Update to Statement on UK military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean. Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.
JET continues to provide unique insight into how to design a fusion power plant. tritium and materials science, remote handling and engineering combine in early phases of world-first research.
This briefing note looks into the drivers of Britain's stubbornly high household energy bills, and how reform of the costs added onto bills offers a route for helping families with the cost of living this winter. It outlines three principles for change: that efforts should work for the most vulnerable households, provide a tailwind for the net zero transition, and be realistic within the UK's tight fiscal situation.
In surveys of economic confidence, British consumers report a net score of -32, a level last seen in the aftermath of Truss mini budget. But, when it comes to personal financial expectations, there is a positive score of +4.
During CTWeek25 - a national celebration to showcase how community transport services are integral to local lives - The Highland Council is paying tribute to the organisations and teams of volunteers who provide a crucial role far beyond simply moving people from one place to another. In a typical year, Highland Community Transport Groups that the Council supports provide 25,000 volunteer hours.
More visitors to Cairngorm Mountain could access pathways from the top station of the funicular railway to the summit of Cairn Gorm - if trials by the resort's operating company prove successful. Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) plans to use mobile phones to track walkers’ movements and ensure they keep to the designated paths within the ski area to protect the environment.
Highland Council Trading Standards Enforcement Officers have seized illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products following inspections at four retail premises in Inverness and Easter Ross after acting on complaints from the public and local businesses. The enforcement action was part of an ongoing joint initiative between HMRC & Trading Standards called "Operation CeCe" which tackles the illegal tobacco trade in the UK.
The Chancellor almost certainly has a fiscal repair job on her hands at the Budget on 26 November. Using the Barclays central forecast for the economy, we estimate that the Chancellor could see something like a £22 billion downgrade to the borrowing outlook for 2029-30 - of which £6 billion results directly from reversing recent and planned cuts to social security spending.
Some of the world's biggest tech firms have soared in value over the last year. As AI evolves at pace, there are hopes that it will improve lives in ways that people could never have imagined a decade ago - in sectors as diverse as healthcare, employment and scientific discovery.
Following an increasing trend in reports of criminals placing tape over the cameras of ring doorbells and home security cameras in order to steal vehicles. Police Scotland urge you all to be aware, be vigilant, and be prepared!.
If the Chancellor hopes to raise large sums from tax increases at the Budget, she should consider reforms that would make any increases less damaging. The UK is in a fiscal bind and it is likely that the Chancellor will return with another tax-raising Budget on 26 November 2025.
with a budget on 26 November likely to include some tax rises you may want to quietly reshape your financial strategy. Since Rachel Reeves' budget is expected to target higher earners, investors, and some businesses, here's a breakdown of what to think about depending on your situation.
Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.3% in the three months to August 2025 compared with the three months to May 2025, a slight increase following growth of 0.2% in the three months to July 2025. Services output grew by 0.4% in the three months to August 2025, compared with the three months to May 2025; this is unchanged after also growing by 0.4% in the three months to July 2025.
The UK economy grew by 0.1 % in August, helping reverse earlier weakness (with July revised down). The Guardian Reuters But the quarterly growth over the three months to August was only 0.3 %, so the recovery remains fragile.
Over a quarter (28%) of trading businesses reported that economic uncertainty is currently impacting their turnover; this is unchanged from the previous month (initial results from Wave 142 of the Business Insights and Conditions Survey). The total number of ship visits to major UK ports increased by 9% in the week to 12 October 2025 compared with the previous week, returning to normal levels after storm Amy, but remained broadly unchanged when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (exactEarth).
The value of goods imports was unchanged in August 2025, with a rise in imports from the EU offset by a fall in imports from non-EU countries. The value of goods exports fell by £1.1 billion (3.3%) in August 2025, with a decrease in exports to both EU and non-EU countries.
Total construction output is estimated to have grown by 0.3% in the three months to August 2025. Over the three-month period, new work fell by 0.4%, and repair and maintenance grew by 1.3%.
Jake Atkinson, Campaigns Manager at Tax Justice UK writes The vast majority of the UK's wealthiest are proud to live here and happy to pay their taxes— in fact, 72% of millionaires want to be taxed more. But unfortunately, there will always be a few individuals ready to rip us off by moving their cash overseas.
Most winter heating payments will be paid to people automatically. Social Security Scotland's winter heating payments helped over half a million families warm their homes last year.
The NDA group graduate scheme offers far more than just a stepping stone into the nuclear industry; it's a chance to grow professionally, explore new places, and become part of a supportive community. Nuala Ledward, Assurance and Performance Graduate, shares how her secondment to Dounreay brought these benefits to life.
