When three of the North‑east's most established energy businesses. Port of Nigg, Global Energy (Group), and Global Energy Services came together under a single new brand, Maraen, it marked far more than a corporate re‑badge.
Interest on Plan 2 and 3 student loans will be capped at 6%, instead of RPI+3%, to provide borrowers with certainty in an uncertain world. The government is capping the maximum interest rates on Plan 2 and 3 student loans at 6% from 1 September, for the 2026/27 academic year, delivering stability and protections for graduates from escalating student loan interest.
The plan sets out how the Constabulary will continue to deliver upon its core mission, providing the vital protection of civil nuclear sites and material, while also providing armed policing services to protect other non-nuclear sites and national infrastructure. The Annual Business Plan 2026/2027 is aligned to the Civil Nuclear Police Authority's Strategic Plan, which enters its final year of the current three-year planning cycle.
Millions of employees to benefit from reforms to Statutory Sick Pay, ensuring they can take time off when sick without worrying about going without pay. New rights to paternity leave from the first day in a new job, helping families balance work and home life.
At the centre of the crisis lies the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping route through which around a fifth of the world's oil supply passes. During the conflict, disruption in this critical corridor sent oil prices sharply higher.
For decades, the CalMac ferry network has been more than a transport system. It has been the thread stitching Scotland's west coast and island communities into the wider country.
The announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war has offered global markets a moment of relief but not certainty. At the centre of the story lies the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime corridor through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil flows.
The announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war has brought some relief to global markets. Oil prices, which surged during the conflict, have eased slightly.
The announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran marks a significant, if temporary, turning point in a conflict that has severely disrupted global energy markets. At the heart of this development lies the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically vital chokepoints in the world, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes.
When governments speak about war, they talk in the language of strategy, deterrence, and national interest. Ordinary people, however, live in a different emotional climate.
The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur hosted the ‘Leading the Future': Women and Girls in Science Forum to celebrate women scientists. The forum was hosted on 30 March 2026 to celebrate women scientists and to reflect on the persistent structural barriers that limit women's progression into leadership and decision-making roles in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
For all the attention paid to tax bills, far less is said about the money that ordinary people don't claim back. Every year, millions of pounds in legitimate tax rebates sit unclaimed simply because people don't know they’re entitled to them.
As of 6 April 2026, the statutory recognition scheme is being reshaped under the new Employment Rights Act, introducing several key changes. Unions will no longer need to demonstrate that most workers in a proposed bargaining unit are likely to support recognition, removing the requirement for petitions or similar evidence.
After three consecutive days of rising oil prices, markets have entered a phase of heightened uncertainty rather than outright reversal. While some observers may interpret short-term dips or pauses as a sign of weakening momentum, the reality is more complex.
As tensions continue to unfold in the Middle East, it is becoming increasingly clear that Iran is not merely reacting to events, but adapting strategically to them. One of the most significant developments is the apparent realisation in Tehran that it holds enduring leverage over one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz.
The prospect of a U.S. strike on Iran represents one of the most significant geopolitical risks currently facing global oil markets.
When the first tankers of Venezuelan crude began docking again at U.S. Gulf Coast refineries, headlines framed it as a major shift in American energy security.
Strengthened UK-Japan trade arrangement slashes red tape for British organic exporters, cutting costs and bureaucracy. British organic food producers will see red tape slashed and the doors opened to one of Asia's fastest-growing organic markets, Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced.
For many small businesses — especially in rural areas like Caithness, where margins are thin and costs unpredictable and tax arrears can creep up quietly. A slow winter, a lost contract, a spike in fuel prices, or a delayed payment from a major customer can be enough to push a firm into difficulty.
If you used finance to buy a car, motorbike or van between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 you may be owed compensation. Many lenders didn't properly tell customers important information about their agreements.