News Archive

5/8/2025

UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force

The treaty provides a legal basis for the ground-breaking UK-France ‘one-in, one-out' pilot scheme.   The latest step towards dismantling the criminal trade in small boat crossings was taken today by the ratification of a treaty between the UK and France to help prevent dangerous journeys at sea.  

5/8/2025

SNP loses pro-business voice as Kate Forbes resigns

Former Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is stepping down from the Scottish Parliament, marking the departure of the SNP's most high‑profile pro-business advocate.   Her exit is seen as a shift leftwards for the party, exacerbating concerns about economic direction amid waning enthusiasm for independence among voters.  

5/8/2025

Millions left unclaimed in premium bonds

Caitlyn Eastell, Spokesperson at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said "While premium bonds are a fun, unconventional way to win some tax-free cash, the reality is that it is a game of chance, and the majority of savers may not even win a prize.  They sometimes also rely on investors to claim these prizes, meaning there is currently over £100 million left unclaimed—more than £10 million higher compared to the end of 2024.  

5/8/2025

Why people ignore debt letters - and what it says about inequality today

You get a payment reminder through the letterbox, maybe for a credit card, an overdraft, a bill, or a parking fine.  You ignore it and leave the envelope unopened, or put it to one side to deal with later.  

5/8/2025

 
For America's 35M small businesses, tariff uncertainty hits especially hard

Imagine it's April 2025 and you're the owner of a small but fast-growing e-commerce business.  Historically, you've sourced products from China, but the president just announced tariffs of 145% on these goods.  

5/8/2025

Starmer's move on Palestinian statehood is clever politics

Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will recognise Palestinian statehood by September 2025 unless Israel meets certain conditions, marking a significant shift in UK policy.   For decades, successive UK governments withheld recognition, insisting it could only come as part of a negotiated settlement between Israel and Palestine.  

5/8/2025

Trump's shock new tariff move could add $80 to UK products sold in the USA

Despite previously announcing that the US would keep its de minimis tariff threshold until July 2027, President Trump is now set to scrap it at the end of this month.   That means all goods worth $800 or less entering the US from the UK will no longer be exempt from US tariffs, says the international delivery expert Parcelhero.  

5/8/2025

European gloom over the Trump deal is misplaced. It's probably the best the EU could have achieved

The trade deal between the US and the European Union, squeezed in days before the re-introduction of Donald Trump's "liberation day" tariffs, is reflective of the new politics of global trade.  Faced with the threat of 30% baseline tariffs from Washington, as well as additional levies on specific sectors, the EU has secured a partial reprieve of a flat 15% tariff on all goods.  

5/8/2025

 
Is profit really the best measure of business success? - Richard Murphy

I've spent 50 years studying profit as an accountant, economist, and political economist.   And here's the truth: almost no one understands what profit really is, least of all mainstream economists.  

5/8/2025

 
Crovect 1.25% w/v Pour-on Solution for Sheep - Recall alert

Product defect recall alert for Crovect 1.25% w/v Pour-on Solution for Sheep, GB & NI authorisations by Elanco Animal Health.   We wish to inform wholesalers and SQP retailers that Elanco Animal Health has initiated a Class II recall to wholesaler level with immediate effect for one batch.  

4/8/2025 : Other Public Services

UKAEA launches International Fellowships Scheme for fusion

UKAEA has launched the International Fellowships Scheme, an initiative to help expand the global talent pool supporting the fusion industry.   The scheme is part of the UKAEA's Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training, Education and Research (FOSTER) Programme, which aims to train, support, and empower the next generation of professionals, who will help deliver fusion power to the grid.  

4/8/2025 : Other Public Services

UKAEA develops 3D printing for fusion components

At its recently opened Central Support Facility (CSF), UKAEA has commissioned an electron beam additive manufacturing machine that can be used to incorporate tungsten into components, alongside a selective laser manufacturing machine.   Fusion can play a key role in a global low carbon energy future.  

4/8/2025 : Other Public Services

Advancing Fusion Remote Maintenance: Industry Collaboration Driving Innovation

As part of the Fusion Futures (FF) programme, UKAEA's  Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE)  has partnered with industry leaders to develop two groundbreaking technologies for remote maintenance in fusion energy engineering.   Thanks to FF funding, industry has taken the lead in maturing UKAEA technology concepts—delivering real-world solutions that enhance operational autonomy and reduce maintenance burdens in extreme environments.  

4/8/2025

The Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Changes to Limit Care To 25 hours - Highland may be next

NHS Highland has been struggling with recruitment and retention of home-care staff, leading to missed or shortened visits, delays in discharge from hospital, and excessive unmet need—particularly in rural areas like Caithness, Sutherland, Skye, Easter Ross and Lochaber.   At one point there were 274 patients in hospital stuck due to lack of care at home, and over 2,700 hours of unmet weekly care need across the north.  

4/8/2025

 
Jeremy Corbyn's New Party Sign Up Soars Past 600,000 And Labour Defector Joins

As of August 2025, Jeremy Corbyn's new political movement currently operating under the placeholder name "Your Party" has seen a massive surge in support with over 600,000 people signed up in just under a week.   While these sign-ups are impressive it's unclear whether they all represent paid memberships or simply registrations via the party's platform.  

4/8/2025

 
Why your government is about to raise YOUR taxes - Gary Economics

In October the UK government will be forced to raise taxes to avoid financial instability.   Who they choose to tax at this next Budget will forge a path for other Western governments facing the same problems.  

4/8/2025

 
The UK Just Censored The Entire Internet

The UK's Online Safety Act went into effect this week and it has been a massive clusterfuck.  Entire forums, websites, communities and essential journalism is being censored.  

4/8/2025

How can I tell if some articles are generated by copilot or ChatGPT? - Do we care as long as we get the information?

How to Spot Copilot vs ChatGPT Prose.   AI-generated text often shares a polished fluency, but subtle style cues and structural habits can hint at its origin.  

4/8/2025

Motor finance customers could receive a pay out after the FCA announced it will consult on an industry-wide compensation scheme

Motor finance customers could receive a pay out after the FCA announced it will consult on an industry-wide compensation scheme.   Many motor finance firms were not complying with rules or the law by not providing customers with relevant information about commission paid by lenders to the car dealers who sold the loans.  

4/8/2025

Denmark increased retirement age to 70 and is it likely to happen in UK

Denmark's parliament passed a bill in May 2025 to raise the state pension age to 70 by 2040, making it the highest in Europe.  This decision stems from the 2006 Welfare Reform, which links the retirement age automatically to life expectancy—specifically targeting a 14.5-year pension period—and mandates five-yearly adjustments with at least 15 years' notice.