In 2024, the UK imported £57.1 billion of goods from the United States (9.7% of all goods imports) and exported £59.3 billion of goods (16.2% of all goods exports). Machinery and transport equipment continued to be the main commodity traded with the United States in 2024, with £20.1 billion of imports and £29.1 billion of exports.
Politicians and economists have been pretty vocal in their response to the ongoing saga of Donald Trump's tariffs. But much less has been heard from the world's poorest workers about how they will be affected.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group played a pivotal role in defueling Hunterston B on time and on budget. On 24 April 2025 EDF announced Hunterston B nuclear power station has been successfully defueled on time and on budget, in less than three years, following rigorous checks by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Retail sales volumes (quantity bought) are estimated to have risen by 0.4% in March 2025. This follows a rise of 0.7% in February 2025 (revised down from a rise of 1.0% in our last bulletin).
In 2025, the tech job market is undergoing a major shift. Tech job postings have dropped by nearly 40% in a month, and software engineer openings are down over 33% in five years.
Satellite developed by British academics and engineers set to become the first in the world to measure condition of the Earth's forests from space. World's first mission to map the world's forests in 3D from space will use cutting edge tech to inform climate change policies and protect future generations.
An external advisory group established to advise on the future success of the University of Dundee held its first meeting in the city. The group, which is chaired by Sir Alan Langlands, agreed on the urgency of action required to advise and support the university to address its current financial difficulties during the meeting yesterday.
UK-Thai cooperation results in 90% reduction in cannabis arriving in the post. Cannabis arrivals by post from Thailand plummeted by 90% in the first three months of this year, thanks to a new partnership between UK Border Force and Thai customs.
The right to social security is enshrined in several international agreements on human rights. But the UK's system - even before the disability benefits cuts announced earlier this year - falls way below these standards.
National rollout of new Scottish benefit for pensioners Pension Age Disability Payment is now open for applications across Scotland. The national rollout follows successful pilots in 18 local authority areas, which began in October.
The UK government is currently reviewing the de minimis rule, which allows goods valued at £135 or less to enter the country without paying customs duties. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to reassess this policy, following concerns from British retailers that it creates unfair competition and enables the dumping of cheap imports.
Long-neglected rules governing capital means-testing in Universal Credit (UC) are undermining other Government policies aimed at encouraging lower-income households to accrue savings, according to new research from the Resolution Foundation published on Thursday 24 April 2025. The report Saving penalties - part of a partnership with abrdn Financial Fairness Trust – notes that the current capital thresholds, which have been frozen in cash terms since 2006, mean that a claimant's UC entitlement is tapered away if they have savings above £6,000, with entitlement ended completely if savings go a penny over £16,000.
China just shocked global markets by canceling all U.S. soybean shipments—rerouting 2.4 million tons to Brazil overnight and wiping out $1.1 billion in American farm contracts.
Moray West offshore wind farm capable of powering half of Scotland's homes is switched on by Scottish Secretary. The UK's drive towards clean power, which is a huge jobs and economic opportunity for Scotland, took a significant step forward on Thursday 24 April 2025 when Scottish Secretary Ian Murray switched on full power at Ocean Winds' new Moray West offshore windfarm.
New laws in force today mark the toughest sentencing powers against law-breaking water executives in history. Powers introduced could see water bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills sent to prison for two years.
Thousands of jobs created as major carbon capture and storage network is ready for construction - boosting energy security and the government's Plan for Change. Plan for Change delivers 2,000 skilled jobs to build major carbon capture network driving growth and reducing emissions in industrial heartlands.
Means-tested benefits in Britain are built on the principle that individuals with significant financial resources should use those before turning to the state for help. That's why wealth - as well as income - is assessed when determining eligibility and entitlement levels for means-tested support.
Prime Minister brings forward £300 million for Great British Energy to invest in offshore wind supply chains ahead of the Future of Energy Security summit. Prime Minister brings forward an initial £300 million investment ahead of Spending Review through Great British Energy to win global offshore wind investment for the UK.
Millions of Brits will find it easier to track their pension savings with the creation of a small pensions pot consolidator, in reforms unveiled by the pensions minister. Government unveils reforms to combine small pension pots to make working people better off as part of Plan for Change.
The Scottish Government will have increased borrowing powers following an Order made in Parliament this week by Scottish Secretary. Ian Murray has laid the ‘The Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2025' which increases the Scottish Government’s borrowing limits to a cumulative total of £3 billion for capital and £629 million for resource.