News Archive

6/7/2026

 
The UK savings system is failing us - and we could do very much better - Richard Murphy

The UK's savings system is dominated by ISAs and pensions.  Together, they account for most personal savings.  

6/7/2026

 
UK Forces protect NATO with aircraft carrier operations in High North

NATO air policing conducted by F-35 jets from European aircraft carrier for first time in boost to High North security.   Britain’s Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, is helping to defend Europe and the North Atlantic, with F-35 jets conducting NATO air policing operations from the deck for the first time.  

6/7/2026

 
UK sanctions Russians developing chemical weapons used to kill Alexei Navalny and Dawn Sturgess

The UK is sanctioning Russian actors involved in the development of deadly toxins Novichok and Epibatidine, linked to the deaths of Alexei Navalny and Dawn Sturgess.   The UK is sanctioning Russian actors involved in the research, development and production of the deadly Novichok nerve agents and the lethal toxin Epibatidine used in the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and Dawn Sturgess.  

6/7/2026

 
Tough new rules to crackdown on foreign money in UK elections

New rules include a cap on donations from those who've lived overseas and tougher checks on company donations.   New safeguards to stop foreign money influencing UK elections, including a timebound cap on donations on those who move to the UK from overseas.  

6/7/2026

Scottish Economic Bulletin July 2026: What It Means for Scotland's Economy

The Scottish Government's latest Economic Bulletin paints a picture of an economy that is continuing to grow—but only just.   While Scotland has avoided recession, growth remains weak and businesses and households continue to face pressures from higher costs, global uncertainty and subdued consumer confidence.  

6/7/2026

Why the U.S. Aluminum Market Is Under Pressure – And What It Means for Consumers

Aluminium may not be something most people think about every day, but it is one of the most important industrial metals in the modern economy.  It is used in everything from cars and aircraft to food packaging, beverage cans, construction materials, electrical equipment and household appliances.  

6/7/2026

 
Supported housing residents to keep more of what they earn under new rules

More than 300,000 residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation will no longer face a drop in income when increasing their working hours, under new rules laid in Parliament today [Monday 6 July 2026].   Residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation previously faced a “cliff edge” loss of income when increasing their working hours New changes to the welfare system which encourage work and ensure it always pays come into force in October.  

6/7/2026

Government steps up action to protect children as AI-enabled toys emerge

Government steps up action to protect children with toy safety rules.   Government launches Call for Evidence to ensure toy safety rules are fit for a modern age It will examine emerging risks including chemical safety and AI-enabled toys Part of wider action to crack down on unsafe products, strengthen consumer protections, and provide clarity to businesses to support trade and growth Children will be better protected from unsafe toys under new plans to ensure the UK’s toy safety framework is fit for the modern age, giving parents peace of mind that the products they buy are safe, whether purchased on the high street or online.  

5/7/2026

 
What Scotland Pays vs What It Receives: Understanding the Fiscal Balance Inside the UK - Article 1

Part 1 of a series: Scotland at the Crossroads – Money, Markets, and the Economics of Independence.   Other articles will be publish in the coming week expanding the topic about various aspects of how money, savings mortgages etc might be treated under an independent Scotland without bias one way or another.  

5/7/2026

 
Uk Government May Be About To Make Announcements About Student Loans in England - How Much Better Off Are Scottish Students - Taxpayers Foot Some Of The Bill For Both

Student Loans are becoming an interesting political issue because reports suggest the UK Government is considering making the student loan system in England more generous again.  Possibly by increasing the salary threshold at which graduates start repaying, or reducing the amount they repay.  

5/7/2026

Did Britain Get the Balance Wrong? Why Universities Expanded While Technical Colleges Declined

For more than half a century, Britain has pursued a remarkably consistent ambition to encourage more young people to go to university.   It has been one of the most successful education policies in modern British history.  

5/7/2026

The Forgotten Revolution: When Apprenticeships Trained Britain's Managers

For many younger people, it is almost impossible to imagine becoming a bank manager, engineer, surveyor or senior civil servant without first obtaining a university degree.   Yet for much of the twentieth century, that was precisely how Britain developed many of its most capable professionals.  

5/7/2026

Europe’s Gas Dilemma: Why Russian Imports Persist While Norway Hesitates in the Arctic

Europe’s energy crisis is often spoken about as something triggered by war, sanctions, and sudden disruption.  But in reality, it has evolved into something more structural: a long-term rebalancing of where Europe gets its gas, how much risk it is willing to tolerate, and how far it is prepared to go—literally and politically—to secure supply.  

5/7/2026

When University Was for 5%: How Britain Turned Higher Education from an Elite Privilege into a Mass System—and Why We're Still Arguing About Who Should Pay

Every few years Britain seems to rediscover the same argument.  Student loans are too high.  

4/7/2026

Should Scotland Follow England’s Lead on Apprenticeship Rankings?

Scotland is at a crossroads in how it recognises and promotes apprenticeships.  England’s annual Top Apprenticeship Employers rankings—recently updated for 2026 have become a high‑profile benchmark for celebrating companies that invest heavily in skills, training, and workforce development.  

4/7/2026

Power Prices, Heat Waves, and the Data‑Centre Boom: Are We Seeing the First Signs of a Global Energy Crunch?

A recent article on OilPrice.com caught our attention.  The piece, titled “Power Prices Triple on PJM as Heat Wave and Data Centers Collide”, describes a moment that may be remembered as one of the first clear warnings that the world’s digital infrastructure is beginning to outgrow the electrical grids that power it.  

4/7/2026

Will Britain's Councils Finally Be Trusted to Make Their Own Decisions?

After decades of central control, could the balance of power finally shift away from Whitehall? Every government promises to "empower local communities." Almost every government then proceeds to do the opposite.   Councils are told what they must spend money on, what targets they must meet, what taxes they can raise and, increasingly, what they cannot do without first seeking permission from central government.  

4/7/2026

The Welfare Debate Nobody Wants to Have: Why Britain's Biggest Welfare Bill Is Rarely Mentioned

When politicians talk about "welfare spending", they are often referring to a very broad budget that includes: Working-age benefits (Universal Credit, disability benefits, housing benefit, etc.) State pensions Pension Credit and other pensioner benefits.   The important point is that the State Pension is by far the largest single component of welfare spending.  

4/7/2026

Over £4 billion invested in next-generation fighter jet with new international contract

The £4.6 billion contract awarded to industry joint venture Edgewing, funded jointly by the three partner nations, will advance the next stage of the aircraft's design.   £4.6 billion contract secured with Italy and Japan to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft.  

4/7/2026

From Financial Services to Factories: Is Britain About to Rebuild Its Industrial Base?

Britain is at a pivotal moment.  After decades of leaning heavily on financial services, the UK is now facing a convergence of pressures such as geopolitical shocks, energy transitions, supply‑chain fragility, and a renewed focus on national resilience.