News Archive

7/4/2025

 
Government launches call for evidence to break down barriers to opportunity at work

A new call for evidence [launched today 7 April 2025] will enable business, trade unions and civil society to shape action helping everyone, no matter their background, to thrive under the government's Plan for Change.   Responses will support consideration of a range of areas, including steps to make the right to equal pay effective for women, people from ethnic minority groups, and disabled people.  

7/4/2025

Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper

New plans to help UK tourism businesses offer better deals and value-for-money packages.   Plan for Change to cut outdated regulations will allow hotels, attractions, and restaurants to collaborate more easily Families planning their summer holidays will have more choice, better prices, and greater convenience.  

7/4/2025

Keir Starmer Expected To Announce New Measures Today to Combat Tariffs

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to make an announcement today, Monday, 7 April 2025.  He plans to outline measures to support British businesses and industries in response to the tariffs imposed by U.S.  

7/4/2025

More than £13 billion generated by public procurement

Scotland's known public sector procurement spend in 2022-23 delivered an estimated 120,000 full-time equivalent jobs and £7.5 billion to Scottish GDP.   The sixth annual report on procurement activity in Scotland shows that known procurement spend generated an estimated £13.7 billion in economic activity.  

7/4/2025

Consultation launched to cut red tape for asset managers and boost growth

Red tape will be cut for asset managers, as the Chancellor goes further and faster to drive growth through the Plan for Change.   Consultation launched to simplify regulation for Alternative Investment Fund Managers.  

6/4/2025

 
American Empire Is in Decline - Economist Richard Wolff on Trump's Trade War & Tariffs

As President Trump finally unveils his global tariff plan — setting a baseline 10% tariff on all imported goods.  With additional hikes apparently based on individual countries' trade balances with the United States — economists like our guest Richard Wolff warn it will have grave economic effects on American consumers and lead to a recession.  

6/4/2025

 
China and Canada's Shocking Oil Pact - Leaving U S in the Dust as EVs and Energy Wars Heat Up!

China and Canada's Shocking Oil Pact - Leaving U S in the Dust as EVs and Energy Wars Heat Up! Canada’s energy sector is at a crossroads as the $34 billion Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion (TMX), completed in May 2024.  This opens a Pacific gateway to Asia, breaking decades of U.S.  

6/4/2025

 
Income boost for millions of pensioners and working people but lower increase for some pensioners

Millions of pensioners will receive as much as £470 more a year added to their State Pension from today.  The government's' ironclad commitment to the pensions Triple Lock throughout this parliament is keeping up pension levels but many get less due to the changes in 2016 - see explanations a he bottom of this page.  

6/4/2025

 
Happy new tax year 2025 - Tax, utility bill and social security changes in April 2025

Adam Corlett and Lalitha Try from the Resolution Foundation look at what the new tax year brings.   April brings with it a series of tax, benefit and bill rises.  

6/4/2025

 
Tariff That DESTROYED the American Economy in Just Weeks - It's An Old Story But So True

Tariffs - Breadlines - Trade wars.  Nearly a century ago, protectionism shook the world.  

6/4/2025

Scots firms to pay £55 million more in rates than English counterparts this year

Firms occupying larger premises in Scotland are set to pay £54.7 million more than their equivalent-sized counterparts down south in the coming year, from 1 April.   The figures have prompted the Scottish Retail Consortium to reiterate its call for rates parity with England and for the introduction of a new ‘Poundage Rate Lock', so that Scots retailers are never again charged more in rates than counterparts down south.  

6/4/2025

 
Our politicians seem to be terrified of us. Why is that?

Neoliberalism has failed, but the Labour government is wedded to it.   No wonder they're so frightened.  

6/4/2025

Wall Street Blew It - From the Atlantic Magazine That Trump has berated at his press conference

Investors discounted everything Trump has ever said about trade and tariffs.   We're all going to pay for that mistake.  

6/4/2025

Trump's tariffs aren't meant to make economic sense - Richard Murphy

In summary, he is setting out to shatter every economic advantage that the USA has had, has exploited, and has massively benefited from.  If anyone can see any sense in that, good luck in trying to do so.  

6/4/2025

Economic Own Goal or ACT OF WAR? - Trump's Tariffs

How are markets reacting to the White House's announcement?.   What is Donald Trump's strategy behind imposing reciprocal tariffs across the globe? Will the president ever row back on his decision? Join Katty and Anthony as they answer all of this and more.  

6/4/2025

Trumps Tariffs Will Hit Whisky, Salmon Exports And More - Adapting and Diversifying Is Not New

Trump's tariffs could have a particularly significant impact on Scotland compared to other parts of the UK.   This is largely due to Scotland's reliance on key exports like Scotch whisky and salmon, which are heavily targeted by these tariffs.  

6/4/2025

 
Fake reviews and sneaky hidden fees banned once and for all

Outrageous fake reviews and sneaky hidden fees are now banned once and for all in a major win for consumers right across the UK.   Fake reviews and hidden fees that cost consumers £2.2bn every year now banned.  

6/4/2025

 
Taxes Are Going Up - Freeze On Allowances and Fiscal Drag

April will bring a variety of changes in the tax system, ranging from wide-reaching to narrow impacts and from some that are very noticeable to others that are more subtle.   Although households won't observe any direct changes in their take-home pay due to tax changes in April, two tax rises are coming into effect this month that will ultimately affect their incomes, as Figure 1 shows.  

6/4/2025

Jaguar Land Rover Suspend Exports To USA

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has temporarily paused its car exports to the United States.  This decision comes in response to the 25% tariffs imposed by President Trump on foreign-made cars.  

6/4/2025

Increased Employer NIC Start Today But Retail Sales Are Already Poor

UK Total retail sales increased by 1.1% year on year in February, against a growth of 1.1% in February 2024.  This was below the 3-month average growth of 2.4% and above the 12-month average growth of 0.8%.