UK goods exported to the US now face a blanket 10 percent reciprocal tariff (unless covered by a bilateral deal). Sector‐specific levies (e.g., 25 percent on cars above the annual quota, 25 percent on steel) may also apply under US trade defence rules.
Rathbones' most recent analysis focuses on the government's upcoming state pension age review and its potential impact on people now in their early fifties. They calculate that bringing forward the rise from 68 to as early as 2039 could cost those aged 51-53 between £15,798 and £17,774 in foregone pension payments over a full year's delay.
The new law may make little difference to the smugglers of illegal immigrants as they operate abroad. Under a new amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill currently going through Parliament, a new, UK-wide offence will be introduced to criminalise the creation of material for publication online, which promotes or offers services facilitating a breach of UK immigration law.
Councils lost an estimated £5.5 billion in capital receipts through Right to Buy, plus ongoing loan-charge shortfalls. Servicing this historic HRA debt from rental income limits councils' capacity to fund new-build borrowing from their Housing Revenue Accounts.
Applications are now open for the 2025-26 Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF), which helps employers cover the cost of essential qualifications for social care staff. The funding supports workers in gaining the qualifications required for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)—the national regulator for the social care workforce.
Can growth fix our NHS? Will a booming private sector fund schools and care homes? Rachel Reeves thinks so. I don't.
Students from working class backgrounds are set to benefit from a Summer Internship Programme that will be launched to boost social mobility in the Civil Service. Students from lower-income backgrounds to get paid government placements.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined how the Spending Review will give Scotland a jobs boost, when she visited RAF Lossiemouth and St Fergus Gas Plant (1 August). 18,000 North Sea jobs can be safeguarded through a £200 million investment in the Aberdeen Acorn energy project whilst creating 15,000 new ones in Scotland's clean energy transformation.
UK steel producers to regain tariff-free access to the EU market for key steel products from 1 August. Cuts costs and gives UK steel producers more certainty when exporting to the EU — one of our largest trading partners.
Wick High School has updated it policy on mobiles phones for pupils whilst in school. An effective ban comes into force at the start of the new session on 19 August 2025.
On July 31, 2025, President Trump signed executive orders revising reciprocal tariff rates on 68 countries and the 27-member European Union. These new rates—ranging from 10% to 50%—take effect in seven days, reshaping U.S.
Located approximately 38km from the Scottish Borders coastline at St Abbs, Berwick Bank wind farm will have an estimated capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW) which, with current technology, could generate enough electricity each year to power every household in Scotland around twice over. In recognition that the site of the development is also considered a highly important area for wildlife, consent for the construction and operation of the wind farm is subject to the developer, SSE Renewables, producing a detailed sea bird compensation plan outlining how adverse impacts on seabirds will be compensated for.
UK steel producers to regain tariff-free access to the EU market for key steel products from today [1 August 2025]. Cuts costs and gives UK steel producers more certainty when exporting to the EU — one of our largest trading partners.
Brazil has been joining other BRICS and Latin American nations in exploring ways to conduct trade and financial transactions without defaulting to the US dollar. This push stems from concerns over exchange-rate volatility, high transaction costs, and a desire for greater monetary sovereignty in regional commerce.
UK Export Finance announces a new £1 billion export guarantee, supporting Ford UK's transition to electric vehicle production. Iconic car manufacturer Ford continues global transformation as government backs new loan.
New legal duties on universities and colleges come into force, as government delivers Plan for Change to restore integrity of higher education. Students, academics and external speakers at universities in England will have their freedom of speech protected by robust new laws coming into force today (Friday 1 August).
Organised crime gangs are being targeted by the police and prison service as part of a nationwide crackdown on drone drops into prisons. Prison Service working with police to tackle threat of drones as part of Plan for Change.
New data from the UK's mine water heat lab shows warm water flows better than expected, boosting the case for clean, low-cost heat from coalfields. Six months after launch, the UK's first mine water heat Living Laboratory is revealing exciting insights into what lies beneath our feet, helping to accelerate the safe and sustainable use of mine water as a clean heat source.
The latest annual report on common animal-associated infections shows more than 1,500 cases of Lyme disease in 2024. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding people of the steps they can take to protect themselves against tick bites this summer, as the latest annual data shows that there were 1,581 laboratory confirmed cases of Lyme disease reported in 2024.
Change isn't just about policy - it’s about narrative. In this video, I explain the storytelling method that can transform public opinion and reshape our politics.