News Archive

17/3/2026

Ukraine Defence Partnership set to boost global production and national security

The UK and Ukraine are set to agree a new world-leading partnership to boost global defensive capability against the the proliferation of low cost, high tech military hardware, including drones.   President Zelenskyy set to visit Downing Street today 17 March 2026 as leaders agree new military partnership and announce new AI Centre of Excellence in Kyiv.  

16/3/2026

 
Jailed fraudster ordered to hand back more than £120,000 after securing Covid loans in his wife's name

Bradford man obtained two of the three maximum-value Bounce Back Loans he applied for, with one refused.   Shohid Ahmed applied for three Bounce Back Loans worth £150,000 using his wife's name, receiving £100,000 his restaurant was not entitled to He filed false documents with Companies House to make an innocent woman appear to be the director of his company.  

16/3/2026 : Local Authority

 
Make Your Mind Up Time Coming As Scottish Parliament Election called in Highland

The Notice of Election for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election has been published today (Monday 16 March 2026).   The election will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026 with polling taking place in three Highland constituencies.  

16/3/2026

Scotland To Get £4.6 million For Heating Oil Support But Not For Everyone

Families across UK to benefit from over £50 million to help people pay for the rising cost of heating oil.  Chancellor confirms over £50 million with £4.6million in Scotland for low income families who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices.  The price of kerosene - the fuel used for heating oil - has been especially affected by the conflict in the Middle East and has risen faster than other fuels such as petrol and gas.   Government announces intention to regulate heating oil sector to introduce new consumer protections, alongside securing agreement with industry to quickly improve customer experiences.  

16/3/2026

 
Update on Companies House WebFiling security issue

Statement from Andy King, Chief Executive of Companies House, on the WebFiling security issue.   On Friday 13 March, Companies House was made aware of a security issue which meant that a logged-in user of our WebFiling service could potentially access and change some elements of another company's details without their consent after performing a specific set of actions.  

16/3/2026

 
What's The Difference Between Ways To Pay Such As Pay by Bank, Credit Cards, and Debit cards

When paying for goods online, Pay by Bank, credit cards, and debit cards all move money differently and have different protections and fees.  Here's a comparison as Pay by Bank save the online retailers fees but may not be best for the consumer.  

16/3/2026

 
Major employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for next generation

A major youth employment drive backed by £1 billion will help create 200,000 jobs for young people, alongside the biggest transformation of apprenticeships in a decade.   Major employment drive - backed by large and small businesses and celebrity chef Tom Kerridge - will reverse rising number of young people neither earning nor learning, after a 37 percent increase between 2021 and 2024.  

16/3/2026

How Will the Extra Cash for Heating Oil Be Distributed - It is Relatively Small Amount In Total

Below are the most likely ways Scotland will handle the funding, based on how similar funds have been used before and the tools they already have.   Many people not on benefits may get very little or nothing.  

16/3/2026

Increased financial help for carers

Additional support for people caring for more than one person.   Financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland is being strengthened in recognition of their vital role.  

16/3/2026

Understanding Making Tax Digital for Self-Employed and Landlords - Deadlines Approaching

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, or MTD ITSA, is a significant change for self-employed people and landlords in the UK.   From April 2026, self-employed individuals with combined gross income from business and property over £50,000 are required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.  

16/3/2026

Tackling inequality by expanding family support

Supporting families at risk of poverty and improving outcomes for children are at the heart of a funding package totalling more than £7.5 million.   The Scottish Government investment spans three key programmes, each designed to address the root causes of child poverty and give families the tools they need to thrive.  

15/3/2026

 
Laughs - Trump's Iran War Sparks Massive Oil Crisis as He Declares Victory at Bizarre Rally: A Closer Look - Seth Myers

Seth takes a closer look at the Trump administration and Republicans saying the Iran war is both a short excursion and a longer war.  There is plenty of truth exposed in comedy..  

15/3/2026

 
GLOBAL WATER BANKRUPTCY: Why the World Is Living Beyond Its Hydrological Means

Water has always been the quiet architecture of civilization as it is the invisible infrastructure beneath every harvest, every city, every power grid, every public health system.  Yet, as the United Nations University bluntly warns, the world has now crossed a threshold that can no longer be described as a "crisis." The old language of emergency and recovery has lost its meaning.  

15/3/2026

Litter louts face losing their driving licences

Litter louts trashing our high streets, roads and community spaces could face losing their driving licences.   Litter louts trashing our high streets, roads and community spaces could face losing their driving licences, as the government considers plans to step up the fight against waste crime.  

15/3/2026

 
Stock market crashes don't destroy money, and here is why - Richard Murphy

Every time stock markets drop, headlines say that billions have been lost.  But where does that money actually go?.  

15/3/2026

Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is a global inflation, shipping and growth story

The Strait of Hormuz is critical to global oil and gas supplies, and to the conflict in Iran.  Mohsen Khezri calls the Strait an "economic clock of war": a short closure is an oil shock but a long closure becomes an inflation and growth shock.  

15/3/2026

Government to go "further and faster" in becoming energy secure

The Energy Secretary outlines measures to protect consumers and make Britain energy secure.   The Energy Secretary will today outline a package of measures to go "further and faster" in the pursuit of national energy security as a response to events in the Middle East.  

15/3/2026

 
Berkay Ozcan: "Immigration is not a silver bullet for falling birth rates"

Why are people across the world having fewer children? In an interview with LSE's Anna Bevan, Berkay Ozcan discusses the scale of declining fertility rates, whether immigration might provide the answer, and what a fall in the world's population would mean for the environment.   Why are we having fewer children? There are various reasons why we are having fewer children.  

15/3/2026

MPs' vote against a social media ban didn't kill the idea - it may have made it easier later

At first glance, the House of Commons vote on March 9 seemed to send a clear political message.  MPs have decided against an amendment from the House of Lords to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would have introduced an outright ban on social media use for under-16s.  

15/3/2026

 
Why Are Markets Not Crashing?

Markets are rising even as consumer confidence collapses and oil prices surge.  In this video we examine why investors are ignoring growing economic risks — from energy shocks to the AI investment boom and rising private credit.