News Archive

17/4/2025

 
British soldiers take down drone swarm in groundbreaking use of radio wave weapon

British soldiers have successfully tracked, targeted and defeated swarms of drones in the latest trial of a new directed energy weapon developed in the UK.   UK-made, invisible radio wave weapon knocks out drone swarms for the first time.  

17/4/2025

 
UK backs businesses to trade carbon credits and unlock finance

British businesses and organisations better supported to trade carbon credits as part of new work to establish the UK as the global hub for green finance.   Britain is back in the business of climate leadership, leading a new growth market and cementing UK as the green finance capital of the world.  

17/4/2025

 
‘War on tourism' - Trump set to cost U.S. billions as foreign tourists stay clear

In a new worst-case estimate, Goldman Sachs says reduced travel and boycotts could cost the U.S.  almost $90 billion in lost GDP this year alone.  

17/4/2025

European Central Bank cuts interest to 2.5%

The ECB on Thursday cut interest rates by 25 basis points, as was widely expected ahead of the decision.   This is the third cut by the European Central Bank this year and covers 20 countries.  

16/4/2025

 
Consumer price inflation, UK - March 2025 - 2.6% down from 2.8% in February

The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.4% in the 12 months to March 2025, down from 3.7% in the 12 months to February.   On a monthly basis, CPIH rose by 0.3% in March 2025, compared with a rise of 0.6% in March 2024.  

16/4/2025

Housing prices in Highland - 16 April 2025

How average house prices and rents are changing in Highland.   The average house price in Highland was £210,000 in February 2025 (provisional), up 2.7% from February 2024.  

16/4/2025

Britain on fast track to net zero with early access to £4 billion infrastructure investment

Energy watchdog Ofgem is slashing red tape to allow new wind and solar farms to connect to the electricity grid faster.  Projects that can be up and running by 2030 will be fast-tracked helping the Government hit its clean power targets.  

16/4/2025

 
Canadian retailers are seeing a surge in domestic sales amid the ‘Buy Canadian' movement

In recent months, the "Buy Canadian" movement has gained significant momentum, driven by a collective push to support domestic products and services, strengthen local businesses and reduce reliance on foreign imports.   Escalating trade tensions and tariff disputes with the United States and threats from U.S.  

16/4/2025

Amazon's ‘Buy for me' button is set to revolutionise shopping and it’s likely to come to the UK

Amazon has launched its new ‘Buy for me' button in the US.  It enables shoppers to buy products from other sites if they are not available on Amazon, still using the Amazon app checkout experience.  

16/4/2025

Temporary duties imposed on engine oils and hydraulic fluids

The Government  has accepted the TRA's recommendation to impose provisional duties on imports of engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the UAE.   The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has today (16/04/2025) accepted the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)'s recommendation to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following evidence of dumping that has caused injury to UK industry. These measures will be in effect for a period of up to six months.  

16/4/2025

World Trade Organization says global trade could slide this year because of Trump's tariff policies

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has stated that the volume of global trade in goods is expected to decrease by 0.2% this year.   This decline is attributed to U.S.  

15/4/2025

 
Average weekly earnings in Great Britain - April 2025

The following information is for the period from December 2024 to February 2025.   For this release we have implemented revisions, on an exceptional basis, back to October 2020 to allow for late and updated returns we received from one business to be included and improve the quality of the estimates.  

15/4/2025

 
A sustainable solution for Sellafield's surplus trains

A redundant Sellafield train has returned to the firm that rebuilt it 28 years ago.   Sellafield's hardworking locomotives star in the latest series of Great British Railway Journeys on BBC2, giving viewers a rare glimpse at one of the largest internal rail networks in the country.  

15/4/2025

Understanding the UK economy

The Office for National Statistics has produce a page today setting out a variety of the numbers to help with navigating the complexities of the UK economy It is neatly laid out allowing you to choose he areas that most interest you.   This tool presents data from our most recent releases in the main areas that contribute to economic activity.  

15/4/2025

 
Labour market overview, UK - April 2025

Estimates for payrolled employees in the UK decreased by 8,000 (0.0%) between January and February 2025 but rose by 35,000 (0.1%) between February 2024 and February 2025.   Payrolled employees fell by 21,000 (0.1%) over the quarter but rose by 50,000 (0.2%) over the year, when looking at December 2024 to February 2025.  

15/4/2025

Now is the time to generate growth together with India

£400m of trade and investment wins from UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue set to boost the British economy.   £400m of trade and investment wins set to boost the British economy and deliver economic growth and security for working people.  

15/4/2025

First Minister John Swinney has announced he will bring forward the Scottish Government's legislative programme

Could you guess there is an election coming next May.   First Minister John Swinney has announced he will bring forward the Scottish Government's legislative programme to ensure the country is as prepared as possible to secure its future in the face of the uncertainty facing the global economy.  

15/4/2025

 
Clean energy projects prioritised for grid connections

Ofgem is expected to confirm the National Energy System Operator's ambitious new plan to reform grid connections and unlock billions of investment.   Grid connections for businesses that will deliver clean energy prioritised, driving growth to put more money in working people's pockets.  

15/4/2025

Florin-Petrica Bodale, who was a sole trader operating as a building contractor, exaggerated his turnover to obtain the maximum Bounce Back Loan

Florin-Petrica Bodale was a building contractor and sole trader, operating in Harrow.   He claimed his business had a turnover of more than £200,000 to claim the maximum Covid Bounce Back loan.  

15/4/2025

Sussex cafe owner took £150,000 in Covid funds for dormant companies

He also attempted to strike-off one of the companies to avoid repaying the loan.   Mehmet Akyuz fraudulently applied for three Bounce Back Loans for his organic food shop and cafe and leather import business.