If your job involves working with vulnerable people or the general public, you may come across clients who have fallen victim to a loan shark. They may be frightened and feel trapped by their situation.
As the colder weather approaches there has been an increase in reports of cold callers offering to apply a special thermal coating to roofs and property exteriors, saying it will save money on energy bills. In some cases, they say their work will be partially funded by a government grant and that they have been contracted by the local council.
In 2025, the debt crisis in both the United Kingdom and the United States has reached a critical juncture. Government borrowing is surging, household debt is climbing, and the economic consequences are beginning to ripple through every layer of society.
AI is already reducing the need for certain white-collar jobs, and the impact is increasingly visible across industries. Changing Nature of Work Shift in Corporate Strategy: Companies are not just cutting jobs—they're redefining roles.
Greencore's proposed purchase of rival Bakkavor will create one of the UK's largest convenience food businesses. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing to accept remedies offered following its investigation into Greencore Group's deal to buy Bakkavor Group.
British food and drink sector sees nearly £100m in export opportunities unlocked as agri-food attaches resolve more than 40 trade barriers so far in 2025. British food producers can now benefit from export opportunities estimated by industry to be worth nearly £100 million, following intensive work by its network of agri-food attaches this year.
If you've borrowed money from a loan shark, it's important to remember that you've done nothing wrong. You're in no legal trouble and support/guidance is available to you Find out more at www.stopillegallending.co.uk.
Several homeowners who have had spray foam insulation installed have recently received cold calls or unsolicited letters offering legal services in connection with a claim relating to the removal of the insulation. Some of those who had previously been contacted by a company offering to inspect and remove their spray foam insulation are now receiving calls and letters from a company called 'The Franco-British Lawyers Society'.
An illegal money lender, also known as a loan shark, exploits those in need for money. Their lending is unauthorised, they won't always give you any paperwork and they'll charge an extremely high interest rate.
"EXCLUSIVE: SNP ministers left red-faced by Scottish Government's ‘massive U-turn' on Caithness maternity" The Scottish Government, which in September rejected calls for an independent review of maternity services in Caithness, has now backed a motion to commission one — campaigners say this is a "massive U-turn". "Youth hospitalised after town-centre assault in Wick" A 17-year-old was taken to hospital after an assault in Market Square, Wick on the evening of 4 November.
At its meeting ending on 5 November 2025, the Monetary Policy Committee voted by a majority of 5-4 to maintain Bank Rate at 4%. Four members voted to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.75%.
Caithness Health Action Team and MSPs highlighted that since the consultant-led maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital was downgraded, women in Caithness face a long journey (~100 miles) down the A9 to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth. On 5 November 2025, the Scottish Government agreed to support a motion (from the Liberal Democrats) calling for an independent review of maternity services in Caithness.
The First Minister has urged all those eligible for a flu vaccination this year to take up the offer as he received his in Edinburgh. Getting the flu vaccine is extremely important for those who are most vulnerable to the virus to protect them from severe illness and in some cases, death.
Ajax supports a UK-wide supply chain of more than 230 companies and over 4,100 jobs. Built in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, it is another demonstration of defence as an engine for economic growth.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is advising the UK seafood industry to urgently check out the EU's expanded definition of processing to make sure businesses are not caught out from 10 January 2026. Many more UK businesses are now expected to have to complete processing statements as a result of changes to import controls being introduced by the EU in the New Year.
Pupils impacted by poverty will receive further support to succeed in their studies through a continued £43 million investment this year. The Scottish Government funding will be distributed to local councils for strategic approaches to closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
The assessment of trainee seafarers is moving into the digital age with a new web-based platform to be phased in from next year by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It will replace old-fashioned paper methods with more flexible, future-proof digital assessments.
Rory Deighton responds to BMA resident doctors rejecting government's final pay offer ahead of further planned strikes. Responding to the British Medical Association (BMA) rejecting the final pay offer from the government, Rory Deighton, acute director at the NHS Confederation, said: "More strikes is the last thing health leaders want going into what is expected to be a very difficult winter - with the flu with flu season hitting more than a month earlier than in previous years.
The government says there's a "black hole" in the public finances — but the black hole is really in our hospitals, schools, and local councils, not the Treasury. The UK can never run out of money.
