition - Land use and agriculture - consultation

Published on 6 August 2025, this consultation seeks views on a draft Land Use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan (LAJTP).   The LAJTP will guide how Scotland moves its land-based sectors—principally agriculture, forestry, peatland restoration and related rural industries—towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in an equitable way.  

9/8/2025

 
AI is taking hold in K-12 schools - here are some ways it can improve teaching

The following article is from the American version of The Conversation web site.   The main thrust of the information and conclusions probably apply equally in the UK.  

9/8/2025

Fraser of Allender - Weekly update: So much for a quiet August

As economic headlines pick up after a lull, the Fraser of Allander Institute highlights three key developments.   Bank Rate cut, but only after a second vote - At its August meeting, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was split 5-4 on whether to cut Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points.  

9/8/2025

 
Why Lower Interest Rates Won't Save UK Economy

At yesterdays meeting (7 August 2025) the Bank of England were split 5-4 on cutting interest rates by a quarter of a percent.   On the one hand the economy is slowing, unemployment ticking up, spare capacity rising..  

9/8/2025

 
The Toblerone war - Trump's tariffs and the cost to us all - Richard Murphy

Donald Trump has slapped a 39% tariff on Toblerone from Switzerland - but this isn't really about chocolate.   It's about a dangerous trade war targeting allies and enemies alike.  

8/8/2025 : Electronics & Related

What's Next for LionVolt in Thurso?

LionVolt took over AMTE in Thurso in February 2024.  LionVolt planned to repurpose the Thurso facility to produce its own innovative 3D solid-state batteries, which promise high performance and fast charging The battery sector requires long-term, patient capital.  

8/8/2025 : Local Authority

Accelerating cladding remediation - £20 million additional funding for the next phase

A further £20 million will speed up actions to make Scotland's buildings safe from dangerous cladding, Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan has announced.   Publishing an update to the Cladding Remediation Programme action plan, Ms McAllan confirmed additional funding and expanded eligibility, setting out that social housing will now be eligible for remediation funding.  

8/8/2025

Summary of University of Dundee's Issues and Taskforce Recommendations

In November 2024 the University disclosed an anticipated £30 million deficit driven by a steep drop in international student recruitment, ongoing underfunding of UK higher education, inflationary pressures and rising National Insurance costs.   Internally, decision-makers had pursued growth in research faster than the income generated by teaching and commercial activity, leading to a persistent structural imbalance.  

8/8/2025

Investment in accessible community toilets - £10 million fund opens to support people with complex needs - Small businesses and non profits

Over 25,000 people in Scotland with complex needs and disabilities, and their families, could benefit from a £10 million Scottish Government investment in community toilet facilities.   The Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund will support the provision of up to 150 specialist accessible toilets to meet the needs of disabled people who require carer support and equipment to use facilities.  

8/8/2025

Bank Rate reduced to 4% - August 2025

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment.  The MPC adopts a medium-term and forward-looking approach to determine the monetary stance required to achieve the inflation target sustainably.  

8/8/2025

Biggest Industries in Caithness and Looking Forward

Caithness, in the far north of Scotland, is undergoing a dynamic transformation.   While historically known for its nuclear legacy, the region is now diversifying into high-tech, green, and maritime sectors.  

8/8/2025

 
Why the UK can't go broke - and why Gary Stevenson shouldn't imply it could

The UK can't run out of pounds any more than it can run out of inches.   In this response to Gary Stevenson, I explain why money is a public good, created by the state, and why it's wrong to claim the government is broke.