Zahid Afzal fraudulently obtained three £50,000 Bounce Back Loans for his mobile phone companies after they had already received £52,500 legitimately. He falsely declared his companies had not received previous Bounce Back Loans, inflated turnover figures for one of the companies, and transferred significant amounts to his personal accounts.
Nearly 500 employers fined over £10 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage. Nearly 500 employers fined over £10 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage.
The latest Business Conditions indicators in Scotland point to a continuing subdued environment for firms at the end of 2025 and into early 2026. The report shows Scotland suffered with weak activity, rising costs, and persistent demand challenges.
In recent years, a growing number of wealthy donor countries have reduced their foreign aid budgets, marking one of the most significant contractions in global development finance in over two decades. These decisions reflect domestic fiscal pressures, rising defence and security spending, and shifting political priorities in donor states.
The future of many of Donald Trump's tariffs are up in the air, with the Supreme Court expected to hand down a ruling on the administration's global trade barriers any day now. But the question of whether a policy is legal or constitutional - which the justices are entertaining now - isn't the same as whether it's wise.
The funding will go towards UK research and development projects that help deliver net zero aviation by 2050. up to £43 million will be allocated to green aviation projects, paving the way for airport expansion and supporting highly skilled jobs.
Explanation of what the EU might do against the Trump Tariff threats. France and Germany are leading the way..
Ministers to highlight government focus on stability and certainty in a volatile world. Chancellor and Business Secretary arrive at World Economic Forum Annual Meetings today (20 January) to showcase Britain's strengths to investors and CEOs.
Trump's tariff threat over Greenland will impact small UK businesses disproportionately, warns the international delivery expert Parcelhero. It says the consequences of Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs on UK exports if Britain continues to oppose his Greenland takeover plan will be extremely serious for SME exporters.
British entrepreneurs, workers and communities will benefit from a sweeping package of growth measures, as the Government acts to invest in key growth sectors and slash red tape to help businesses scale up. British Business Bank makes largest ever direct investment into a private company - Octopus Energy spinoff Kraken Technologies – alongside £100m in fund investments for Life Sciences and Deep Tech Major - key Industrial Strategy sectors.
Bold new strategy will grow education exports to £40bn a year by 2030, supporting UK jobs and investment. As part of the Government's plan for national renewal, education is being turbocharged as a major engine of UK economic growth, as ministers set out a new International Education Strategy to export the country’s world-class education and skills offer worldwide.
Second phase of Women's Health Plan backed by over £2.4 million to tackle gynaecological waiting times. New plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 and transform gynaecology services—ending long waits—have been published as part of the second phase of the Women's Health Plan.
For food and drink producers in Caithness—particularly those involved in whisky, other spirits, beverages, and fish—the case for market diversification is both economic and structural. These industries are capital-intensive, exposed to regulatory change, and highly sensitive to trade barriers such as tariffs, customs delays, and certification requirements.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has announced the appointment of five new UK Trade Envoys. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has today [February 20] announced the appointment of five new UK Trade Envoys.
A new once-in-a-generation plan to overhaul the water system in England and protect households from disruption has been unveiled today (Tuesday 20 January 2026). A new once-in-a-generation plan to overhaul the water system and protect households from disruption has been unveiled today (Tuesday 20 January).
Chruthaich Am Mòd Nà iseanta Rìoghail - an fhèis Ghà idhlig as motha san t‑saoghail – buannachd eaconamach £3.9 millean do Loch Abar, am Mòd as soirbheachail mar sin ann an sia bliadhna. Sheall aithisg a dh'ullaich eòlaichean aig Tourism Resources Company, às leth an luchd‑eagrachaidh An Comunn Gà idhealach, gun robh còrr air 9,400 neach‑tadhail aig an tachartas, à rdachadh 4% an taca ri 2024.
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting. The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.
Highland Council has launched a public consultation for feedback on a draft Highland Play Sufficiency Assessment A Play Sufficiency Assessment (PSA) assesses the provision and quality of outdoor play spaces, as well as the accessibility of play opportunities, and is developed in accordance with Scottish Government guidance. Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: "The PSA has assessed our formal and informal play spaces throughout Highland to better understand the facilities, functions and potential limitations of these spaces.
Poverty remains one of the most pressing social challenges in the United Kingdom. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's (JRF) latest research, millions of people across the UK live in conditions that fall far short of a minimum acceptable standard of living.
The world has become markedly more turbulent in recent weeks. Events are moving fast, and in moments like this, what matters most is being clear about the values and the interests that guide us, even as circumstances change.