News Archive

27/6/2025

Options for adjustments to the universal credit and personal independence payment bill

There's significant speculation that some of the proposed disability benefit changes will be scaled back.  The Institute for Fiscal Studies discuss some of the government's options.  

27/6/2025

UK plan to cut energy bills for industrial firms threatens to leave small businesses out in the cold

The UK government aims to cut energy bills for large businesses by up to a quarter over four years, thanks to a £2 billion investment within its new industrial strategy.  The aim is to make British manufacturers of steel, cars, chemicals, glass and other industrial sectors more competitive with foreign firms.  

27/6/2025

 
What are stablecoins and why do people want them?

Stablecoins are promoted as financial innovation, but are the real winners those avoiding oversight, whether as tax dodgers, money launderers, or crypto speculators? .  

27/6/2025

 
In USA - People are saying NO to Solar Panels in 2025 - Think About it

Ok this video is from USA but think about all the potential problems wherever you are..  

27/6/2025

 
Farage wants to stop the boats, unless, it seems, they're megayachts

Farage says he's for the people, but he’s part of the elite.   Just like Trump, he promises to drain the swamp while swimming in it.  

27/6/2025

The future of secure care - £4.1 million to help restore capacity

Funding of over £4 million to establish new secure care houses has been announced by the Scottish Government.   The funding will allow for restored capacity and enable a different approach to be developed to ensure children with the greatest need are able to access intensive support.  

27/6/2025

Dangerous Nasal Tanning Sprays - Trading Standards

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a warning to the public about dangerous and unregulated nasal tanning sprays that are being marketed to consumers on social media platforms.   Nasal tanning sprays, or nasal tanners, promise an all-over tan without sun exposure.  

27/6/2025

 
What is labour government now proposing for benefit changes - Vote on Tuesday

Here's a summary of Labour’s latest benefit‐reform plans, drawing on the recent draft legislation, concessions to ba.ckbench MPs and the March 2025 green paper: 1.  Universal Credit & PIP Bill: £4-5 billion of savings – The flagship Welfare Reform Bill aims to shave about £4.1–5 billion off annual spending by tightening eligibility for both Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the Universal Credit (UC) health-related top-ups.  

27/6/2025

Prescription Delivery Scams - Trading Standards

There have been recent reports of scam emails that appear to be from pharmacies including Lloyds Direct (part of Lloyds Pharmacy) and offer free delivery or collection of prescriptions.   You are asked to click a link in the email to sign up for an account with the pharmacy.  

27/6/2025

Do we know how much the Scottish Government has spent on tackling child poverty?

An attempt to uncover outturn expenditure on measures in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery plans by Fraser of Allender Institute.   Tackling Child Poverty is cited as the number one priority of the Scottish Government, and a set of statutory targets and related delivery plans should be leading to dramatic falls in child poverty.  

26/6/2025

UK government gathers business and environment leaders in support of UN nature agreement

UK Government hosts a major international nature finance event attended by His Majesty the King at Lancaster House.   Key commitments made by the private sector to deploy millions of dollars of investment for nature.  

26/6/2025

Response to arbitration tribunal final report: UK-Sandeel (The European Union v. the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

UK Government statement on the sandeel Arbitration Tribunal's final ruling in the UK-Sandeel case.   The UK Government has received the sandeel Arbitration Tribunal's final ruling in the UK-Sandeel case.  

26/6/2025

 
Why there's a growing backlash against plant-based diets

People in the UK are eating too much meat - especially processed meat - according to a recent report from the Food Foundation, a UK charity.   The report recommends revisiting school food standards, which advises schools to serve meat three times a week.  

26/6/2025

 
New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business

The strategy will make the UK the most connected nation in the world while protecting vital industries from global threats and backing businesses to thrive.   New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business.  

26/6/2025

New industrial strategy brings Rachel Reeves' securonomics to life - but will it protect Britain from more supply chain shocks?

Brexit, COVID, the war in Ukraine and now Trump's tariffs have all highlighted how vulnerable life in the UK is to disruptions in trade.  Everyday items that people rely on can be subject to major shortages, delays and price rises, due to something as simple as a ship getting stuck in a canal.  

26/6/2025

Education reforms agreed by Parliament for Scotland

New qualifications body and independent inspectorate will be established.   The creation of a new national qualifications body, along with an independent education inspectorate, has taken a major step forward after legislation to implement the changes was passed in the Scottish Parliament.  

26/6/2025

Improving the safety of non-surgical cosmetic procedures

New proposals to improve safety and standards in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector have been set out as the Scottish Government publishes its response to a consultation on the issue.   The proposals, informed by over 2,200 responses and broad stakeholder engagement, intends to introduce a minimum age of 18.  

26/6/2025

MHRA seizes 7.7 million doses of illegal medicines and removes hundreds of illegal online listings as part of Operation Pangea

Operation Pangea brings together health regulators, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners to tackle the threat posed by global criminal networks.   The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has seized almost eight million doses of illegal medicines as part of an annual global coordinated operation to tackle the illegal online sale of medicines and medical devices.  

26/6/2025

Foreign prisoners to be deported sooner

Foreign prisoners will be deported sooner thanks to new legislation introduced (25 June) to free up vital prison capacity, keep our streets safe and save taxpayers' money.   Swifter deportation to ease capacity crisis and stop wasting taxpayers' money.  

26/6/2025

£300,000 boost for Edinburgh International Book Festival

Over 5,000 schoolchildren will continue to enjoy free literary events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival over the next three years, thanks to a £300,000 grant from the Scottish Government.   The one-off funding will support the festival's acclaimed schools programme with more than 60 in-person and livestreamed events, including author talks with How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell and award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce.